PORTLAND, Maine — President Barack Obama’s campaign swing through Portland and South Portland drew thousands of supporters, but it also cost area police departments thousands of dollars for overtime.
Portland spent nearly $21,000 in overtime associated with the president’s visit, while South Portland spent about $8,000 in overtime.
Assistant Portland Police Chief Vern Malloch called the president’s visit “an honor.”
South Portland Police Chief Ed Googins also said it was honor even though the overtime puts a strain on the budget. But he noted that other extraordinary circumstances, including poor weather, can also cost the city money.
Maine taxpayer advocate Steven Scharf told The Portland Press Herald the federal government should foot the local police overtime bill for presidential visits, no matter whether the president is a Democrat or Republican.
Give me a break. Why is this news? Of course it costs money for the President to visit. And as the Portland Police Chief stated in the article, it is an HONOR to have the President visit our state. On another note, why did the AP use such an unflattering photo of the Pres? Overall a nothing article and a big waste of time when there are many other important topics to inform the public about.
Agreed, sf. Have costs been reported on all other presidential visits through the years? Cost is only an issue and “news” now that belts are being tightened everywhere.
Agreed, both. Look at this article: http://www.haaretz.com/news/security-arrangements-for-bush-visit-to-cost-israel-25-000-an-hour-1.236787
It cost Israel $25k AN HOUR to have Bush over there.
It always costs money to pay for the protection of politicians. Should we also compare the cost of protecting the Pope when it comes to New York? Should we compare the cost of protecting the British Prime Minister when he comes to Washington?
Money is spent. Get over it.
Thank You!! Well Said!!
Since someone flagged, I will have to send my comment on this one. I guess I should of re-iterated what I had said on an earlier comment Bush was in Walker’s Point on Presidential visits. The same was Obama going to Hawaii numerous times as President. He is campaigning. REGARDELSS who they are if they have a war chest like Obama he should pay for it. I said nothing about color, I do not know if any other President has footed a bill. With a what, 80 million dollar war chest, I would think it would be a drop in the bucket. It is unfortunate that you would have to bring race into a comment that had nothing to do with it. If I was predudice, I do not think I would be hanging with some of my friends that I do. Liberals have drawn the extent of polictical correctness to pure foolishness as you have.
So if I go speeding down the road at 90 miles per hour it should be OK, because others have gone 100 miles per hour in the past.. Now I get it. and can get over it.
Your argument is invalid. You are comparing someone campaigning for office to an illegal action.
I bet we can find numbers that show Romney and Santorum in the same boat. Where is the article on that? Doesn’t exist you say?
Because its not news unless you are the president and “have money in your warchest”. Yet a few months ago people were complaining he was spending gov money to campaign via air force one.
Are you people never happy?
“he should pay the bill with tax money”
“he shouldn’t use tax money to pay the bills. ”
Think of it this way: it’s a $29k bonus to cops who deserve it.
Yep, $29K “bonus” for Mandatory time away from their families, to protect someone who prob turns their stomaches.
It’s news because we have a fiscal genius bagger running the state.
You mean someone who knows if you have $2 in your pocket, you can’t by a cake for $9
What’s a bagger?
It’s someone who denigrates themselves by asking for handouts on a street corner.
I bet it’s ok with you when unflattering pictures are used of Gov LePage?
Not sure what a flattering photo of LePage would look like…
He didn’t visit our state! He visited “little Somalia” A.K.A Portland
Wow. That is a racist and completely untrue comment. Portland is as much as a part of Maine as any other city/town in the state.
So true, sf98. What are the overttime costs associated with Romney’s travels? Foolish story.
At $10,000 per plate they could have fed 2.9 people with these monies……
The bottom line is that Portland residents paid $29k so that Mike Brennan could hitch a ride with the President to the Portland Museum of Art. Perhaps Brennan whined in the President’s ear about how poorly Paul LePage was treating him.
Yep, and without raising funds for campaigns nobody ever gets elected, so you have to play the game. Doesn’t make him, or his contributors bad people. WE’ll never get change (from either party) if we don’t get our candidate elected. Sad, but true.
And as if it did not cost Maine $$$ or the taxpayers every time Bush I and II showed up in Kennebunkport at Walker’s Point when they were president…..seriously why is this news? Duh it’s costs $$$$ every time the president goes anywhere…this is not rocket science.
True but that was on official busy, him parading around collecting how much a plate (which he does not need the money)and the millions he has for campigning let him pay for it. Since he can easily afford it, and that goes for any of them.
On official business? Spoken like a True Blue Republican..
Do you know how to tell if you are a true blue Republican?
You bring a handful of marbles when you go listen to one of their Senate candidates speak.
Every time they say something you believe, drop one of your marbles. When you have lost your marbles, you are a true blue Republican!
Ah, at least the Republicans have maebles to drop,lol!
Interesting, I guess if that is the case, Democrats have no marbles! For the record I am an independent. Why I do know know why, if you found a conservative in the Democratic party it would be like the hounds chasing the fox in England. Though I do not think they can do that now, so they must not have any conservatives left.
You have no clue what you write, do you? The Dem. Party is much broader than the Repubs. that is for sure. Just for kicks, because I know you aren’t interested in learning, look up Joe Lieberman or Ben Nelson. Just for starters. So sad that there is not a common sense meter before they allow you to write on here.
Br0ader you say, Democrats have gone so far to the left they do not know which way they are going. Lieberman was so disinfranchised with his party he left, oh didn’t he support McCain. I guess that why he gets the cold shoulder from the Democrats.
Cold shoulder? Disenfranchised? Where are you getting your info? Why do I have to find all your information for you? It makes me wonder if I am talking to somebody who is lazy or stupid or both.
This from his website. What you have to do is type in “Joe Lieberman committees” and hit enter. I’ll help you this last time.
“Through his chairmanship on the Homeland Security and Governmental
Affairs, and membership on the Armed Services, and Small Business
Committees, Senator Lieberman…”
See? He is chairman of a committee, not out in the cold. Sheesh. Get your facts in order before you hit the send button.
As per usual half the facts, amazing that all you seem to do is throw insults at people who happen to disagree with you., Lieberman no longer attends Democratic Caucus leadership strategy meetings or policy lunches.[5] On November 5, 2008, Lieberman met with Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid to discuss his future role with the Democratic Party. Ultimately, the Senate Democratic Caucus voted to allow Lieberman to keep chairmanship of the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. Subsequently, Lieberman announced that he will continue to caucus with the Democrats. It is easy to find any facts you want. I did not say out in the cold, I said, “cold shoulder.” I wonder what Reid told him.
Half the facts? What you talk about are facts from 2008, about 4 years ago. Imagine, you use the present tense but talk about 4 year old things. And, he no longer attends Democratic leadership meetings because he isn’t a friggin Democrat!
Yes, I get annoyed when you change the subject and offer up 4 year old news as current. You wrote “I guess that why he gets the cold shoulder from the Democrats.” That means what? Gets means today, got means yesterday.
You write that the left the Democratic Party. In fact, he was defeated in a primary. Why do you not think that this is not fact? You present it as his disagreement with the dems that caused him to become Independent, when in reality, he was supported in his re-election bid by some big name Democrats. So, as usual, what you call facts are not based on reality, but you stick to your notions in the face of all reality. If you post nonsense, you will get called out on it, sometimes not in a fun way.
Have a Happy Easter.
Seems you’ve run out of things to say.
On the contrary, it is the right thing to say. I may not agree with some on the boards, and we all get touchy at times; some more than others. It does not mean I wish anyone ill will. It is the right season. He has his views, and I have mine. I can respect anyones views that resepect mine without calling people names. I know I am not perfect, and disagreeing in politics is always common. Still, I can wish him and you and everyone else a Happy Easter and a great week end. :)
How about the local REVENUE he brought in as well? I can’t imagine how much money SMCC and the Art Museum made renting out their facilities to him, and those are both organizations that can use any extra funding they can get. I must re-iterate it is the city’s job to provide police services, and it works the same way for big name bands for concerts who are also come just to make money. Plus it works the same ANYWHERE a big name political candidate does a fund raiser. What you’re not seeing is that the business he brought to Portland between people going out to eat and paying for parking to see him, and the money those two venues makes surely outweighs the costs of the overtime.
That is true, though I do not see a problem if anyone whether Obama, Bush, Clinton or anyone else that has the money to foot the bill or help. I also think it is different when you have Foreign Dicnitaries visiting. Whether him or another, with that big of a war chest for the election, it would be drop in the bucket.
Glad it was Portland that was HONORED with his visit.
And Your Problem Is????
Mine…………It is called an opinion and it is in a comment section.
And come January 20, 2013, Chicago will repatriate four of its residents!
Anyone think he cares?
You should look at it as an involuntary campaign contribution from So Portland residents, as that was what he was doing ….campaigning.
Compared to what he has cost America in Wall St. bailouts, scam “green energy” frauds, and rewards to his donors, $29,000 isn’t even a drop in the ocean.
That won’t be enough to buy luch when he completes his “job” of bankrupting our country.
…send him the bill….
I wonder what would happen if the cities said it wasn’t in the budget. Would he not have come or would he have brought his own security. If he brings his own that takes care of the problem. I know of no law that requires the city to provide free security. When events come to town, say a concert, a convention etc. they pay for extra police. Th tax payer is not forced to foot the bill. When the President visits for an event that’s one thing. When he flies in to have a dinner where people have to pay to see him that is a political event, he made money coming here yet the local tax payer gets to pay for his profit.
He did bring his own security. You see being the President he has this crazy thing called Secret Service. The police weren’t there for security for him, they were directing traffic and people overflow in Portland because an important person was in town. It’s similar when big name musical acts come to town as well. That is what the police force is for. It costs money for police overtime when people commit crimes too, but that doesn’t make the newspapers.
I agree, the feds should foot the bill regardless of what letter is after the politician’s name.
actually, it seems like the respective election campaigns should foot the bill when the visit is a campaign stop rather than a “Presidential” visit.
Then all they do is call everything an official visit. I remember the Dems carping when Bush II was flying around and sending his cabinet around the country at taxpayer expense, all the while clearly doing politics. Their solution was to send a cabinet officer to Ohio to announce a grant or something, call it official, but the cabinet officer spent 3 days making speeches and one hour doing gov’t work, but taxpayers funded the whole thing.
There needs to be some reform, but how and when is beyond me to say.
They should if they are requesting that kind of police services. However, if the city of Portland chose to provide that many officers to protect and serve the people of Portland it is their responsibility. Plus it wasn’t the CITY who let Obama come, it was the Art Museum and SMCC respectively. If the Civic Center brings in a big name and the police have the be involved we don’t hold a fuss about it, or if it snows, or someone commits a crime. None of those things end up in the paper.
Jeremiah Wright would be proud of that look.
you’re spot on… http://alturl.com/q8x8e
He has how much in his treasure trove of supporters let Obama foot the bill
Did Any of the OTHER Presidents ever FOOT THE BILL? Is It Because This President Is Not “WHITE”? Oh Noooooooo!! We Are Not Prejudice are we now!!!!
Thank you, Rev. Sharpton.
your very welcome…anytime!
Nothing like pulling the race card…really it’s getting old!
By you raising the color of Nobama’s skin you’ve demonstrated that you are the racist.
lol right try again…
You were the first poster to bring in the topic of race. You are a racist!
Well, I suggest South Portland and Portland both ask the Oblamer bunch for some cash to build some solar panels or to ship some guns across the border to Canada. Of course then SP and Portland would have to hook up with Tony Rezko or maybe one of Oblamers bundlers who isnt in prison yet to complete the pay and bribe transaction. But hey, at least they wouldnt owe that $29k anymore and we could blame the deaths of a few more Border patrol agents on the lack of gun control.
Being a campaign event; he (or his re-election committee) should pay the overtime bill. The taxpayers shouldn’t get stuck with this one. He flew away with a lot of cash, and the taxpayers got the tab….that’s really “Hope and Change”…….
So no sitting President should be allowed to campaign outside of Washington? This cost of added local security would be there no matter what, and it will continue to be there even after his 2nd term is over. Just like there are added security costs when Carter, Bush I, Clinton, or Bush II go anywhere these days. You don’t think there will be extra local security/police for a Santorum or Mitt visit? Imagine how much overtime local police will get in Tampa Bay during the Republican convention.
The city of Portland paid a year’s salary worth of overtime to officers while the President makes thousands upon thousands for his own campaign. How is that not a problem? It’s all politics for people like you I guess…
Try living in a Communist country, the army and secret plolice usually handle these matters. What country are most people on the planet trying to make their own?OURS! People in Russia would love to live under our system. Appreciate what our crazy political systems gives us. It’s not perfect, but it’s still the best.
Try living in a Communist country? Obama’s Amerikkka?
Facts to back up Obama’s AMERIKKA please? I bet you don’t have one,the only ones you could possibly come up with have to do with extending the Patriot Act, which was passed by HERR Bush and company and wing nuts seem to love.
Romney looks like your guy. He’ll make everything better.
There is a difference between a campaign and a political event, With Obama is has become blurry
So how was this different than anything Bush I, Bush II, or Clinton did when they were sitting presidents running for re-election? Added local police were needed for their campaign stops too.
the GOP should pay for all the cost associated with the caucus then. It’s all a waste of time anyway, cancel the election, this is going to be a landslide. The GOP will remember next time they screw with the other half of the population.
1/4 dems- 1/4 gop- 1/2 unenrolled… (-;
The Repubs could have saved everybody the money because the leaders knew the outcome before the votes were cast! Should have held the news conference on Friday so that no overtime would have had to have been paid to anybody who covered that “news” event.
Yep, could have used some of that $1M plus bonus he got from the Nobel Peace committee for simply getting elected.
People’s Republik of Portland should honor visit of Dear Leader and make glorious tribute for his presence. Many comrades made tribute to Dear Leader and soon he will reward us with end to capitalism. Off to gulag with naysayers! Win the Future!
He came there because it is his biggest support base in Maine. He wanted your vote before and he got it. Why should he expect any different with your money? Pay up and like it. It’s the progressive way. Share the pain but keep it in Portland.
Sharing the wealth….LOL…..
Other peoples that is……
Simple Solution, send a Bill for the Overtime and whatever other expenses to President Obama, his re-election committe, the National Democratic Committe. They are responsible for the additional expenses. This was not a State Visit, but a Fund Raiser for Him. Must be some loose change “Stimulus Monies,” just for the pickens!
Think about the money he BROUGHT IN! To the Art Museuem, SMCC, and the local businesses, and city parking, with the huge influx of people into Portland, surely a great deal of money to POrtland tax payers was gained by his visit. So it really all evens out.
President Obama will be A two term President in God we trust.
Edit
And the rationale for that response is………what??
Edit
Evidence and fact?? C’mon, Todd, that’s a bit wide and you know it. Have you spoken with him? Got any thing concrete to add, or just Faux propaganda?
Opinion is one thing, speculation that leads to drivel is quite another. Would you please say that’s your opinion , rather than it’s “truth”.
I would have a much higher regard for this and other future posts if you’d simply admit that!
Thanks
Cheers~~
My apologies.
You show strong character.
Thank you!
You are correct….
Maine gets more money back from the federal government than we give to it in taxes
http://www.taxfoundation.org/taxdata/show/22685.html
And this includes plenty of money for law enforcement. Everyone should probably just chill out.
Didn’t hear a complaint from this taxpayer advocate when PPD spent 18K on shotguns.
The Re-Elect Obama Campaign should foot the bill for non-work related trips around the country instead of the taxpayers. And I would say this about any sitting president/governor/any elected official. Air Force One is an expensive plane to fly/maintain.
Hey Why not North Boston can afford it
Who?
I wonder what it cost Bar Harbor when the President vacationed a few years back.
Plenty.
Wonder what it cost Spain, South Africa, Las Vegas, and Aspen when Michelle Antoinette went on her own lil’ private vacations?
Nearly $450,000 for Michelle’s safari vacation with the girls. Can you even imagine????
Democrats can do anything and its OK. Hillary took her daughter on much the same trip on the presidential 747. If the Bushes had done it the press would have howled. Sickening.
Obama isn’t even close. Bush set the all time record flying back and forth to Crawford ! Both in number of miles traveled and total number of vacations. Bush has all other presidents doubled !
Pretty funny…….
Mr. Obama is in the house….LOL…
To compare a photo of the President to that of his longtime Pastor is a normal association. The President attended Pastor Wright’s church for over 20 years. There is nothing radical about using the two individuals in the same sentence…
BUT comparing ‘laksluster’, of whom you know nothing about, to a violent KKK leader is absolutely inappropriate and offensive. You should be embarrassed. Racism is not something to throw around lightly or accuse a complete stranger of being. I hope BDN considers removing your disgusting comment.
I don’t know why I’m responding to your self-righteous comment, but laksluster opened the conversation by making an inappropriate, open-ended, one-sentence comment about what many people around here feel is a very divisive person.
I merely did the same.
Expect all these comments to be deleted within a while, mainestudent.
So who pays for the US military choppers that fly in and out of the Bush compound every other day?
Ron Paul !!! for Pres….
LePage could win the nomination if he ran against Obama.
whatever you typed is BLANK…
I’d like some of whatever you are smoking !
Okay, how about the fact that officers made that much more money. Job creation right???
We should all be proud to pay for this historic energizing visit. It should be mandatory to pay a fee or honorarium for such visits. This has happend throughout history.
So have things like the plague!
You don’t have to remind us, we all remember Bush
Pretty scary picture of a pretty scary person.
Yep, and someone’s head will prob roll for having the wrong flag over his left shoulder!
The hated for my country from the Republican’s is scary.
What does it say about a country when its citizens complain about their president visiting their state. He is the president of the United States. He was elected. How come no one is talking about how much business was brought in, hotels, restaurants…Oh by the way where do you think the federal government gets their money? We all paid regardless.
So Bogus!! They turn around and get full reimbursement from the Secret Service. Report the News correctly!!!
So let the Democrates pay!
How much does it cost the “Tax payer” every time the X-Bush Regime comes to Maine?
SAD. Capital letters in size 100 font.
Worth every penny!
What was it we heard for 8 years?
Oh yeah. NOT MY PRESIDENT.
I don’t see why everyone is complaining this state did help him get the office being a blue state and all. Of course it wasn’t with my help as I don’t like the corner boy