Why is president even campaigning?

On Oct. 4, I read the letter from one of your readers questioning why the president has to take Air Force One for a campaign trip. I can go that reader one better. My question is why is the sitting president campaigning in the first place?

We elect them to be president, not a candidate for the office. Is the man so insecure that he has to campaign for re-election? It's not as if no one knows who he is or what he believes. After all, the major networks have been running his re-election campaign since Jan. 22, 2009.

I would suggest that if he wants to be a candidate for the office, he should resign and then there would be no question about the purpose of a trip nor about who is bearing the expense. Unfortunately, that would leave the current VP as acting president — just think what a disaster that would be.

The use of Air Force One for any reason should be the question asked. It is very expensive because the plane is not the only expense and in fact it's not the only aircraft involved in the transport of the president. I should think that the expense should be justified before the trip is even approved.

An instance of unjustified travel comes to mind. Congress passes a bill and it is sent to the president for signature. For some reason, there must be a ceremony associated with the affixing of the president's signature to make it law. I guess it does require some ceremony since it isn't very often that the members of Congress pass any kind of legislation meaningful or otherwise.

However, why does the president have to fly to Colorado in order to sign the legislation? I believe he has an office in Washington, D.C., equipped with a desk, a chair and an adequate supply of writing instruments supplied at taxpayer expense.

Robert Hibbard

Foothills