This Just In

Romney watch

Where in the world is the governor’s credit card?

By DAVID S. BERNSTEIN | April 5, 2006

On January 19, in his annual State of the State speech, Governor Mitt Romney declared that Massachusetts is doing great — and then he and his staff promptly left.

Wondering where they’ve been? Fortunately, they’ve left a trail. They like to pay for their travels with the American Express card of Romney’s otherwise useless gubernatorial-campaign fund. And those AmEx charges become public record.

The Phoenix has put together Romney’s itinerary based on his most recent AmEx report, covering January 20 through February 19 and spanning eight states other than the one he governs. The month’s bill came to $30,732.20, only $6256.76 of which was spent in Massachusetts. Travel expenses included $11,907.50 on hotels, $8365.20 on air travel, $2688.24 on rental cars and gas, and $1353.55 on food and supplies.

Since most of us are stuck in the state Romney can’t wait to leave, this little exercise allows us to travel with him vicariously. What is Clayton, Missouri, like in early February? How many cars can you rent in Taylor, Michigan, for $1023? Who got stuck in the $86 Cleveland hotel room?

And where will Mitt and his staff go next? With nearly $150,000 left in the campaign fund, the adventures are sure to continue.

1/20
1/22
1/23
1/23
1/24
1/25
1/25
1/28
1/28
1/30
1/30
1/31
1/31
1/31
2/1
2/1
2/1
2/1
2/2
2/3
2/3
2/5
2/5
2/5
2/6
2/7
2/7
2/8
2/10
2/10
2/14
2/14
All month

Omaha, Nebraska
Omaha, Nebraska
Omaha, Nebraska
Palm Beach, Florida
West Palm Beach, Florida
Cleveland, Ohio
Washington, DC
Madison Heights, Michigan
New York, New York
New York, New York
Washington, DC
Washington, DC
New York, New York
Bloomfield Hills, Michigan
Washington, DC
New York, New York
Birmingham, Michigan
Bloomfield Hills, Michigan
Bloomfield Hills, Michigan
Bloomfield Hills, Michigan
Royal Oak, Michigan
Bloomfield Hills, Michigan
Clayton, Missouri
Romulus, Michigan
Washington, DC
Taylor, Michigan
Clayton, Missouri
St. Louis, Missouri
Detroit, Michigan
Berkeley, Missouri
Waterford, Michigan
Concord, New Hampshire

food
hotel, car
hotel
food
car
hotel
food
hotel
hotel
hotel
hotel, food
car
hotel, food
supplies
hotel, food
hotel
food
food
food
gas
food
hotel
food
hotel
hotel
car
hotel
food
food
car
car
hotel
misc. airline fares

$93.18
$1387.19, $592.14
$286.72
$73.49
$159.62
$86.27
$98.50
$2178.32
$309.00
$993.65
$1330.09, $56.09
$183.67
$458.24, $93.65
$65.69
$303.43, $71.30
$240.45
$179.88
$217.91
$85.47
$61.31
$96.88
$3557.73
$56.24
$283.86
$173.57
$1023.41
$124.88
$91.17
$74.10
$85.11
$582.98
$194.10
$8365.20
- - - - - - - - - - -
$24,475.44

Topics: This Just In , Mitt Romney, Elections and Voting, Politics, More

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ARTICLES BY DAVID S. BERNSTEIN

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