The President's Gas Bill

President Bush is hit just like the rest of us by higher gasoline prices. Only difference is -- you pick up his bill.

But what the President pays -- or has you pay -- for his gasoline is a state secret. The White House refuses to release copies of the bills you pay for moving him around the country and around the world.

Take Air Force One -- the 747 version, he uses a lot of smaller planes, too. Back in 2004, it cost $3,974 an hour to operate the 747. Now, with higher gas prices, it's $6,029 an hour.

And so far this year, President Bush has made 73 trips. That includes a 60-day, 60-city tour to tout his Social Security reform plan -- which withered on the vine. Over his presidency, he's visited 46 countries -- some multiple times. Not bad for a guy who'd never been outside the US until he was elected President. The only states he's not visited are Rhode Island and Vermont.

The President's Caddy limo has extra weight from armor, so milage is a bit lower than the 18 city, 24 highway the stock production model gets. It'd cost $47 to fill up the 18-gallon tank on the non-armored version.

Back in 1998, Senate Republicans took President Clinton to task for setting travel records. They pointed out these stats at the time:

• Foreign trips by a U.S. president: 32 -- to 78 countries
• Days abroad: 154
• Rate of foreign travel: 27 days per year

But gas was a buck-ten a gallon back then.

(AP) [Photo Credit: US Air Force, US Secret Service]