McCain Killed Obama's New Toy

John McCain singled out Obama’s $11.2 billion plan for 28 new White House helicopters as the poster child for government waste last February and on Monday the White House put a stop to the costly project. But Obama still needs helicopters, and getting them might end up costing taxpayers just as much as the original plan. About $3.2 billion has already been spent on making new helicopters in the quashed initiative, and the government will also have to fork over half a billion in early termination fees. Renovating existing helicopters or making cheaper models will still add up to billions, causing lawmakers to label the decision to terminate the program as “bizarre.” President Bush ordered a new helicopter fleet after the September 11 attacks.