Bush Seeks to Use $1M in Transition Funds

[rodbarnett]

WASHINGTON (AP) - President Bush is making an unprecedented request to use up to $1 million budgeted for a possible presidential transition to train top officials who would join his administration if he should win a second term.

The proposal, which will require Congress' approval, is the first time a president has sought to use public transition funds to prepare officials to enter a re-elected administration, White House officials and others say. Critics say the money should come from existing agency budgets, especially as Bush is proposing to curb spending for many programs because of soaring federal deficits.

The White House is defending the request as a way to cope with the spate of departures that usually marks an incumbent's second term. Officials say the money would be used for briefing materials and other training expenses for which agencies have not budgeted.

"We're trying to use a modest amount of resources to make sure they are trained and prepared," said White House budget office spokesman Chad Kolton. He said new officials "need to be walked through what the parameters are, where things stand with ongoing projects."

Democrats and experts on presidential transitions say the funds should not be used when a sitting president is re-elected

http://apnews.myway.com/article/20040302/D8124PT80.html

[StClone]

1. $200 Million

To steal the election and still asking for money to help destroy the Government. Scum.

[Bonhomme Richard]

2. It's to pay for the tuition at..................

the School for the Americas

[littlejoe]

3. Something has got to give soon. I'm just about out of indignation.

[zbdent]

4. His transition funds should be severance pay

Transition his ass out of the White House.

[tom_paine]

5. The Busheviks KNOW that 2004 is rigged as a Soviet "election"

They KNOW.

And we know.

Maybe I'm wrong, but I have the cold dread in my heart that, like Bunnypants* was going to "win" Florida no matter what, so it is with the corrupt, Free-Market Stalinist joke that "election" 2004 will likely be.

But still get out and vote! I could be wrong! DON'T BE CAUGHT ON THE SIDELINES BECAUSE OF SOMETHING THAT MIGHT BE!

[bobbyboucher]

6. In Sacramento Bee front page story today,

says, "Voter Turnout could sink to a new low". Why the fuck would they say that unless .......?

[shanti]

7. well, i'm in sacramento

and i was the only one there at 7:45 this morning.

[private_ryan]

8. wouldn't it be great

if he got the approval and got voted out ?