What nerve

Published March 2, 2004 7:00PM (EST)

President Bush is getting quite a reputation, even among fiscal hawks in his own party, for not spending our money wisely. Now comes a report that he wants to spend $1 million to "train" people who would work for him if he wins a second term. The request is unprecedented, the AP says. It's the first time a president has sought to use public transition funds to prepare officials to enter a re-elected administration. Meanwhile, Bush is proposing cuts in various programs. Critics say it's a nervy move.

"It's unbelievable that the same budget proposal that asks Congress to cut money for education, veterans and port security would propose to set aside $1 million to take care of themselves," said Sen. Patty Murray of Washington state, the top Democrat on the Senate Appropriations subcommittee that oversees White House spending.


By Geraldine Sealey

Geraldine Sealey is senior news editor at Salon.com.

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