The New Obama Smear: He Built a Hospital!

I can think of thousands of things that are worse for society than making improvements to hospitals. In fact I think improving hospitals ranks somewhere between rebuilding the Gulf Coast and lowering the cost of a college education.

Well, it appears now that building hospitals is much more horrible offense to the right. They have found a new piece of meat to throw to the hounds:

Obama Requested $1 Million For Construction Of A New Hospital Pavilion At The University Of Chicago. In 2006, Obama requested that the University of Chicago receive $1 million to support its Construction of New Hospital Pavilion. For more than 75 years, the University of Chicago Hospitals (UCH) has provided state of the art medical care on the South Side of Chicago. UCH is one of the largest Medicaid providers in Illinois, and it provided more than $90 million in uncompensated care for Medicare and Medicaid patients this past year. To continue providing the best care for patients from all walks of life, UCH is proceeding with the construction of a new 600,000 square foot facility that will ensure their ability to provide the best care for patients well into the future. Funding will go towards assisting the construction and equipping a new hospital pavilion that will increase the Hospitals' clinical capacity by over one-third.

The crux in this is that Michelle Obama allegedly works for this hospital and shortly before this earmark was requested, she received what amounted to a $200,000 pay raise.

Thus far there is no evidence of improper actions, but there is going to be some questions asked about this. According to the our friends at RS.com, this is a kin to Duke Cunningham....Save for a HOSPITAL being improved...but who needs that?

This really hasn't been a great day for the Obama camp. I hope there is valid explanations for this stuff or that this is just a blatant distortion of the facts here....I'm sure someone here has something....right?

•  *

  by Robinswing on Thu Mar 13, 2008 at 06:32:08 PM PDT

•  What?! A hospital?

  Are there no workhouses?  Are there no prisons?

  Sheesh.  U of C Hospital is one of the finest medical facilities in the midwest if not the country.  And it is located on Chicago's under-served south side.  What kind of fool would want to help an under-served population.  Lord knows they might not have as much money as the people who live near Northwestern memorial.

  by newfie53523 on Thu Mar 13, 2008 at 06:32:50 PM PDT

•  Tips? Is that how this works?

  I know, not much insight, just delivering the enemy's game plan.

  by PLU Tim on Thu Mar 13, 2008 at 06:32:59 PM PDT

•  So...

  The charge is that the hospital made a deal with Michelle to give her a raise if her husband requested an earmark?

  Well, I think the way to prove that it's false is that Michelle's salary was comparable to that of the other vice-presidents in the Hospital, which is what I read in a profile that was done of her (I think in the New Yorker). That's silly though. I can't imagine the Hospital board getting together to conspire to get an earmark..and then basically give Michelle 20% of it! I think if it was more money involved, it would be more damning.

  by jenontheshore on Thu Mar 13, 2008 at 06:36:02 PM PDT

•  multiple requests for hospitals

  are sprinkled throughout the earmark requests.  I also saw a request for funding for a faith-based program, Teen Challenge.

  Looks like a pretty normal set of requests, at first glance.

  by bigforkgirl on Thu Mar 13, 2008 at 06:36:23 PM PDT

•  To provide the best care for patients

  of all walks of life, even!!!

  How DAAAAAARE he!!!

  That's it.  Under no circumstances could I ever vote for the guy.

  by Katzy on Thu Mar 13, 2008 at 06:37:07 PM PDT

•  She got a PROMOTION

  Stay calm we will see a LOT of this shit twisted. And it will be tough with both right-wingers on the right and Hilary right-wingers on the left.

  "She's terrific," added Michael Riordan, who was president of the hospital in March 2005, when Michelle Obama was promoted to vice president for external affairs and had her annual salary increased from $121,910 to $316,962.

  Hospitals spokesman John Easton told the Tribune that Michelle Obama's salary is in line with those of the 16 other vice presidents at the not-for-profit medical center.

  Riordan told the Tribune that the promotion and salary increase had nothing to do with Obama's husband becoming a U.S. senator. "She was hired before Barack was Barack," Riordan said.

  http://blogs.usatoday.com/...

  We should keep Hilary's and the far right on the offesive, there is no sense in sitting back waiting for this to happen. research, expose..Make videos and post on YouTube.

  We've battled Bush for eith years we can handle this!

  by dynamicstand on Thu Mar 13, 2008 at 06:37:45 PM PDT

  •  thank you

    Yes, I will save the bookmark for that piece. She was promoted...and her salary is comparable to the other employees. And her raise is like 20% of the earmark!! Again, I don't think there is much evidence here.

    By the way, I am really happy that Obama chose to disclose his earmarks like this, and then demand that Hillary disclose hers. Granted, I am sure that she won't...but he's certainly being an example for transparency.

    by jenontheshore on Thu Mar 13, 2008 at 06:42:12 PM PDT

    •  PANIC, rethink feel hopeless

      jenontheshore, this is all designed to do this to us, Then there is the misinformation for the uninformed, who still say things like Obama is a MUSLIM! Let's hope the stupid ones forget to vote lol.

      Remember not long ago, they had nothing. I believe that story goes back to 04! So they are digging! All we have to do is research and we will see what is next.

      I saw  Hannity attacking  him tonight and then I am reading that Hilary is saying Obama is giving up in Pennsylvania because of some silly memo.

      The fact that Hannity, who despises Hilary is doing this clearly shows that he is a threat. We will find stuff on Hilary, she is digging herself deeper by the day.

      I'm glad you posted this because now we see it coming. WE CAN'T KEEP FIGHTING like we do with Bush. We are attacked with distortions and are always defending them. We have to find ways to stop this crap.

      I really believe we will get the change we hope for with Obama, I honestly don't trust any politician but the more I see Rush, Hannity etc helping Hilary to win the more I realize they are scared shitless!

      We can even expose the fact that THE RIGHT-WINGERS are scared of Obama because he would restore America and we all know they don't want that!

      by dynamicstand on Thu Mar 13, 2008 at 07:14:25 PM PDT

  •  Good Deal...

    Donate all tips to this post.

    by PLU Tim on Thu Mar 13, 2008 at 06:42:49 PM PDT

•  The explaination for the $200,000 raise...

  for Michelle has to be explained that it had nothing to do with the earmark not the earmark itself...

  by dvogel001 on Thu Mar 13, 2008 at 06:37:56 PM PDT

•  This isn't that big a deal

  Obama has other things to worry about.

  by Drdemocrat on Thu Mar 13, 2008 at 06:38:57 PM PDT

•  Does she or doesn't she? I believe she does...

  The crux in this is that Michelle Obama allegedly works for this hospital

  by PamelaD on Thu Mar 13, 2008 at 06:40:37 PM PDT

  •  Yes she does...

    as a vice president, though Wikipedia indicates she only  devotes part of her time to that due to other responsibilities.  

    by Tonedevil on Thu Mar 13, 2008 at 07:06:57 PM PDT

•  what a travesty... not

  Good on Barack.

  UCH is one of the largest Medicaid providers in Illinois, and it provided more than $90 million in uncompensated care for Medicare and Medicaid patients this past year. To continue providing the best care for patients from all walks of life, UCH is proceeding with the construction of a new 600,000 square foot facility that will ensure their ability to provide the best care for patients well into the future. Funding will go towards assisting the construction and equipping a new hospital pavilion that will increase the Hospitals' clinical capacity by over one-third.

  by Prison4Bushco on Thu Mar 13, 2008 at 06:41:32 PM PDT

•  Hmm. For a first diary, you sound very concerned

  Hard to judge for sure, but at least a little red flag here?

  by UU VIEW on Thu Mar 13, 2008 at 06:42:02 PM PDT

  •  I am no concern troll....

    by PLU Tim on Thu Mar 13, 2008 at 06:44:43 PM PDT

    •  I'll assume not.

      But it usually isn't very helpful to raise a negative issue and end with something like,

      "This really hasn't been a great day for the Obama camp. I hope there is valid explanations for this stuff or that this is just a blatant distortion of the facts here....I'm sure someone here has something....right?"

      No offense intended, but that's just how a concern troll might put it.  And there really are people who do that, often pretending, well, just to be concerned.

      And we have nothing to go on but what we can see posted here.

      So I'll take you at your word.  Don't worry if you're not a concern troll, because that will be amply apparent over time.  If it turns out you are, that will also become amply apparent over time.  Assuming not, welcome.

      by UU VIEW on Thu Mar 13, 2008 at 08:14:56 PM PDT

•  1 million

  big freakin deal

  She is a Harvard lawyer and wife of a Senator, she could make a hell of a lot more than 300,000 working for a hospital.

  She certainly doesn't need a government grant for a rehab project to get a job.

  by Just This on Thu Mar 13, 2008 at 06:42:29 PM PDT

  •  1 Million!!!!! What is wrong with people.

    KBR OWES US 500 MILLION in Taxes...and they don't even do what they are paid to do...and people are complaining about 1 million for a HOSPITAL!!, That probably bought 1 X-ray machine. Wow, America something is seriously wrong if this gets any traction at all.

    by NoCryingInPoltics on Thu Mar 13, 2008 at 06:46:34 PM PDT

    •  If you didnt already know...link inside

      http://www.thecarpetbaggerreport.com...

      by NoCryingInPoltics on Thu Mar 13, 2008 at 06:49:31 PM PDT

    •  There you go

      We should post clips on YouTube about that, link here and rate them high. Hand the right-wingers their hypocritical asses!

      Every time they do something like this, hit back TEN FOLD. We are armed to the teeth all we have to do is focus!

      This is the best time to expose the Republicans, right-wingers for what they are. These elections have a lot of attention and many will remember what we exposed and will be less inclined to believe the right-wing, Hilary bullshit.

      by dynamicstand on Thu Mar 13, 2008 at 07:19:02 PM PDT

•  since i work with a medical school

  this sounds a little weird in this respect. the 121K is low for upper management. so maybe the real question is why was she being underpaid in her previous position.

  by Tanya on Thu Mar 13, 2008 at 06:43:27 PM PDT

  •  She was in a different position at 121K

    and it was part-time.  She accepted the promotion to a full time position at the higher rate.

    by Embee on Thu Mar 13, 2008 at 07:00:34 PM PDT

    •  then it maes sense and it also

      means it wasn't a 200k raise

      by Tanya on Thu Mar 13, 2008 at 08:15:09 PM PDT

•  This could backfire on

  Clinton.  Will give Obama the opening to point out the elephant in the room regarding single payer, universal health care.  The country does not have enough facilities and medical providers, particularly primary care physicians, nurse practitioners and nurses.  One project Michelle Obama has been working on is a free clinic attached to UCH.

  iirc, Michelle didn't get a $200,000 raise but a salary of about that amount.  Is that excessive for the position?  For an attorney with her credentials?

  by Marie on Thu Mar 13, 2008 at 06:46:24 PM PDT

  •  And what kind of postitions did Hillary

    get with Bill as Gov.  She really cant sling this mud, although now that I think about it, she probably will.

    by Nailbanger on Thu Mar 13, 2008 at 06:55:32 PM PDT

  •  I stand corrected -- it was a raise but

    comparable to what is paid for others at this level at UCH.

    by Marie on Thu Mar 13, 2008 at 07:00:42 PM PDT

•  Oh, big deal

  I used to work for a theological school connected to the U of C divinity school; my ex-husband went to grad school there.  Do the critics have any idea how huge the U of C is?  The hospitals alone comprise an enormous complex; several hospitals and medical centers all wrapped up into one.  Incidentally, a quick search reveals that it's the only Illinois hospital on the honor roll of US News and World Report and that eleven Nobel prize winners work there.  The hospitals get a lot more money from private and corporate donors.  

  As for the Obama's two daughters:  it sounds as though they attend the U of C Lab school, which is a really fancy school indeed, but reduced tuition is one of the perks that professors get (it's still expensive.)

  We're going to hear a lot more of this kind of thing, folks.  O the tedium.

  by Egghead on Thu Mar 13, 2008 at 07:07:27 PM PDT