Corruption You Can Believe In, Part II
February 28th, 2008 at 09:18am Mark Noonan
Oh, yeah, that squeeky clean Obama - he’s the man to clean up Washington:
WASHINGTON — Both Democratic presidential candidates, who promise to curb the influence of corporate lobbyists in Washington, helped enact narrowly tailored tax breaks sought by major campaign contributors.
Sen. Barack Obama’s presidential campaign has accepted $54,350 from members of a law firm that in 2006 lobbied him to introduce a tax provision for a Japanese drug company with operations in Illinois, according to public records and interviews. The government estimates the provision, which became law in December 2006, will cost the treasury $800,000.
There is a flaw in the Obama narrative - he is, after all is said and done, a product of the Chicago Democratic machine; a machine, I might add, very much ill-famed for the most egregious sorts of political corruption imaginable. Chicago is a place where dead people vote in droves, and nothing gets done without kickbacks to some sort of power broker.
Who is Barack Obama? Just another liberal, for the most part - but also just another liberal with skeletons in his closet, as well as that liberal hypocrisy which allows him to straight-faced tell us he’s going to get lobbyists out of policy-making even as he’s taking money from lobbyists and setting policy in relation to the size of the campaign contribution.
For Further Reading: Our Obama file.
Entry Filed under: Campaign 2008, Corruption, Democrats
68 Comments
1. hermie | February 28th, 2008 at 9:39 am
If Obama truly wanted to be a leader and truly wanted ‘change’, he could’ve started in his own back yard where change was needed the most.
But he preferred to remain silent and willfully blind to the corruption in Illinois. (While being a beneficiary of it.) The kind of leadership he claims to have makes political enemies and dries up campaign contributions. Obama preferred to play it safe and go along until he could find a better job which didn’t require too much effort to get.
Now the job of US Senator is too much for him and he has to take stands and make decisions which he can’t defend…so he decides what better than to become POTUS, where he can make out like Bill Clinton did after his term expires.
2. SEW | February 28th, 2008 at 10:50 am
Go easy on Obama [sorry about using a Middle Eastern name]. This is what he will do for Texans.
By TODD J. GILLMAN and BRUCE TOMASO / The Dallas Morning News
VERNON BRYANT/DMN
Sen. Barack Obama shook hands with supporters after a forum Wednesday at Duncanville High School. DUNCANVILLE – Sen. Barack Obama told a rapturous crowd Wednesday afternoon that he can deliver cheaper health care, an end to the Iraq war, and millions of new jobs to Texas and other states by investing in “green” industries.
3. hermie | February 28th, 2008 at 10:56 am
and he promised every child a puppy…
4. SteaM | February 28th, 2008 at 11:25 am
Yeah, stupid liberals.
Guys, what’s the deal with liberals? They are stupid heads, and smell bad, and never put the toilet seat down, they are bad drivers, they always lie, they lie about lies, they are fat, Al Gore is a liberal and he is fat!
They are also tools of satan and are stupid enough to think they can make up a man-made climate change story that they can profit off of.
They think that George Bush has been a bad president when he has been the best president in our history! Lincoln is the only one that comes close! Reagan… is tied for bestest.
I wish all liberals would be round up and placed in a isolation camp and waterboarded until they confess to their heresy and anti-American cultism. Once they are rehabilitated and treated to a 4 month strict conservative media exposure with their eyelids sewn open so they have to watch then they can be released. However if they refuse we can just gas them!
Right guys! Stupid liberals are much better to us if they are dead.
5. Joe | February 28th, 2008 at 11:29 am
liberals dress funny too!
6. Some Assembly Required | February 28th, 2008 at 11:31 am
Oh, and they don’t use their Middle names
7. js | February 28th, 2008 at 12:01 pm
What do you mean, put the toilet seat down? They have to pick it up first (and that would be a first)!!
8. SteaM | February 28th, 2008 at 12:06 pm
Hey guys, let’s go to the mall and go shopping! Screw all of this “accountability” and “law” stuff.
Let’s get some cute shoes and get some tacos at the taco hut!
Maybe we can get some useless, but funny/cute, products that are made in China from oil so we can be amused briefly and then throw them in the trash.
Sweet!
I think I’m gonna like this bein’ a conservative stuff :)
9. SEW | February 28th, 2008 at 12:10 pm
Liberals dress funny?
Caution: nudity
http://zombietime.com/nude_protest_at_memorial_oak_grove/
10. Some Assembly Required | February 28th, 2008 at 12:16 pm
Conservatives for censorship?
http://politicalhumor.about.com/b/2004/06/25/cheney-to-leahy-go-fk-yourself.htm
11. Nietzsche-Is-Pietzsche | February 28th, 2008 at 12:31 pm
MR. CHENEY!!!! WHAT FILTHY LANGUAGE!!!!
That will be a 10 minute time out for you mister. Get inside the man sized safe and think about what you’ve done young man.
12. SteaM | February 28th, 2008 at 12:44 pm
He has got to come out of the man-sized safe before he can go back in… duh!
13. Some Assembly Required | February 28th, 2008 at 12:47 pm
There is not safe, only the illusion of a safe. Deep, I know…
God told him to use that language against an evil cross dressing liberal no time out required.
14. SteaM | February 28th, 2008 at 12:48 pm
He used Mike Huckabee’s cell phone to chat with God on that one.
15. Dasein Libsbane | February 28th, 2008 at 12:56 pm
Mark,
When you get a moment, please delete all of the preceding going back to the last on-topic post by Hermie. Thank you,
16. Joe | February 28th, 2008 at 12:59 pm
Dasein,
Quite your crying. The topic of this thread was foolish.
17. Jeremiah | February 28th, 2008 at 1:01 pm
I second that, Dasein Libsbane.
Plus ban them for permanent.
Jeremiah
18. hermie | February 28th, 2008 at 1:01 pm
Of course, the point that Obama’s rhetoric never matches his actual history, is never addressed by the resident trolls.
The truth that he is just another partisan hack politician who happens to speak his scripted messages better than others, is overlooked.
19. Nietzsche-Is-Pietzsche | February 28th, 2008 at 1:04 pm
SteaM-
There are alot of Republicans to need to “come out” of their man sized safes.
20. OhioOrrin | February 28th, 2008 at 1:08 pm
whaaaa?
how can I believe, or even understand this, when I’m rendered senseless by….
…obama fever?
21. Dennis | February 28th, 2008 at 1:18 pm
The article says: “At issue is a little-known congressional practice of suspending import taxes on specific products at the request of companies. Typically, Congress passes a tariff bill every two years that includes a variety of such measures.”
We don’t really know from this source just how many members of Congress are involved in such practices. For all we know, Obama could be one of the most marginally involved. No evidence is offered of any illegality or any quid pro quo transaction. The story is a big yawn.
By contrast Bush handed federal appointments to many “Pioneers” and “Rangers” (fundraisers who bundled $100K or $200K for his campaign) in clear quid pro quo arrangements. Many of the companies Rangers and Pioneers represented got huge handouts from the Bush administration. We’re talking about multi-hundred-million-dollar deals in some cases, not the small peanuts you report here.
You also might review the Bush admin’s systematic dismantling of public safeguards and hiring corporate representatives of special interests to head regulatory agencies whose job it was to oversee their own industries. THAT is the definition of government by special interests. And that’s precisely the kind of government Obama and Clinton are pledged to put an end to.
After p*ssing away your credibility defending Bush and his administration for years, to see your manufactured outrage over a story like this is downright humorous. But thanks for the laugh.
22. hermie | February 28th, 2008 at 1:27 pm
“Sen. Barack Obama?s presidential campaign has accepted $54,350 from members of a law firm that in 2006 lobbied him to introduce a tax provision for a Japanese drug company with operations in Illinois, according to public records and interviews. ”
Yeah, I know what you mean…Obama just happened to get $54,350 from lobbyists…Wait a sec … Obama has claimed he doesn’t take lobbyist money.. I guess it must depend upon your definition of what a ‘lobbyist’ is.
23. SEW | February 28th, 2008 at 1:27 pm
“hiring corporate representatives of special interests to head regulatory agencies whose job it was to oversee their own industries”
Maybe Obama [oops, Middle Eastern name] will be more like Slick Willy and appoint those, Hillary, that have no knowledge of the industry, healthcare, and will completely close the doors on anyone that does have knowledge.
24. Dennis | February 28th, 2008 at 2:16 pm
Sew - Obama is an African tribal name, not a Middle Eastern name.
Bill Clinton (assuming that is who you mean by “Slick Willy”) may not have been entirely corruption free, but his administration was marked by exceptional competence. Not only did Clinton balance the federal budget, but he left the nation with a surplus - and all that after presiding over one of the most prosperous decades young Americans have ever known.
In fact it’s the Bush admin who closed the door on competence, instead hiring ideologues and cronies in virtually every sector over which it presided. Does the phrase “Heckuva job, Brownie” ring any bells?
25. Timmy J. Rooter | February 28th, 2008 at 2:23 pm
marked by exceptional competence? Holy crap, you’re delusional!
The Clinton Legacy:
The only president ever impeached on grounds of personal malfeasance
- Most number of convictions and guilty pleas by friends and associates*
- Most number of cabinet officials to come under criminal investigation
- Most number of witnesses to flee country or refuse to testify
- Most number of witnesses to die suddenly
- First president sued for sexual harassment.
- First president accused of rape.
- First first lady to come under criminal investigation
- Largest criminal plea agreement in an illegal campaign contribution case
- First president to establish a legal defense fund.
- First president to be held in contempt of court
- Greatest amount of illegal campaign contributions
- Greatest amount of illegal campaign contributions from abroad
- First president disbarred from the US Supreme Court and a state court
Balanced the Budget?
Clinton never submitted a balanced budget! Ever! Name just one thing Clinton did to help the economy, just one thing!
26. Joe | February 28th, 2008 at 2:33 pm
Maybe Obama [oops, Middle Eastern name]
SEW, why are you always so hard-up for his name? You stopped using Husein I see. After people continually call you a clown for trying to be funny making fun of his last name, will you move onto his first name?
By the way, did you see this?
27. hermie | February 28th, 2008 at 2:33 pm
This still doesn’t address Obama’s actions, or lack of, when it comes to ‘business as usual’ in what he does, versus what he says.
The Dems are going to nominate someone who has one of the thinist resumes on record, and a lack of any actual achievement or concrete leadership.
He talks nice, but what a person actually says is more important than how he says it.
28. Timmy J. Rooter | February 28th, 2008 at 2:34 pm
“We don’t know how the FBI files got into the White House”
or “Who hired Craig Livingston”
or “Who fired the Travel staff”
or “bin Laden hadn’t broken any laws”
or “I was only helping those sheep over the fence”
or “North Korea agreed to disarm, I don’t know how they got nukes”
or “Anyone can make $100,000 on cattle futures”
or “Monks take a vow of poverty but they can still contribute thousands $”
or “The Lincoln bedroom really has a meter by the door”
or “You mean those Rose Law Firm files?”
or “don’t ask, don’t tell”
or “they’re just a rag-tag bunch of malcontents; al-Qaeda won’t do any realharm”
Right, real competent buch!
29. Nietzsche-Is-Pietzsche | February 28th, 2008 at 2:35 pm
Timmy-
…..and even after all the Right tried to do it still pisses them off that this terrible, horrible, villianous man is still so beloved by the vast majority of Americans.
Tough luck guys.
30. SEW | February 28th, 2008 at 2:56 pm
“SEW, why are you always so hard-up for his name? You stopped using Husein I see.”
Please show more respect, the spelling is Hussein, or Sharia might place you on their list.
I use it because it allows the libs to bring up the Barack [Arabic] is not a Muslim. Libs are racist when it comes to Muslims, they generalize Muslims with evil I guess.
31. Dennis | February 28th, 2008 at 3:09 pm
Nietzsche - they just have a different definition of competence.
“My Pet Goat,” “Heckuva job Brownie” and “putting food on your family” is what passes for statesmanship with these guys.
The Whitewater investigation was their version of government oversight; Blackwater Security and warrantless wiretapping are their unique way of protecting the American people.
Weird, huh?
32. Some Assembly Required | February 28th, 2008 at 3:12 pm
“Please show more respect, the spelling is Hussein, or Sharia might place you on their list.
I use it because it allows the libs to bring up the Barack [Arabic] is not a Muslim. Libs are racist when it comes to Muslims, they generalize Muslims with evil I guess.”
SEW, you do realize you are being completely hypocritical right?!?!? Do you not even notice? Just curious….
33. hermie | February 28th, 2008 at 3:31 pm
Yet again, the trolls can’t refute Obama’s lack of courage in the face of political corruption, and his willingness to go along with it.
He claims he can face down a nuclear Iran yet he was unable to face down Ritchie Daley, Todd Stroger and other corrupt politicians.
34. Lyn | February 28th, 2008 at 3:37 pm
I agree with the assessment of Obama; he’s a fraud. And the statements about Chicago corruption are accurate.
I still don’t understand what qualifies Obama to be a Presidential candidate. He has no leadership experience. What the press markets as his charisma is really a greasy slick persona.
As soon as this novelty, this fad, wears off people are going to kick themselves for having given Obama a chance in the first place.
35. Nietzsche-Is-Pietzsche | February 28th, 2008 at 4:29 pm
Hermie, Lyn-
I remember when McCain was the darling of the press. Then he flip flopped on every principle he had. Now the bloom has definatly fallen from the flower. What ever happened to that straight talk express?
36. bongoman | February 28th, 2008 at 4:38 pm
34. Lyn | February 28th, 2008 at 3:37 pm:
Probably just that he’s as far removed from Bush that we can get right now. I’m afraid that’s what it’s come to - just give us something different.
Does the USA really want to a leader who mockingly sings about bombing other countries and killing their people? Claiming that we’ll stay in Middle East for 100 years?
37. hermie | February 28th, 2008 at 4:50 pm
Which once again, shows how far removed from reality the Left is…They can’t face the fact that he is a product of the
‘Oprahization’ of America. he looks good and feels good, but lacks any substance and when you look underneath, he is no different from the politicians he claims he wants ‘change’ from.
38. js | February 28th, 2008 at 5:04 pm
“I use it because it allows the libs to bring up the Barack [Arabic] is not a Muslim. ”
Thats another liberal lie. The fact that Obama isnt telling the truth never occured to them though. Its not a thing they toy with, all orthodox muslims will consider husein a muslim apostate. His best friends in Indonesia confirmed Barak was prostate in the mosque. Only muslims do that.
39. js | February 28th, 2008 at 5:07 pm
24. Dennis | February 28th, 2008 at 2:16 pm
Sew - Obama is an African tribal name, not a Middle Eastern name.
Bill Clinton ……but his administration was marked by exceptional competence
ooooooooo
there goes another drug induced stupor.
40. Brian G. | February 28th, 2008 at 5:56 pm
Yeah, silly liberals! They worship Satan in their spare time!
Sarcasm.
I swear to God, some of the people who post here are mentally unstable. Or just angry and possible cases of clinical depression. Lighten up, people! Have some fun with what’s left of Bush’s “presidency!” Accept that it’s been a failure and make fun of him mercilessly!
Welcome to normal America. Jesus…
41. Nietzsche-Is-Pietzsche | February 28th, 2008 at 5:58 pm
Apparently it’s a drug induced stupor that a vast majority of Americans are under then. This country is on a Clinton “high” and we didn’t even have to inhale.
Now I wonder what are the “Decider’s” poll numbers these days? Hmmmmmmm
42. bye_bye_bushies | February 28th, 2008 at 6:15 pm
I don’t care where he was born personally - regardless he is a horrible candidate for president. Need we remind you for the 1000th time that the NYTs endorsed him for the primaries.
I also love how Matt criticizes all liberals for simply repeating talking points when everything he posts is a conservative talking point. Its OK Matty dear - when you grow a brain you will understand…
43. hermie | February 28th, 2008 at 7:40 pm
and still there isn’t one who disputes the fact that Obama, the self-appointed agent of ‘change’, never went against the corruption within Illinois and far from being conciliatory, has been one of the most partisan Dems in Congress.
The trolls attempts to hijack the thread have been laughable, and they can’t bear to admit they have an empty suit for a nominee.
44. BARRASSO | February 28th, 2008 at 7:45 pm
I still don’t understand what qualifies Obama to be a Presidential candidate.
I think he is over 35 years of age and a US citizen, that and people will vote for him.
You had eight years of control and did jack shit with it, people noticed and now you are getting kicked out, so there you go.
45. GOP4ME | February 28th, 2008 at 8:33 pm
You don’t think for a moment the NYT endorsement was an attempt to sabotage McCain’s candidcay (gee have we seen that before?) by hanging the scarlet, liberal letter on him at a time when many conservatives were rightly leery of his conservative bonda fides? The NYT wants a demoncrat in the White House so badly it’s pathetic. They know, along with the maority of Americans, that the only Republican that can win right now is McCain.
And by the way, if you pick up a paper, any paper, you will quickly see Bill “Slick Willy” Clinton is hardly “beloved” by “the vast majority of Americans”.
What friggin’ planet do you leftist a-holes live on?
46. phnx | February 28th, 2008 at 8:49 pm
Barry Obama is the quintessential leftist candidate…all style and no substance.
47. Christian Wright | February 28th, 2008 at 9:15 pm
Deleted - off topic.
48. hermie | February 28th, 2008 at 9:35 pm
Ho hum…another off-topic cut and paste from a troll.
Can’t refute Obama’s lack of leadership against corruption in Illinois, and accepting contributions from lobbyists; 180 degrees opposite from what he claims.
49. js | February 28th, 2008 at 9:35 pm
41. Nietzsche-Is-Pietzsche | February 28th, 2008 at 5:58 pm
“Apparently it’s a drug induced stupor that a vast majority of Americans are under then.”
Vast Majority?
Whats that, you and your ant farm?
LOL
50. Some Assembly Required | February 28th, 2008 at 10:09 pm
Deleted - off topic.
51. hermie | February 28th, 2008 at 10:27 pm
How is it a smear when it is fact that Obama is supposed to be this agent of ‘change’,yet this ‘leader’ remained happy to stay silent and let corruption in Chicago and Illinois reign.
He never fought Ritchie Daley, or the Madigans, the Strogers, nor any other of the usual suspects. He never rallied reformers against the Dem machine, nor the tainted politics. He simply went along for the ride, and stayed a good little soldier in a crooked system.
52. Nietzsche-Is-Pietzsche | February 29th, 2008 at 1:02 am
Deleted - off topic.
53. Xango Annie | February 29th, 2008 at 1:25 am
I would like to know why there is not more discussion re the fact that BHO was born a Muslim, became a Christian..abeit in a Black Separatist church, you can never leave. you are an apostate..and are marked for death. Isn’t it interesting, that Muslims are silent !!!
I want to know more about the Iraqi billionaire (crook)connection to Tony R/ BHO and the $$$ for BHO’s mansion. I want to see it in MSM….
lot of stuff bubbling to the surface..bubble, bubble toil and trouble!!!!!
54. Freedom1 | February 29th, 2008 at 2:38 am
So, Obama is a fraud who is actually taking money from lobbyists and setting policy to benefit “big pharma” - the Japanese drug company. Bwahaha!
Hey, I like that “Obama file”!
Forget geography, isn’t “Obama” a Muslim name?
I find it ironic that the left has been using President Bush’s middle name (or rather the first letter of his middle name) “W” for the past 7 years to refer to the President of the United States, but that Barack Hussein Obama’s middle name is suddenly supposed to be off limits. Forget that. His name is Barack Hussein Obama and that is what he will be called.
Xango Annie -
55. Nietzsche-Is-Pietzsche | February 29th, 2008 at 2:49 am
“His name is Barack Hussein Obama and that is what he will be called.” freedom1
It’s looking like in a year’s time you’ll be calling him President Obama. I think it’s good you learn his name now, you’ll be saying it alot over the next few years.
HAHAHAHAHAHAH :-)
56. Freedom1 | February 29th, 2008 at 2:59 am
Cheese NiP-
“They have one purpose and will give their power and authority to the beast.”
~ Revelation 17:13
Behold the future….
/Mwahahaha!
B. Hussein Obama, Muslim apostate, is a fraud who accepts money from lobbyists and “changes” the law to help Big Pharma.
/again, mwahaha!
57. Nietzsche-Is-Pietzsche | February 29th, 2008 at 3:21 am
Freakdom1-
Barack Obama is the Anti-Christ?????
Thanks for that tiny peak into your insane little mind. That slamming sound was your credibility walking right out the door.
58. Freedom1 | February 29th, 2008 at 3:50 am
Barack Obama is the Anti-Christ?????
I never said that.
59. Freedom1 | February 29th, 2008 at 3:58 am
…oops, hit post too soon.
“Barack Obama is the Anti-Christ?????” - Cheese Nip
I never said that. Is that what YOU think? You said that Obama may become prez in the future, so I gave you a look at what else the future holds. The not-to-distant future.
/Mwahahaha!!!!!!!
60. Freedom1 | February 29th, 2008 at 4:10 am
Oh, and for the record, I think the Anti-Christ will come from/lead the UN. The Beast will have power over more than just a single nation. D’uh.
61. Yakki.PsD | February 29th, 2008 at 4:15 am
17. Jeremiah | February 28th, 2008 at 1:01 pm
I second that, Dasein Libsbane.
Plus ban them for permanent.
Jeremiah
Oh,I got a better idea.
Mark,just say something stupidly absurd,then deny any comments by screening them first!
Don’t let them thar evil Librul ideers get through the filter!
62. Nietzsche-Is-Pietzsche | February 29th, 2008 at 7:00 am
Freakdom1-
“Oh, and for the record, I think the Anti-Christ will come from/lead the UN. The Beast will have power over more than just a single nation. D’uh.”
….ahhhhh your credibility is still shot……D’uh
63. Freedom1 | February 29th, 2008 at 7:20 am
Cheese NiP, your credibility was shot loooong ago.
/Bwahaha!
64. hermie | February 29th, 2008 at 8:44 am
Well, the trolls still have never addressed by comments regarding Obama’s lack of leadership when it came to Chicago political corruption.
Which goes to show you how unqualified and hypocritical he is, since the rabid Obamamaniacs are desparately attempting to change the subject.
65. Some Assembly Required | February 29th, 2008 at 9:16 am
Hermie,
I addressed why it’s not being addressed, but my comment was deleted as off topic. Obama is already changing politics by taking the high road with most of the attacks being thrown at him. He refutes charges calmly and intelligently. The rep. party are having a very hard time figuring out how to beat him which in itself is proof of something. So this ‘Smear’ piece, which is what it is. Is just further proof. But keep throwing mud because it worked so well against him for Hillary.
66. hermie | February 29th, 2008 at 9:44 am
Ah, but you can’t seem to bear the fact that this agent of ‘change’ was content to leave the corruption in Chicago and Illinois as is, and did not choose to become a reformer.
As an Illinois resident, the name of Obama was just another Chicago politician who pandered to special interest groups. He was never a leader, but was instead, just another Dem in the state Senate; content with the status quo.
67. FmrMarine | March 1st, 2008 at 9:56 am
NIP
>>>>”…..and even after all the Right tried to do it still pisses them off that this terrible, horrible, villianous man is still so beloved by the vast majority of Americans.”<<<<<
So was hitler
so was stalin
so what is your point?
some evil men are loved by evil people.
68. Nietzsche-Is-Pietzsche | March 1st, 2008 at 11:25 am
FmrMarine-
Well aren’t you all just sweetness and light.
Let’s see if we can follow your logic:
Fact-
The vast majority of Americans hold a favorable opinion of Bill Clinton.
Theory-
Bill Clinton, like Stalin and Hitler, is an evil man.
Evil people are loved by other evil people.
Conclusion-
Therefore, most Americans must be evil people.
Does that sound about right to you? If that’s the opinion the fanatical Right Wing holds then no wonder the people of this country are showing you the door.