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Bill Clinton's Plane Aborts Take-Off in Africa; Fmr Prez 'Livin' on a Prayer' in Bon Jovi Press Plane
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ShareAugust 01, 2008 9:10 AM
ABC News' Kate Snow and Dana Hughes Report: It's becoming a running joke except it's not that funny. For the seventh time, mechanical failures are holding up former President Clinton's tour of Africa.
At first we were reluctant to write about it, after all it was only the press corps suffering. For more than 48 hours -- from Monday at 4pm until Thursday at 1:02am -- the small group of press who had signed up to cover Mr. Clinton's annual trip to the continent to visit the work of his Clinton Foundation was stranded in Newark, New Jersey. The former president was already safely overseas, having flown on a 767 reportedly owned by several Google executives.
The 727 that was to ferry the press to Ethiopia had breakdown after breakdown -- a broken air conditioner, a problem with the fuel tanks that led to an aborted take-off, a shattered cockpit window involving a small fire, a broken fuel valve. One of Clinton's advisors took to listing the problems on the back of his hand. He ran out of room and had to use his middle finger.
Finally, Bon Jovi came to the rescue.
An old war horse of a 707 used by the rockers was finally brought in from the Bahamas to get the press back on track and safely to Addas Ababa. On Friday, in a frantic, now abbreviated schedule, there was a single event in Ethiopia covered by reporters. Then it was back to the planes -- the press 707 and the Clinton 767 -- to dash to Rwanda. But an hour after the press plane took off, a Clinton foundation aide came to our cabin looking sheepish.
"This comes from the category of you can't make this up," he said.
President Clinton's beautiful plane -- the one reporters had been so jealous of just days before -- is now grounded. Apparently, as the 767 sped down the runway in Addas Ababa, the take off was aborted -- engine problems. Everyone on board is fine but the plane is not. Clinton will now join the press plane, which had to turn around in mid-air to retrieve the grounded president.
If there's any silver lining at all, a Clinton aide said, Ethiopia is considered one of the top places in the world for repairing Boeing engines. Let's hope it doesn't take long as space is getting a little cramped on the 707 -- with four legs left on the trip.
August 1, 2008 in Bush, George W., Tancredo, Tom, Veepstakes | Permalink | User Comments (131)
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Wow, all those planes flying around. All owned by people who worry about greenhouse gases. Like Gore's motorcade--there must be nothing to global warming.
Posted by: allen antrim | Aug 1, 2008 10:50:21 AM
Charlie35 - I remind you that W inherited the 200-2001 recession...
Posted by: Mac | Aug 1, 2008 11:00:39 AM
How much fuel was wasted on all this? Dead heading a 707 from the Bahamas to Africa is a fuel intense enterprise. These are the same people telling us to conserve.
Posted by: Ken | Aug 1, 2008 11:06:03 AM
It's just as amazing how many have been sucked in by the ultimate politician.
Posted by: bedrock | Aug 1, 2008 11:24:19 AM
Dude, Al Gore must be so mad about Clinton flying around in such a large jet. What about global warming? Al Gore just flies around in a small jet.
Posted by: Huh | Aug 1, 2008 11:28:01 AM
it is too bad the plane did not crash with Bill on it
Posted by: rich | Aug 1, 2008 11:32:20 AM
please just fly the thing with all abored into a mountain? do us all a favor! who cares?
Posted by: mike odonnell | Aug 1, 2008 11:41:59 AM
Give Kate and Dana a break. They weren't trying to glorify the former lecherer in chief, they were criticizing the CARBON FOOTPRINT of this self-glorifing Clinton trip. They are unhappy that Clinton, using other people's money, would waste the resources and money necessary to stage this photo op.
Posted by: David | Aug 1, 2008 11:51:52 AM
"...I guess I have a glimpse into the minds of Bush's twenty percenters...."
I guess we have a glimpse into the minds of the 9 percent crowd...
It's bad when the congress is lower than the lowest percentage pres in recent history. So close your lips before you say something else that sounds ignorant.
Posted by: ACK | Aug 1, 2008 12:07:43 PM
Are not these the same people that say we should conserve, restrict, do without for the sake of a smaller "carbon footprint". Blatant hypocrisy for the liberal/progressive/socialists or what ever they call themselves this week.
I'm "destroying the plant" because I drive a pickup, eat meat, prefer real light bulbs and use more then 1 sheet of toilet paper. Geez.
Posted by: Dave | Aug 1, 2008 12:10:18 PM
Carpool...Planepool...public transportation??? Try leading by example and use one of the above. If it is OK for us minions it should be OK for the elite. Sorry forgot my place I’m the slave and you’re the masters…I shouldn’t question these things I don’t understand. Please beat me with the power of big government and teach me a lesson for my insolence. I don’t deserve freedom. Vote Democrat.
Posted by: Vote Democrat | Aug 1, 2008 12:13:31 PM
I have been reading these Republicans comment on this matter. What pure meanness and hate they have. No wonder they ran the country into the ground.
Posted by: Bonzai | Aug 1, 2008 12:15:17 PM
I thought Bill was still out there on Ron Burkle's "Air F*ck ONE" as reported by Vanity Fair a while back. I'm guessing that there's a trade up in the works (767 for 757) and better "hostitutes". God knows the Google kids have more money than poor Ron Burkle!
http://www.vanityfair.com/politics/features/2008/07/clinton200807
Posted by: Jetjok | Aug 1, 2008 12:16:16 PM
We LOVE the Clintons! We MISS the Clintons! The election is boring without Hillary.
The Dems are very foolish if they nominate the one candidate, Obama, who cannot win.
The superdelegates who will decide this nomination as neither Hillary or Obama have enough delegates out right, should vote for the candidate who is the most qualified and most electable. That candidate is Hillary Clinton who will be an outstanding President one day. If not in 08, then McCain 08 and Hillary 2012.
Obama is unqualfied to be a U.S. Senator, let alone U.S. President.
Wake up Democrats! This is supposed to be OUR year, you are blowing it, Obama has destroyed the Democratic party.
Godspeed to both Bill and Hillary Clinton. WE thank them both for their lifetimes of public service. BOTH of them continue to make the world a better place in spite of the lack of appreciation and 24/7 vile attacks on both of them in ALL media.
Posted by: R | Aug 1, 2008 12:16:25 PM
I have been reading these Republicans comment on this matter. What pure meanness and hate they have. No wonder they ran the country into the ground.
Posted by: Bonzai | Aug 1, 2008 12:17:08 PM
Hmmmm....you know, I am feeling pretty good that all we own and drive now is an 01 Dodge pick-up. I mean...compared to a, ummm, wait...compared to several jets, we should be free of carbon footprint crimes for the next 80 years.
Hey, was there any news that Al Gore called Clinton and give him a good ole fashion 'boxing of the ears' for all that flying.
No, wait...I take that back. If that actually happened, Al would be a hypocrite, no?
Posted by: Caine | Aug 1, 2008 12:22:19 PM
and what exactly does bon jovi have to do with this? i think im a little confused...
Posted by: Lindsay | Aug 1, 2008 12:24:47 PM
Cudos Caine...Not one word in the story about the 'Carbon Footprint' these yahoo's are laying down. A 707? Four engines at least 2 generation old for fuel economy and emmissons. Hypocrites. I'll keep driving my diesel truck at 75 mph just to try to keep up with 'em.
Posted by: Gimme Diesel | Aug 1, 2008 12:30:05 PM
With all the unrest in Africa, perhaps it was real "sniper fire" that may have caused the aircraft malfunctions.
Posted by: paul mall | Aug 1, 2008 12:30:43 PM
"Finally, Bon Jovi came to the rescue.
An old war horse of a 707 used by the rockers was finally brought in from the Bahamas to get the press back on track and safely to Addas Ababa. On Friday, in a frantic, now abbreviated schedule......"
I don't see that as confusing.
Posted by: bedrock | Aug 1, 2008 12:33:30 PM
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