Spending like it's almost presidential

[magid]

From this story in the Houston Chronicle: funding requests for former Presidents Jimmy Carter, George H.W. Bush and Bill Clinton, fiscal 2008.

Total
• Carter: $518,000
• Bush: $786,000
• Clinton: $1.16 million

Given the totals, it's not surprising how the Chronicle spins the story against Clinton. However, as always, the devil's in the details.


Pension
• Carter: $191,000
• Bush: $191,000
• Clinton: $201,000

Staff
• Carter: $98,000
• Bush: $160,000
• Clinton: $161,000

Travel
• Carter: $2,000
• Bush: $56,000
• Clinton: $50,000

Rent
• Carter: $102,000
• Bush: $175,000
• Clinton: $516,000

Telephone
• Carter: $10,000
• Bush: $17,000
• Clinton: $79,000

Postage
• Carter: $15,000
• Bush: $13,000
• Clinton: $15,000

Other services
• Carter: $83,000
• Bush: $76,000
• Clinton: $65,000

Printing
• Carter: $5,000
• Bush: $14,000
• Clinton: $14,000

Supplies
• Carter: $5,000
• Bush: $15,000
• Clinton: $26,000

Equipment
• Carter: $7,000
• Bush: $69,000
• Clinton: $35,000

Sources: Congressional Research Service, General Services Administration allowances for former presidents, fiscal 2008 request

Clinton's office is in NYC, which accounts for the majority of the difference (rent). He's also got significantly higher phone costs than the other two, which does surprise me. And the extra $10K for pension doesn't make any sense either. I think there definitely are questions that can be asked, but I don't believe that Clinton's duping the feds as the article implies.

Also, Carter? Continues to be the best investment in a former president. His expenses are the lowest (he's not in an expensive area, among other things), and he's doing all kinds of humanitarian works.