An illustrated guide: All the president’s Olympic cronies
Photoshop: Paul Croteau
My syndicated column today — reprinted below with added links, pics, and info — gives you a rundown of the Obama cronies inside and outside the White House who stand to gain the most from the Chicago 2016 Olympic bid.
Chicagoans of all political stripes who oppose massive government funding of Mayor Richard Daley’s pet project have inundated my email-box. Reader Will P. sums it all up by noting that the games would “protect the current corrupt structure” and paper over Chicago/Illinois’s myriad woes, including: “Governor after Governor going to jail. Pay to play schemes. Crumbling and outdated infrastructure. Deteriorating public housing. Failing, dumbing-down schools. Hospital cutbacks. Sanctuary city. Never-ending gang wars (outbursts every Spring requiring massive police presence, police outmanned at the Taste of Chicago, innocents shot in the crossfire weekly, current beating video out now). Cemetery scandal (bodies removed and graves resold)…Acorn, Bill Ayers, Rezko, Blago, Wright. Univ. of Illinois “clout” scandal. Illegal preferential city hiring. City inspectors on the take (Operation Crooked Code). Voter fraud. The unemployment rate. Taxes through the roof. Mayor Daley attempting to extend city taxes to the suburbs. All this, and more…”
Daley’s approval ratings are at a record low as he scrambles to lease everything from parking meters to airports to raise cash. Residents are still reeling over the murder of teenager Derrion Albert. But FLOTUS Michelle Obama, on her merry way to Copenhagen, is singing a happy tune: “I mean, you know, most of these Games are taking place blocks away from my house. There’s good security by my house these days. And while Chicago is not perfect by any stretch of the imagination, it is — people don’t live in fear. The downtown area is completely accessible…I know Mayor Daley, and he’s going to make sure that these Games go off without a hitch because that’s the kind of mayor he is. It’s not called the ‘City That Works’ for nothing.”
It “works” for the few at the expense of the many. That is the Chicago way.
***
All the president’s Olympic cronies
by Michelle Malkin
Creators Syndicate
Copyright 2009
When government officials play the Olympic lottery, taxpayers lose. That has been the disastrous experience of host cities around the world (Forbes magazine even dubbed the post-Olympic financial burden the “Host City Curse”). So, why are President Obama and his White House entourage headed to Copenhagen, Denmark this week to push a fiscally doomed Chicago 2016 bid? Political payback.
Bringing the games to the Windy City is Chicago Mayor Richard M. Daley’s “vision.” The entrenched Democratic power-broker – in office since 1989 – would like to cap off his graft-tainted career with a glorious, $4 billion bread and circuses production. The influential Daley machine backed Barack Obama for the presidential primary. Obama lavished praise on Daley’s stewardship of the city. Longtime Daley cronies helped pave Obama’s path to 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue. Now, they’re returning the favor for their hometown boss.
Senior White House adviser and Obama consigliere Valerie Jarrett is a Daley loyalist who worked as his deputy chief of staff, deputy corporation counsel, and planning commissioner. She hired the future First Lady of the United States, then-Michelle Robinson, as a mayoral assistant. Jarrett went on to serve as president and CEO of The Habitat Company, a real estate firm with a massive stake in federally-funded Chicago public housing projects.
One of those public-private partnerships, the Grove Parc Plaza Apartments, was run into the ground under Jarrett’s watch. Federal inspectors graded the condition of the complex a bottom-of-the-barrel 11 on a 100-point scale. “They are rapidly displacing poor people, and these companies are profiting from this displacement,” Matt Ginsberg-Jaeckle of Southside Together Organizing for Power, a community group that seeks to help tenants stay in the same neighborhoods, told the Boston Globe last year. “The same exact people who ran these places into the ground,” the private companies paid to build and manage the city’s affordable housing, “now are profiting by redeveloping them.”
Coincidentally enough, Grove Parc — now targeted for demolition as a result of years of neglect by Obama’s developer friends—sits in the shadows of the proposed site of the city’s 2016 Olympics Stadium.
Jarrett served as vice chair of Chicago’s 2016 Summer Olympics bid committee before moving to the White House, where she has helmed a new “White House Office on Olympic, Paralympic and Youth Sport” with an undisclosed budget and staff. It’s not just taxpayers in cash-strapped Chicago who should be worried about this field of schemes. Crain’s Chicago Business reports that Jarrett and Chicago 2016 committee member Lori Healey met this month with federal officials at the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development “to discuss financing options” for the estimated $1 billion Olympic Village.
The door is open and the administration is “willing to meet and listen” to any federal subsidy proposals, Jarrett said. Hey, what happened to Obama’s tough rules on interest-conflicted lobbying by his administration officials?
A majority of Chicagoans who live in pay-for-play-plagued Cook County oppose public funding for the Olympic party. The city has more than a half-billion-dollar deficit – and just received word that its Olympic insurance policy will cover only about $1.1 billion of the $3.8-billion operating budget drawn up by Daley. Cost overruns, fraud, and union-inflated contracts are inevitable. White House spokesman Robert Gibbs defended President Obama’s all-out campaign for Chicago’s 2016 Olympics bid by claiming America will see a “tangible economic benefit.”
But as is always the case with sports corporate welfare disguised as “economic development,” an elite few will benefit far more than others.
Take senior White House adviser and Obama campaign guru David Axelrod. He’s been a Daley loyalist since 1989, when he signed up as a political consultant for the mayor’s first run. Axelrod’s public relations firm, Chicago-based AKPD Message and Media, has pitched in work for the Chicago 2016 committee. It is unknown how much AKPD has received for its services – or how much they’ll make in future income if the bid is successful. AKPD currently owes Axelrod $2 million.
The head of the Chicago 2016 bid committee is Patrick Ryan, chairman of the Aon Corporation and a co-chair of Obama’s deep-pocketed presidential inaugural committee. (Under Ryan’s watch at Aon, the company settled a massive corruption probe with 3 states for $190 million. More here on Ryan/Aon/Daley dealings More on corruptocrat Chicago Republicans like Ryan and others here.)
Also on both of those committees: Obama confidante Penny Pritzker, who in addition chairs the Olympic Village Subcommittee and is president of Pritzker Realty Group – a mega-developer in Illinois that could reap untold millions in project work if the Daley Machine/White House campaign succeeds.
Former Pritzker executive and Obama campaign treasurer Martin Nesbitt is also on the bid committee – and serves as Mayor Daley’s chairman of the Chicago Housing Authority.
Another bid committee member, Michael Scott Jr., is “trying to develop a for-profit real estate project that would sit within feet of the cycling venue if Chicago wins the 2016 Summer Games,” according to the Chicago Tribune.
It takes a crony-filled White House to raise a Chicago Olympic village. Daley and Obama will get the glory. America will get stuck with the bill.
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Categories: Michelle Obama, Olympics, Valerie Jarrett
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Given what a disaster this administration has already been for our country thusfar giving rise to the certainty of disaster if the IOC picks Chicago, I’m beginning to think it just might be a good thing in the long run to let the disease run its course. The scars it leaves behind will serve as yet another reminder for voters in 2010.
The corruption is a given and we already know Obama and his team are incapable of running anything aside from their own mouths and hidden bank accounts. That may bear the fruit of an international disgrace for the USA – that will be laid squarely at the feet of Dear Leader.
Yeah, taxpayers will be soaked for all that but perhaps the long term investment is a good one if it ultimately helps to sink garbage scow Obama and his radical socialist agenda.
It’s amazing to read this and then compare it to how it will be reported in the fossil media. Maybe when he gets back, someone will remind him we’re at war, and his general is requesting more troops.
I can see the Olympics from my house!
The Obama crowd doesn’t care if Chicago loses money on this venture. They figure not only the residents of Illinois will be stuck with the bill but so will the citizens of this whole country. They’re happy as long as they can pocket the graft.
Obama is against lobbyists? He’s become one of the biggest lobbyists in the game by panhandling for the city of Chicago in trying to get the Olympic Committee to hold the Olympics in that windy city.
MM,
you didn’t mention oprah winfrey and the connection to the hate spewing afrocentric antiAmerican antiwhitie “church” they all attended.
space issue I spose darn those editors you needed a few more feet of ink.
If Chicago and crowd got the Olympics I could care less–just let that city eat the losses and reap any benefits. It is how many BILLIONS of our money Obama, Jarret, Axelrod and cronies could steal that frosts me.
No one dime of Federal money for the Olympics.
Not one farthing for this grab bag of corruption.
Chicago – The city that works at corruption…
The Olympic venues,just like sports stadiums, should be built with private funds and NO public funds, ever!
If these projects were so bloody profitable private companies would be leaping through flaming hoops to build and own them.
And I can see the DNC campaign slogan 2010 now:
After she skims her share perhaps Michelle Obama won’t feel America “is a down right mean country”. Hopefully Valerie Jarrett will cut BitterMoma in.
We grew up near the big city and Daley’s father – the founder of “dead people voting – often” – was mayor. Corruption is in the current mayor’s blood and genes.
This president must be stopped and impeached – the blood of our wounded and killed in Afghanistan is on his hands.
Will Obama get a Nike deal out of it?
“America…just screw it”
It was after the Atlanta 1996 Olympics that the corrupt Olympic committee changed the rules to absolutely FORBID </strong>PRIVATE FINANCING OF THE OLYMPICS. They were “offended” by all the free enterprise (hundreds of shops/kiosks everywhere they thought were “tacky”).So after 1996, the Cities AND Countries MUST ASSUME ALL COSTS. And who is that? Chicago and USA TAXPAYERS. So of COURSE Chicago wants this event.
CHICAGO TRIB POLL: Residents evenly split on Olympics, 47% in favor, 45% against…
No Games Chicago is sending a delegation to Copenhagen to tell the IOC that Chicago is in such financial straits that it cannot afford the games and is such a hotbed of political corruption that it doesn’t deserve them.
Obama’s magic checkbook…the American Taxpayer.
How many tourists will be murdered in Chicago during the Olympics because they made a wrong turn down the wrong street? Seriously, it is not safe to travel there. Will anyone be warned? Chicago is a very dangerous city, as are many of our demoncrat-run, corrupt welfare laden cities. Would we want the Olympics in Detroit? New Orleans? Los Angeles? Pittsburg? These are really bad places, thanks to the democrats and their welfare policies. This is nuts. But they will most likely get it, as Obama wouldn’t travel there unless he knew Chicago already had it in the bag.
Jeez… This is like a wild west free-for-all. They apparently have no fear of the law or any legal repercussions, because they are in control of the law.
The Justice Dept. clearly won’t investigate Obama et al much less prosecute them. This is a disaster.
How bad do you think it is when long time legitimate liberal Democrats are positively horrified and now stepping out against this little Marxist despot and his cadre of professional white collar criminals?
Who would have believed that a determined Marxist Congress and President could destroy America in one election cycle? It may happen.
Why is it that people on the Right can see this corruption whilst the people on the left can only make excuses for it?
Thanks stoooopid voters.
Happy said:
No, but the voters (acorn riff-raff) will be moved to a more convenient location so as not to give the watching world the wrong impression of Chicago.
I guess this makes Obambi the Olympic Village Idiot in Chief.
I wonder how many poor folks will be displaced by Obama’s Political Machine Building? On our dime…
All of them, except the chosen ones who will make the world’s heart bleed.
Doesn’t this fit the RICO crime act?
Chicagoans just beat a local kid to death for no reason at all. What does the IOC think they’ll do to tourists?
mmmm-we could send that video all over the world under the title:
Chicago Games 2016: Run for your Life
Mascot for Chicago Games 2016: Chicago policeman with hand out accepting bribes.
Perfect! I love it.
Valerie Jarrett as “Vice Chair” seems so appropriate…
I would love it if we could send a link of this, and the myriad of other stories, to the IOC and ask them is this really what you want to subject international athletes and tourists to?
I would also love to know what this unnecessary trip is costing us taxpayers.
The bureaucratic mentality is the only constant in the universe.
-Dr. McCoy, Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home
Quark: It’s good to want things.
Odo: Even things you can’t have?
Quark: Especially things you can’t have.
-Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, “The Passenger”
I wonder if they plan to run the marathon, through the city? Medals should be given out, not to who wins, but to who, if any, survives.
How great will it be if Chi-Town doesn’t get the Games. Then, Obama can FAIL on a world stage.
***
Some really great new firsts could come from the Chicago Olympics.
***
A new BRIBE LIFT AND THROW event. An Army dufflebag filled with silver dollars must be lifted with one hand and thrown into a freezer located 20 meters away. William Jefferson (formerly D-LA) is the coach.
***
The CHITOWN SHAKEDOWN event. A 100 meter high greased flagpole has 10 bankbags full of cash tied at the top. First grifter to get all ten back to the ground and can run them through a gauntlet of IRS Agents and put them in the trunk of a Mercedes wins. Blago (former governor) and his wife Patti will host and coach the event.
***
However, the real big event will be the American Taxpayers (aka victims) paying for the Olympics and the Chitown ripoffs.
***
John Bibb
***
In Chicago, ACORN could be the offical ‘time keepers’ for the games. They’re always so fair and impartial and I’m sure many of them will be looking for work by then anyway.
I’m glad Michelle is keeping on top of this…
Marcellus: “Something is rotten in the state of Denmark.”
Horatio: “Heaven will direct it.”
Marcellus: “Nay, let’s follow him.”
–Hamlet
One White House meeting on Afghanistan and 30 meetings on the Olympics during the same period.
Nuff said.
You lie.
“Won’t you be my neighbor?”
Zip code of Michael Reese Hospital and proposed Olympics village.
Don’t stray too far away from home, Barak.
And why is Michelle travelling in a separate plane??? They can’t travel together? Just double the cost of everything.
On September 30th, 2009 at 6:15 am, Danceswithdachshunds said:
… The scars it leaves behind will serve as yet another reminder for voters in 2010.
The problem Dances is that these scumbags are intitutionalizing their Marxist policies and it will be EXTREMELY hard to rectify, even IF the sheep in this country finaly see the light
This is one of the better ACORN Cartoons I have seen.
http://www.granitegrok.com/pix/Cartoon_1_3.jpg
He does know this is not the Special Olympics, right?
But….I thought America was evil, and arrogant? I thought the evil rich preyed on the poor masses, taking advantage of them at every turn? Isn’t that the message the New World Messiah has been spreading since his elevation to ultimate power? Oh, that’s right…he said, “at times…” That clarifies things. He’s now in charge, so the arrogance is gone. Really?
Now, if you say, Obama was talking about his personal knowledge of such things, I would agree with you, since his sphere of influence has been academia, black liberation theology, Islamia, militant radicalism, and Chicago political theater. Those things, his roots, are now becoming manifest.
There can only be one reason for this apologist to champion Chicago as THE place for the 2016 Summer Olympics…opportunity! That opportunity opens many doors for the corrupt, and for those who would capitalize on those established ties to promote their “money and power” schemes.
It isn’t that hard to figure out. If it looks like a pig, smells like a pig, sounds like a pig, lives like a pig…IT’S A PIG… not a pretty, pretty unicorn!
Chicago is like a Kosovo, Nairobi, or Moscow. It is a pervasive rot that extends to the current White House and Congress.
I think the “graveyard” scandal is actually a solution to a problem:
After ACORN has voted a “gravestone” several times they need to change “residents” at that address.
See, it is all very logical if looked at from the right perspective. Doesn’t this wanabee group of would be “tin pot dictators” just give you the “warm and fuzzies”.
PC is Thought Control
LEE
Something is rotten in Denmark.
Michelle,
I was watching Glenn on Fox this afternoon and was hoping he would give you credit for all you have done with these issues. You both have done gobs to inform us, but you need to get your credit. IMO.
L
I personally don’t think Chicago has a chance whatsoever — considering the cities they’re competing against.
Regardless…would the president, his wife and the rest of the cronies be pitching the US if it was Dallas instead of Chicago?
Probably not.
MM: Good to see you on Hannity tonight! Thank you for your tireless efforts!
and
Chicago will get the games.
Why?
Chicago gets the games because one need look no further than the corrupt IOC. Do a search on Juan Antonio Samaranch for some indications of what the IOC is like.
Why would they give Chicago the games? Who better to fill IOC pockets than the American taxpayer backed by Obama and corrupt politicians in Illinois?
Does anyone really think Rio or any other location can match the amount of money they can skim, scam or steal than Chicago?
Not yet. He hasn’t left for Denmark yet. I think it is later today.
Chicago: 41
September ended with 41 homicides.
Afghanistan: 34
September ended with 34 US Military deaths.
It has become very clear who was elected in November
Obama is just a proxy for Daley
He owes everything to the Daley machine and this mission he and gigantor were just sent on proves it
I always knew Axelrod and Rahm were Daleys punks, now it is clear that big ear barry is just another of Daleys lackeys
I think what you are smelling is the stench of hypocricy from Oprah and gigantor
Did I hear correctly…that Obama’s trip to Denmark will cost in the Millions of Dollars??? How the he11 can they justify that? Think of all the health care that could be purchased for those poor people who are dying in the streets of this country! And, Michelle has to go in a separate plane? I remember very well their “date nights” where they had to fly somewhere because apparently, dining in the White House isn’t good enough. I would like to know how much money this POS has spent on unnecessary travel…and then have him tell us again how he plans to fund his health “care” debacle. Insanity is not a strong enough word for what is happening in our Nation’s capitol!
I wonder how much of our money Obama will give to the IOC to secure the games in Chi-town?
Go RIO!!!!!!!!!!
The title of this post is
I take it that “All the president’s Olympic cronies” is a reference to the 1974 non-fiction book by Carl Bernstein and Bob Woodward, “All the President’s Men“.
How appropriate, as it appears that a cover-up bigger than Watergate is currently underway in Hawaii in order to protect the man currently acting as President…
Great piece Michelle — Thanks for researching and writing this …