It's not as salient an issue as Obama's controversial pastor, but this couldn't be good news for the Illinois senator, that is, if the rest of the MSM follow this story.
In a post this morning at The Swamp blog, Mike Dorning of the Chicago Tribune notes earmarks that Democratic presidential contender Sen. Barack Obama inserted in legislation that would have his benefited his wife's hospital:
Among the pork-barrel spending requests Barack Obama has made since arriving in the U.S. Senate is $1 million for the hospital where his wife worked at the time and $8 million for weapons technology made by a big defense contractor with close ties to a major fundraiser.
Obama released on Thursday a list of all his requests for earmarked federal spending in 2005 and 2006. He already had released a list of spending requests made in 2007.
In among them was a request for $1 million in federal funding in 2006 for a new pavilion at the University of Chicago Hospitals, where his wife, Michelle Obama, was a vice president at the time. The request was not ultimately included when Congress passed spending legislation that year, according to the Obama campaign.
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Now we know WHY the BIG jump in Michelle's Salary ?
March 14, 2008 - 11:28 ET by JayTeeCould the HUGE jump in Michelles' Salary after Obama became a Senator, be connected to her "Performance" on her Job ?
Or, could there be other influences ?
Inquiring minds want to know.
This is serious
March 14, 2008 - 11:48 ET by ChrisMillsThis seems like a clear case of conflict of interest. Not only did Obama deliberately do something morally wrong, but as a member of Congress and in a position of power, Obama requesting this is a criminal matter. Guess it's time for the MSM to sweep this under the carpet!
This will just be passed
March 14, 2008 - 12:09 ET by bigtimerThis will just be passed right on by with the msm...as usual.
He isn't the only dem. that gets away with this that is for sure, but as a Presidential contender it should be questioned by some talking heads in the msm...
Of course we know if it was anybody on the other side of the aisle, it would be at least a semi-big story until the had answers or had done some more damage to that candidate..
bt..
March 14, 2008 - 12:39 ET by Gary HallPerhaps the MSM will jump on and hype it up as proof that socialized medicine is absolutley needed - after all, if we had solialized medicine, Obama wouldn't be needing to send pork to the medical facility - as medical care would be Free!
Free! Free! Free!
Obama's requests. Show me the money.
March 14, 2008 - 13:02 ET by Gary HallObama's requests.
"Requests" - for money. Looks like this is all he does when he goes to work - requests money. And it's a lot of money, mostly for local and state special interest projects. At a glance, I counted over 400 requests (in the link Ken provided) - for money. The common denominator amonst all the requests -- $millions.
This is what most of them do while in congress - request money. There's 535 members in congress, senate an house combined. Every day - they request more money.
So much for running the federal government. What in the world do we have state and local governments for?
Too bad Obama has not realized yet that a part of his job is acually running his Senate sub-committee - not just requesting money to make his constituents happy.
The Audacity of Big Earmarks
March 14, 2008 - 14:47 ET by Jack BauerIs anyone really suprised at the large size of Obama's Earmarks..
I mean, CLUE.. Look at the size of his ears.