Michelle Malkin » The ACORN Obama knows

The ACORN Obama knows

By Michelle Malkin • June 25, 2008 12:10 PM

My syndicated column today spotlights the whistleblower report on ACORN, which I’ve been blogging about (here) and which deserves more attention in the media and in Washington–especially in light of the radical activist group’s embrace of Barack Obama. The Consumer Rights League e-mailed to let me know that three GOP congressmen (Hensarling, Feeney, and Royce) have called on Barney Frank (D-Housing Boondoggle) to investigate ACORN’s taxpayer abuses. Snowball’s chance, I know, but conservatives ought to be turning up the heat and using every ounce of energy they have to, well, act like conservatives and push to de-fund the Left.

For excellent background on Obama and ACORN, see Stanley Kurtz’s NR piece here, plus City Journal pieces here and here. Also here and here.

***

The ACORN Obama knows
by Michelle Malkin
Creators Syndicate
Copyright 2008

If you don’t know what ACORN (the Association of Community Organizations for Reform Now) is all about, you better bone up. This left-wing group takes in 40 percent of its revenues from American taxpayers — you and me — and has leveraged nearly four decades of government subsidies to fund affiliates that promote the welfare state and undermine capitalism and self-reliance, some of which have been implicated in perpetuating illegal immigration and encouraging voter fraud. A new whistleblower report from the Consumer Rights League documents how Chicago-based ACORN has commingled public tax dollars with political projects.

Who in Washington will fight to ensure that your money isn’t being spent on these radical activities?

Don’t bother asking Barack Obama. He cut his ideological teeth working with ACORN as a “community organizer” and legal representative. Naturally, ACORN’s political action committee has warmly endorsed his presidential candidacy. According to ACORN, Obama trained its Chicago members in leadership seminars; in turn, ACORN volunteers worked on his campaigns. Obama also sat on the boards of the Woods Fund and Joyce Foundation, both of which poured money into ACORN’s coffers. ACORN head Maude Hurd gushes that Obama is the candidate who “best understands and can affect change on the issues ACORN cares about” — like ensuring their massive pipeline to your hard-earned money.

Let’s take a closer look at the ACORN Obama knows.

Last July, ACORN settled the largest case of voter fraud in the history of Washington State. Seven ACORN workers had submitted nearly 2,000 bogus voter registration forms. According to case records, they flipped through phone books for names to use on the forms, including “Leon Spinks,” “Frekkie Magoal” and “Fruto Boy Crispila.” Three ACORN election hoaxers pleaded guilty in October. A King County prosecutor called ACORN’s criminal sabotage “an act of vandalism upon the voter rolls.”

The group’s vandalism on electoral integrity is systemic. ACORN has been implicated in similar voter fraud schemes in Missouri, Ohio and at least 12 other states. The Wall Street Journal noted: “In Ohio in 2004, a worker for one affiliate was given crack cocaine in exchange for fraudulent registrations that included underage voters, dead voters and pillars of the community named Mary Poppins, Dick Tracy and Jive Turkey. During a congressional hearing in Ohio in the aftermath of the 2004 election, officials from several counties in the state explained ACORN’s practice of dumping thousands of registration forms in their lap on the submission deadline, even though the forms had been collected months earlier.”

In March, Philadelphia elections officials accused the nonprofit advocacy group of filing fraudulent voter registrations in advance of the April 22nd Pennsylvania primary. The charges have been forwarded to the city district attorney’s office.

Under the guise of “consumer advocacy,” ACORN has lined its pockets. The Department of Housing and Urban Development funds hundreds, if not thousands, of left-wing “anti-poverty” groups across the country led by ACORN. Last October, HUD announced more than $44 million in new housing counseling grants to over 400 state and local efforts. The White House has increased funding for housing counseling by 150 percent since taking office in 2001, despite the role most of these recipients play as activist satellites of the Democratic Party. The AARP scored nearly $400,000 for training; the National Council of La Raza (”The Race”) scooped up more than $1.3 million; the National Urban League raked in nearly $1 million; and the ACORN Housing Corporation received more than $1.6 million.

As the Consumer Rights League points out in its new expose, the ACORN Housing Corporation has worked to obtain mortgages for illegal aliens in partnership with Citibank. It relies on undocumented income, “under the table” money, which may not be reported to the Internal Revenue Service. Moreover, the group’s “financial justice” operations attack lenders for “exotic” loans, while recommending 10-year interest-only loans (which deny equity to the buyer) and risky reverse mortgages. Whistleblower documents reveal internal discussions among the group that blur the lines between its tax-exempt housing work and its aggressive electioneering activities. The group appears to shake down corporate interests with relentless PR attacks, and then enters “no lobby” agreements with targeted corporations after receiving payment.

Republicans have largely looked the other way as ACORN has expanded its government-funded empire. But finally, a few conservative voices in Congress have called for investigation of the group’s apparent extortion schemes. This week, GOP Reps. Tom Feeney, Jeb Hensarling and Ed Royce called on Democrat Barney Frank, chair of the House Financial Services Committee, to convene a hearing to probe potential illegalities and abuse of taxpayer funds by ACORN’s management and minions alike.

Where does the candidate of Hope and Change — the candidate of Reform and New Politics — stand on the issue? Barack Obama, ACORN’s senator, is for more of the same old, same old subsidizing of far-left politics in the name of fighting for the poor while enriching ideological cronies. It’s the Chicago way.

Posted in: ACORN Watch, Barack Obama, Corruption, Immigration, Subprime crisis, Voter fraud

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#359624

On June 25th, 2008 at 12:16 pm, 30 pcs of silver said:

This man has the potential to become the next POTUS. Thank you Michelle for keeping heat up. Somebody has to hold his feet to the proverbial ethical fire.
#359637

On June 25th, 2008 at 12:21 pm, DesertLover said:

Thanks Michelle …

I had asked about this possible link a few days ago … was directed by another commenter to the Woods Fund website … which is where he was on the board with William Ayers until 2002 … conveniently their website only shows reports and records on board members since 2003 … when Obama decide to run for office …
#359640

On June 25th, 2008 at 12:23 pm, John Ansell said:

A group from Chicago involved in voter fraud?????? What’s this world coming to?

sarc/
#359646

On June 25th, 2008 at 12:25 pm, RedDog said:

It should be simple. However, if the GOP cannot thoroughly expose this poseur, conservatives will have a long row to hoe to overcome the coming marxist trainwreck.

In this case, real media does matter. Stay on ‘em Michelle.
#359647

On June 25th, 2008 at 12:25 pm, oldcollegeguy1980 said:

The local ACORN chapter here in Vegas has operatives positioned daily at the entrance to the community college, and probably others as well.

From early in the day to late in the afternoon, every day, they are there grabbing the young, uninformed studetns and helping them sign up. When they get to party affiliation they instruct the student to select democrat. Day after day, these folks are working overtime to fill the voter rank with democrats.

I have mentioned this to some of my friends and they look at me as if I were speaking a foreign language. (Yes I’m in the process of upgrading my so-called friends”)

First they don’t know what ACORN is. I know this drives me crazy.

Then they don’t see what the problem is. Adding, “Isn’t there a Republican group doing the same thing.” (insert laughter here)

The republican party is in a state, which, they helped create, where with a little help from the left, they could become irrelevent. “I know some think they already are.”
#359652

On June 25th, 2008 at 12:28 pm, William Amos said:

Thanks Michelle for addressing this. I have seen first hand some of the shenanigans of how the Dems work the elections here in Ohio. Its much more pronounced than the tip that has been seen.

People wonder where Obama is getting and spending his campaign money need to focus on groups like this. Its really a “Good old boy” network with the NAACP, ACORN, Unions and others all cycling and recycling money between each other.

That and now throw in tax payer money that is also cycled through these groups and it is a massive million dollar industy that has one goal… to keep the democrats in power.
#359653

On June 25th, 2008 at 12:29 pm, anthonystark2 said:

In greasy Chicago politics thats all there is, slime and trash like ACORN and Rezko and Wright and a Governor in prison. America does not want the greasy sleaze machine of Chicago coming to Washington. No to sleaze and no to ObamUH!
#359657

On June 25th, 2008 at 12:29 pm, mymanpotsandpans said:

Great work, Michelle.
#359667

On June 25th, 2008 at 12:32 pm, William Amos said:

BTW I have been warning the RNC for years about this. The bland stares or “I dont care” attitudes from them drive me bonkers. They know of this stuff but are afraid to even take any action for “Fear” of being attacked for taking on minorities.

Thats why the Lawyer firings by the White House are so important to the Dems. They saw it as a counter to this kind of activity they have been pulling for years.

IF the RNC is too afraid to denounce this activity then they need to address it in another way. I argued that the republican party can build a counter to ACORN and that it needs badly funded by the GOP. But the stiff necks and unimaginatives at the RNC just absolutely REFUSE to try and simply wring their hands and sigh about the situation.
#359668

On June 25th, 2008 at 12:34 pm, zorro said:

Another homerun Michelle. Excellent.
#359675

On June 25th, 2008 at 12:39 pm, William Amos said:

BTW Michelle’s article is now up on Yahoo
#359678

On June 25th, 2008 at 12:43 pm, Rogue Cheddar said:

“Jive Turkey” was a registered voter? And all this time I thought he was a candidate.
#359682

On June 25th, 2008 at 12:46 pm, William Amos said:

BTW did a quick search and found these

ACORN says 90 voter registration forms stolen from the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME), where ACORN is subleasing space, the Sun-News said

and

Some of ACORN’s Housing activities

Today NY ACORN and the Pratt Center called for the city to revise the plan to include:

More affordable housing on the 12% of publicly owned land in the EIS area slated for housing;
A commitment to prohibit additional sale or swapping of any land to any private developer without a commitment to deeper affordability;
A plan to use some of the profits generated from new development to preserve existing Section 8 and Mitchell-Lama buildings including Sea Rise I and II 3325 and 3415 Neptune Avenue and Northbay Estates at 2730 W. 33rd Street
#359685

On June 25th, 2008 at 12:48 pm, William Amos said:

BTW I would point out that what this is all about is a throwback to the “Machine” politics of the early 20th Century. Its the political bosses organizing voters into groups and getting them to the polls. The dems have re discovered how to use Machine politics to win elections.
#359687

On June 25th, 2008 at 12:49 pm, Laree said:

According to Imus in the Morning interview with RollingStone founder Obama’s favorite writers Morrison,Hemmingway and Shakespear could I recommend George Orwell in fact here is a link to the online version of the book. Time to brush up newspeak if your going to be using it use it correctly.

http://www.netcharles.com/orwell/books/1984.htm
#359693

On June 25th, 2008 at 12:53 pm, terrig said:

Kudos again, Michelle.
#359703

On June 25th, 2008 at 12:59 pm, nbarry said:

Unlike the other baggage carried by Obama, this goes to the heart of his political activities. He can’t pretend to be Sgt. Schultz, as he did with the reverends.
#359705

On June 25th, 2008 at 1:00 pm, William Amos said:

BTW I am trying to address this. I want to start my own conservative grassroots organization

Can read about it

HERE

Unfortunately have not had much luck getting any backing.
#359719

On June 25th, 2008 at 1:09 pm, henryinga said:

Barney Franks certainly won’t investigate, so alas that’s as far as this story will go. The MSM won’t touch it because it’s a black eye on their party. If we only had just one newspaper to pick up on it, then word might spread. Mrs. Malkin and other good bloggers reach a lot of people, but there’s millions they don’t reach, that would have second thoughts about supporting the democrats, if they knew.
As a matter of fact, I didn’t know what ACORN was until today. I knew about the word, but not what it really was. Sometimes My friends tell me I have a blabber mouth. Well, now I’m going to prove them right and see just how many people I can blab to.
#359731

On June 25th, 2008 at 1:19 pm, ajmontana said:

A.C.O.R.N.
Angry Crooked Onery Racist Nincompoops
#359734

On June 25th, 2008 at 1:20 pm, ajmontana said:

ornery
#359752

On June 25th, 2008 at 1:34 pm, Chard402003 said:

It is so frustrating that he traditional 4th Estate has failed the people. If an organization such as ACORN were working for conservative causes and breaking the law, NBC would be all over it.
#359842

On June 25th, 2008 at 2:10 pm, lgm said:

promote the welfare state and undermine capitalism and self-reliance, some of which have been implicated in perpetuating illegal immigration and encouraging voter fraud.

Lots of points here.

1. It’s not illegal or unethical to promote liberal immigration policies. Government money goes to lots of more dangerous activities — such as abstinence only sex education programs that have been shown to lead to more pregnancies and STDs.

2. The SFGate article does not say ACORN promoted illegal immigration. It said ACORN helped poorer latino families get commercial mortgage loans. This promotes capitalism and self reliance.

3. While some ACORN padded voter registration lists, there is no evidence that any of these fake people ever voted. ACORN did not change vote counts by a single person. This is in contrast to other vote altering activities Republicans have engaged in (and in some cases gone to jail for) that altered elections.

Challenge to MM and her echo chamber bats: find an example of MM complaining about Republican activities designed to suppress liberal voting.
#359847

On June 25th, 2008 at 2:11 pm, William Amos said:

Challenge to MM and her echo chamber bats: find an example of MM complaining about Republican activities designed to suppress liberal voting.

Its to suppress voter fraud not that you care about such an issue. There are democrats who want to allow one person to have multiple votes just to win elections.
#359850

On June 25th, 2008 at 2:14 pm, William Amos said:

3. While some ACORN padded voter registration lists, there is no evidence that any of these fake people ever voted. ACORN did not change vote counts by a single person. This is in contrast to other vote altering activities Republicans have engaged in (and in some cases gone to jail for) that altered elections.

There have been multiple cases of vote fraud in elections. Of dead voting and illegals voting. Some places allow that.

These are illegal activites and criminal in nature
#359908

On June 25th, 2008 at 2:35 pm, max said:

On June 25th, 2008 at 12:16 pm, 30 pcs of silver said:
This man has the potential to become the next POTUS. Thank you Michelle for keeping heat up. Somebody has to hold his feet to the proverbial ethical fire.

There’s only one way that Obama will not become POTUS, in reality, and that’s if John McCain becomes POTUS…

just the facts people…
#359987

On June 25th, 2008 at 3:19 pm, Barry F. said:

Where does the candidate of Hope and Change — the candidate of Reform and New Politics — stand on the issue? Barack Obama, ACORN’s senator, is for more of the same old, same old subsidizing of far-left politics in the name of fighting for the poor while enriching ideological cronies. It’s the Chicago way.

But…but…..that’s not “change you can believe in.” Sen. Obama, where’s my “change”? Hello? Senator?
#360065

On June 25th, 2008 at 4:04 pm, Die Hippie, Die said:

This week, GOP Reps. Tom Feeney, Jeb Hensarling and Ed Royce called on Democrat Barney Frank, chair of the House Financial Services Committee, to convene a hearing to probe potential illegalities and abuse of taxpayer funds by ACORN’s management and minions alike.

Barney “BOHICA” Frank (DemMass) is on a Congressional fact-finding mission to Cape Cod and could not be reached for comment.

On June 25th, 2008 at 2:10 pm, lgm said:
This is in contrast to other vote altering activities Republicans have engaged in (and in some cases gone to jail for) that altered elections.

Lee Harvey’s high! Yes, Lee Harvey. Republicans have engaged in such nefarious activities as 1) registering to vote with authentic identification documents and 2) going to the polls on election day–both known “vote-altering” activities.
#360075

On June 25th, 2008 at 4:08 pm, DBNinKY said:

1. It’s not illegal or unethical to promote liberal immigration policies.

No, just highly immoral.

Government money goes to lots of more dangerous activities — such as ~~abstinence only~~ liberal Democrat backed sex education programs that have been shown to lead to more pregnancies and STDs.

Corrected it for ya!

2. The SFGate article does not say ACORN promoted illegal immigration. It said ACORN helped poorer latino families get commercial mortgage loans. This promotes capitalism and self reliance.

At the expense of all hardworking Americans who played by the rules and paid for their homes THEMSELVES!

3. While some ACORN padded voter registration lists, there is no evidence that any of these fake people ever voted. ACORN did not change vote counts by a single person. This is in contrast to other vote altering activities Republicans have engaged in (and in some cases gone to jail for) that altered elections.

This is intellectually dishonest: there is no point in attempting to debate with someone who is unwilling concede the obvious, that thousands of Democrats have done obscene things to deter voting, or that the other side has any point at all, so I won’t bother.

Challenge to MM and her echo chamber bats:

Oh, lgm, you ol’ flatterer, you!

“…find an example of MM complaining about Republican activities designed to suppress liberal voting.”

Isn’t that why you’re here?
#360123

On June 25th, 2008 at 4:32 pm, Die Hippie, Die said:

Lee Harvey said:
Challenge to MM and her echo chamber bats: find an example of MM complaining about Republican activities designed to suppress liberal voting.

MM:

lgm wants to know if you’ve ever complained about field sobriety tests, requirements to present valid ID at the polls or any other “Republican activities designed to suppress liberal voting.” Just checking!
#360607

On June 26th, 2008 at 12:55 am, emjem24 said:

Michelle:

Thank you so much for this well-thought out, investigative article. I really had no idea how insidious, and widespread ACORN’s influence actually is. It’s disturbing and disheartening that our tax dollars are going to organizations like this.

I wish Pres. Bush would just cut off these scam artists. ACORN isn’t interested in fair elections, it’s interested in rigged elections using the dead, the illegal, and the does not exist vote. Republicans need to call for an end to ACORN’s activities once and for all.

One more thing- I always wondered what “community organizers” did and now I want to know more about Obummer’s involvement. Did he participate in this fraud in Chicago? How much was he actually helping the black community and how much was he furthering his own political career?

The American voter needs to know all the background of Obummer’s community organizing days. There still seems to be some confusion and smoke that surrounds his days as a community organizer. It all needs to get out into the open for the American people to examine…. once and for all.
#360861

On June 26th, 2008 at 10:30 am, lgm said:

I’m waiting . . .
#362241

On June 27th, 2008 at 3:52 pm, taylork said:

Obama gets way too much credit for being a community organizer. In my nearly 10 years of dealing with community organizers I can say that most of them are worthless. All they do is collect a paycheck.
#368179

On July 5th, 2008 at 12:18 pm, Dimsdale said:

On June 25th, 2008 at 2:10 pm, lgm said:

promote the welfare state and undermine capitalism and self-reliance, some of which have been implicated in perpetuating illegal immigration and encouraging voter fraud.

Lots of points here.

1. It’s not illegal or unethical to promote liberal immigration policies. Government money goes to lots of more dangerous activities — such as abstinence only sex education programs that have been shown to lead to more pregnancies and STDs.

But it is illegal and felonious to help them stay here and encourage them to vote. Liberal sex programs definitely lead to more sex, which, statistically, can only lead to more pregnancies and STDs.

2. The SFGate article does not say ACORN promoted illegal immigration. It said ACORN helped poorer latino families get commercial mortgage loans. This promotes capitalism and self reliance.

And directly contributed to the current mortgage and housing problems:
http://www.consumersrightsleague.org/uploadedfiles/ACORN_AHC_Report.pdf

I have no idea of their stance on illegal invaders.

3. While some ACORN padded voter registration lists, there is no evidence that any of these fake people ever voted. ACORN did not change vote counts by a single person. This is in contrast to other vote altering activities Republicans have engaged in (and in some cases gone to jail for) that altered elections.

You may want to peruse http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2003808207_votefraud27m.html

And didn’t your guy Obama get into his first Chicago campaign use signature challenges to eliminate some of his competitors? Doesn’t that show you how important signatures are, and the effect they can have on elections? It isn’t always about votes, it is about who even gets on a ballot, or what referendums make it on a ballot.

Challenge to MM and her echo chamber bats: find an example of MM complaining about Republican activities designed to suppress liberal voting.

Give me a couple of good examples and I will see what I can do, although any liberal schemes are much more egregious, and have the help of the media in their execution.

I am sure you will have some gems.

Still looking for you on the “why I am proud of America thread…”