Vice President Joe Biden is happy to take the train home to Delaware, foregoing the expensive flights on Air Force 2 that are the perks of his office in favor of the much more budget friendly Amtrak.
The federal budget may be going off the rails, but Biden is determined not to do likewise.
According to Fox News, Biden said on Wednesday that he initiated the change himself, calling it the one thing about the looming sequester that's working to his benefit.
Speaking at the National Association of Attorneys General, Biden was quoted as saying that while he took nearly 8,000 train trips as a senator, the Secret Service insisted he travel by air as Vice President because the Amtrak 'gives too many opportunities for people to interact with me in a way they wouldn't like to see.'
But Biden has successfully argued that looming budget cuts have changed the terms of the debate. 'I was able to say, 'Look guys, I've got to take the train now - it's cheaper than flying.' So I get to take the train again.'
High security plane trips to Delaware and back cost tens of thousands of dollars each time, but now the price has been slashed by Biden's unusual decision.
'Air Force 2 is grounded for weekend trips starting Friday,' one source told the Huffington Post, but Biden reportedly flies by military plane to Delaware during the week.
'He'll start taking the train again this weekend when the sequestration starts. It's a huge expense to be taking the military flights,' a source said. 'So now it's back to regular Joe.'
Biden reportedly passes some of the one-hour, eighteen minute trip from Washington D.C. to Wilmington, Delaware reading the paper or reviewing work materials.
But like the born politician he is he mostly prefers to talk to strangers on the trip, a source said.
'He just walks around shaking hands posing for pics,' said the source. 'He talks to everyone and anyone, and doesn't sit still.'
8 Comments
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Switch to the desktop site to post a comment.pilib04 | Mar 02, 2013, 10:18 AM EST
What the Republicans don't understand is this is very similar to a government shutdown. They will be blamed for it. The President was reasonable, GET RID OF TAX LOOPHOLES AND CUT THE BUDGET, the Republicans just stuck to the same mantra they have had since the Bush 43 debacle.
pilib04 | Mar 01, 2013, 06:12 PM EST
What a great example Joe sets. Who cares about the haters, they are part of the 47% who lost in November.
seanomelb | Mar 01, 2013, 05:52 PM EST
If the sequester continues for more than a month the party of no will be forced to go cap in hand to the POTUS and say 'let's talk"
Claredaughter | Mar 01, 2013, 11:51 AM EST
I think there are a lot more places the government could cut the fat and save money if more of the elected officials wee willing to give up some of the ridiculous expensive extras that are charged to the taxpayers...
irishcoffeekid | Mar 01, 2013, 11:28 AM EST
good for him - he loved the train. i just hope it doesnt mean the rest of us arent allowed on it now as half the secret service will probably have to ride along with him. He's a nice guy and does like to chat to everyone and anyone, no airs and graces. It's likely his protective detail will stifle his ability to do that!
FastEddy | Mar 01, 2013, 10:42 AM EST
Biden rides trains while AG Holder gets to keep his private jet? Typical = how screwed up IS the US g'ment? ... Of course we could blame Biden for some of the mess, but as usual, the demofascists will blame republicrats.
Nicopernicus | Mar 01, 2013, 09:41 AM EST
How unique, How wonderful, My God what an altruistic gesture. How fortunate are the American taxpayers to have such thoughtful and contentious public servant such as Generous Joe,. The United States as we know it is so irrevocably damaged from the Back to back screw up administrations of Bush/Obama camps that it will be unrecognizable in 20 years.
CavanAncestor | Mar 01, 2013, 09:29 AM EST
Big deal. This thoroughbred faker has been a systematic abuser of this privilege since Day One, right behind his boss who can't find the Oval Office to do any real work. His wife, equally abusive, spends her time touring the world on America's now very thin dime.