Eating dinner at the White House: Not priceless (with poll!)
posted at 12:35 pm on July 31, 2009 by Ed Morrissey
Wagyu beef steaks: $200. Arugula salads: $25. Case of Bud Light: $20, tops. Eating all this at the White House: not priceless after all.
Barack Obama has a new idea of hospitality at the White House that may delight class warriors, but has at least one former Kennedy staffer aghast. Obama invited the CEOs of major American corporations to dinner to strategize about reviving the economy. Despite a reputation as hostile to free enterprise, Obama showed his credentials as a small-business entrepreneur by converting the Oval Office into a restaurant start-up:
Four of the most powerful business leaders in America arrived at the White House one day last month for lunch with President Barack Obama, sitting down in his private dining room just steps from the Oval Office.
But even for powerful CEOs, there’s no such thing as a free lunch: White House staffers collected credit card numbers for each executive and carefully billed them for the cost of the meal with the president.
The White House defended the unusual move as a way to avoid conflicts of interest. But the Bush administration didn’t charge presidential guests for meals, one former official said, and at least one etiquette expert found the whole thing unseemly – suggesting it was a serious breach of protocol.
“I’m sure they have their political reasons for doing that, but I think it’s not what quote, hospitality, unquote is all about,” said Letitia Baldrige, who headed Jacqueline Kennedy’s White House staff in the early 1960s. “We’ve got to relax about this. To have people to the White House and worry about the price of things is laughable.”
Hey, now, let’s not overreact. I often invite people to my house for some grill and the First Mate’s excellent desserts, and of course we pull out the credit-card authorization device and run the guest cards through it! Who invites people to their homes, especially to get their advice, and doesn’t charge them for the privilege of providing it?
This calls for a poll. Do you think that Obama has the right idea in making his guests pay for their food, or do you consider that an embarrassment for the people of America?
Blowback
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With sound economy advice…..?
Hog Wild on July 31, 2009 at 12:38 PM
How do you tip?
Well, since those guys were probably in the top 1% or 2% or earners, about 45%.
BigD on July 31, 2009 at 12:39 PM
Sorry, the appearance of cozying up to big business is everything.
They should pay for their meal to avoid that picture. Is it silly?
Of course.
But perception counts.
AnninCA on July 31, 2009 at 12:39 PM
Hey Ed,
I’m having a big barbeque next week, can you tell me where I can get one of those credit card swiping machines? I need some extra funds for another vacation.
Tacky. Tacky. Tacky.
Knucklehead on July 31, 2009 at 12:41 PM
But how do you tip?
tell oboobi don’t eat yellow snow or the pink mints in the mens room.
SHARPTOOTH on July 31, 2009 at 12:41 PM
On the poll question, I can not answer it because it doesn’t have the selection of ” I wouldn’t have them there in the first place “.
tx2654 on July 31, 2009 at 12:42 PM
Now watch the ACORN nuts demand that the CEOs tell us how much of their companies’ money was spent on this exclusive lunch with the President!
rockmom on July 31, 2009 at 12:42 PM
It’s a shame the White House is extremely concerned with the price of a lunch but not with the price of all their spending plans.
darii on July 31, 2009 at 12:42 PM
We should start charging Obama rent for his rooms at the White House. And put in pay toilets.
pedestrian on July 31, 2009 at 12:42 PM
When is Obama going to pay back for his Broadway junkets?
promachus on July 31, 2009 at 12:43 PM
Did Gate’s pay for his beer?
WashJeff on July 31, 2009 at 12:43 PM
soak those rich, uncaring, gun toting, bible-clinging CEOs. this is much more fair. /sarc
search4truth on July 31, 2009 at 12:44 PM
Has anyone seen the reimbursement check Barry sent to the Treasury to cover his family vacation in Paris, or for his date night in New York?
Vashta.Nerada on July 31, 2009 at 12:44 PM
Coming soon, a new beer hall………The White House Lobby
Dr.Cwac.Cwac on July 31, 2009 at 12:45 PM
Of course not…But Sgt Crowly did have to pay.
Dingbat63 on July 31, 2009 at 12:45 PM
Lets see. The CEO’s are TAXPAYERS and the meal is being provided using TAXPAYERS money. So now they are paying twice?
ctmom on July 31, 2009 at 12:45 PM
Ahhhhhh…reparations.
WashJeff on July 31, 2009 at 12:46 PM
And the perception is that this adminstration is a bunch of amateurs.
MarkTheGreat on July 31, 2009 at 12:47 PM
And one more time when they die.
WashJeff on July 31, 2009 at 12:47 PM
So let me get this straight. The President invites you to the Whitehouse, an invitation you CAN NOT decline, and you pay for a meal you did not request? Are you kidding me? (said with the best Wisconsin twang I can muster, emphasis on ‘kidding’, just so you hear it in your brain the way I am shouting it at my computer screen.)
Where on earth is the director of protocol? They could hire my 8 year old neice and she could tell this was stupid!
LEBA on July 31, 2009 at 12:48 PM
Ed – you need the option of ‘A through D’ on the poll.
Vashta.Nerada on July 31, 2009 at 12:48 PM
If I were in their shoes I would have opted not to trust a politician with my credit card, but I chose #1 since I’m sitting here at my safe observation point.
VibrioCocci on July 31, 2009 at 12:48 PM
Crowley tipped Biden, because he thought he was the bartender.
MadisonConservative on July 31, 2009 at 12:48 PM
As an amateur, I resent that remark. You are giving a bad name to amateurs all across this nation.
WashJeff on July 31, 2009 at 12:48 PM
Your host, Mr. Emanuel, will speak with you before you leave.
bloviator on July 31, 2009 at 12:49 PM
It’s in the mail, of course.
VibrioCocci on July 31, 2009 at 12:49 PM
The only perception is that this is tacky beyond belief.
CEO’s or not, you don’t invite someone to your house and then charge them for the food. My dinner-party throwing grandmother would have been appalled. This was not a charity gala, it was lunch.
Stay classy, Mr. President.
BakerAllie on July 31, 2009 at 12:49 PM
I heard the CEOs after the meeting put in call to their CC companies and put a stop payment request due to a fraudulent transaction.
WashJeff on July 31, 2009 at 12:50 PM
These people have no class.
myrenovations on July 31, 2009 at 12:51 PM
I didn’t know they made $87,000 VISA gift cards?!
LEBA on July 31, 2009 at 12:52 PM
I think he’s resume’ shopping Michelle Obama for another one of those sweet do-nothing jobs.
highhopes on July 31, 2009 at 12:52 PM
Credit where credit is due; that made me laugh. ALthough it is an insult to bartenders everywhere.
BigD on July 31, 2009 at 12:53 PM
This is the same thing as the beer summit. It is just a show for all the Lefties who buy into perception over subsistence. I can’t wait to see how it is used to quantify his honesty and fiscal responsibility.
Cindy Munford on July 31, 2009 at 12:53 PM
At the rate this admin is spending, this is obviously not about cost savings or recovering money spent – it is a transparent PR stunt.
“They made those fatcats pay for their lunch” will play well with those who have swallowed whole the class warrior catechism.
“stick it to the man”
This has all the symbolic meaning of Carter carrying his own bags….the parallels continue.
RDuke on July 31, 2009 at 12:54 PM
Sure they do.
Ask Obama’s overseas campaign contributors about that one.
VibrioCocci on July 31, 2009 at 12:56 PM
VibrioCocci on July 31, 2009 at 12:56 PM
hahahahahahahahaha…
LEBA on July 31, 2009 at 12:57 PM
How crass to ask for credit card numbers. We usually wait until everyone is engaged in conversation, and then we rummage through their purses and coat pockets. Score!
Laura in Maryland on July 31, 2009 at 1:00 PM
For this Presidente, asking for a credit card from business leaders can be likened to a campaign donation…alas, for keeping your particular business open and viable.
Earlg on July 31, 2009 at 1:01 PM
Aren’t they all? GOP keeps announcing to the press that Palin will be here or there, without a solid confirmation.
Frankly, that’s really amateurish.
AnninCA on July 31, 2009 at 1:08 PM
Tip…?
I thought the donks had that covered with their “you’re ‘filthy’ rich, give us 1% of your income [or else] tax” they want enacted.
Oh right, I forgot. That’s paying for health care.
Fear not, I’m sure they’ll dream up something new.
CPT. Charles on July 31, 2009 at 1:10 PM
I just hope the cost of the dinner didn’t put their credit cards over the limit to collect hundreds of dollars in penalties.
Brat4life on July 31, 2009 at 1:10 PM
President Obama apparently learned his cost-saving plans from Vaughn Meader. Or maybe someone at the White House thought this was an actual transcript from the Kennedy Administration.
jon1979 on July 31, 2009 at 1:11 PM
BO White House invitations should include “C.O.D.” instead of RSVP.
anglee99 on July 31, 2009 at 1:12 PM
The adults are in charge now.
Del Dolemonte on July 31, 2009 at 1:14 PM
WOW, that is a most embarrassing story. I hope people start turning down invitations to the WH being scared that they won’t be able to afford it.
Tacky is an understatement.
ORconservative on July 31, 2009 at 1:14 PM
Yes AnnaCA they are the most amateurish administration ever. Naive community organizers running the greatest country in the history of the Universe.
People with no business voting, urged by a complicit media screwed us good.
FireBlogger on July 31, 2009 at 1:15 PM
Has he charged his other guests at his other wild parties on our dime? Or, simply business owners/CEOs? Yeah, this ranks with the dvd set and ipod of speeches. TACKY. We expect White House dinners to be swanky…we do not expect them to have them ALL the time, though, as also spend us into the poor house in every other way. However, this is gross.
Mommypundit on July 31, 2009 at 1:17 PM
Did they provide the “paying guests” menus? I’d like to see them. Along with the bar bill. I’d ALSO love to have heard the conversation in the men’s room between the guests after the “paying lunch” was over.
This is SO clueless, the entire bunch of incompetents in the White House should be nailed inside and the door welded shut forever. Damn. THESE people are representing ME to the WORLD?
bradley11 on July 31, 2009 at 1:17 PM
On second thought, maybe Michelle needed a new pair of $500 sneakers and Obama was raising the money. That’s understandable, if that’s the reason.
bradley11 on July 31, 2009 at 1:18 PM
What did he do with the money? What “fund” did it go into? Has this ever happened before? Do they have multiple accounts at the WH and did this go into that account? Did O pocket it? I mean, these are really stupid questions that, evidently, need answers because he had to be a dork and charge them in the first place. Also, the only reason why people are freaking out over the cost of dinners and dates is because of the MASSIVE spending this jerk has already been doing.
Mommypundit on July 31, 2009 at 1:20 PM
absolutely right.
Mommypundit on July 31, 2009 at 1:22 PM
But did he at least give his guests a souvenir box set of DVDs to take home?
Cicero43 on July 31, 2009 at 1:23 PM
So Obama’s going to pay us back for the 5 guys visits for the press corps?
bluelightbrigade on July 31, 2009 at 1:24 PM
That brings up an interesting point. Who paid for the beers?
highhopes on July 31, 2009 at 1:25 PM
Just another “take the eye off the ball” prank.
farright on July 31, 2009 at 1:25 PM
Should we charge AnninCA for her advice?
bluelightbrigade on July 31, 2009 at 1:26 PM
Officer Crowley will be getting his bill in the mail. $6.75 for that pint.
When people come into my home, business or otherwise I am the host. No one pays, that would be bad form. Polite dinner guests bring a bottle of wine sometimes but that is not required or suggested.
I am truly amazed by this story.
FireBlogger on July 31, 2009 at 1:27 PM
His reelection fund, of course.
Vashta.Nerada on July 31, 2009 at 1:28 PM
If I were one of them, I would have declined to give my card and just said, “Put it on my TARP”
DrAllecon on July 31, 2009 at 1:28 PM
Who’s paying MO’s mom for taking care of the kids? Where is the accounting for the extra expense of having her living in the WH?
Are taxpayers being reimbursed?
Cody1991 on July 31, 2009 at 1:29 PM
I will ask the IRS to pay a cover charge when they slide by.
The for 75 dollars we can do the census short form
seven on July 31, 2009 at 1:29 PM
I had much the same thought. How much went on those credit cards? Was this a $50K/plate lunch that went to the Barak Obama reelection fund or was this sent to “Department of the Treasury.” Was the discussion open ended about job creation or was it how best these CEOs could help push through healthcare?
In any case this is tacky but given the street thug creds of the filthy liar the perception there is that it also could be more than a little fishy. The Presidential version of Jesse Jackson shaking down companies.
highhopes on July 31, 2009 at 1:29 PM
Waiter: “Would you like a mint, it’s wafer thin…like Obambi’s resume and experience!”
Liberty or Death on July 31, 2009 at 1:29 PM
uh, its all backwards. if the CEO’s took obama to dinner then obama should buy his own to show there is no conflict. at all gov’t levels there are rules about accepting gifts. it doesnt work the other way. this is just obama being his typical boorish bully self. trying to show he’s some kinda bad ass.
chasdal on July 31, 2009 at 1:29 PM
ROTFLMAO. Crying too because it is almost true.
highhopes on July 31, 2009 at 1:30 PM
I didn’t vote in the poll because all of the options were kind of goofy, just like this story.
I understand Obama didn’t want to be seen hosting corporate “fatcats” by his lefty base, but C’mon…..charging guests for a lunch you invited them to (so you could pick their brains for economic advice) in order to provide a figleaf of political cover is just stupid and sends the wrong message to everyone who ISN’T a fringe leftist anticorporate crusader.
Mord on July 31, 2009 at 1:31 PM
I really would like more on this story. It is right up there with the cash for clunkers in the unbelievable category.
ORconservative on July 31, 2009 at 1:32 PM
Here’s a simple rule of thumb for government employees and public officials. If it is going to leave the perception that there is a conflict of interest- DON’T DO IT. And for God’s sake don’t figure out some workaround that still leaves the perception that this was an illegal meeting.
highhopes on July 31, 2009 at 1:33 PM
Is Top Ramen not good enough for the Dutchess of Crapistan?
Fine. Cup-o-noodles it is.
portlandon on July 31, 2009 at 1:34 PM
What doesn’t fit in that category these days? Seriously.
highhopes on July 31, 2009 at 1:34 PM
I wonder if there was a carbon credit surcharge applied to this meal?
farright on July 31, 2009 at 1:34 PM
advice i was once given by an internal auditor for the muni i work for – imagine that tomorrow the paper will run a story about this, would you be embarrassed? if so, dont do it.
chasdal on July 31, 2009 at 1:36 PM
Oh yahoo. Rush is covering this! Yes! This needs some legs.
ORconservative on July 31, 2009 at 1:36 PM
highhopes on July 31, 2009 at 1:34 PM
sorry, you’re right.
ORconservative on July 31, 2009 at 1:37 PM
Future corporate “guests” should ask for a price list.
…no thank you, I’ll stick with water and breadsticks.
NickelAndDime on July 31, 2009 at 1:39 PM
Reminds me of a friend I had. We were in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii for training and he decides to rent a mustang from the car rental place on the base. He drives himself and the other mids around and pretty much the last night he calls me and asks me if I’d want a ride since I hadn’t ridden in it all week. I thought that was nice of him and we drove around the island for an hour-hour and a half and returned to the base. The next day he tells me my contribution to paying the rental bill was $30 since I rode in it. I didn’t pay him, mostly because that was a really underhanded thing to do to lessen the rental bill for himself. Some people are just crass.
Rightwingguy on July 31, 2009 at 1:42 PM
Ask for a menu. If they charge, they’ve got to price everything.
Rightwingguy on July 31, 2009 at 1:43 PM
It’s one thing for this administration to be unfamiliar with protocol and common manners but why are they reluctant to ask or research? Even though I believe this is incident is a farce, they continue to embarrass.
Cindy Munford on July 31, 2009 at 1:44 PM
Those CEOs had already more than paid for their lunch with the taxes they’ve had extorted from them.
LimeyGeek on July 31, 2009 at 1:45 PM
Is the White House a licensed restaurant? Do they have all their paperwork stamps and inspections in order with the District of Columbia?
Are they paying taxes on the sales?
Just wondering…
forest on July 31, 2009 at 1:47 PM
I’m also a little weirded out by Obama meeting with these men in the first place, actually.
Mommypundit on July 31, 2009 at 1:49 PM
From the POLITICO story:
Say what? Tough ethics rules? Like no lobbyists in the W.H.? I guess some “tough ethics rules” don’t need to be implemented that much…or in most cases at all…..
Rightwingguy on July 31, 2009 at 1:49 PM
Ditto. Like it’s his job to sort out every petty squabble in every municipality…
LimeyGeek on July 31, 2009 at 1:52 PM
And the money goes to where?
The Democratic party?
Joe Biden hair transplant fund?
Obama girl´s college fund?
albill on July 31, 2009 at 1:53 PM
I was about to ask: Is anybody REALLY stupid enough to think it’s a “conflict of interest” for the government to host a meeting with private citizens?
Seriously though, you’ve got to give Obama props for knowing how to manipulate the libtards even better than Clinton did. Charging lobbyists to SLEEP at the White House is obviously sleeze. (I was going to say “low-rent” sleeze, but that would be technically inacurate.)
On the other hand, overcharging for meals at the White House – hey, that’s just Obama’s way of making absolutely positive that not one penny of bribe money is flowing from the White House to government contractors!
Well, Obama promised he’d give us a whole new definition of “honest government.” And I guess you could say that’s exactly what he’s doing.
logis on July 31, 2009 at 1:54 PM
I’d suggest trying to channel Calvin Coolidge.
Dr. Charles G. Waugh on July 31, 2009 at 1:54 PM
Tax payers already footing the bill for said meal, then Obama turns, and charges them for it….when as tax payers, they’ve already paid for it? So then what? He pockets the money? I guess he’s a lil behind in pleasing the Mrs. with gifts, and dates.
capejasmine on July 31, 2009 at 1:55 PM
Just the tip, just for a second, just to see how it feels
LimeyGeek on July 31, 2009 at 1:56 PM
You want a tip?
Don’t play the ponies in Jersey.
Don’t play poker with a guy named after a city.
Don’t increase taxes in a recession.
JohnGalt23 on July 31, 2009 at 1:57 PM
Here’s an idea – Don’t invite them! It’s not like Obama needs to learn anything about business or fixing the economy from CEOs anyways. If you don’t believe me on that, just ask him!
Blacksmith on July 31, 2009 at 1:58 PM
Then they shouldn’t have been invited TO DINNER. He could have had them in for a meeting in an office or a conference room somewhere if he was worried someone would think he was “cozying” up to anyone.
Funny that he’s not too worried about people’s perceptions when he’s “cozying up” to racists, terrorists, corrupt politicians and convicted felons.
Everyday these Chicago ghetto rats are thinking up brand new ways to embarrass themselves… and the American people in the process.
jana on July 31, 2009 at 1:59 PM
Hahaha!
Rightwingguy on July 31, 2009 at 2:03 PM
This administration has officially transitioned into the Bizarro World.
Food for thought: wasn’t it the Taliban, or was it the Iranians or AQ, who were executing their citizens, and then billing the surviving family for the bullet.
We could be headed for some really interesting changes in our economic system that we hadn’t even considered Obama capable of imposing.
Yoop on July 31, 2009 at 2:04 PM
Tacky. Just plain tacky.
Invite someone into your home for dinner…and then ask them to pay for their portion?
If it is a matter of appearances of impropriety, then do not invite corporate CEO’s and lobbyists or ACORN reps home for lunch or dinner. Seems a pretty simple way to handle it.
coldwarrior on July 31, 2009 at 2:08 PM
For once, I’d welcome an invite to dine at the White House…
BARACH OBAMA
1600 PENNSYLVANIA AVE
WASHINGTON, DC 20500
DEAR MS OBAMA
A merchant dispute has been lodged against you regarding a recent transaction. MASTERCARD has withheld the payment pending an internal investigation. The specific transaction record is:
07/04/10 XXXX XXXX XXXX 1234 $201.56
000243 ALLEGED FRAUD
Please provide a written explanation of the charge within ninety (90) days of the date of this letter…
Chris_Balsz on July 31, 2009 at 2:12 PM
And we thought Jimmah Carter was clueless with his sweaters?
petefrt on July 31, 2009 at 2:23 PM
Better idea: Make The Bamster pay for his food… and his excursions to NYC, Paris, etc.
Where’s your credit card, Barry?
petefrt on July 31, 2009 at 2:27 PM
You do realize that Barak Hussein probably OWNS your credit card company, don’t you?
logis on July 31, 2009 at 2:30 PM
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