Free Republic

(Obama's not going away. Like Carter and the Clintons he'll be around to complete his convoluted chaos.) President Barack Obama recently vowed that his “project” will continue long after he leaves the White House. In a new email to supporters, the Obama Foundation has reiterated that the president is going to remain very politically active after 2016 with the declaration “eight years is only the beginning.” “Eight years is only the beginning. Barack Obama’s commitment to public service preceded his presidency, and will continue long after he and the first lady leave the White House. The foundation will carry forward...

The Department of Health and Human Services last week announced it had awarded a $5.9 million grant to a University of Chicago Medical Center program tied to Michelle Obama and run by Eric Whitaker, one of President Obama’s closest friends. The Urban Health Initiative, which received the award, was originally based on a smaller program launched during the last decade by Michelle Obama, who was an executive at the University of Chicago Medical Center before she departed to become first lady. The UHI is headed up by Obama basketball and golf buddy Whitaker, who has known the president since Obama’s...

Barack Obama and his family enjoyed their festive getaway in Hawaii at a popular snorkelling spot with the President's best friend and long-time supporter. The President, First Lady Michelle Obama and their girls Malia, 13, and Sasha, 10, were joined on their annual trip by Marty Nesbitt - President Obama’s best friend and his 2008 campaign treasurer. The two families spent a warm and sunny afternoon at one of the most popular snorkeling spots on the island of Oahu during the festive break. It was a familiar scene for the Obamas and their children - Barack Obama and Marty Nesbitt...

Barack Obama’s three closest friends — Valerie Jarrett, Martin Nesbitt and Dr. Eric Whitaker — sat down in the study of Mr. Nesbitt’s house in Chicago for one of their increasingly frequent heart-to-hearts. ... In the presidential campaign, the Obamas had a “no new friends” rule, surrounding themselves with a coterie of familiar faces. Even if the Obamas lift that rule in Washington, newcomers are unlikely to replicate the intensity of this group’s ties, formed over more than a decade ... They vacationed together: in December, with the Obamas in Hawaii; in August, with Ms. Jarrett on Martha’s Vineyard. Mr....

Nesbitt is one of Barack Obama’s closest friends...During the 2008 presidential campaign, Nesbitt became Obama’s campaign treasurer. ... Nesbitt started The Parking Spot, a lucrative airport satellite-parking company that is recognizable from its large yellow buses covered with black spots. Nesbitt started the company with financial backing from Penny Pritzker, the CEO of Pritzker Realty Group. Nesbitt later introduced Pritzker to Obama, and she became Obama’s 2008 national fundraising chair.

Last Sunday night, President-elect Barack Obama’s three closest friends — Valerie Jarrett, Martin Nesbitt and Dr. Eric Whitaker — sat down in the study of Mr. Nesbitt’s house in Chicago for one of their increasingly frequent heart-to-hearts. *snip* In the presidential campaign, the Obamas had a “no new friends” rule, surrounding themselves with a coterie of familiar faces. Even if the Obamas lift that rule in Washington, newcomers are unlikely to replicate the intensity of this group’s ties, formed over more than a decade by births and deaths, Scrabble games, barbecues and vacations, but also by shared beliefs about race,...

Yesterday, the Tanning Bed Media discovered unpaid tax liens against Joe Wurzelbacher. Two days ago, we would have said, “Who?” He’s better known this week as Joe the Plumber after his impromptu dialogue with Barack Obama produced a blatantly redistributionist answer from the Democratic presidential candidate. In their haste to pillory Joe for the audacity of asking a tough question of Obama, the Tanning Bed Media missed a couple of other interesting tax liens. Patterico does the work of the TBM: Oh — I almost forgot to mention: Martin Nesbitt, the treasurer of Obama’s campaign, has tax liens. So do...