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."
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The nerve of McCain considering all the money he spent to doll up Sarah Palin.
I am an Obama supporter, but does he really need new copters? I mean, the ones now seem perfectly fine. I hope he chooses to stay with the current ones as we are spending money like its going out of style.
All you liberals don't know what you are talking about. Yes he's the president but with this economy I think the new choppers can wait.
Give mcsame a ride please so he could shut the hell up
How many "Marine One" helicopters does a president need? He cannot possibly fly in all 28 of them at once. Obviously the only reason to have more than two is for conspicuous display. Hand the other 26 back to the Marine Corps, and send them to Afghanistan where they are desparately needed. Then McCain will have to look for something else to whine about.
Geez John, did you THINK to ask your old pal GEORGE (I don't know what I am doing) W (waste not want not) BUSH (please stay in there) the same question when HE ordered the damn things?? Huh John?? Remember George?! Your old buddy. John, please sit your behind down in your seat and remain quiet. Or better yet go back to Arizona. HYPROCRITE!!
So why didn't you mention it when Bush was president, McHypocrite.
He's so obviously just trying to keep his name in the news. What a lame-o.
meh said, " Uh huh, let's ask McCain about his…how many houses does he have now? Hypocrite."
The difference, since you seem unable to discern it on your own is that McCain's homes were bought with his (and his wife's) private money (not taxpayer's money). How he spends his own money is none of our business, nor does it make him a hypocrite: grow up.
I do think President Obama should shelve the new helicopters. I am sure the old ones are just fine (just need taller doors...).
I believe the article states "...to overhaul the fleet of 28 Marine One helicopters, a process that began early in the Bush administration." I do not know why he even got airtime.
John John John...if you had won, you wouldn't be complaining about these choppers. Like C said, sit down and SHUT UP!
Personally, iIwant my President to have the safest, best helicopter available. McSame needs to go away.
Come on McCaine, you know darn well who ordered the new chopper.......let's see, it not a tough question, yup your buddy Bush
Get over the loss of the election
And did McCain also press Bush about the helicopters when he ordered them? Didn't think so......
Let's all remember in his mind we are all prisoners of war.
i don't get it, whats the conflict here?
is McCain aware that the Helicopters were ordered by Bush? it's ok buddy you lost, let it go.
This is the type of dishonest political manuevering that boggs down Washington. These words shouldn't even be coming out of McCain's mouth.
McCain knows (or at least should know) that this helicopter was ordered 4 or more years ago under President Bush. By now, we've committed to this design and it would be a complete waste of money to do anything but complete the transaction.
Moreover, as someone suppose to care so much about the "Commander-in-Chief", McCain should be a big supporter of this new helicopter. It reflects a 30 year leapfrog in technology to keep the President safe and in communication with armed forces while on board.
Yapping about this helicopter is cheap political fodder. I expected more from John McCain.
I just saw this on the evening news and I think Obama put McCain in his place........sit down McCain you lost, your a sore loser as your VP running mate is.......all you Republcans can do is complain as your VP running mate Palin still complaining about the media........it's over get a life both of you.....either be productive and work with the rest of America or get out of America.....
I didn't realize that our president required 28 choppers...how about it president, let's lead by example and reduce the fleet. If every man and woman in the armed forces required 28 of everything imagine what our defense budget would be...can we say Mars!
28 aircraft carriers on the seas, what do you get? A blown out government!!!
Good for Senator McCain for standing up and challenging what is clearly wasteful spending! I'm actually surprised that HusseinsMyMiddleName actually backed down.
Those choppers were ordered long before Obama became the commander in chief. It is one that was handed to him when he took over the white house. Its not as if he discarded an old one and replaced it with a new one. McCain I'm sure is aware of it cause he has stocks with the company that built. He is so full of it...
Actually its not George Bush who ordered them. The President doesn't tell the Secret Service or Air Force or Marine Corps what he needs for transportation or protection.
Those organizations collaborate and deteremine what is needed to protect the Cheif Executive. If the DOD says we need new helicopters, then they need new helicopters. The President can likely stop them and behind the scenes manuever to get them cancelled, but he does not request them. And he does not determine the price.
Can you imagine all these powerful men listening to a Black man like Obama tell them how things are to be done? The man is so green.
That is what He does not get,it is not his helo,it is OURS! were just letting him use it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!