Whoops: GOP Throwing Obama-Bashing 'We Built It' Convention Party Inside Arena Built with Government Dollars
Republican National Committee Chairman Reince Priebus announced today that theme of the Republican National Convention's second night will be "We Built It" — a theme aimed at "highlight[ing] America's entrepreneurial strength and our people's incomparable work ethic," as well as extending the purposeful distortion of President Obama's "you didn't build that" line.
At a July 13th campaign rally in Roanoke, Virginia, Obama spoke candidly about the important role government funding plays in helping businesses succeed.
"Somebody helped to create this unbelievable American system that we have that allowed you to thrive," Obama told attendees. "Somebody invested in roads and bridges. If you've got a business — you didn't build that. Somebody else made that happen."
Ironically, Obama's point is made by the very arena in which the convention is being held.
"[T]he stadium where the GOP will be announcing 'We Built This!' was financed primarily by the government," writes The Daily Dolt.
The Tampa Bay Times Forum arena, which houses the Tampa Bay Lightning, was built in 1996 as the "Ice Palace" with 62% government funds [pdf]. The total budget for the project was $139 million, of which public money accounted for $86 million and team money accounted for $53 million.
