Michelle Obama's hospital: On senator's wish-list

Actions speak louder than words - CHANGE - Nope, just the same ole politics.

Tom Vietor's comments are incorrect - the largest Medicaid provider in Chicago is in fact Advocate Health Care and not University of Chicago. Rumor has it that many high need cases are discouraged from going to University of Chicago for treatment and are sent to other surrounding hospitals. Politicians and their flock love to spin . . .glad to see there is fact checking these days.

I am not shocked at all - this is the "Illinois Way". His whole career in politics is here and he is not about hope and change at least not when it comes to politics and political favors.

When are you people going to wake up his actions are in direct opposition to his stump speeches.

15 Year Navy Vet and McCain supporter

Obama's lack of experience does not mean he hasn't been involved in politics long enough to be just as tainted as Clinton. The more digging, the more he looks like any other. The majority of Americans who are voting for him need to wake up and realize that he does not come with a "clean slate" and his promise of change will be very hard for him to fulfill.

And the Obama Zombies will chime in with their denials! There is no difference between Barack and Hillary except for gender and skin color. There is no difference between McCain and Obama except skin color. They are all politicians and they all look out for their number one - themselves! Period!!!

Why did Dorning leave out the most important part, the possible quid pro quo?
Michelle Obama's salary at UC Hospitals when her husband won the US Senate seat was $121,000. Within weeks of his swearing in, the salary went to over $320,000. She's now VP for Community Affairs.
So did the taxpayers end up paying for Michelle's pay raise for Barack's six year term?
The only answer I see is: DUH!

CHANGE: The movement of your money to the governments pockets. NEVER FORGET that YOUR stupid. YOU NEED your governemnt to think for you. YOU NEED your government to spend YOUR money becuase YOU are stupid. Stupid is as stupid does...Vote for Obama.

Remember that the hospital tripled Michelle Obama's salary right about the time that Barack was elected to the U.S. Senate.

Nothing new here. Obama is just another run-of-the-mill Cook County hack.

Obama releases a list of his earmarks and immediately comes under attack. Now, how long will we have to wait to see Hillary's earmarks? Perhaps we will see them about the same time as her tax returns. In the meantime, we can expect Hillary to make hay from Obama's list, while ignoring the demand that she release her list.

Hmmm - Tell the american people what they want to hear and soon enough the truth comes out. He is a politician and a liar. Look at the Canadian NAFTA lie a few weeks ago - Major deal. His wife was a VP and he was trying to get money for her location. Seems highly unethical to me. How much worse would it be if he was President. I am democrat but will vote republican if Obama is on the ticket.

Now finally we know the deal Obama cut to triple his wife's salary immediately after he was elected.

The level of arrogance, deceit and sense of entitlement of this couple is astounding.

Our next step is to get this selfish hack off of our payroll in Illiois.

Nothing has changed here, only the actor has!

So THAT's why he wants socialized daycare RATHER than medicine.

I am not a Democrat but that concerns me because nothing that is a necessity, like medical care, should be FOR PROFIT. Also, if you socialize insurance, you realize as taxpayers even if you're healthy..you'd have to pick up the extra cost to pay the premiums of people who are not.. it's socialized and that means our rates would continue to skyrocket and the insurers would have control as would the medical profession and either the insurers or all of us taxpayers would go bankrupt.

I'd rather have socialized healthcare than socialized insurance but he is in bed with the medical profession.

This is very discouraging.

The more things "change" the more they remain the same- lets get over it people- Obama is no different then any other politician. If he were- he wouldn't be a politician

Wow the silence of John Everdumb,billr, Jethro, c.morris, and the rest of the looney left is deafening, i guess they don't like the topic here. Perhaps the Tribunewill have the guts to do something about his racist pastor of 20 years, Mr. Wright. The wheels are starting to come off the Obamamobile, and it's not going to pretty from here on in. It will prove to be very difficult to hide these racists and bigots too much longer. This man is a wolf in sheeps clothes... BEWARE

The most important part of this story is the sequence of events: Barack gets elected to the Senate; his wife's University of Chicago lobbyist salary jumps from $121,000 to more than $300,000;Obama secures million dollar grant for this very well endowed private institution. Why am I not surprised that the Tribune reporter spiked this sequence?

It's a very easy concept. ou have to vote for the best of the worst. The best in Public Speaking, Public Appearance and which will be a good face to america overseas.

That's all case closed.

It's funny (not really) that the Left Loons are quiet here, especially the Obamabots.

I also find it funny (not really) that the Corrupt Media, which made a big stink of Romney and Mormonism and has made big stinks about people like Pat Robertson and Jerry Falwell, has been nearly completely silent regarding Obama and his church, specifically the pastor of that church, who preaches that his congregation should sing "God Damn America," not "God Bless America."

When Mark, Frank, Jim, etc. will you folks and the rest in the national media begin inquiring and asking Obama about the hateful rantings of Obama's preachers and church?

Racist charges do not refute facts. The media is now seemingly swinging momentum Hillary's way. She will get the nomination by appearing moderate when compared with Obama. Was this the strategy all along?

I know you Republican lovers want to rip him a new one no matter what, but why don't you think about why you even know about these earmarks. He published his earmarks himself, same as he did last year. Not really shady when anyone can look at them. McCain has a good track record on lack of earmarks, but take Clinton for example. 4 times as many earmarks as Obama and she won't disclose them. He opened himself up for critism and that's fine, but your idiots if you think he's run of the mill.

The real key here will be to compare the earmarks of Obama, McCain and Clinton. Oh wait... only Obama and McCain released theirs. I guess yet again we won't be seeing Clinton be forthright with the American people.

Typical of the Tribune not to have any interest in the local economy.

It's about time people started realizing that, no matter what he says, Obama is just like the next politician. I love the University of Chicago - went there for graduate school and would never bring harm or shame to the school. Unfortunately, Obama, a Law School visiting professor/lecturer at Chicago, can't say the same. Politics as usual, just that Obama's supporters may finally have to wake up to the realities.

Wake Up America! This guy is a manufactured presidential canidate, lacking in substance, and whose voteing record (or lack of) and speaches have been carefully crafted. In his short senante career he has the honor of having the worst absentee voting record and record of not voting (voting "present" and taking no position) of any senator in US history. He has not served his constituants but rather his own political aspirations. He has spent his whole career running for office. Is this the "CHANGE" we need, more career politicians? He talks a good talk, looks good, but HAS NO SUBSTANCE! Don't be gullible and buy the smooth talker after all he won't be able to smooth talk his way out of real problems and issues. Look deeper America!

Ok, these don't look so hot, but it looks like their are 2 instances- one involved giving money to a hospital. Unfortunately, our campaign finance laws, which Barack advocates changing, encourage these practices. Lets withhold judgment until we see what Hillary's record shows, if she ever shares it, that is.

Last time I checked the University of Chicago Hospital is a PRIVATE institution. What they pay their employees is up to them and does not come at taxpayer expense. The free market spoke and the PRIVATE hospital gave Michelle Obama a pay increase, her market value as they saw it. Was that too fast for you Republic Obama haters?

And the hospital exec who tripled Mrs. Obama's salary right after his election was an Obama campaign contributor.

But these are all just coincidences.

Seems to me that most comments here so far have missed the larger points. (That may be because Mike Dorning or the editors chose a narrow focus.)

Senator Obama has released these details for us to scrutinize, as we are doing. (A. Hughes at 8:13: the request was for expansion of the hospital that would have increased its service potential by a third.) Senator Obama has now released these figures going back to 2005. Let's certainly scrutinize them.

But let's also compare them with the requests made by Senator Clinton.

Senator Clinton has not released any such information. Are we to assume that she has made no requests for "pork barrel" spending since 2000? Her response to Senator Obama making this information public has been that she supports a move to freeze earmarks for one year. She said, "give the Congress time to take a hard look at this process and work on improving its transparency and accountability."

Okay, but what has Senator Clinton's record been since 2000? Aren't we entitled to compare her record with Senator Obama's?

Ditto for Senator John ("Straight Talk Express" - powered by lobbyists) McCain.

Sounds a lot liek more of the same. Change to what IL Cook County Politics as usual. Please lets here the Obamabots defend this now. Obama = FRAUD and politics as usual. If you want to bring Cook COunty Dirty and Crooked politics to Washington then by all means vote Obama.

Barack Obama is a Liberal Chicago Democratic. This connection to special interests and people like Rezko should come at no surprise to anyone except maybe the Obama apologists. It is "the Chicago Way."

Leo
while what you say did happen she is now on a "leave of absence" (and all that implies).

As soon as he loses she will be right back there to collect on the favors and the $300k pay check. This is Illinois this is the way sad but true.

Why did Dorning leave out the most important part, the possible quid pro quo?
Michelle Obama's salary at UC Hospitals when her husband won the US Senate seat was $121,000. Within weeks of his swearing in, the salary went to over $320,000. She's now VP for Community Affairs.
So did the taxpayers end up paying for Michelle's pay raise for Barack's six year term?

You missed a VERY important point to this story.

Obama RELEASED his entire list of earmarks and their amounts. Have the other presidential candidates done the same? How about the other senators?

Obama gave us full disclosure. He has nothing to hide, can he rest of them say the same thing?

Change? Ubetcha...From bad to Worse

Exactly, Leo Deangelis. Your the first I've seen to remember that piece of garbage, because the Media barely mentioned it.

Oh no, he wanted to spend money on healing people rather than killing people? That's not the American way!

Trillions for war, not one red cent for the American people!

So I guess you have to be a politician that does not work with the government? So I guess all of the politicians are just clean and fresh - like Spitzer! I am so tired of this double standard stuff. Folks are expecting this man to be perfect - just because people like him! Get over it! People don't like Hillary - ONLY women with an axe to grind. Dont get mad at Obama for that. Get mad at HER for being UNLIKEABLE.

Well the mime is out of the box again!!

Considering the level of respect that the U of C's hospitals have in this country, a million bucks does not seem like a lot of money.

And as john says, it is a private hospital, so what they pay people is their business.

Oh, and Johnny D? His pastor is not a member of his campaign team. And Barack has not gone out of his way to get his support.

Can you the say the same about McCain and John Hagee?? And it was not the "Corrupt Press" that was so interested in Romney's Mormonism - it was the other Republican candidates. Plus, Falwell and Robertson have millions of followers compared to Rev. Wright. And they have also said some hateful things about Jews and Muslims.

But I guess that since they are conservative, they get freedom of speech.

Obama not as clean as he would like to have people imagine is he? More and more is coming out about this guy and he wants to be President. Yeh, sure!!!! Doesn't surprise me that he is shady! Still want to know about the raise his wife got at her employment immediately after he was elected senator. It is unbelievable how he has people buffaloed and thinking he is the next savior of mankind. The guy is a Chicago bred policitian so he can not be lily white, sorry wrong, analogy. Also, says alot about Obama when he has a mentor like that racist minister that is in the news. I said it before if Clinton sticks around for a while a lot of crap about Obama is sure to show up and it is. The GOP is just waiting to get their hands on Obama because I am sure they know more than they are letting on about Obama.

And Hillary had no earmarks or special favors paid during her remarkable 35 years of experience?

Once again another GE cycle where I have no one of substance to choose from...

Mark another vote down for Mickey Mouse...

Vatsi @ 8:33 a.m.

You were doing do good until those last three words after the ... Now, I am confused, but I am not stupid. Government does not make any kind of product that I am aware of. It does spend money, on a scale that underlines the usefulness of exponents, and therein lies power. The Great Obama may be an honorable guy, as his profession tends to roll, but this "change" thing that he has gotten everyone so worked up over - Not working for me babe. At the end of the day, its' about getting a slight / slight + advantage, having influence, having power even if the money part is not the spiritual or temporal goal. The Great Obama is not going to "change" this in any kind of significant way. What kind of self-respecting Socialist would ever be serious about reining in government spending, government influence, or just the way that the whole deal goes down. The Obama Message - Most illogical, Capt. Kirk.

Obama has brought all this upon himself. What did Obama think after his campaign released what Ferraro stated as racist. Come on get real, he doesn't wear an american flag lapel, his wife making comments about "she is now proud of the american people"

I guess Barack got his trust fund, after all.

Regarding NAFTA:

The Canadian press is reporting that it was actually the Clinton campaign that sent word to the Canadian government not to take the anti-NAFTA talk too seriously.

Somehow, by the time the story made it to print, Canada’s conservative Prime Minister’s office had “leaked” a memo that said it was Obama’s campaign that was saying not to worry about NAFTA.

The Clinton part of the story was ignored.

This begs two questions: what is Canada doing meddling in our election and why was the Clinton campaign's involvement in this dropped from the story?

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/LAC.20080306.NAFTA06/TPStory/National

More info:

http://www.truthout.org/docs_2006/031208H.shtml

Before letting loose with the attacks, has anyone actually read through the list of earmarks.

I've now read through dozens and dozens of them now and find the projects supported to definitely be in the best interest of the state of Illinois.

Obama should be commended for fighting for his state and demonstrating his commitment and hard work.

Yes, politics IS work, more work than nearly any one of us normal folks would want to take on. Any politican has to be prepared to be confronted with the unflattering aspects. By the way, the human experience is ripe with mistakes, from which, God-willing we learn.

Funny how Clinton has not released any of her requests or her taxes...

McCain looks better each day compared to these 2..

[[You missed a VERY important point to this story.

Obama RELEASED his entire list of earmarks and their amounts. Have the other presidential candidates done the same? How about the other senators?

Obama gave us full disclosure. He has nothing to hide, can he rest of them say the same thing?]]

I believe he has NOT released everything. I read this morning (Daily Herald, maybe?) that he's released two years of special requests for hils Illinois Senate years, but has refused multiple requests (by the Associated Press, which wrote the story) to release the other many years.

I'm not saying it's good, bad or indifferent; I'm not saying he's better or worse than another candidate. I'm simply pointing out he has NOT released everything, as you wrote.

Good god above, he's a politician, he's not a saint. Can't Obama supporters support him, but still realize he has a few flaws?

Off course NObama likes to spend on killing people...Planned Parenthood loves his pro-death agenda

Come on Mr. Dorning,

More clarity, if you please. What is "a pavillian" (a food court? a lobby? a new building?)? Is a purpose or function specified?

Also, what do you mean by "The request was not ultimately included when Congress passed spending legislation." Do you mean that Obama's team didn't include it at some secondary point (what point?), that the request never made it to the floor, or that it was cut in conference?

John, yes, the U of C is a PRIVATE INSTITUTION that does not pay taxes on any of its income or extremely valuable property. It accepts tens of millions of dollars annually through contributions from the public. It accepts tens of millions of dollars from state and federal programs. And....the hospital DOES NOT do charity care for the poor.

For Uof C hospital to triple anyone's salary that does not manage a staff and is clearly less than a part-time employee (Michelle spends a lot of time on the campaign trail), is unconscionable.

Please wake up. Politics as usual - no CHANGE here.

Michelle Obama was promoted in March 2005.

Obama made the request for the appropriation in April 2006.

Just what exactly do you think the timeline was here?

Michelle Obama's SALARY DOUBLED from approximately $150,000 to $350,000 after Barack Hussein Obama got elected to the Illinois senate. It was a wise and savvy move for the grand old University of Chicago-no lobbyist to pay, no high class prostitute to oil the loins of the great senator!

University of Chicago got all the needed package from the LATELY-BEEN-PROUD-AFRICAN-AMERICAN MICHELLE OBAMA!

ONE MILLION DOLLARS of our hard earned money to University of Chicago's pavilion is peanuts compared to the MEASLY PAYOUTf 350 THOUSAND DOLLARS to Mrs. Obama!

OBAMA
+michelle
+REZKO
+REVEREND WRIGHT(AMERICA, WHITE HATING,RACIALLY DIVISIVE, INSPIRATIONAL PERSON TO BARACK HUSSEIN OBAMA (THE TITLE OF HIS BESTSELLING BOOK-AUDACITY OF HOPE- WAS BASED ON ONE OF WRIGHT'S HATEFUL SERMONS

= EQUALS: NEW POLITICS AND CHANGE YOU CAN BELIEVE IN!!!! OH YAH!!!!

OBAMA/AXELROD AXIS THINKS AMERICA CAN BE EASILY BAMBOOZLED BY HIS PIED PIPER ORATORY!

NOT!!!!

It will prove to be very difficult to hide these racists and bigots too much longer.
Posted by: Don B. | March 14, 2008 9:02 AM

Ah...the sayer of truth speaks. Holy moly...a whole million dollars for a hospital. How could they do such a thing? We have a party that sold us on lies to invade Iraq, spent a trillion dollars on it, and we have no end in sight. This blowhard wants to talk about a million dollars for a HOSPITAL? Let me know when you have more damaging things to talk about.

Folks, if you don't like earmarks, McCain has never taken one in his years in the Senate.

By the way, there is a wonderful clip of Obama's pastor of many years, who says his congregation should not be singing "God Bless America" but "God D*mn America" - and also, that American brought 9/11 upon itself. I can now see why Michelle Obama has not been proud of her country until now, when Barack is just a heartbeat away from being president.

Change isn't enough, Obama wants folding money.
Those footsteps you're hearing are coming from Tony Rezko.
It was a nice run while it lasted.
Goodbye Obama

Obama requesting earmarks for hospital funding is hardly anything unique to the U of C hospital:

==========
Obama Requested $2 Million For The Thorek Memorial Hospital Cancer Treatment Center.

Obama Requested $1 Million For Alton Memorial Hospital To Support Its Riverbend Stroke Center.

Obama Requested $4 million For The Children’s Memorial Medical Center’s Electronic Medical Record Project.

Obama Requested $800,000 For A Training And Resource Center Of The Swedish Covenant Hospital

Obama Requested $2.5 Million For The Children’s Hospital Of Illinois’ Replacement Project.

Obama Requested $5 Million For Northwestern Memorial Hospital’s Prentice Woman’s Hospital.

Obama Requested $10 Million Over Four Years, Beginning With $2.5 Million In FY 2006, For The Children’s Hospital of Illinois

Obama Requested $1 Million For A Community Center At The Palliative CareCenter & Hospice Of The North Shore
==========

Which if those other hospitals did his wife work at? I'm going to guess... none? People complain about "What has Senator Obama done for Illinois?" but, when the answer includings trying for $27 in funding for hospital improvements throughout Illinois, it's a terrible, terrible scandal.

Great, just what we need, a presedent undergoing investigations just like the last few Governors we've had in IL.

Lets keep our list of Obama's questionable actions going:
1. Nafta
2. Rezko
3. Reverend Wright
4. Hospital
5. Wife huge salary increase after election
6. Wife's use of racial card in Carolina speech

This is all I can think of right now but give him time and more will come to light, that is for sure. Will be fun watching him crash and burn.

Yo Bobin in Atlanta, Obama's pastor has been on Obama's team, part of Obama's Christian outreach program. The pastor also has campaigned and appeared at campaign stops for Obama.

And Bobin, regarding Robertson and Falwell, the point I was making was that media scrutinized their comments (which they should) but have scrutinized Wright's comments and his affiliation to Obama (wrongly). I was pointing out the hypocrisy with fact. Course, facts and Loony Leftism has no relationship whatsoever.

It's nice to see a candidate who isn't afraid to release this kind of information. Interesting how there are no disclosures of earmarks or tax returns coming from the other campaign. Also, what defense contrator isn't closely tied to a fundraiser?

And Hillary has released NOTHING!!! No tax reports. Not even the activity log as "First Lady" from 10-18 years ago. She's "too busy". Yea, too busy trying to figure out how to hide the truth.

If you're fool enough to vote for Obama, I hope you have a job so you can pay your fair share of taxes. Obama is the slippery slope to socialism..............

Hey "Swamp" you're good. Bet you can't tell me what toothpaste Obama prefers?

Seriously, how can the Swamp run the comments by "ubuntu." They totally fit my dictionary's definition of libel and slander.

Comparing a senator's wife to a prostitute? "ubuntu" really needs help, he's off his rocker.

$320,000 a year VP position for Michelle due to Fedl Funds form her husband?

and all along I thought it was her mediocre grades, sociology degreee, and failing the bar exam that qualified her

Trust Me asks OBAMA
Change says OBAMA

- Back Todd Stroger

- House deal with Rezko

- Salary deal with U of C hospital

- $8M defense contractor deal

Obama’s Illinois Finance Chairman and contributor Jame Crown already has his BILLION, but would like to see his boy in the white house and get more access to Federal Funds

Well at least he, his wife, and his pastor love our country

If Obama didn't have any earmarks, these same critics would be blasting him for not "bringing home the bacon."

Why don't they direct their ire at Clinton and McCain, who haven't released their earmarks.

Especially, Clinton she refuses to release any of her tax returns from her time in the senate or the list of donors to her husband's presidential library.

I am not surpirsed to see this, but on the other hand I would not be surprised to see it from any elected official.
The University of Chicago hospital is on the south side near Obama and it is an internationally recognized hospital for excellence.
Also, General Dynamics is a $27 billion dollar company. I think this is a case of cherry picking. Look into who General Dynamics gave money to and you will see that they donated to almost every member of congress. If you spread the love you're bound to get some back.
By the way Mayno, Michelle Obama resigned her job last year when it was clear her husband was going to be a viable candidate.
Does the hedge fund that empploys Chelsea Clinton support Hillary because Chelsea is getting an awful lot of time off from her job too? Anything can be debated depending on what angle you take. There is no one in congress that you can't throw mud at depending on what you want to argue.

The Clintons will nail him with this. Now I see why she wanted that Philly debate a done deal so badly.

This article is a pathetic attack. If the companies he requested money for were obscure and directly related to his campaign, then this story would have merit. Like a truck company hired to remove garbage from taste of Chicago, or one to build fast food restaurants at IL toll road facilities. However, as it is, both University of Chicago Hospitals and General Dynamics are highly respected internationally known organizations with far reaching constituencies. The comments section about this "wish-list" article's is a testimony to the ignorance of Tribune readers in general.

All politicians get involved in some degree of "earmarking" and "pork barrel" fund allocation. It is how it has been and will continue to be. To a certain degree I have no problem with it and I know it will never be eliminated. The problem I have with Obama about this is that he tries to portray himself as above all of this. I don't believe for one second that an Illinois/Cook County politician is going to bring reform to the federal government.

Also, I don't understand why Obama has shot up to such national prominence so quickly (I know it's largely the media). I could be wrong, but didn't it look like he was going to lose the election to the Senate until his opponent was involved in a sex scandal? Now all of a sudden he is President material?

Maybe this revelation will prove that he is not the saint that he want's us to believe. Just a slick talker. Waiting for more of his past to be revealed so the American public can see his true character. Why is he NOT wearing the American flag pin. Maybe he is after all a true muslim with ties that will soon prove that he is not what the public is led to believe.

YES SHE CAN

Well, Obama's critics have been calling for a listing of earmarks, and now he's provided the list. Let's see how Clinton's compares when and if she releases hers. Also, what about McCain? In truth, large states usually wind up getting proportionately less than small states.

What ticks me off about Obama isn't the earmarks or thin resume, but the hypocrisy of it. Here's a candidate that supposedly trumpets "Change" and a "different politics". But the more one digs into the background, Obama is no different than any other 3rd rate politician only with better communication skills. His supporters are no better, not bothering to look beneath the skin color or rhetoric in their feverent march to a nomination.

HEY THIS IS MAN IN THE FLESH, SINFULL AS EVER AND FROM CHICAGO, NEED I SAY ANYMORE

Why are these boards swamped by reactionaries like this? Weird. Must be because they hae no real work to attend to.

Anyway, as someone who actually is on the Left (not a Democrat) what disturbs me is that Obama requested 8 mills for GD so the US can murder more people world-wide. Air-burst ammunitions = the kind of bomb that kills every living thing in some area.

Not surprisingly, the politicians from both wings of the right-wing party in DC are all ruling class stooges.

If the Media needed any other avenue to cut into the real Obama, this is it. First Rezko, now getting $1M for his wife's college? Did you also get $1M for Loyola, Northwestern, DePaul? No! It's Clear this man is not about change but about the status quo. Good luck Americans when President Obama earmarks $1 Billion to benefit Oprah's next Big Boondoggle.

The Tribune is looking more and more like The Enquirer. Can't find this "news" on any major news publication online.

You have got to be kidding me.

All the illegal actions of the Bush government (some of which McCain would continue, like the invasion of Iraq–which for the hundredth time had nothing to do with September 11th–to the possible invasion of Iran–who also did nothing to us to warrant an attack, though the CIA worked to overthrow their democratically elected ruler Mohammed Mosaddeq and replace him with the Shah who quickly opened up Iran to American buisness–what we mean by 'democracy'–while terrorizing his own people) warrant impeachment, yet people here are griping about something relatively minor.

This is politics people, grow up and get a sense of priority because there's enough patronage peddling to go around.

At least he put his earmarks out there for all to see. I don't see Hillary doing the same. Until I see Hillary's earmarks I will not make quick judgement calls. Really people, $1 mil is not a lot of money in today's world. That is drop in the bucket.

Jeff V.,

Wasn't Obama's buddy Rezko controlling the Illinois Health Facilities Planning Board when Barack put in for all those Illinois hostpial earmarks?

Ridiculous. A legitimate funding request for one of the area's leading hospitals and it doesn't go anywhere anyway. A request related to one of the country's largest defense contractors, again nothing awry with the substance of the request.

It's a little like when they try to pull the switch on Marv in "Sin City" and he spits out some blood and says, "Is that the best you pansies can do?"

To everyone who's pointing fingers about Clinton, read what Lynn Sweet had to say about Obama's "convenient" conversion to transparency.

WASHINGTON -- Sen. Barack Obama, who had been declining to reveal earmarks he requested in 2005 and 2006, finally did so Thursday and probably would prefer the story to be about how his campaign challenged Democratic presidential rival Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton, to do the same for her entire Senate tenure.

Instead, since I have some reporting history here, I am noting a pattern that has emerged: This is Obama's third ethical conversion of convenience -- taking on a higher standard, but only when it appears to be politically expedient. Obama is making government transparency and ethics a centerpiece of his presidential campaign.

The Obama record:

• • Obama took 23 subsidized rides on corporate jets in 2005, the first year he was in office. In January 2006, the very week he became the lead Senate Democrat on ethics, his office announced that in the future, his political war chest would pay the entire cost of using private planes.

• • Obama took donations from federal lobbyists and political action committees for his House and Senate races and his own Hopefund political action committee. He only stopped taking this political money -- speaking out against it -- when he launched his presidential campaign in February 2007.

• • Obama did disclose earmark requests he made in 2007; however, his office has been refusing since June, without explanation, to disclose earmarks Obama had sought previously. Thursday's decision to disclose came on the very day the Senate voted on a one-year earmark moratorium. It failed 71-29. Clinton and Obama voted in favor.

Obama and Clinton have signed on to this moratorium measure knowing one of them will face the presumptive GOP presidential nominee, Sen. John McCain, who is leading the drive against earmarks and does not request them. Last month, McCain taunted Obama on lack of earmark disclosure. Obama will seek no earmarks for Illinois this year.

Obama's presidential campaign hosted a conference call Thursday to trumpet his new disclosures even as they were being posted on the Internet. The call featured Obama ally Sen. Claire McCaskill (D-Mo.). McCaskill praised Obama's openness and said, "And I think if we are not willing to share things, like, you know, appointment calendars or earmarks, I think it is a bad sign for truly making a change in the way this place operates."

Since McCaskill raised the point: Obama has provided bare-bones information about his Senate schedule. I asked McCaskill about this. "I would think he would be happy to share information about how he spends his days," she said. He is not.

Clinton spokesman Philippe Reines said that Clinton "has made public the funding she has helped to secure and will make public the requests she submits this year."

Earmarks are tucked into legislation, controversial because they bypass review. Obama requested and did not secure $1 million for a hospital pavilion at the University of Chicago. Obama's wife, Michelle, is vice president for community and external affairs, now on leave, at the U. of Chicago Hospitals. Obama also sought money for the Center for Neighborhood Technology, where his neighbor Jacky Grimshaw is a honcho.

In 2005, Obama asked for $500,000 for Kids Voting USA, a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization encouraging young people to vote.

In 2006, Obama requested $250,000 for the Chicago Park District's Obesity Prevention-Affordable Fitness Centers. He also asked for $8 million for a defense contractor linked to General Dynamics. Obama's Illinois co-finance chairman, Jim Crown, is on the company's board of directors.

"Wasn't Obama's buddy Rezko controlling the Illinois Health Facilities Planning Board when Barack put in for all those Illinois hostpial earmarks?"

You tell me -- was he? And were they all connected? How about instead of you dropping innuendo, you prove some hard facts and cites and we can see for ourselves?

This is not a "gotcha" or "smoking gun" The University of Chicago is one of the largest employers on Chicago's Southside.

"Hope and Change" This is laughable, Obama is just like any other Illinois or Washington politician. Obama's wife never lobbied for the money, please. Your color of skin or gender does not make you any better. WAKE UP, AMERICA, BEFORE IT IS TO LATE.

Hey Haters...do you even read the articles? "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". Michelle Obama's hospital never got the earmark..DO YOU UNDERSTAND??? Keep firing losers, B.H.O. will be your next President because he's smarter than all of you GOP apologists combined and the best overall candidate to come along in the last 30 years. Can't wait for NOV.!

I generally vote Democrat but consider myself more of a moderate. Regardless, I refuse to drink Obama's Kool-Aid. He has no substance behind him, and his track record is so one-sidely liberal and obvious (despite his lack of courage to vote on countless issues) makes me afraid that he will be much worse than Bush when it comes to fiscal responsibility which is saying a lot.

Moreover, his claims that he plans to unify the parties and work together is laughable given his limited voting record. If you really want the country going in the wrong direction, then vote Obama.

The comment, "Hillary is worse" is a far cry from "We can change Washington".

Obama turns out to be like any other politician. What a surprise.

Check out the Pig Book for pork barrel spending, which is a long-standing tradition in our government: http://www.cagw.org/site/PageServer?pagename=reports_pigbook2007

Good old Chicago politicians! Maybe Obama will name a mob boss his Vice President. Electing this man is a big mistake. He has not made great strides changing the community he represents. Now he says he's going to change the country?! Give me a break. This man is too green and too corrupt to be president of our nation.

I agree that it will be an interesting November with Obama and McCain---the true attitude of the country (and acceptance of equality and tolerance) will shine through---Is anyone else tired of conservatives that hark the good tune of virtue, then turn and spew racism and intolerance?

Change we can believe in!

What a scam.

Jeff W. is right on--- Obama has worked to get funding for hospitals around the city, not just U of C. And is there really anything wrong if Obama has a special affinity for U of given that it is the primary medicaid provider IN THE DISTRICT THAT HE REPRESENTED IN STATE SENATE? Sounds to me like he was just advocating for health care in his community...

And I just want to echo what others have said and point out that Obama is the only candidate to have released this type of information. He is a smart man-- If he had anything to hide, then he would not have put this out there when there was no pressure to do so... And Hillary supporters are severely deluded if they think that her record would be clean of suspicious and mysterious spending. Come on-- look at her history!

The more things "CHANGE" the more they stay the same. Obama is a man, just like any other...a politician, just like any other. He's unique...just like everybody else. If you're going to vote for the guy, at least use your head and vote for what he's done, not what his speach writers say he'll do.

Both of those funding requests are legitiamate. It does not make Barak guilty just because there are ties to groups that would potentially get funding anyway. Should he not try and get funding for his constituants because he has ties to them? This is rediculous.

Perhaps it is good to provide a venue for venting but it is very disturbing to see how much misinformation is being dumped into this blog and how much rage there is among the contributors. This is not healthy discourse. Can the Trib, at least, monitor this verbal rampage and (at the end of the day?) provide facts to dispute some of the more outrageous statements? Please?

The man is just another politician trying to " bamboozle" the American people. Its pitiful that some people are so guillable that they actually believe his every word. I call them 'blind sheep'.

Jeff W. is right on--- Obama has worked to get funding for hospitals around the city, not just U of C. And is there really anything wrong if Obama has a special affinity for U of given that it is the primary medicaid provider IN THE DISTRICT THAT HE REPRESENTED IN STATE SENATE? Sounds to me like he was just advocating for health care in his community...

And I just want to echo what others have said and point out that Obama is the only candidate to have released this type of information. He is a smart man-- If he had anything to hide, then he would not have put this out there when there was no pressure to do so... And Hillary supporters are severely deluded if they think that her record would be clean of suspicious and mysterious spending. Come on-- look at her history!

I've been treated at the University of Chicago Hospitals for connective tissue disease for the last 7 years. God forbid someone request money for a community hospital.

Here we go again.Another politican trying to 'bamboozle' the American people.

As I read some of the comments, I wonder if any of you that are hammering Obama for these 2 cherry picked items bothered to look at the rest of the very long list of items that I suspect benefited many of you and our city in many ways. For example, he also requested an equivalent $1M for an Intensive Care Unit at St. Mary's hospital (where his wife doesn't work). He also requested money for a program to assist in finding missing children. he also requested money for a Shedd program for At-Risk Youth. He also requested money for a program to help women and children who are the victims of domestic violence. It appears that Mr. Dorning's intent in writing such a narrowly focused posting was to incite the kind of explosive comments that many of you have written. But do yourselves a favor and look at the entire set of facts. Just because his posting is narrow and lacks objectivity. Do what his article didn't do for you. EDUCATE YOURSELF, READ!!

Any lawyer and US Senator that only paid off old parking tickets 'cause he was going to run for President is dishonest. A lawyer must certify, under oath, that all fines have been paid-in full prior to bar admission. While not a federal offense, he lied.

It's bad enough that the majority of people in Illinois elect the crooks that serve the state and cities but to have the country run by one of them is, by far, the most ridiculous scenario I can imagine.
Will everyone please get out and vote.

This comment board is proof of the hypocrisy and doublethink of many Obama supporters. On one hand, they tell us that Obama is great, Obama is different, Obama is wiser than wise and holier than holy. Only he can clean up our political system, fix what is broken and restore honor to government.
But when evidence surfaces to the contrary, these SAME PEOPLE tell us, without a hint of irony, to lighten up, get over it, he's not perfect, he's just a politician.
So which is it? Is he mortal – or not? He cannot be the "last, best hope for America" and "just another politician" at the same time. Either he is above the mess or he is part of it.
Logic is your enemy if you attempt to hold two mutually exclusive positions simultaneously.

At least Obama released his earmarks. He's getting attacked for it now, but he's being transparent. You'll be waiting another 10 years to see Hillary's earmarks.

Yes, Rezko was controlling the Illinois Health Facilities Planning Board back then. This just gets sicker and sicker. We need to pass that recall law yesterday.

Here are the links to Senator Obama's the earmark requests.

2008 requests: http://obama.senate.gov/press/070621-obama_announces_3/

2006-2007 requests: http://answercenter.barackobama.com/cgi-bin/barackobama.cfg/php/enduser/std_adp.php?p_faqid=172&p_created=1205426026&p_sid=TNlxoC-i&p_accessibility=0&p_redirect=&p_lva=&p_sp=cF9zcmNoPTEmcF9zb3J0X2J5PSZwX2dyaWRzb3J0PSZwX3Jvd19jbnQ9MSwxJnBfcHJvZHM9JnBfY2F0cz

Why not have a look at these requests. Consider what they are for. Assess them. Debate them.

Then, provide to this site the links for Senator Clinton's lists of earmark requests for her time in the Senate. We should be able to discuss and debate her record of requests and compare it with Senator Obama's.

If we can't compare Senator Clinton's record with Senator Obama's, then what is it that Senator Clinton is trying to hide?

At least Hillary's ghosts are out in the open, unlike Obama who tries to come across as Mr. Clean. I would rather vote for someone whose been honest instead of someone who chants change, hope, change,hope when all we can expect is same, same, same.