Anonymous donor offers to foot bill for President Obama visit

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DURHAM — An anonymous donor has offered the town $20,000 to pay for security costs associated with President Barack Obama’s visit on Monday, ending what had become a political controversy over whether municipalities should foot the bill for presidential campaign visits.

Town officials announced the donation at a Sunday afternoon news conference at Town Hall. According to Town Council Chairman Jay Gooze, the donor, a Durham resident, contacted him and Town Administrator Todd Selig on Sunday and offered the donation to end the political posturing over what town officials described as a purely economic issue.

“We are grateful for this generous offer,” Gooze said.

Debate raged after the town asked the Obama for America campaign team to pay the roughly $20,000 to $30,000 costs for security during the president’s visit to Oyster River High School planned for Monday. Selig said some praised the request, while others found it downright “un-American.”

The Obama campaign replied to the town’s request by saying it does not participate in security or traffic control planning, and that all such decisions are “exclusively within the control of the appropriate government officials,” particularly the U.S. Secret Service.

Officials said the donor stressed that the town did the right thing in asking the campaign to do its part. The Town Council had planned to meet at 8:30 a.m. Monday to debate the costs, but that meeting has been canceled following the news about the donation.


read: http://www.seacoastonline.com/articles/20120624-NEWS-120629887

[BumRushDaShow]

1. From this day forward

Any Democratic towns and cities should refuse any rethug Presidents from setting foot in their jurisdictions.

So there.

Is that how they want to proceed with the running of this country? Like a backwards, virulently racist has-been nation?

[panader0]

2. I saw an article in today's paper about Durham wanting the Obama campaign to pay for the visit

and I thought that someone might do this.......cool.

[SickOfTheOnePct]

5. Don't you think that's a little bit over the top?

Wishing for an assassination attempt?

[MADem]

4. Fucking assholes. I wonder if they'll tell us who payed for security at THIS EVENT?

http://www.ontheissues.org/GOP_Durham.htm

Craven, disgraceful hypocrites.

[aikoaiko]

6. Durham is home to my old grad school. Good on this resident for stepping up.

[SickOfTheOnePct]

7. Cities and towns are strapped, financially

I don't think they should have to pay for any of the security for campaign visits - that should be on the campaigns themselves, for both parties.

Good for the donor for stepping up.

[bluerum]

8. RMoney is a private citizen. Pesident Obama is, well he is president.

Taxpayer funded security comes with the job.

[SickOfTheOnePct]

9. I don't think it should for campaign trips

Secret Service of course, but I don't believe that states or municipalities should have to pay for security costs for campaign trips. The President is able to use Air Force One, however, the campaign reimburses the government for its use when it is used for campaigning. I think state/local security should be the treated in the same manner.

[bluerum]

13. I do.

Think towns and municipalities should be willing to protect the president.

[SickOfTheOnePct]

14. Then we'll agree to disagree

On an official trip, absolutely. On a campaign trip? No, I don't think they should be forced to foot the bill.

[jillan]

10. I hope the turnout for our President is amazing, jaw dropping, record breaking just to piss these

a-holes off


Sending lots of love to the unanimous donor.

[Fawke Em]

12. "Anonymous," not "unanimous."

[bigtree]

11. kick