NYC Letter: Obamanomics 101

Day 33 of CHOPE

Obamanomics, spend like there's no tomorrow. [Pause.] If tomorrow shows up, leave town.

OBAMA VICTORY BASH OWES CITY $1.74M
Waiting For Dems To Pay Up

February 20, 2009 (CST) - Chicago has yet to recoup the $1.74 million cost of President Obama's victory celebration in Grant Park -- despite a burgeoning $50.5 million budget shortfall that threatens more layoffs and union concessions. Peter Scales, spokesman for the city's Office of Budget and Management:

The Democratic National Committee has not yet paid us. We're reaching out to them this week.

Translation: They are dunning the DNC.

Stacie Paxton, a spokeswoman for the Obama-controlled DNC, explained the reimbursement delay by saying:

We are still looking at various costs and bills.

Translation: The DNC is stalling.

In late October, Mayor Daley assured that the cash-flush Obama campaign would reimburse the city for every penny spent on the rally:

We have a financial crisis. The City of Chicago could not afford $2 million on this because we're gonna be laying off people, cutting back. That [cost] would really be unfortunate. ... It's a huge cost to the City of Chicago. ... This is a political event, and they've agreed to pay for all those services -- all the expenses of that. ... It's costly, but they raised quite a bit of money. There's no [shortage] of money in that campaign.

The day after the Nov. 4 election, Daley was asked again whether the Obama campaign would pay up:

Yeah. I don't know why you're so negative.

[Hat tip: Hot Air]

Here's the damage:

• Police $1 million
• Emergency Management and Communications Office $121,578
• Fire Department $85,965
• Streets and Sanitation $71,694
• Transportation $49,659
• Cultural Affairs $2,567
• Environment $2,309
• CTA $201,500
• Chicago Park District $202,440
• Giant video boards $68,900
• Electrical $37,185
• Sound $37,500
• Stagehands $29,850
• Portable toilets $12,500
• Security $7,505
• Stage rental $6,000
• Bike racks, barricades $2,000
• Heavy equipment $1,000

And Chicago's not alone.

Barack Obama spent a record $760 million getting himself elected president. But his campaign, Obama for America, still owes Philadelphia nearly $24,000 for several pre-election events, and the cash-strapped city hasn't given up its collection efforts.

... Mechelle Sabb, special-event coordinator in the Managing Director's Office, said the bills remain unpaid in spite of a December letter sent to Obama headquarters in Chicago, warning that non-payment could jeopardize his welcome at future events in Philadelphia or Fairmount Park.

CHOPE.

Spend. Party. Adios.