Jet-setter: Buttigieg leads 2020 Dems in private flights

[left-of-center2012]

Pete Buttigieg has spent roughly $300,000 on private jet travel this year, more than any other Democrat running for the White House, according to an analysis of campaign finance data.

The expenditures have enabled the South Bend, Indiana, mayor to keep up an aggressive schedule, shuttling from his campaign headquarters in his hometown to fundraisers and political events across the country. But his reliance on charter flights contrasts sharply with his image as a Rust Belt mayor who embodies frugality and Midwestern modesty.

“It’s a trade-off. The downside is that taking a private airplane can look very elitist,” said Dan Schnur, a University of Southern California political science professor and former press secretary for John McCain’s 2000 Republican presidential campaign. “On the other hand, it allows you to cover a lot more ground and talk to a much larger number of voters.”

Buttigieg’s campaign says the distance between its South Bend headquarters and major airports sometimes makes private jet travel necessary. “We are careful with how we spend our money, and we fly commercial as often as possible,” Buttigieg spokesman Chris Meagher said Wednesday. “We only fly noncommercial when the schedule dictates.”

https://www.apnews.com/a5f265845756449f9f093e53cf8bef47

[True Dough]

1. Do what you gotta do, Pete!

[dalton99a]

2. His campaign spent about $110,000 at a Hilton hotel

His campaign spent about $110,000 at a Hilton hotel in downtown Miami during the first round of Democratic debates last month . Buttigieg’s campaign says the expenditures covered a large block of conference rooms and rooms for campaign staff, though records show it’s drastically more than any other top contender paid for lodging that week.

He also spent about $20,000 at other Hilton hotels, $14,000 on car and limousine services and $4,100 at the Avalon in Beverly Hills, which bills itself as a hotel that “sets the tone for hip repose.”

[left-of-center2012]

3. a hotel that "sets the tone for hip repose."

I need to go there.
Hip pain makes it hard for me to sleep.

[zackymilly]

11. It's where all the hip people stay! n/t

[Hassin Bin Sober]

6. I checked to say the piece in the op is ridiculous

But this? It seems odd...

[LincolnRossiter]

4. Meh. Non-issue.

Why is it “elitist” to use the most efficient means of transport available to you during a campaign in a country that’s 3.6 million square miles?

[Indygram]

5. $110,000 at a Hilton hotel JUST for the Miami debate, though?

How the bloody hell do you even spend that much in 24-48 hours? Jesus...

[DesertRat]

8. It sounds like he and his team wanted to be as prepared as possible.

A good strategy, imo.

[Indygram]

9. The rooms are like $100 a night...how many people did he bring with him? That's 1100 rooms!

He didn't spend a lot of time there...no more than 2 nights. If he was there 48 hours that is a cost of almost $40 a minute. I'm sorry, but if I were a regular voter working my ass off and donating money to his campaign this would really piss me off. Maybe I'm just old fashioned but I just don't like when a politician is wasteful with other peoples' money.

[DesertRat]

10. "The expenditures covered a large block of conference rooms and rooms for campaign staff"

I'm sure they stayed in suites as well as utilizing the hotel's conference rooms, food, drinks, etc. It all adds up.

If his donors are concerned, then we'll see his the donations drop off. I think it's kind of a non-issue.

[zackymilly]

12. Room service? nt

[forthemiddle]

7. Not really "green" is it?

That’s a pretty big carbon footprint.