House panel wants answers on costly Obama / White House dinners - excesively lavish

Letter to Secretary of State Clinton on reports of lavish state dinner spending: [link to 1.usa.gov]

“The Calderon dinner was held on the South Lawn in a massive tent adorned with decorated walls, hanging chandeliers, carpeting and a stage for Beyonce’s performance. Guests rode private trolley cars from the White House to the tent. Celebrity guest chef Rich Bayless from Chicago’s Topolobampo restaurant was imported to prepare Oaxacan black mole, black bean tamalon and grilled green beans.”
[link to oversight.house.gov]

“During these tough economic times, Americans are reining in their spending wherever possible. The Executive Branch should be mindful of this. Reports of excessively lavish events, however, indicate the opposite,” said Chairman Issa in the letter to Secretary Clinton. “For a May 2012 state dinner honoring Felipe Calderon, the President of Mexico, the White House hired Beyonce and celebrity chef Rick Bayless. The event cost nearly one million dollars.” [link to oversight.house.gov]

Last Edited by calin on 11/02/2012 03:31 PM

it never ends. these people are retarded.

A special concert stage was erected in a massive walled tent on the South Lawn where singer Beyoncé entertained guests for the Calderon dinner. Private trolleys ferried guests from the White House to the tent, and a celebrity chef was brought in from Chicago to prepare a special menu for the event.


Such spending "creates the appearance that the White House and State Department are not planning and executing state dinners responsibly," Issa said in the letter.

When the end is near, you might as well go out with a bang. That reason may not go over well so they will give some other BS answer.

“The Committee is charged with investigating allegations of waste, fraud, abuse, and mismanagement in the federal government. To assist the Committee in the investigation of this matter, please provide the following documents and information:

1. “Documents, including, but not limited to, guidelines and memoranda, relating to the planning, organization, and execution of a state dinner.

2. “An itemized list of costs and expenses for each of the last six state dinners, including, but not limited to, amounts paid, including reimbursements, for non-government event planners, entertainers, and chefs. Please include a copy of all contracts or agreements entered into with all non-government event planners, entertainers, chefs, and other non-government contractors.

3. “All documents and communications between and among staff of the White House and the Department relating to the planning and execution of state dinners since January 1, 2009.”