Why Is The Bush Campaign Paying A Paramilitary Contractor?

There are plenty of things a campaign must pay for, but the Bush campaign may be the first presidential campaign to employ a company that specializes in paramilitary protection.

In reports filed today with the Federal Election Commission, the Bush campaign showed February receipts of $13.7 million, and cash on hand of $110 million. Obviously much of that money will be spent on television advertising. But a quick look at Bush's FEC filing shows something curious--they paid almost $200,000 to Vance International for "personnel services/equipment."

*snip*

Provoking picket line violenceAsset protection isn't Vance's only business. They provide executive protection, investigate current and prospective employees, and consult on security matters for corporations, governments and wealthy individuals around the world. (They've just opened an office in--you guessed it--Iraq.) But George W. Bush, Dick Cheney and their families and top aides already received protection from a pretty good outfit known as the Secret Service.

So, here's the question to the Bush campaign: What possible legitimate use do you have for a firm that specializes in high-tech surveillance, personal investigations, and paramilitary protection?

*snip*

http://www.dailykos.com/story/2004/3/19/22135/3823

it's the next level after 'free speech zones'.

Some nicely pressed brown shirts and pants with little belts and shoulder straps. :)

BTW is that a pic of the god of college football I see on your post Syrinx??? And if so....ROOOOOOOOOOOOOOOLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL TIDE ROLL!

Bama fan myself *G*

Apparently the Bush campaign has given about $750K to them and their subsidiaries, not the $250K that was reported yesterday.

The question is, what for?

http://atrios.blogspot.com/2004_03_14_atrios_archive.html#107981117835078006

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Since July, Bush-Cheney Inc. has paid Vance International and one of its subsidiaries approximately $750,000. Should they continue at their current rate, by election day the Bush campaign will have paid over $1.5 million to a firm known for high-tech security and surveillance and low-tech picket line thuggery.

Many folks here and elsewhere have commented that the press should pursue this issue and ask why the Bush campaign is paying so much to a security firm, especially one with such an unsavory record for being associated with violence during labor disputes.

http://www.dailykos.com/story/2004/3/20/185433/933