(via Hot Air) NRO links to something that is reminiscent of the ‘old politics’ that Obama supposedly rises above in his Congressional earmark record.
Dan Riehl notes, via Amanda Carpenter, that in the list of earmarks he requested, $1 Million was requested for the construction of a new hospital pavilion at the University Of Chicago. The request was put in in 2006.
You know who works for the University of Chicago Hospital?
Michelle Obama. She’s vice president of community affairs.
Read the rest of NRO’s article, but the kicker is that Michelle Obama got herself a $200,000 raise the same year. Yeah, that’s a coincidence. Isn’t this what you would call a ‘conflict of interest’ or are you able to HOPE away ethical violations? It wouldn’t surprise me if they did, the Obamamaniacs have been more than willing to ignore everything else that might tarnish his image.
I think we can stop calling him the Messiah, and start calling him…
Allahpundit is waiting for the other $200,000 shoe to drop:
Reserve judgment until tomorrow. I can’t believe he’d be this corrupt. Exit question one: Per the Byron York quote in Geraghty’s item, isn’t Michelle Obama’s raise sort of … a kickback? Or does that depend on the earmark having actually been approved
Atlas Shrugs has more, including some details on what Michelle was put in charge of to get that suspiciously timed $200,000 raise.
Good Lt. at Jawa Report throws out the phrase we know all too well. “Culture of Corruption” Sure sounds like it.
And if you wanted an update on Obama’s cash outflows in other ‘controversial’ areas, Gateway Pundit reports that he gave over $22,000 to his racist pastor’s church in 2006.
QandO sees the issue goes beyond the possible monetary gain, it’s about that old politics leaking into Obama’s “change” and “hope”.
Quasi-related: John Hawkins at Right Wing News puts together a great entry for MoveOn.org’s Obama in 30 seconds video contest, but I think he could use a bit of this story in there as well.
Leaning Straight Up links to a 51 page list of Obama earmarks and some humor on the Dems change platform, courtesy of Texas Rainmaker.
Riehl World View examines other Obama donations.
Obama voted to stop earmarks last night. Can you say CYA?
UPDATE 10:20AM CST: Hot Air has the response from the group that got the help. Are you surprised to learn that they are denying anything related to the raised Michelle Obama occurred?
Kelly M. Sullivan, the medical center’s vice president for communications and marketing, noted that Mr. Obama had also requested money for a number of other hospitals in Illinois, and she said any lobbying for the money had been handled by the hospital’s government-affairs officials.
“I can tell you with 100 percent certainty that Michelle Obama was not part of our lobbying over the request, not in any way,” Ms. Sullivan said. She said the hospital’s lobbyists often seek help on their own from both of the state’s senators.
In other cases, Mr. Obama’s requests benefited political supporters.
So does that mean he has to give back that honorary doctor title?
Allah’s exit question:
Why would a guy burned by the appearance of impropriety in his dealings with Tony Rezko, to the point where he felt obliged to apologize for them, think earmarking money for his wife’s school was a swift idea?
I think the answer honestly lies with Obama being a not ready for prime time player. He wasn’t Obama the Messiah 2.0 yet. Change and Hope hadn’t become ingrained in his heart, or at least in his speechwriters, yet. What’s scary is that he is the frontrunner.
Sister Toldjah believes she should have known better than to think the New York Times would actually start scrutinizing Obama seriously.
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