Who pays for the President's campaign trips?

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Not specific to any one president or party but using Trump as the most recent example.



Trump has been on the road for weeks campaigning for the Republican Party midterm elections. I've searched around and see some references that the political party should pay for these expenses, but the president's mobility costs millions and millions of dollars each day. Secret Service, Air Force One, limos, local police, I'd think a few weeks on the road would run the party dry pretty quickly if they had to foot the bill.



If the American people are footing at least part of the bill for this, why is it allowed?










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    up vote
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    Not specific to any one president or party but using Trump as the most recent example.



    Trump has been on the road for weeks campaigning for the Republican Party midterm elections. I've searched around and see some references that the political party should pay for these expenses, but the president's mobility costs millions and millions of dollars each day. Secret Service, Air Force One, limos, local police, I'd think a few weeks on the road would run the party dry pretty quickly if they had to foot the bill.



    If the American people are footing at least part of the bill for this, why is it allowed?










    share|improve this question









    New contributor




    Gary Bak is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
    Check out our Code of Conduct.





















      up vote
      11
      down vote

      favorite









      up vote
      11
      down vote

      favorite











      Not specific to any one president or party but using Trump as the most recent example.



      Trump has been on the road for weeks campaigning for the Republican Party midterm elections. I've searched around and see some references that the political party should pay for these expenses, but the president's mobility costs millions and millions of dollars each day. Secret Service, Air Force One, limos, local police, I'd think a few weeks on the road would run the party dry pretty quickly if they had to foot the bill.



      If the American people are footing at least part of the bill for this, why is it allowed?










      share|improve this question









      New contributor




      Gary Bak is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
      Check out our Code of Conduct.











      Not specific to any one president or party but using Trump as the most recent example.



      Trump has been on the road for weeks campaigning for the Republican Party midterm elections. I've searched around and see some references that the political party should pay for these expenses, but the president's mobility costs millions and millions of dollars each day. Secret Service, Air Force One, limos, local police, I'd think a few weeks on the road would run the party dry pretty quickly if they had to foot the bill.



      If the American people are footing at least part of the bill for this, why is it allowed?







      united-states president parties campaigning






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      Gary Bak is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
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      share|improve this question








      edited 1 hour ago









      Martin Tournoij

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          2 Answers
          2






          active

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          up vote
          4
          down vote













          The way it often works is that a President doesn't travel explicitly for campaign purposes.



          The trip is often billed as official business. In other words, the trip would supposedly occur regardless of any political campaign or cause.



          The thinking then goes, "but hey, what the hell, while I'm there, let's do a fund-raiser with George Clooney" or "... a rally for Senator Ted Cruz".



          There are variations of this paradigm, but the basic concept is generally the same.



          This allows the taxpayers to "legitimately" pay for all expenses relating to the President's trip. (If the trip were presented exclusively for campaign purposes, the opposition party, government watchdog groups, and others would be crying foul and demanding reimbursement of taxpayer funds.)



          For a more detailed analysis of these Presidential trips (along with examples), see this article:




          • Trump's travel expenses test boundaries of policy and politics ~ Chicago Tribune





          share|improve this answer





























            up vote
            3
            down vote













            A sitting President gets some slack in campaigning for re-election because they do still require a security detail and transportation. Both sides have figured out that, as long as it's not explicitly a campaign event, they can get taxpayers to foot some or all of the bill.



            As noted during Obama campaigning for Clinton




            In the most recently available figures, the cost of operating Air Force One averages approximately S180,118 per hour, according to the Air Force. This figure includes fuel, food, repairs, and basic maintenance.



            "As is the standard practice, the campaign will cover its portion of the costs," a Clinton aide told ABC News.



            But while relevant political organizations may be on the hook for paying part of the costs associated with the plane’s operation, there are additional security costs associated with presidential travel that do fall to the taxpayers.




            Basically, Obama went campaigning for Clinton, who rode along with her entourage. Obama's travel entourage were taxpayer funded, while Clinton's campaign had to reimburse for riding along.




            In the case of political figures flying aboard Air Force One, as was the case today with Hillary Clinton and several of her campaign aides who also traveled with her, Painter said they did not get a free ride.



            There’s a formula by which they are charged for their flight comparable to the cost of a commercial first class ticket, he said.







            share|improve this answer




















            • Have you looked into parallel events. Often, the administration will schedule job related visits that just happen to intersection with the campaigning efforts.
              – Drunk Cynic
              6 hours ago










            • Is there any attempt to avoid abuse? In France, a President would suddenly decide to visit a school in the district in one of his/her party's candidate to a local election, officially to make a speech about the governmental policy on education, but will actually spend most of the visit and speech lauding the candidate's accomplishments and/or criticizing his/her opponent. The line between campaign and legitimate Presidential action is blurry, but there is an independent commission in France trying to avoid blatant abuses. Is there such a thing in the US?
              – Taladris
              2 hours ago







            • 3




              @Taladris In theory, that's Congress' job. In reality, both parties benefit from the status quo.
              – Machavity
              2 hours ago










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            2 Answers
            2






            active

            oldest

            votes








            2 Answers
            2






            active

            oldest

            votes









            active

            oldest

            votes






            active

            oldest

            votes








            up vote
            4
            down vote













            The way it often works is that a President doesn't travel explicitly for campaign purposes.



            The trip is often billed as official business. In other words, the trip would supposedly occur regardless of any political campaign or cause.



            The thinking then goes, "but hey, what the hell, while I'm there, let's do a fund-raiser with George Clooney" or "... a rally for Senator Ted Cruz".



            There are variations of this paradigm, but the basic concept is generally the same.



            This allows the taxpayers to "legitimately" pay for all expenses relating to the President's trip. (If the trip were presented exclusively for campaign purposes, the opposition party, government watchdog groups, and others would be crying foul and demanding reimbursement of taxpayer funds.)



            For a more detailed analysis of these Presidential trips (along with examples), see this article:




            • Trump's travel expenses test boundaries of policy and politics ~ Chicago Tribune





            share|improve this answer


























              up vote
              4
              down vote













              The way it often works is that a President doesn't travel explicitly for campaign purposes.



              The trip is often billed as official business. In other words, the trip would supposedly occur regardless of any political campaign or cause.



              The thinking then goes, "but hey, what the hell, while I'm there, let's do a fund-raiser with George Clooney" or "... a rally for Senator Ted Cruz".



              There are variations of this paradigm, but the basic concept is generally the same.



              This allows the taxpayers to "legitimately" pay for all expenses relating to the President's trip. (If the trip were presented exclusively for campaign purposes, the opposition party, government watchdog groups, and others would be crying foul and demanding reimbursement of taxpayer funds.)



              For a more detailed analysis of these Presidential trips (along with examples), see this article:




              • Trump's travel expenses test boundaries of policy and politics ~ Chicago Tribune





              share|improve this answer
























                up vote
                4
                down vote










                up vote
                4
                down vote









                The way it often works is that a President doesn't travel explicitly for campaign purposes.



                The trip is often billed as official business. In other words, the trip would supposedly occur regardless of any political campaign or cause.



                The thinking then goes, "but hey, what the hell, while I'm there, let's do a fund-raiser with George Clooney" or "... a rally for Senator Ted Cruz".



                There are variations of this paradigm, but the basic concept is generally the same.



                This allows the taxpayers to "legitimately" pay for all expenses relating to the President's trip. (If the trip were presented exclusively for campaign purposes, the opposition party, government watchdog groups, and others would be crying foul and demanding reimbursement of taxpayer funds.)



                For a more detailed analysis of these Presidential trips (along with examples), see this article:




                • Trump's travel expenses test boundaries of policy and politics ~ Chicago Tribune





                share|improve this answer














                The way it often works is that a President doesn't travel explicitly for campaign purposes.



                The trip is often billed as official business. In other words, the trip would supposedly occur regardless of any political campaign or cause.



                The thinking then goes, "but hey, what the hell, while I'm there, let's do a fund-raiser with George Clooney" or "... a rally for Senator Ted Cruz".



                There are variations of this paradigm, but the basic concept is generally the same.



                This allows the taxpayers to "legitimately" pay for all expenses relating to the President's trip. (If the trip were presented exclusively for campaign purposes, the opposition party, government watchdog groups, and others would be crying foul and demanding reimbursement of taxpayer funds.)



                For a more detailed analysis of these Presidential trips (along with examples), see this article:




                • Trump's travel expenses test boundaries of policy and politics ~ Chicago Tribune






                share|improve this answer














                share|improve this answer



                share|improve this answer








                edited 2 hours ago

























                answered 3 hours ago









                Michael_B

                6,58241724




                6,58241724




















                    up vote
                    3
                    down vote













                    A sitting President gets some slack in campaigning for re-election because they do still require a security detail and transportation. Both sides have figured out that, as long as it's not explicitly a campaign event, they can get taxpayers to foot some or all of the bill.



                    As noted during Obama campaigning for Clinton




                    In the most recently available figures, the cost of operating Air Force One averages approximately S180,118 per hour, according to the Air Force. This figure includes fuel, food, repairs, and basic maintenance.



                    "As is the standard practice, the campaign will cover its portion of the costs," a Clinton aide told ABC News.



                    But while relevant political organizations may be on the hook for paying part of the costs associated with the plane’s operation, there are additional security costs associated with presidential travel that do fall to the taxpayers.




                    Basically, Obama went campaigning for Clinton, who rode along with her entourage. Obama's travel entourage were taxpayer funded, while Clinton's campaign had to reimburse for riding along.




                    In the case of political figures flying aboard Air Force One, as was the case today with Hillary Clinton and several of her campaign aides who also traveled with her, Painter said they did not get a free ride.



                    There’s a formula by which they are charged for their flight comparable to the cost of a commercial first class ticket, he said.







                    share|improve this answer




















                    • Have you looked into parallel events. Often, the administration will schedule job related visits that just happen to intersection with the campaigning efforts.
                      – Drunk Cynic
                      6 hours ago










                    • Is there any attempt to avoid abuse? In France, a President would suddenly decide to visit a school in the district in one of his/her party's candidate to a local election, officially to make a speech about the governmental policy on education, but will actually spend most of the visit and speech lauding the candidate's accomplishments and/or criticizing his/her opponent. The line between campaign and legitimate Presidential action is blurry, but there is an independent commission in France trying to avoid blatant abuses. Is there such a thing in the US?
                      – Taladris
                      2 hours ago







                    • 3




                      @Taladris In theory, that's Congress' job. In reality, both parties benefit from the status quo.
                      – Machavity
                      2 hours ago














                    up vote
                    3
                    down vote













                    A sitting President gets some slack in campaigning for re-election because they do still require a security detail and transportation. Both sides have figured out that, as long as it's not explicitly a campaign event, they can get taxpayers to foot some or all of the bill.



                    As noted during Obama campaigning for Clinton




                    In the most recently available figures, the cost of operating Air Force One averages approximately S180,118 per hour, according to the Air Force. This figure includes fuel, food, repairs, and basic maintenance.



                    "As is the standard practice, the campaign will cover its portion of the costs," a Clinton aide told ABC News.



                    But while relevant political organizations may be on the hook for paying part of the costs associated with the plane’s operation, there are additional security costs associated with presidential travel that do fall to the taxpayers.




                    Basically, Obama went campaigning for Clinton, who rode along with her entourage. Obama's travel entourage were taxpayer funded, while Clinton's campaign had to reimburse for riding along.




                    In the case of political figures flying aboard Air Force One, as was the case today with Hillary Clinton and several of her campaign aides who also traveled with her, Painter said they did not get a free ride.



                    There’s a formula by which they are charged for their flight comparable to the cost of a commercial first class ticket, he said.







                    share|improve this answer




















                    • Have you looked into parallel events. Often, the administration will schedule job related visits that just happen to intersection with the campaigning efforts.
                      – Drunk Cynic
                      6 hours ago










                    • Is there any attempt to avoid abuse? In France, a President would suddenly decide to visit a school in the district in one of his/her party's candidate to a local election, officially to make a speech about the governmental policy on education, but will actually spend most of the visit and speech lauding the candidate's accomplishments and/or criticizing his/her opponent. The line between campaign and legitimate Presidential action is blurry, but there is an independent commission in France trying to avoid blatant abuses. Is there such a thing in the US?
                      – Taladris
                      2 hours ago







                    • 3




                      @Taladris In theory, that's Congress' job. In reality, both parties benefit from the status quo.
                      – Machavity
                      2 hours ago












                    up vote
                    3
                    down vote










                    up vote
                    3
                    down vote









                    A sitting President gets some slack in campaigning for re-election because they do still require a security detail and transportation. Both sides have figured out that, as long as it's not explicitly a campaign event, they can get taxpayers to foot some or all of the bill.



                    As noted during Obama campaigning for Clinton




                    In the most recently available figures, the cost of operating Air Force One averages approximately S180,118 per hour, according to the Air Force. This figure includes fuel, food, repairs, and basic maintenance.



                    "As is the standard practice, the campaign will cover its portion of the costs," a Clinton aide told ABC News.



                    But while relevant political organizations may be on the hook for paying part of the costs associated with the plane’s operation, there are additional security costs associated with presidential travel that do fall to the taxpayers.




                    Basically, Obama went campaigning for Clinton, who rode along with her entourage. Obama's travel entourage were taxpayer funded, while Clinton's campaign had to reimburse for riding along.




                    In the case of political figures flying aboard Air Force One, as was the case today with Hillary Clinton and several of her campaign aides who also traveled with her, Painter said they did not get a free ride.



                    There’s a formula by which they are charged for their flight comparable to the cost of a commercial first class ticket, he said.







                    share|improve this answer












                    A sitting President gets some slack in campaigning for re-election because they do still require a security detail and transportation. Both sides have figured out that, as long as it's not explicitly a campaign event, they can get taxpayers to foot some or all of the bill.



                    As noted during Obama campaigning for Clinton




                    In the most recently available figures, the cost of operating Air Force One averages approximately S180,118 per hour, according to the Air Force. This figure includes fuel, food, repairs, and basic maintenance.



                    "As is the standard practice, the campaign will cover its portion of the costs," a Clinton aide told ABC News.



                    But while relevant political organizations may be on the hook for paying part of the costs associated with the plane’s operation, there are additional security costs associated with presidential travel that do fall to the taxpayers.




                    Basically, Obama went campaigning for Clinton, who rode along with her entourage. Obama's travel entourage were taxpayer funded, while Clinton's campaign had to reimburse for riding along.




                    In the case of political figures flying aboard Air Force One, as was the case today with Hillary Clinton and several of her campaign aides who also traveled with her, Painter said they did not get a free ride.



                    There’s a formula by which they are charged for their flight comparable to the cost of a commercial first class ticket, he said.








                    share|improve this answer












                    share|improve this answer



                    share|improve this answer










                    answered 7 hours ago









                    Machavity

                    14.1k44070




                    14.1k44070











                    • Have you looked into parallel events. Often, the administration will schedule job related visits that just happen to intersection with the campaigning efforts.
                      – Drunk Cynic
                      6 hours ago










                    • Is there any attempt to avoid abuse? In France, a President would suddenly decide to visit a school in the district in one of his/her party's candidate to a local election, officially to make a speech about the governmental policy on education, but will actually spend most of the visit and speech lauding the candidate's accomplishments and/or criticizing his/her opponent. The line between campaign and legitimate Presidential action is blurry, but there is an independent commission in France trying to avoid blatant abuses. Is there such a thing in the US?
                      – Taladris
                      2 hours ago







                    • 3




                      @Taladris In theory, that's Congress' job. In reality, both parties benefit from the status quo.
                      – Machavity
                      2 hours ago
















                    • Have you looked into parallel events. Often, the administration will schedule job related visits that just happen to intersection with the campaigning efforts.
                      – Drunk Cynic
                      6 hours ago










                    • Is there any attempt to avoid abuse? In France, a President would suddenly decide to visit a school in the district in one of his/her party's candidate to a local election, officially to make a speech about the governmental policy on education, but will actually spend most of the visit and speech lauding the candidate's accomplishments and/or criticizing his/her opponent. The line between campaign and legitimate Presidential action is blurry, but there is an independent commission in France trying to avoid blatant abuses. Is there such a thing in the US?
                      – Taladris
                      2 hours ago







                    • 3




                      @Taladris In theory, that's Congress' job. In reality, both parties benefit from the status quo.
                      – Machavity
                      2 hours ago















                    Have you looked into parallel events. Often, the administration will schedule job related visits that just happen to intersection with the campaigning efforts.
                    – Drunk Cynic
                    6 hours ago




                    Have you looked into parallel events. Often, the administration will schedule job related visits that just happen to intersection with the campaigning efforts.
                    – Drunk Cynic
                    6 hours ago












                    Is there any attempt to avoid abuse? In France, a President would suddenly decide to visit a school in the district in one of his/her party's candidate to a local election, officially to make a speech about the governmental policy on education, but will actually spend most of the visit and speech lauding the candidate's accomplishments and/or criticizing his/her opponent. The line between campaign and legitimate Presidential action is blurry, but there is an independent commission in France trying to avoid blatant abuses. Is there such a thing in the US?
                    – Taladris
                    2 hours ago





                    Is there any attempt to avoid abuse? In France, a President would suddenly decide to visit a school in the district in one of his/her party's candidate to a local election, officially to make a speech about the governmental policy on education, but will actually spend most of the visit and speech lauding the candidate's accomplishments and/or criticizing his/her opponent. The line between campaign and legitimate Presidential action is blurry, but there is an independent commission in France trying to avoid blatant abuses. Is there such a thing in the US?
                    – Taladris
                    2 hours ago





                    3




                    3




                    @Taladris In theory, that's Congress' job. In reality, both parties benefit from the status quo.
                    – Machavity
                    2 hours ago




                    @Taladris In theory, that's Congress' job. In reality, both parties benefit from the status quo.
                    – Machavity
                    2 hours ago










                    Gary Bak is a new contributor. Be nice, and check out our Code of Conduct.









                     

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