‘Limousine Liberals’ Report Shows Major Growth in Government’s Limo Fleet
- Posted on May 31, 2011 at 10:11pm by
Billy Hallowell
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During the recession, one of the most trying economic periods in the nation’s history, the U.S. government was purchasing a fleet of new limousines — or so suggests a new report from iWatch News, part of The Center for Public Integrity. According to the study, the number of limousines owned by the federal government increased 73 percent during the first two years of President Barack Obama’s presidency.
According to FOX News:
Some of the details are a bit hazy. Most of the new limos were obtained in fiscal 2009, which covered the very end of George W. Bush‘s term and the first eight months of Obama’s — so the Bush administration could have initiated some of the purchases.
The General Services Administration, which keeps the data, also told iWatch News that its “limousine” category refers to a range of vehicles, including sedans.
But that doesn’t mean the government is buying jalopies. The State Department said its vehicle of choice was the Cadillac DTS. The department told iWatch News the vehicles are mainly used by diplomats overseas and “distinguished foreign visitors” in the United States.

The report explains that the number of vehicles increased from 238 in fiscal year 2008 to 412 in 2010. But, when asked for a definitive number, the GSA said that it didn’t really have one. Sara Merriam, a government spokesperson, explained that the term “limousine” has a very loose definition:
“The categories in the Fleet Report are overly broad, and the term ‘limousine’ is not defined…vehicles represented as limousines can range from protective duty vehicles to sedans.” Asked whether the GSA actually knows how many limos it has in its fleet, Merriam responded that GSA “cannot say that its report accurately reflects the number of limousines.”
Rather than basing its definition of limo on the type of car purchased, the government considers a limousine any vehicle that carries “a VIP or ‘other protectee.’” But, the report makes the following determination clear:
…most of its limos are Cadillac DTSs, which cost the taxpayer more than $60,000 for a 2011 base model and support the additional weight of armoring.
There are clearly two sides to the story here. The government needs safe, protective vehicles. That said, these vehicles should be cost-effective (and, based on the proclamations the administration has made, every vehicle purchased should be fuel-efficient). It appears, based on a recent presidential memorandum, that the administration has taken steps toward this latter goal.
You can read the report for yourself.



















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Comments (149)
Former Patriot
Posted on May 31, 2011 at 11:08pmRelax all. I‘m sure it’s just a coincidence that there appears to be corruption in the most secretive and corrupt “administration” in the history of this once great nation. Besides, Government Motors and the UAW needed to be rewarded money stolen from taxpayers so they can contribute to buying votes for obama in 2012. Nothing to see here, move along.
Report Post »roadrage
Posted on May 31, 2011 at 11:07pmOkay this may be very painful for some, we do have a solution. The solution is Herman Cain, he will get rid of the IRS and stupid spending sprees. He is a prime candidate to bump Obama out of the White house. His giving everyone a payroll and fica witholding holiday and freeze will stimulate the economy alright. Imagine now all the illegals will have to pay sales tax, all those drug dealers will have to pay sales tax, all those that do not pay tax will have to pay sales tax. All the Americans that do the right thing, and go to work everyday will get their entire paycheck to do what the want with. Go Herman Go!!! http://www.supporthermancain.com
Report Post »curtmavi38
Posted on May 31, 2011 at 11:06pmIt never was about government cutting expenses, it was about the people cutting their expenses and giving what they had worked hard for to the the many who thinks the government owes them a living. As long as Obama is president America will not prosper,he wants us to be just one of the many nations of this earth and he wants to be king. This is why Obama should be impeached now, we can’t wait to fire him in 2012meh
Report Post »TerryJ70
Posted on May 31, 2011 at 11:02pmWhat a surprise! They ought to be asked in committee hearings how they got there. Just for the record.
Report Post »Joanne M
Posted on May 31, 2011 at 10:58pmObviously we peons don’t understand that the government needs big gas hogs. We little people are supposed to use public transit, shut up and pay our taxes on time.
Report Post »Ron_WA
Posted on May 31, 2011 at 10:57pmPart of the “GREEN JOBS PROGRAM” – Green = $ lining the kickbacks & support to labor union bosses as well as those leaches Green w/ envy for the ruling class …
Report Post »neverending
Posted on May 31, 2011 at 10:55pmNo surprise at all – it is this “in your face” arrogance that seems so prevalent with this administration. It is disgusting and disgraceful.
Report Post »lmojoml
Posted on May 31, 2011 at 10:53pmhttp://www.youtube.com/user/timhawkinscomedy#p/u/26/LO2eh6f5Go0
Report Post »I think Tim Puts it best.
publicuss
Posted on May 31, 2011 at 11:01pmNow, that’s entertainment!! Thanks
Report Post »GeorgieJo
Posted on May 31, 2011 at 11:29pmLMO—
Report Post »THANK YOU
that is a great video!!!!!!!!!!!!
Wilma
Posted on June 1, 2011 at 7:05amLoved it. Thanks!
Report Post »chicago76
Posted on May 31, 2011 at 10:50pmHey they can print as much as they want. They control the presses. If the people of America had any brains they would agree with Ron Paul and get rid of the Fed and government presses. Governments ability to print as much money as it wants creates the huge government bureaucracy and welfare system. Without the printing presses socialism and communism falls apart at the seams. Printing money is how they tax us without our consent. They call it borrowing, debt, but they are borrowing from themselves. No matter who buys the debt more dollars are infused into the system so prices are driven up. Once those dollars are in the system the government can’t just take them back. They are there forever, forever, forever.
Report Post »Bonnieblue2A
Posted on May 31, 2011 at 10:49pmThis is exactly why the House did the right thing by voting a clean NO to raising the debt ceiling without major spending cuts! Elitist Progressives are as corrupt as they come. What a disgrace they have made our country. Obama thinks he is a King.
Report Post »Alky
Posted on May 31, 2011 at 11:57pmHe may very well become a king before 2012. The chaos factor is going up every day, he has his security force in place (TSA) and his shadow government. I’m sure a year & half is plenty of time for all this unrest to fester to the point of Marshall law and the postponement of voting… welcome to 1939.
Report Post »RationalMan
Posted on May 31, 2011 at 10:47pmA “limousine” ? What happen to the “Volt” and how come the “limousine” is black instead of, “Green”?….You slide devils!
Report Post »Hephzibah
Posted on May 31, 2011 at 10:41pmDisgusting and shameful. But nobody seems to care.
Report Post »Exrepublisheep
Posted on May 31, 2011 at 10:36pmLibs NEED more Limos. They need more armor. Lots of looney repubes out there.
Report Post »13th Imam
Posted on June 1, 2011 at 7:57amMust be uncomfortable sitting there with those fence tines up your shute
Report Post »Theleftisda
Posted on May 31, 2011 at 10:36pmWhat a joke!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Report Post »USAMEDIC3008
Posted on June 1, 2011 at 12:34amRight wing-one wheelchair-one Grandma
Left wing -one limmo -35 Grandma’s
What would be the the most economical
Sorry thought you said
Report Post »Want a joke
Quagaar Warrior
Posted on May 31, 2011 at 10:35pmATTN BLAZE: All of the text in every one of your stories is automatically shifting to the far right side of the monitor except for the comments. Please fix or tell me how to fix it from this end. THANKS!!!
Report Post »Stoic one
Posted on May 31, 2011 at 10:44pmtry another browser… Chrome or Firefox.
Report Post »publicuss
Posted on May 31, 2011 at 10:55pmArcher Comm
Report Post »AudienceScience
Limelight Networks, LLC
AC Nielsen
24/7 Real Media
Amazon E2C cloud
one of them is using a new script that’s a little off kilter to read our cookies/history… takes a day or two to get it right… happens around the start of every month
Joanne M
Posted on May 31, 2011 at 10:56pmThis is a joke, right? I’m using Firefox and the text looks fine. I don’t keep track of who posts here, but I‘m guessing you’re a troll.
Report Post »NM Leon
Posted on May 31, 2011 at 10:58pmTry refreshing your browser. If that doesn’t work use Chrome or Firefox as suggested (or IE9).
Report Post »Quagaar Warrior
Posted on May 31, 2011 at 11:22pm~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Report Post »Joanne M,
NO JOKE!
I’ve been BLAZING since the beginning, Girl.
It’s working fine now but I find the accusation of being a troll an insult!!!
An apology would be nice!!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
pavnvet
Posted on May 31, 2011 at 10:31pmAt least they are from American manufacturers. Since a Caddy is part of Government Motors, they are really buying them from themselves…or are they double spending the taxpayer’s money? Come to think of it, I think it is an incestuous relationship.
Report Post »spikebu
Posted on June 1, 2011 at 12:01amAre you implying Government Motors employs Obama’s caddies, too?
Report Post »OlefromMN
Posted on May 31, 2011 at 10:30pmIs anybody else having formatting issues with the site? The body of the story buries right when I pull it up. I goes right justify and in a column. Almost impossible to read.
Report Post »Stoic one
Posted on May 31, 2011 at 10:42pmTry Chrome or Firefox for your browser.
Report Post »Locked
Posted on May 31, 2011 at 11:20pmReally, if you have Internet Explorer you have no one to blame but yourself.
Report Post »RepubliCorp
Posted on May 31, 2011 at 11:54pmChrome seems good
Report Post »Saved777
Posted on June 1, 2011 at 4:19amNo, I do use firefox , I don’t see the problem that some of you are reporting with text to far right
Report Post »jackbauer
Posted on June 1, 2011 at 7:17amSince Google consist of a bunch of lefties, Chrome will certainly pull everything to the left for ya!
Report Post »fixer
Posted on June 1, 2011 at 1:25pmturn on SSL 2.0 under advanced internet options
Report Post »publicuss
Posted on May 31, 2011 at 10:29pmLet the fat fornicators walk around D.C. It’s a safe town right? They have gun control in D.C.! Is D.C. still the murder capital of America? Maybe, some time beating feet might open some liberal eyes to the benefits of an armed society. But, then most in congress, the senate have federal weapons permits. Did you know that there are 412 members with federal weapons permits of 535 members? But D.C. is such a safe city… right!?
Report Post »Locked
Posted on May 31, 2011 at 11:06pm” Is D.C. still the murder capital of America?”
According to wikipedia, no.
Louisiana New Orleans 336,425 7.77 0.52
Missouri St. Louis 355,208 20.7 0.4
Michigan Detroit 908,441 19.67 0.4
Maryland Baltimore 638,755 15.13 0.37
New Jersey Newark 279,203 9.3 0.29
California Oakland 404,553 16.79 0.26
District of Columbia Washington 599,657 12.65 0.24
Looks like number 7, at least for 2009. I’m actually surprised. I’d think Camden NJ would be higher, but it doesn’t even appear on the list!
Report Post »Locked
Posted on May 31, 2011 at 11:08pmThat’s per 1000 people, in cities more than 250k.
Which would explain the exclusion of Camden. They only have 77k. ‘Based on statistics reported to the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Camden was the third-most dangerous city in the U.S. during 2002, and has been ranked the nation’s most dangerous city in 2004, 2005 and 2009.[64] “Most dangerous city” is based on crime statistics in six categories: murder, rape, robbery, aggravated assault, burglary, and auto theft.”
Report Post »13th Imam
Posted on June 1, 2011 at 7:54amLocked seems to think that even being on this list is a credit to the city’s.
Report Post »nomercy63
Posted on May 31, 2011 at 10:28pmWhat did you expect they think we are peasants and they are royalty, time to take all their toys away and live like the rest of us.
Report Post »kreese
Posted on June 1, 2011 at 12:24amthe Dems are just helping the little guy—you know, “the little old union guy” that contributes so much to their reelection campaigns.
Report Post »AMERICA4EVER
Posted on May 31, 2011 at 10:27pmWe’re being hosed!
Report Post »riseandshine
Posted on May 31, 2011 at 10:58pmWith a smile
Report Post »riseandshine
Posted on May 31, 2011 at 11:36pmYou took my words….I was going to say fleeced…same thing.
Report Post »RepubliCorp
Posted on May 31, 2011 at 11:51pmAnd not even a kiss
Report Post »tinydd
Posted on June 1, 2011 at 7:52amJust once I wish they would use a little K-Y jelly when they ask me to bend over every April 15th. These people in Washington are a brutal to the common taxpayer. At least tell me ya love me first…
Report Post »1stAmendment
Posted on May 31, 2011 at 10:25pmWhere can I apply for a limo? Wait, you can‘t it’s for the government! But my taxes is paying for it! Whatever I’m confused, good night!
Report Post »Locked
Posted on May 31, 2011 at 10:55pmSleep well!
Report Post »13th Imam
Posted on June 1, 2011 at 7:51amAnd hide your wallet
Report Post »NOTYERHUCKLEBERRY
Posted on May 31, 2011 at 10:20pmAnd the state department is working for who? Let them ride in a cab or an eight year old worn out piece of crap like the rest of us!
Report Post »shakenbake
Posted on May 31, 2011 at 10:25pmThey would actually be safer in that type of vehicle. The more conspicuous the more attention. A taxi or Honda accord will not be noticed and safe OUR money.
Report Post »Stoic one
Posted on May 31, 2011 at 10:40pmeight?!?! my new one is a 2000 s10, my older one is a 98 s10.
Report Post »Dustyluv
Posted on May 31, 2011 at 10:52pmAnd the MFers wonder why we are mad?
Report Post »spikebu
Posted on May 31, 2011 at 11:54pmMy new one is a 2002 bought in 2007. My old one is a 92. I thank the Lord I have them!
Report Post »KickinBack
Posted on May 31, 2011 at 10:18pm“The department told iWatch News the vehicles are mainly used by diplomats overseas and “distinguished foreign visitors” in the United States.”
Not to mention all those union bosses, celebs, and golf buddies of Obama’s.
Report Post »Locked
Posted on May 31, 2011 at 10:54pmJust curious, do you have a source for this? I would like to learn more.
Report Post »13th Imam
Posted on June 1, 2011 at 7:50amLocked is a typical Liberal. Someone else must do the Work for him/her/it
Report Post »IAMMADDOG
Posted on June 1, 2011 at 12:00pmLocked, we are constantly being asked for proof. Why is it you liberals never have any yet expect us to (which we of course USUALLY do show). Just curious.
Report Post »Locked
Posted on June 1, 2011 at 5:14pmSo I guess the answer is… no? Hey, if someone’s going to make a claim, they should be able to back it up. Especially if it’s a serious one like misuse of government property.
Report Post »Die Free
Posted on June 2, 2011 at 5:19amLocked— it is hard to find misuse of gov funds. Why? Because you have the driver, person using
Report Post »The car and the person who ordered the use of the car. Do you really think any
Of them are going to talk. Unless the vehicle has an accident with a privately owned
Vehicle Or injured someone during use no one will ask the question.
Is this usage with in the law? If not will I report it?
Whostolemypig
Posted on May 31, 2011 at 10:17pmJust be thankful that they don‘t have a set of 24’s with low profile tires. Just a little something
Report Post »for Obama to tool around in and allow Moochell to show off her bling.
They misunderestimated me
Posted on June 1, 2011 at 9:34amIf they allowed obama to put those 24s on there like he wanted to, it wouldn’t have bottomed out
Report Post »UPSETVET
Posted on June 2, 2011 at 2:48pmThe Obama’s are living “high on the hog” so to speak. While they encourage everyone else to make cuts in their personal budgets, downsize and spread the wealth around they increase their spending on just about everything. I‘m 72 years old and haven’t ever ridden in a limousine. No big deal, I prefer to maintin a low profile while others like the Obamas like to live it up. They had better enjoy it while they can, because the free meal ticket is going to run out in January 2013 when the newly elected President takes office.
Report Post »Darmok and Jalad at Tanagra
Posted on May 31, 2011 at 10:13pmThey better be Hybrid Limo’s with solar AC and Windpower windows.
Report Post »poverty.sucks
Posted on May 31, 2011 at 10:22pmAl Gore finds Green Limos unreliable.
Report Post »Quagaar Warrior
Posted on May 31, 2011 at 10:34pmATTN BLAZE: All of the text in every one of your stories is automatically shifting to the far right side of the monitor except for the comments. Please fix or tell me how to fix it from this end. THANKS!
Report Post »101
Posted on May 31, 2011 at 10:36pmCadillac “limousine” is made by GM “Government Motors” so they should be free of charge!
Report Post »Darmok and Jalad at Tanagra
Posted on May 31, 2011 at 10:40pm@Quagaar Warrior
Report Post »I thought it might be my computer. Thanks for the heads up.
Gold Coin & Economic News
Posted on May 31, 2011 at 10:45pmThis is exactly why we need a debt ceiling and we don’t need to increase it. All the government knows how to do is spend, spend, spend. Until the money is taken away from them, they will just keep spending it.
Report Post »Locked
Posted on May 31, 2011 at 10:46pm@QUAGAAR WARRIOR
No issues here. Maybe you’re on a liberal computer, so everything seems to the far right? (grin)
Report Post »Dustyluv
Posted on May 31, 2011 at 10:51pmI wish I could ride in a limo but Im too damn broke from paying taxes! Sorry pieces of filth robbing taxpayers!
Report Post »thebarbarian
Posted on May 31, 2011 at 11:06pmthe left calls the rest of the world (particularly conservatives/libertarians) hypocrates? osunds to me that they are the hypocrates. like algores beach house collection .
Report Post »CatB
Posted on May 31, 2011 at 11:07pmI thought they were buying all those GM Chevy VOLTS .. WHY AREN”T THEY DRIVING THOSE!
TEA!
Report Post »seeker9
Posted on May 31, 2011 at 11:17pmWonder how many grandmas could be saved for the price of one limo.
Report Post »banjarmon
Posted on May 31, 2011 at 11:21pmI hope they all bottom out on a speed bump.
Report Post »Joe Palin
Posted on May 31, 2011 at 11:25pmThis is not a rational article, there are not any “facts” and no point is being made. Was this a Bush Administration problem? Who knows! C’mon Blaze – You need enough information to make a case!
Report Post »Darmok and Jalad at Tanagra
Posted on May 31, 2011 at 11:55pm@Quagaar Warrior
Report Post »Go to tools and turn off Compatibility mode. That fixed it for me.
SavingtheRepublic.com
Posted on June 1, 2011 at 12:15am^____^____^
No no no hybrids green for them I think not we peasants have to live green. The kings and queens of DC are free to do whatever they want…
oh and America how does it feel b/c YOU are paying for this?!
Report Post »woodyb
Posted on June 1, 2011 at 12:31amGovernment motors’ volts??????????????????
Report Post »walkwithme1966
Posted on June 1, 2011 at 12:39am@JOE PALIN Thanks for the only sane post on this insane article. http://wp.me/pYLB7-11s
Report Post »JoeAmerica
Posted on June 1, 2011 at 12:40amI don’t think this is a Bush or Obama decision. Some staffer somewhere has that job and decided it was time to get new cars. Not to mention the Secret Service might have wanted a better fleet. Both Presidents are war time presidents and their safety and security is enhanced.
Report Post »godlovinmom
Posted on June 1, 2011 at 12:44amdo as I say not as I do…comes to mind..apparently the blaze fixed the problem with the one word right side stories…was bugging me all day!
Report Post »Rational Man
Posted on June 1, 2011 at 12:47amI’m thrilled that someone is enjoying the tax dollars I had to borrow to pay on time this year!
Surfdom!…..I love it!…….*&^%$#@@#$%^&**
Report Post »unsalvageable.org
Posted on June 1, 2011 at 1:22amAnother case of “do as I say, not as I do”: politics. http://www.unsalvageable.org
Report Post »godlovinmom
Posted on June 1, 2011 at 1:36amhey Joe Palin, the article did state that in fiscal year 2008, it went from 238 to 412 in 2010, I believe they were referring to the Bush Administration. So I believe the obama administration uses more…what do you think they were referring to?
Report Post »GETLIFE
Posted on June 1, 2011 at 3:25amHey JOE and WALKWITH ME, I feel for you. It can be frustrating when they don’t “make the case” you are expecting. Have some tea and crumpets!
Report Post »GETLIFE
Posted on June 1, 2011 at 3:28amTitle is RATHER misleading though.
Report Post »nzkiwi
Posted on June 1, 2011 at 4:49amOr on the other hand, maybe we should all invest in the armoured limosine business. Or get into it personally, according to our skills.
Report Post »Polwatcher
Posted on June 1, 2011 at 5:54amHow about we first make drastic cuts in Washington bloated budgets. The politicians (and media including FOX) are all trying to get our attention off Wshington bloated budgets and onto Social Security and Medicare which don’t have a problem today but will at some point in the future. Cut Washington first and we will see more jobs created.
Report Post »PatriotsLikeMe
Posted on June 1, 2011 at 7:05amYeah Al Gore routinely drives up to his 10,000 sq ft home in an armored behemoth. Geez, wonder how my carbon foot print compares to his?? Give me a break, these green terrorists are in it for the $$$. It’s not about nudging us to be better stewards of the earth, it’s about nuding our green backs into their open wallets. I have NO respect for Gore and his ilk. Obama? He’s just the anarchist who wants it all to implode so they can start over and build from ground zero. I don’t think he gives two figs for the environment. Probably sees it as the white oppressor, after all what did Mother Nature ever do for his peeps in Kenya?
Report Post »avenger
Posted on June 1, 2011 at 7:27amtax dollars spend easily….
Report Post »smithclar3nc3
Posted on June 1, 2011 at 8:02amWarrrior your computer has been compromised by a liberal created virus that is minitoring what you watch and type. Dump your cookies,scan your system ,and update your anti-virus. I had the same problem and that solved it.
Report Post »G.W. Dobbs
Posted on June 1, 2011 at 8:16amAmerica owns GM so America purchases more GM cars and limos to boost GM’s profit at OUR EXPENSE.
Report Post »mikem1969
Posted on June 1, 2011 at 8:47amThey have to ride their butt buddies around in something.
Report Post »jb.kibs
Posted on June 1, 2011 at 10:52amcan someone post the link to the hybrid limos they buy?
Obama told a family of 10, that they need to drive a hybrid. then said they need a hybrid van… practice what you preach or stop preaching. it’s THAT simple. really it is.
Report Post »Who would Jesus bomb?
Posted on June 1, 2011 at 4:43pmRaise our taxes a bit more mr. pres, so you can buy more new limos.
Report Post »Dio fan
Posted on June 1, 2011 at 7:10pmOn this one we can just go with the theme that 0bama thinks he’s a global superhero…A little pink fuzz on the dash, some matching fuzzy dice, curb scrapers, and we could call it the Crackmobile
Report Post »UPSETVET
Posted on June 2, 2011 at 6:41amPersonally and politically Barack and Michelle Obama are frauds. Everything they want to ban from the general public is okay for them and their chosen few to have and to practice. I’m getting a little upset and very frustrated with the BIG BROTHER Washington DC mentality. The leftwing liberals are a self appointed enforcement agency for anything and everything that they are against. The USA is a democracy and not a dictatorship, nor is it a reign of a king that reigns by a wish and a whim as Barack Obama is trying to put into place. in America. Vote him out in 2012 .
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