Posted on 08/26/2008 7:11:11 AM PDT by reaganaut1
Two years ago, the office of Michelle Obama, the vice president for community relations at the University of Chicago Medical Center, published a glossy report detailing the improvements her office had made in the lives of local residents, in part by increasing ties to minority contractors
Center administrators declined to disclose which businesses benefited; the report lists one -- Blackwell Consulting Services.
In 2005, the center expanded its bidding process and invited African American businessman Robert Blackwell Sr. to join a competition to upgrade the center's intranet, the in-house equivalent of a Web site. His company, Blackwell Consulting, won contracts totaling nearly $650,000
Blackwell and his family, records show, have been longtime donors to the political campaigns of Michelle Obama's husband, Barack. Robert Blackwell Jr., a former partner in the firm, is a major fundraiser for Barack Obama. At various times, Blackwell Sr. says, his and his son's businesses each have retained Barack Obama as an attorney.
"I love Barack. I'm telling you, he's a wonderful guy," Blackwell said in an interview.
A spokeswoman for the medical center, Kelly Sullivan, said Michelle Obama "was not involved in the selection process."
Blackwell Sr. described the genesis of his contract as "really fuzzy." Sometime in 2004, he said, an employee of the center's diversity office -- he cannot remember who -- mentioned an opportunity to bid on contracts there and offered to "talk us up."
(Excerpt) Read more at washingtonpost.com ...
Michelle’s a democrat. She’s corrupt. No big surprise. Nothing to see here, folks; move along.
I have really come to despise politicians who use their political connections to enrich themselves, their families, and those who bribe them in the form of “campaign contributions”.
“Michelle’s a democrat. She’s corrupt. No big surprise. Nothing to see here, folks; move along.”
Freepers know that, but we need to pound this home to independent voters who may have qualms about giving Democrats control of the presidency in addition to both houses of congress.
You’re so RIGHT. But how can independents be reached? On this forum it’s a preach-to-the-choir situation so they won’t know about it. Most of these people watch CNN and we can bet this story won’t be covered there. (Anyhow, the exceptionally stupid ones would hear the story and vote dem, anyhow; they’re programmed to do that. Logical thinking isn’t their strong suit.)
Both Obamas’ middle name is Quid Pro Quo.
It’s who they are and what they do.
Corruption is their core.
Can you believe the HEADLINE? No mention of Obama at all!
(shaking head)
“Both Obamas’ middle name is Quid Pro Quo. It’s who they are and what they do. Corruption is their core.”
The sad thing is that I doubt they really think this is corruption. It is just the way things are done. First, they both got their political education in Chicago, which is notorious for the quid pro quo. Second, they both come out of liberal educational institutions where quid pro quo is also rampant and where such things as “public good” and virtue are put down in favor of what helps your friends and neighbors. Third, they both seem to admire the type of tribalism that has transferred from Third World countries to this one where you scratch my back and I scratch yours. You have to have a sense of American exceptionalism and meritocracy to understand that this kind of deal is corrupt and ultimately a losing strategy (albeit long after you and yours have won and moved on).
That's the impression you get if you read the original article comments. It's about "white folks" and justifiable payback. Obama: Payback you can believe in.
I had to laugh last night in that the impression the Michelle moment gave the audience was one that she was doing all this work as the “community” organization for FREE.
That she left her job as a lawyer at a high powered law firm to help the community.
I bet she’s make more money in her present job than when she was working at the high powered law firm.
Anyone know?
“Stop the personal attacks on my wife!” will be the reply. Worked for Clinton.
I see that element but I think it’s more of “I’ve got mine, you get your own.” It isn’t about black/white or else we would see more successful blacks standing aside to allow other blacks the same opportunities. We don’t see that. What we see are small groups of blacks practicing nepotism and grabbing everything they can get. Jesse Jackson’s corporate blackmail has mainly benefitted his own family. The blacks being admitted to Harvard and other ivy leagues are usually scions of already prominent blacks. Charles Rangel has secured for himself four rent-controlled apartments. Prominent blacks are grouping with other prominent blacks and if they are advocating for wider opportunities for other blacks, it is by using taxpayer funds, not their own.
That is simply beyond pathetic. Somebody needs to call and read the editor of that rag the riot act.
There have been a couple of stories related to Michelle O and her connection to somewhat shady contracts at the University of Chicago Medical Center... I wonder???
Is Barry and Michelle trying to get the bad stuff out now while the media is engrossed in the convention and too busy with a pile of stories that manage to get a minute or two of their attention, of does it just seem that way?
It might even be the Clinton’s exacting some revenge, but if they were going to do that they probably would’ve got this stuff out earlier.
I dunno,... seems like prominent black business leader gives money to Obama,... like many other have, it’s just this one had some direct biz dealings... we’ll see.
Yes, she makes a LOT of money at the hospital. I believe that she got a huge salary increase after Barack finagled a large grant or something for them from the IL state legislature. I need to read The Case Against Obama. I believe that the author wrote about it.
Reverend Wright should have shown you that it is what it's about. You should see what happens in even federal government offices if you want to see payback and nepotism. The Office of Special Counsel seems to have wax in its ears.
There’s a career pattern here. Michelle Obama has been working the ‘health care’ angle (w/Blackwell). Her husband has been working the ‘educational outreach’ angle (w/Ayers) and the ‘low income housing’ angle (w/Rezko). Meet Mr & Mrs Grifter, part Duex.
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