Posted on 03/13/2015 7:29:40 AM PDT by 2ndDivisionVet
Sneed exclusive . . .
New York is where they’d rather be.
So let’s cut to the chase.
Sneed is told by impeccable sources that President Barack Obama and his wife, Michelle, want to live in New York when they leave the White House.
“They want New York, plain and simple,” said a top Sneed source who asked to remain anonymous — but has a relationship with the Obamas.
“It’s not an unusual decision,” added the source. “The Clintons moved to New York after Bill Clinton left the presidency. It’s a happening place.”
“They love the vibe in New York and don’t plan to have their main residence in Chicago,” a second source said.
“Is Chicago not big enough anymore? I’m told the Obamas feel New York is the right place to be for the next phase of their lives,” the second source added. “I don’t think the emotional tie to Chicago is what it once was. Perhaps not sophisticated enough.”
“I can’t imagine either one of them making their home base here,” a third source added. “New York is what they want. They are both going to be traveling; being on boards; making speeches; earning a lot more than a White House salary. It’s called the presidential gravy train.”
And don’t be surprised if the Obamas spend quality family time in Hawaii, where the president has family roots.
So what’s hanging in the balance? The decision on the location of the Obama presidential library and worries that it may be headed outside the Windy City — once again making Chicago the nation’s Second City.
New York, particularly Columbia University, is making a major pitch to grab the library, and Sneed reported last month that New York may have the upper hand because of first lady Michelle Obama’s interest in locating it there.
Sneed also hears the Obamas are tired of trying to raise the money; don’t want to go into retirement doing so and have expressed interest in having some of Chicago’s rich muckety-mucks — Tom Pritzker, John Rogers, and Jim Crown, all University of Chicago trustees — help take up the load.
“It all depends on who comes up with the most money to get the project done the way the Obamas want it done — and how hard the Obamas are willing to work to raise money to get it done,” a top political analyst said.
Is this likely the reason the Obamas have been hosting private, intimate, hush-hush Friday cultivation night dinners at the White House with many of the nation’s movers and shakers during the past few months?
Although the library is reportedly not part of the conversation, is this the first couple’s way of setting up for the big ask?
Sneed is told that the dinners have been so intimate, each person has the ability to spend quality time with the president.
“The president has to help raise money for the library — he can’t not do it,” the political analyst said. “A phenomenal amount of money has to be raised in the next two years — and unless some gazillionaire wants to donate $250 million bucks — the Obamas are going to have to work at it.
“The Reagans, both Bush families and the Clintons worked hard at funding their library and museums,” the political analyst said. “That could be the reason for the spate of recent intimate White House dinners.
“You know, Obama picked Chicago because it was easier to get into politics here,” the analyst said. “It wasn’t going to happen in New York way back then.”
“A lot of people will be terribly disappointed if that doesn’t happen,” he added. “Chicago would have defined who he was and the Obama library would have brought hope to the inner city.
“If the library doesn’t come here, it will be a kick in the gut,” he said.
Rahm ’em . . .
Hmmmm: Is a key part of Mayor Rahm Emanuel’s re-election strategy a reliance on turning out all Chicago voters who pulled Republican ballots in recent years?
• To wit: Sneed is told Rahm’s research indicates those GOP city voters are far more likely to go with him than his opponent, Jesus “Chuy” Garcia, who is viewed as a more liberal, progressive candidate.
Blimey!
Well, I’ll be gobsmacked! The very upstairs Kate Middleton, the duchess of Cambridge, stopped by the London set of “Downton Abbey” on Thursday, where she spent a lot of time downstairs.
• Translation: Kate spent all of her time with the cast that plays the servants, touring the sound stage where they film scenes in their quarters and in the castle’s kitchen.
Sneedlings . . .
Friday’s birthdays: William H. Macy, 65; Common, 43; and Emile Hirsch, 30 . . . Congratulations to Albert Dickens, the heart and soul of the Chicago Sun-Times Sports Department, who marked 45 years with the company on Thursday. Bravo, Albert! You should write a book!
They know what kind of corrupt Democrat thugs run Chicago.
New York Village, Kenya?
Attica?
Be a shame if a 747 smashed into their penthouse.
And all of Chicago heaves a huge sigh of relief.
Movin’ on up....
To the east side....
To a deelux apartment in the sky....
Bastards belong in Kansas.......as in Ft Leavenworth
They should move to Havana.
It would fit in with their ideology.
So, then he’s really thinking UN Secretary General.
That’s what I’m thinking, even though they’d have to change the rules to make it so.
Yep, we know the Clintons moved to New York. They did that so Hillary could run for the Senate from that state.
I’ve heard that some people in Arkansas are resentful that the Clintons never returned to their home state.
That would undoubtedly kill, maim and inconvenience a great many people who don't deserve it, collateral damage so to speak. Maybe some kind of "accident" instead...when the kids are not with them.
There was no issue giving him that Nobel Peace Prize. I’d love to know who forced that to happen. Same thing can be done with the UN and most people won’t bat an eye.
I thought they had purchased a estate in Hawaii?
I heard Palm Springs.
The article touches on that.
You’ll see them having 3 or 4 “major” locations.
Baraq and Mooch will both be on tv a lot, so NYC is perfect for that. It’s also a great place for Presidential offspring to get bargain housing - $10 million Manhattan condos.
Obama is a piece of crap President, but hoping he dies seems a bit over the top.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.