McCain presses Obama on pricey helicopters
[cnn-photo-caption image= http://i2.cdn.turner.com/cnn/2009/images/02/23/art.maccopter0223.gi.jpg caption="Sen. McCain mentioned the hefty projected price tag for replacing the President's fleet of helicopters as the White House's fiscal responsibility summit ended Monday evening."]
(CNN) - President Obama said Monday he’s pretty happy with helicopter he has - though the new commander-in-chief joked he's never had one to compare it to.
During a fiscal summit at the White House Monday, Arizona Sen. John McCain - Obama's former rival for the White House - pressed the new president on the Defense Department's plan to overhaul the fleet of 28 Marine One helicopters, a process that began early in the Bush administration.
Watch: 'I've never had a helicopter before,' Obama says
The price tag for the new helicopters has been estimated at over $11 billion, more than the cost of Air Force One - a cost that Obama said appeared unnecessary.
"The helicopter I have now seems perfectly adequate to me," Obama responded to laughter. "Of course, I've never had a helicopter before.
"You know? Maybe - maybe I've been deprived and i didn't know it. But I think it is a - an example of the procurement process gone amok and we're going to have to fix it."
Latest Count
Obama + 2
McCain – 0
Obama take a good look at what the investors on Wall Street think of your ideas...........stocks down again,
The helicopters are specially designed to protect the President's safety. This should be a purpose we can all agree on regardless of political philosophy. But McCain had to take a cheap shot over something that was decided under Bush. McCain has disgraced himself and his state by his smart ash question to his Commander in Chief about the cost of the helicopter. For that, McCain should resign.
Get used to hearing all the crying from the Republicans about everything for the next 4 years. After that I wouldn't mind hearing them cry for another 4 years!
NEVER LET THE REPUBLICANS WIN AGAIN!!!!
NEVER LET THE REPUBLICANS WIN AGAIN!!!!
NEVER LET THE REPUBLICANS WIN AGAIN!!!!
It's actually becoming pathetic – Sen McCain's withdrawal symptoms that is.
First he wanted to 'advise' the President on a strategy in Afghanistan, but no one paid attention.
Then he was offended because he was not "consulted" on the stimulus package. Do tell, what does he think Americans said loud and clear on Nov 4?
Today he could not wait to ask the president a question about a contract that was signed by his guy GW.
It's getting really embarrassing that Sen. McCain badly wants to remain in the spotlight. Sad really. And that spiteful 'how dare you' look.
Sad really!
No problem for O, just put more lobbyists in DOD to protect the taxpayers. We are gonna cut the budget after and only after greater spending takes place. My team approach using Ivy Leaguers and Wall Streeters will protect all of you. O will email us when he needs us, elections 2010 and 2012. Feel better yet !
OH PLEASE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
McCain seems to have lost it! He's complaining to President Obama about something that President Bush started. Once again, McCain is completely out of touch with reality. We can all be glad that he lost. It's a shame McCain can't remember that He Lost!
"a process which began early in the Bush administration"
Nuff said.
J @ NYC
No his entitled and landed beer heiress wife paid for them out of her pocket.
I read about this recently. These helicopters were ordered by Bush, who was more than happy to spend $11 billion at the drop of a hat. The question is: Should Obama cancel the contract at this late date?
Why is Bobby Jindal giving the Republican's response to Obama's budget speech, when it's obvious McCain has suddenly developed all of this tremendous economic knowledge he didn't have before the election??? He has become the epitomy of a hateful old man!
Shutup mclame!!!!!!
I'm not against an upgrade of helicopters for the Commander in Chief. The current fleet is old The President with the very best the country can offer.
Sure, while Bush was President McCain was fine with it, and, if McCain was elected, nothing would have been said about these helicopters. It is ok to spend money to protect any of the Republican Presidents (thugs), but, not a Democrat President. These jerks just have to go next election. We all get sick to our stomachs everytime they open their rancid mouths. If they aren't trying to prevent help for our country, they are ragging on President Obama. Enough.
Looks like Mccain is still crying the blues, hell Mccains got 7 plus houses is what's the beef?
Can you folks imagine what would happen if the President was hurt or killed because of a faulty helicopter?
These aren't any helicopters, they are designed to keep our head of state safe. This is a zero sum game with no room for any error. Many of the ones that are in the current fleet are 25 or 30 years old and are obviously a growing concern for safety.
Despite the image, it is the government itself that has caused these helicopters to spiral in costs because they continually demand this or that as precautionary equipment. And that technology (usually the most advanced in the world) is not cheap.
I understand the concerns, but the safety of my president is paramount. The unknown costs of a disaster and the following national crisis caused by faulty equipment would surely be much higher than $11 billion.
And considering the budget for the federal government may be $3 trillion next year, it is not as significant as other major items in the future budget or stimulus package recently passed.
i wish the old goat mccain would just hurry up and die
J from NYC
John McCain hasn't paid for anything out of his own pocket. Cindy pays for everything.
John, just stop it now! You are starting to look like a blumbering fool !
Last week you were ithcing because he was passing a Stimulus bill..now you want him to add $11 bil more for 28 copters....come on'.
Who do you guys in Washington think you're foolin'.....enough!
I THINK IT IS ABOUT TIME , HE GOES DOWN IN A VALLEY , AN LISTEN LOUD AN CLEAR. HE SHOULD START HEARING HIS ECHOOO . WE NEED CHANGE . FIRST STARTING WITH OUR SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE. CHANGE , SHE WILL HAVE TO RIDE A SMALLLER JET . FOR THE ONE SHE HAS TO HAVE TO CARRY , HER BACK AND FORTH TO CALIF. IS ONLY $5,760,000 ANNUALLY FOR US TAX PAYERS TO PAY. REMEMBER WHAT THEY TOLD THE AUTO MAKERS. SO LETS START SEEING YOU SET AN EXAMPLE. GET A BIKE AN START PUMPING.
AN SEE HOW YOUR CHANGE WORKS. AN YOUR IDEA OF GOING TO DO AWAY WITH THE GAS TAX. AN ARE GOING TO TAX EVERYONE FOR THE MILES THEY DRIVE. SO YOUR HUMMMER BUDDIES , CAN STILL GUZZLE THE GAS AN THE ONES THAT GOT ELECTRIC HAS TO COME AROUND AGAIN AN PAY FOR THE MIGHTY RICH.
CHANGE , CHANGE , ALL FOR THE DC BUNCH . THATS WHAT WE FORESEE.
Obama's team seems to have no clear idea of where they are going. They are making it up as they go along. This is a crapshoot. Good luck everybody !!
Was McNasty just going for a "gotcha" moment? Well, "that one" stood his ground with a clever response and as usual with so much grace. Thank you God for our President Obama.
PROGRAM----STARTED--– BY ------ BUSH--– CONTRACT ---- GRANTED – ---- UNDER----– SUSPICIOUS ------ CLOUD ------– WHERE---- WAS------ THE -------– GOP-----– OUTRAGE-----– THEN?
This was already addressed at one of their debates during the campaign. They both agreed on the issue.
What, exactly, is the point of McCain bringing this up again? Where did he stand on the issue when the choppers were actually ordered, from a foreign company I might add, under the GWB administration?
Furthermore what are McCain's thoughts on procuring multi-million dollar aircrafts, only to place them in the hands of inept, reckless, "mavericky" pilots who get not only one, but three opportunities to crash and destroy them?