Fox News anchor offers to save White House tours, with his wallet

posted at 9:41 pm on March 7, 2013 by Mary Katharine Ham

As long as we’re shark-jumping, President Obama, let’s pole vault these suckers, shall we?

The White House’s transparently petty decision to inflict sequester’s pain on America’s middle-schoolers (as if those years aren’t tough enough) revealed its sequestration doomsaying as silly and its post-doomsaying behavior as spiteful. In a rare good PR turn for Republicans, what was meant to make them look like heartless meanies has held the White House up for ridicule for its utter unwillingness to prioritize. Upon hearing the estimates that the White House’s cancellation of tours might save the administration $18,000-$72,000 a week, Fox News anchor Eric Bolling— I’m sure they’re fans at the White House— decided to come to the aid of The Children.

In a Facebook post on Thursday, anchor Eric Bolling announced that he will offer to personally pay the costs to keep the tours at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue open for a week.

During Thursday evening’s episode of “The Five,” Bolling elaborated. “I will absolutely write the check if they open the doors next week.”

“I’ll make you a deal Mr. President…Let these families take their White House tours next week and I’ll cover the added expenses. Word is it will cost around $74,000.”

Referencing White House press secretary Jay Carney, the Fox host added: “Mr Carney, you know this an offer you can’t refuse. Give me a call.”

Grab your popcorn, everyone, and the kids of St. Paul’s Lutheran School, grab your bags:

Meanwhile, the sequester saga is ongoing, as Carney assures us today that while White House tours are out, the White House Easter Egg Roll is safe:

“I would refer both to the East Wing and the Secret Service, but it’s my understanding that as of now, the decision has been made that the Easter Egg Roll will go forward,” Carney said.

On Tuesday, the Obama administration announced it was canceling tours of the White House indefinitely due to “staffing reductions resulting from sequestration.”

Asked why the Easter Egg Roll would continue when tours had been canceled, Carney characterized the decision as similar to “choices you make all the time” about budget issues.

“This is about trade-offs. Because when you have the kind of severe cuts that the sequester represents, you have to reduce your budget accordingly. And then you have to make choices about what you do and what you don’t,” Carney said.

Earlier in his briefing with reporters, Carney defended the decision to cancel the tours, saying it was emblematic of the tough decisions forced by the sequester.

Yes, it is about trade-offs. The Easter Egg Roll is a one-time event, so is no doubt cheaper than weekly tours. It’s also a small event, with a lottery system for commoners, and a bunch of appearances by the progeny of government staffers, political appointees, lobbyists, and visiting Hollywood stars. I’m sure the Reese Witherspoon photo-ops (and she did look fab!) have nothing to do with its being spared while the tours for the hoi polloi are jettisoned.

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WTF? This is needed… why? The President already has the discretion to fix this – no legislation required.

Midas on April 25, 2013 at 10:07 PM

So it takes Congress to fix Obama’s mess..

Will it be reported this way.

Nope.

Electrongod on April 25, 2013 at 10:12 PM

WTF? This is needed… why? The President already has the discretion to fix this – no legislation required.

Midas on April 25, 2013 at 10:07 PM

Seconded.

WHY TF is this needed? I thought Obama was all about executive powers and pulling the levers he could… here’s one he can and suddenly he’s tossing his hands in the air as if he has no control over the executive office?

BS.

And the GOP is just playing right along instead of calling him on it.

BS x2

Skywise on April 25, 2013 at 10:12 PM

ROFL

The intertube email lines to Congress must have started on fire from all the incoming traffic.

Bishop on April 25, 2013 at 10:14 PM

I’m just concerned that Shetaya, Manaya, and Meshelly get their vacations and “me time” away from Barry who is cooped up figuring out how to best govern in these crisises.

arnold ziffel on April 25, 2013 at 10:15 PM

Three, doesn’t that just concede the federal government can shift and prioritize when necessary, and didn’t even need extra money to do it?

Hey if they need extra money, just open up all those Congressionally reserved spots at Dulles and National to the common folk.

Happy Nomad on April 25, 2013 at 10:15 PM

The stupid Congress could fix Obamas excesses real quick like, IMPEACH OBASTRID!

ConcealedKerry on April 25, 2013 at 10:16 PM

Too bad the FAA unions will get their full union dues.

Keep the IRS, DoD, etc. furloughs.

sentinelrules on April 25, 2013 at 10:16 PM

It was passed by unanimous consent, which means no senator objected

…WTF?

KOOLAID2 on April 25, 2013 at 10:17 PM

…WTF?

KOOLAID2 on April 25, 2013 at 10:17 PM

Leadership has to come from somewhere..

Electrongod on April 25, 2013 at 10:18 PM

The intertube email lines to Congress must have started on fire from all the incoming traffic.

Bishop on April 25, 2013 at 10:14 PM

My idiot criminal Congressman wants a federal bag tax. In other words, no matter where you are in the country you pay if you don’t bring your own bag. It was discussed on local talk radio and within minutes the voicemail at the bastard’s office was full.

If the left only responds to mob rule then we really need to keep up the pressure on them by overwhelming objection.

Happy Nomad on April 25, 2013 at 10:20 PM

I’m sure King Barry is pissed. These PEONS just don’t know their place!

GarandFan on April 25, 2013 at 10:22 PM

“As Kevin Glass notes, the envisioned hostage taking didn’t come to fruition, which is good for the country, the budget, and bad for the Obama strategy…”

Obowma’s strategies and policies bad for the Country…

… You would think that would cause outrage, wouldn’t you?

(Sooooo… who do you think will win American Idol? – MSM)

Seven Percent Solution on April 25, 2013 at 10:24 PM

WTF?

KOOLAID2 on April 25, 2013 at 10:17 PM
Leadership has to come from somewhere..

Electrongod on April 25, 2013 at 10:18 PM

When you are told that this is the reason for your flight being delayed? Who ya gonna call? norrt, surprised the phone lines weren’t melting.

katy the mean old lady on April 25, 2013 at 10:34 PM

Happy Nomad on April 25, 2013 at 10:20 PM

My demorat-controlled state legislature tried to pass a retroactive ban on mags over 7 rounds, even ones you already owned had to be turned in to the cops.

It got defeated pretty handily, basically because the fuds were hounded the moment they left their homes.

Bishop on April 25, 2013 at 10:34 PM

Obama is a loser of historical proportions and an eternal azzhole in chief.

Michael P. Huerta is an inept impertinent swine.

It is a shame that such a PC fool is in charge of the FAA.

Schadenfreude on April 25, 2013 at 10:38 PM

OT – if you’re found guilty by such, sue, up to the SCOTUS.

Schadenfreude on April 25, 2013 at 10:39 PM

‘Toons of the Day: Frustration Devices

Resist We Much on April 25, 2013 at 10:34 PM

Love the last one..
And the second one..

Electrongod on April 25, 2013 at 10:40 PM

Imagine if Obama ever had to fly a plane.

Schadenfreude on April 25, 2013 at 10:40 PM

Imagine if an accident would have happened, due to Obama.

Schadenfreude on April 25, 2013 at 10:41 PM

Imagine if an accident would have happened, due to Obama.

Schadenfreude on April 25, 2013 at 10:41 PM

It would be blamed on black hat..

Electrongod on April 25, 2013 at 10:42 PM

It got defeated pretty handily, basically because the fuds were hounded the moment they left their homes.

Bishop on April 25, 2013 at 10:34 PM

I choose my words carefully. I think that we are close to a Prop 13 kind of revolt but on a national scale. The productive no longer willing to subsidize the lifestyle of illegals, neer-do-wells, and cousin Pookie.

Happy Nomad on April 25, 2013 at 11:19 PM

If Canada can do it…private health care.

PattyJ on April 26, 2013 at 12:18 AM

We are in the beginning of a producers’ strike – not some organized movement, a grassroots spontaneous effort forced by the punitive nature of Obama’s regime. They are penalizing success, the market takes over and weighs the marginal cost of earning the next dollar. At some point it isn’t worth it – for example, businesses are holding back expansion which would give them 50 or more employees and force them to pay for ObamaCare, others moving full-timers to part-time status to avoid the costs.

No movement or organization is necessary because sooner or later, individuals begin to act in their own best interests.

Adjoran on April 26, 2013 at 1:05 AM

Ms. Ham,

I truly appreciate your views and commentary on this site. However, your view of completely privatizing the ATC system a la Canada is flawed. They make it work by charging for many of the services we provide here for free. This is why many foreign airlines send trainee pilots to the US to train. My employer is a failed agency in terms of waste, but I have yet to find a better system as a whole that can handle the sheer volume of aircraft as safely as myself and my colleagues seem to do. We can do it for less pay, and definitely with less administrative headaches, but don’t tax pilots and passengers twice for what they get now.

ATC Guy on April 26, 2013 at 1:06 AM

FIRE THEM.

pat on April 26, 2013 at 2:10 AM

Obviously, each Agency should reduce costs from the top down. No pay for the Director and, as far down the ladder as needed. No healthcare benefits either, ObamaCare will do for them just fine.

Jeff2161 on April 26, 2013 at 4:00 AM

He’ll veto it.

ctmom on April 26, 2013 at 7:24 AM

Not loaded up with junk?

But doesn’t the desperate haste with which the Dem Senate passed this open up an opportunity for the Rep House? Why not tack on some additional items to the House bill? How about expanding it to allow all departments to shift funds within their budget. The Reps could go further afield to non-sequester areas as well.

If the Reps were this eager to pass a bill, you’d better believe the Dems would be packing it with their pet project. It just shows that Dems are better legislative politicians, better at twisting what they want out of the system, than Republicans.

HakerA on April 26, 2013 at 9:38 AM

They make it work by charging for many of the services we provide here for free. This is why many foreign airlines send trainee pilots to the US to train.

Allow me to translate: The TAXPAYER foots the bill for training foreign pilots. See the problem here?

Turtle317 on April 26, 2013 at 9:58 AM

Obama is a loser of historical proportions and an eternal azzhole in chief.

Michael P. Huerta is an inept impertinent swine.

It is a shame that such a PC fool is in charge of the FAA.

Schadenfreude on April 25, 2013 at 10:38 PM

Think back to Federico Pena, Clinton’s twofer FAA chief. Nothing new with the Soviets, I mean, Democrats . Same furlough game in 1995. Yep, I was there for it. Fascinating. Controllers go home, fill in the blank leftist program staffers, stay at work. Essential personnel you know

gatorbait on April 26, 2013 at 12:44 PM

Does this bill address the non-union controllers laid off when the FAA closed their towers?

unclesmrgol on April 26, 2013 at 4:49 PM

Imagine if Obama ever had to fly a plane.

Schadenfreude on April 25, 2013 at 10:40 PM

New movie treatment: Air Force 42

unclesmrgol on April 26, 2013 at 4:50 PM