Barack Obama and Me

Comments (282)

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• Jackie Burkhardt 01/30/2009 11:50:30 AM

  I found this to be very interesting. I am just curious to know if the Obama's make any money off of all the products that are selling all over the country with his picture on them. I have never seen a president that has gotten the coverage and been marketed in the manner he has. Since I did not vote for him and I still think to this day he lacks the experience that is needed to govern this great country. That is exactly why he is surrounding himself with people who do have the experience and knowledge to make himself look like he is the one that will save the world. Good Luck with that one.

• Kellie 09/09/2008 7:58:19 PM

  Thank you for your article. I always knew he was shady. I do wonder if Obama knew somehow what was in the divorce papers. Sounds funny to me that both were unsealed at the "right" time and contained the information that it did. I wouldn't put it past him.

• DOUGLAS FIELD 09/09/2008 11:47:14 AM

  SENATOR OBAMA, PLEASE GIVE AMERICA~ A DOSE OF REALITY CONCERNING THIS HORROR OF INJUSTICE THAT HAS BECOME AN AMERICAN ART FORM ??? LETS ALL HOPE OUR MEDIA FRIENDS CONTINUE TO ALSO SHOW AN INTEREST IN REPORTING ON THIS AMERICAN HORROR FACING THESE (TENS OF THOUSANDS) FORGOTTEN AND TRAPPED POORER AMERICANS, AND HOW THIS PRESIDENTIAL CONTENDER HANDLES THIS VERY SERIOUS ISSUE FACING AMERICA�S LATINO AND BLACK AMERICAN COMMUNITIES ???? WITH 80% OF THE BLACK AMERICAN VOTERS SAYING THEY SUPPORT SENATOR OBAMA IN THIS PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION, IT IS ONLY FAIR FOR EVERYONE TO KNOW PRIOR BEING ELECTED OUR NEXT PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES HOW THIS DEMOCRATIC SENATOR TRULY FEELS ABOUT THIS AMERICAN JUDICIAL HORROR CONTINUING TO INFLICT GRAVE HARM ON THE BLACK AMERICAN FAMILIES AND THEIR COMMUNITIES NATIONWIDE ?????? *** WHEN GOD�S FACE BECAME VERY RED *** THE US SUPREME COURT GAVE ENEMY COMBATANTS FEDERAL APPEAL HC RIGHTS LAWYERS AND PROPER ACCESS TO US FEDERAL COURTS,AND POORER AMERICANS (MANY EVEN ON DEATH ROW) ARE DENIED PROPER FEDERAL APPEAL LEGAL REPRESENTATION TO OUR US FEDERAL COURTS OF APPEAL, AND ROTTING IN AMERICAN PRISONS NATIONWIDE ????????? ***THE AMERICAN PEOPLE ARE $LOWLY FINDING OUT HOW EA$Y IT I$ FOR MIDDLE CLA$$ AND WORKING POOR AMERICAN$ TO FALL VICTIM TO OUR U$ MONETARY JUDICIAL $Y$TEM. ****WHEN THE US INNOCENT WERE ABANDONED BY THE GUILTY **** The prison experts have reported that there are 100,000 innocent Americans currently being falsely imprisoned along with the 2,300,000 total US prison population nationwide. Since our US Congress has never afforded poor prison inmates federal appeal legal counsel for their federal retrials,they have effectively closed the doors on these tens of thousands of innocent citizens ever being capable of possibly exonerating themselves to regain their freedom through being granted new retrials. This same exact unjust situation was happening in our Southern States when poor and mostly uneducated Black Americans were being falsely imprisoned for endless decades without the needed educational skills to properly submit their own written federal trial appeals. **INNOCENT AMERICANS ARE DENIED REAL HC RIGHTS WITH THEIR FEDERAL APPEALS !! This devious and deceptive judicial process of making our poor and innocent prison inmates formulate and write their own federal appeal legal cases for possible retrials on their state criminal cases,is still in effect today even though everyone in our US judicial system knows that without proper legal representation, these tens of thousands of innocent prison inmates will be denied their rightful opportunities of ever being granted new trials from our federal appeal judges!! Sadly, the true US *legal* Federal Appeal situation that occurs when any of our uneducated American prison inmates are forced to attempt to submit their own written Federal Appeals (from our prisons nationwide) without the assistance of proper legal counsel, is that they all are in reality being denied their legitimate rights for Habeas Corpus and will win any future Supreme Court Case concerning this injustice! For our judicial system and our US Congressional Leaders Of The Free World to continue to pretend that this is a real and fair opportunity for our American Middle Class and Working Poor Citizens, only delays the very needed future change of Federal Financing of all these Federal appeals becoming a normal formula of Our American judicial system. It was not so very long ago that Public Defenders became a Reality in this country.Prior that legal reality taking place, their were also some who thought giving anyone charged with a crime a free lawyer was a waste of taxpayers $$. This FACADE and HORROR of our Federal Appeal proce$$ is not worthy of the Greatest Country In The World! ***GREAT SOCIETIES THAT DO NOT PROTECT EVEN THEIR INNOCENT, BECOME THE GUILTY! A MUST READ ABOUT AMERICAN INJUSTICE: 1) YAHOO AND 2) GOOGLE MANNY GONZALES THE KID THAT EVERYONE FORGOT IN THE CA PRISON SYSTEM. ** A JUDICIAL RIDE OF ONES LIFE ! lawyersforpooramericans@yahoo.com (424-247-2013)

• Phil 09/05/2008 12:01:10 PM

  Aside from the fact that there are glaring inconsistencies between the voting record alleged in this article, and Obama's actual voting record, interesting piece. I mean, why let actual facts get in your way of a smear piece, especially when you can depend on the sheeple of this country to not even bother to fact-check. Journalists are supposed to tell the objective truth, no? Please stop calling yourself a journalist, and (as another poster said) move on to talk radio - lying for effect is all the rage in that medium. Leave journalism for people with some sort of code of ethics. http://graphics8.nytimes.com/images/2007/07/29/us/politics/30obama.GRAPHIC.gif

• Enid 09/03/2008 10:24:35 AM

  Pretty interesting! thanks for sharing.

• ap 06/12/2008 3:58:24 PM

  Great piece. I don't think it's damning of Obama, but a great look at the makings of a politician. And I happen to enjoy your personal insights and narrative. Note to the above poster: Obama does have a daughter by that name, you wackadoo.

• LawSource 05/25/2008 1:14:58 AM

  FIRST OF ALL: (1) SEN. OBAMA "DOES NOT" have any daughter name "Natasha" THIS IS WRONG! (2) WHERE is the guy that had his legislation bill "STOLEN" by Obama, as you suggested? How Come He has NEVER GONE PUBLIC given the fact that the bill became "POPULAR" because other states have adopt it and require law enforcement officers to apply the techniques? (3) As A Journalist myself, I FIND IT VERY ODD and STRANGE THAT YOU "DO NOT" HAVE ANY TAPE CONVERSATION with your alledge many encounter with Sen. Obama! THE REASON WHY YOUR STORY IS "NOT BELIEVEABLE" IS THE FACT THAT "SMART" People From Both Political Party is ACTIVELY looking for any information like yours that they could use to DISCREDIT Obama and teardown his candidacy once and for all, if this information was accurate it would have being circulated in the NATIONAL media in a HEART BEAT with little effort! ============================== YOU BE THE JUDGE, SEE THE FACTS For Your Self; then decide Which Candidate Would You Preffer! THE CLINTONS Chronicles ====================== Part 1: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mnq5U9ovtaE Part 2: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3uX94zemAEA Part3: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GlHfjqDKk58 Part4: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tKvFlfFPvBM Part5: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VbTTy7Cuw1c Part6: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EhUBYoq-rBg Part7: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nRFDD758gW0 Part8: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zBBLETE3HDA Part9: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eqUA6is4oh8 Part10: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CwRBzmfWQ_E Part11: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fPwHP-PqgHE ==================================== Hillary Clinton: The Movie The Full Shocking video she does not want you to see. http://video.google.com/googleplayer.swf?docId=8464923602139974671&hl=en

• elle eda 05/23/2008 8:46:30 AM

  really? WHERE IS YOUR PROOF? WHY IS THERE NO ONE ELSE WHO HAS MADE THESE SAME TYPE OF OBSERVATIONS? WHERE ARE YOUR WITNESSES? this article has many names, three of which are mediocrity, desperation and libel

• Fred 05/22/2008 6:24:16 AM

  You are a very good writer. A little unfocused, but you have a clear talent for investigative reporting and a very appealing, unassuming, narrative style. You've done a service to the nation by providing this information. Thank you.

• Anonymous 05/16/2008 9:14:43 AM

  I can't see the states that went to Bush in '04 going to a far-left liberal like Obama who's barely done anything in the Senate. Not over a war hero who's been in the media for years like McCain.

• Anonymous 05/16/2008 9:11:08 AM

  Obama can't even unify the Democratic Party; there's a good portion of Democrats willing to vote for McCain. Even the liberal Jews would rather vote for McCain because of Obama's Muslim ties. If you add in his wife's statements regarding her patriotism, and his ties to a radical black church, it's obvious the only ones voting for him are young Democrats, blacks, and the like. Clinton probably doesn't even have a chance at winning the nomination at this point but I see plenty of Clinton supporters on these blogs. Besides, what has Obama done exactly, anyway? He's just a typical, ambitious politician. He voted his party like at least 97-98% of the time in the Senate. He was barely elected to the Senate and now he wants to be president? I don't see the possibility of Obama becoming president. He won't even wear an American flag on his suit.

• jericho4119 04/22/2008 10:30:55 AM

  Big scoop; there are people who do not like Barack Obama - especially political colleagues who feel overshadowed by him. News at 11. While I know you may not feel the need to rely on the services of a fact checker, I believe that if you do the research you will find that former Sen. Peter Fitzgerald was a one-term senator, not two as stated in your article. I too used to live in Chicago, although not in the same district as Obama, so I know that Fitzgerald defeated the re-election bid of Sen. Carol Mosley Braun. I am surprised that your article did not dredge up any quotes from her; although she might have been a troubling figure as any direct comparison between Obama and Mosley Braun on an ethics scale has to slide in his favor. In the end, your article seems to be saying, "but wait, he is not as pure as you think!". Again, what a surprise. Not only is he a man, but he is just a politician. If the most you have against him is that other politicians think he stole some of their credit - or had their hard work handed to him to carry to victory - well, that's life. Obama is one of those politicians who you might say, "makes his own luck" and if that comes from knowing that your opponent cut too many corners in getting their petitions signed, then so be it. You could report that story as one of good government and following the rules, just as easily as you could do it your way and show it as an example of playing hardball. Bottom line: all politicians are ambitious. If Obama has learned how to temper his ambition in cloth that is appealing to the public, then that shows he has a good head on his shoulders.

• Charles Lumia 04/09/2008 9:49:02 PM

  This is a fantastic article Todd. All Barack Obama supporters need to realize that he is nothing more than a politician. He is not special and doesn't want to change anything for the good of our country. He wants to make changes that help the few and to build his own ego, as is clearly evident from Todd's work here. Thanks, Charles from http://variousthoughts.wordpress.com/

• Tonya 04/04/2008 8:53:30 AM

  Because we have been lied to by all media, because the government and powers that be are doing this behind our backs, I feel you, all news sources not being paid off should inform, just inform the people so they will have a choice. The Las Vegas Sun, The Los Angeles Times, they are not buying into the big media secrets and deception and I feel it is your place to make a stand against the Big Media and our government to inform all people and let them chose if they want Nuclear or not. http://www.fair.org/index.php?page=3258 All news sources should be called out and they should account for their actions! Cheney, Obama, McCain, they have big EXPENSIVE PLANS for all of us. The costs, we'll pay for them, and uh, oh yea, we will scream about the Recession the whole time we do it. Let's educate ourselves about the Nuclear Power Plants already in the works by Obama, McCain, and their good buddy Dick Cheney. Does President Jimmy Carter and Al Gore want to go back in time to Nuclear Waste, to Cancer in children who live near these power plants? Go back in time to handicapped children being born near these Nuclear Power Plants? I know one thing for sure, the BIG MEDIA on our televisions do want this, because of WHO PAYS THEIR BIG SALARIES! No wonder the star of "Silkwood", Cher supports Senator Clinton. What happen to windmills? Wind is too cheap to use for Cheney, Obama, and McCain I suppose they need a great money making scheme, even during a Recession. How many of the 29 will be built in Texas, since Cheney is behind it all?

• Angelene Frederick 04/03/2008 4:35:03 AM

  Oh wow! Now you can finally get the recognition you want from the Hillary fans. Yep! they would love to agree with you on anything against Obama. Where is your evidence Mr. Journalist. A real journalist without a recorder, and what school did you attend. I really expect Obama to be a politician, just as he is running as a politican, and so are the other candidates in the race. But why this story? I really hope that he will neve call you now or anytime in the future. He should be scared to allow himself any contact with him. The truth is after all of these years without your recorder, you would like to know provoke him into a situation that you can use to get your success, finally. Well join the Hillary team they like using backdoors and underhanded sceams to get what they want, go ahead and follow their moves, you just may get that promotion after all.

• Angelene Frederick 04/03/2008 4:22:23 AM

  Exactly what are you trying to convey in this story. You sound like a person angry that Obama has shut you out. This is a Presidental Election, and you should keep some of your anger to yourself. The media continues to attempt to help Hillary win this nomination, she does not deserve it, she is not winning, and you should go to counseling to get some help for the anger. Also, when you talk about black co-workers and what they feel, it seems to me that they have a problem of jealousy, have you ever thought about that? Unfortunately, many black people do not like to see another black person achieve higher positions than themselves, that is why we say, as a black people, that their is always the "crab in the barrel mentality," among blacks.

• XME 03/30/2008 12:46:47 PM

  So you're 5-page article was basically to state that Obama's rise has been "unfair" and "unchallenged" and that he yelled at you? Welcome to politics! ALL politicians are just that, and are therefore not perfect. To some degree they are ALL self-serving, and choosing who to vote for is primarily looking at who you can stomach. To me, it's a choice between a man who knows nothing economics, and only seems to care about wars (McCain), a family who lies without batting an eye (Clintons) and a man who also has negatives and issues, but given the other two options, I'll support Obama in a heartbeat.

• Oksana Yonan 03/27/2008 11:45:07 PM

  Thanks for the story. I appreciate having this information.

• lastsaneone 03/27/2008 9:51:12 AM

  BARAK HUSSEIN BIN LADEN OSAMA OBAMA, IS A MUSLUM TERRORIST A$$HOLE IN SHEEPS CLOTHING. As are all the people that attend his church and if you think for a second that the American people,( thats the REAL AMERICAN PEOPLE ), not you Black racist America and white people haters, will forget who tried to put that muslum terrorist in our highest office you better think again, becuase WE WON'T FORGET. If you hate America so much that you are willing to help destroy it, then LEAVE AND GO TO SOME OTHER COUNTRY AND BITCH ABOUT YOUR RIGHTS THERE. THIS IS MY COUNTRY !

• Kris 03/19/2008 2:27:53 PM

  I just stumbled over your "Feb 28 story, "Obama and Me" and, finally, read something I didn't know about the man! Thank you! No one is talking about his history - the back room stuff. I can't help but sense that we, the american public is being duped by form and lack of content. We fall in love with tinsel and charisma. I was going to vote for him Obama 3 months back, but his tone is changing to that of a sermonizer and I don't like being preached at. I do want to hear about his actions and plan of action for the economy, nuclear proliferation, on and on. Whom does he surround himself - who will he choose for VP? That concerns me more. So, if someone doesn't unwrap the ribbon and cellophane to make Obama visible, I'll be voting for Republican.

• Christy 03/18/2008 11:03:10 AM

  I applaud #8- Steve johnson's comment. Good for you for being open to reading it and learning and yet saying- i still support Obama! I applaud you! The rest of you-what is up with the name calling? God forbid someone should have a differing opinion than you and you can't talk about it like adults without resorting to name calling? Sad, sad, sad. I thought the article was good- though a little disjointed in the the flow of thoughts. I think the facts do speak for themselves- this is one man's experience with Obama- and it's good to know how Obama treats the "little guy". It helped me understand how Obama got to where he is today and that's what I take it for- an article to help me understand that. Well done.

• DebDeb 03/16/2008 10:41:08 AM

  Very well written and informative. Obama is skillful, I'll give him that. But to run on a platform of CHANGE and HOPE when he is dirty politics, is basically just a big lie that his supporters have swallowed whole. I believe his presidential run is over. Maybe he can learn by the mistakes he has made and come back in eight years. More of the same, we don't need. And for that, I will be glad to see him go.

• L'Afrique 03/12/2008 11:16:17 AM

  A classic love-hate affair that can only be paralleled by the relationship between Black and White Americans: You know, the typical "Tom & Jerry" love affair - cannot live with, cannot live without!

• nicky 03/11/2008 2:57:29 PM

  also, denise, correct me if i'm wrong...but didn't he win hawaii?? so basically, they don't know who he is....never heard of him...but still would rather vote for him that hillary...wow...doesn't say much for her does it?

• nicky 03/11/2008 2:54:49 PM

  To Denise...#251 Wow...how typical you are of the average Clinton supporter...and it is an actual fact that the average Obama supporter is well-educated and Hillary appeals to the less educated. Seems to me the less educated would be more like sheep....since they believe what they are told. And another fact for you...Denise...that picture of him not holding his hand over his heart was taken, not during the Pledge...but during the singing of the Star Spangled Banner...which, while it is the National Anthem, it is NOT REQUIRED to hold your hand over your heart. Perhaps you are exactly what you accuse others of being...sheep who hear no evil, speak no evil..etc...except that you hear no facts and seek no truth. It most certainly is our right to see where the 5 million dollar campaign contribution really came from...you are a liar and hypocrite if you think you wouldn't be ready to lynch Obama if his tax returns were the issue. I guarantee you...if Obama isn't the next president...it ain't gonna be Hillary either, sweetheart. You'll be singing the praises of President McCain.

• Denise 03/10/2008 8:33:22 PM

  To Nicky at comment 237, Hillary Clinton's tax returns are the business of the IRS before they are yours or anyone else's, and as for her supporters being uneducated, that is just as stupid as people can get in believing everything you read. The problem with Obama is his "sheep like followers",( try hoping in one hand and crying in the other and see which fills up first) who see no evil, speak no evil ,and hear no evil. You are a loser and that is why you would vote for someone who is untested and cannot even hold his hand over his heart and say the pledge of alliegence (because he does not know it???). He is "a wolf in sheeps clothing" is my impression of him now! Oh and by the way, Hillary is going to be YOUR next president!

• Denise 03/10/2008 8:16:50 PM

  I wish more people could read this article, I am very happy that there are people out there who know who he is and what he has done to grab power and recognition from other people. He is an elitist for sure and it is sad that he really could not care less, otherwise why did he stay silent on important issues in the community he represented. If he gets nominated I will not vote. Too many others are already falling for the baloney of his "preacher like speeches" and I doubt he will really help any of the minorities of this country ,including vets, seniors, women and children. He is not prepared and I doubt he will know what to do, except let his new buddies take control for him in Washington. We need someone who can think for themselves and can deliver on the bottom line and is not a push over who will end up oweing somebody for "making them". Nobody is squeaky clean so sooner or later his dirt will come to the surface. I am a Latina from California but who now resides in Hawaii and I don;t think anyone here ever heard of him except that he was born here and finished grade school (by the way the schools here are the worst) here. To me he is as obscure as the old comic book "Aztec of the City"... I hate to say it but, it is hard to recall any black politician doing anything that has helped anybody else of color but themselves. I pray for Hillary Clinton everynight because she understands womens issues and what ails our country, she is bold and very staunch about her solutions and I feel very confident in her. I am extremely proud of Texas for their support of her. I can't wait for Hillary to become the 1st woman President of the United States.

• Just the Facts M'am 03/10/2008 5:59:51 PM

  I appreciated your story but more than that, your dedication to your craft. Success has a price and you are clearly willing to pay it. Keep it up! We need more journalists like you. I think you can tell alot about a person by what he DOES not what he SAYS. Ever since I adopted this strategy, my life has gotten better. Best wishes for your career. There really ARE some real live journalists left!

• Jennifer 03/10/2008 4:09:09 PM

  Thank you---Obama says ALL the right things....but I felt him arrogant and full of self importance RIGHT from the beginning. Why haven't all the people he has stepped on been interviewed?! Hillary isn't perfect...but the press magnify her faults for all to see. NONe of the press have looked into Obama's true history!!!!!!!!!!C'MON THIS IS TOO IMPORTANT TO LEAVE ALL THESE STONES UNTURNED! People voted for Bush because "He's someone I could have a beer with.." Now they are gonna vote for Obama because he makes there leg tingle?!" Wake UPPPPPPPPP America!!!!

• Good Spirit 03/10/2008 10:38:26 AM

  Regarding the article, Barack Obama and me. The Reporter is a lowly, ignorant (i.e, does not report ALL the facts) sensationalist who does not know his ass from a whole in the ground. Also, jealous because Barack is smarter and managed to go zillion light years in front of him. What a trashy newspaper to allow this egomaniac.

• Samir 03/09/2008 3:04:54 PM

  I reject the author's cynicism and pessimism. I embrace Obama because he embraces hope.

• Lynn El 03/07/2008 9:04:18 PM

  I found the link to this article on The Washington Post website. It was left in a comment that I think the author made. I'm not surprised that Obama is mostly a social climber. He really wants the office of President very badly and doesn't seem to care that others may have more experience and knowledge than he has at the moment. It's scary how people have attached themselves to him without being able to explain why. Most seem to focus on what he says without looking at anything he has done. Obama is really a blank slate in which people can attach many attributes to without evidence that the attitribute is really there. Hillary Clinton also stirs emotions of hate without most being able to articulate their hatred. If any site reasons for their hatred, it is usually the Whitewater Case which led to no indictments at all except for getting Bill Clinton on lying to a Grand Jury about having sex with a mistress.

• Jano 03/07/2008 11:23:45 AM

  I too have noticed during his most recent speeches after losing to Hillary, that he has gone into what sounds like the Preacher cadence. I have also witnessed his "controlled anger" & pouty look. So then I read this article & it matches up with what I have seen in his most recent appearances. From the outset of this campaigning, he has been smearing Hillary. His supporters are very upset that she is fighting him back. Most of their comments are Of the ilk of smear campaigning. Some of which are very disgusting & for the most part not the people I would align myself with. Watch & see what happens in the coming primary's. He will be showing his true colors as he gets upset & will most likely use the same tactics he has used in Illinois. Let's see if he can control his temper while being in the public eye.

• SICK OF MEDIA 03/07/2008 7:32:28 AM

  STOP BIG MEDIA! Sign the PETITION! NBC,MSNBC, ABC, CNN, FOX, CBS, STOP THEM NOW! DO NOT LET A FEW OWN ALL STATIONS! WE NEED STICT LAWS, THEY HAVE RELAXED THESE LAWS! YOUR VOICE CAN BE HEARD! STOP G.E. and DISNEY from owning the air waves! http://www.stopbigmedia.com/chart.php?chart=tv STOP THEM! http://www.stopbigmedia.com/=act I WILL NOT BUY ANYTHING G.E. OR DISNEY IS SELLING!

• jamie 03/06/2008 5:57:41 PM

  I liked your artical! Thanks for taking the time to write it. The vision I got was, you think you know sombody, but do you really??

• jamie 03/06/2008 5:57:37 PM

  I liked your artical! Thanks for taking the time to write it. The vision I got was, you think you know sombody, but do you really??

• jenn 03/06/2008 3:07:11 PM

  Excellent article. Shows a face of the messiah that the media seems not want to bring up. Obama is nothing more than a mouth.

• Debra 03/06/2008 2:48:00 PM

  This is ridiculously long and rambling. If you pick any person and ramble on about the ups and downs and ins and outs of his/her career it will sound the same. So what??

• jennifer 03/05/2008 10:59:05 AM

  Facts do not lie, but most of the time when people are wrong facts become untrue OR true but irreleveant. I am not a racist, and nor am I stupid. Investigating Mr. Obama's Muslim Ties (his name, his family, his financial backers AND his church's hero MUSLIM leader Louis Farrakhan) is important because of some Muslim lead attacks on our country. Period. American Born AND Foreign Born Muslims as a whole are a fine group AS ARE all non-hating, non-racist, non-destructive groups. Secondly, the American public has spoken and spoken loudly. Texas was do or die, and Hillary did and WON, and perhaps we can now move on to healing this country. I am proud of Texas--we stood up and took back this country and we will always remember this as our second Alamo....

• nicky 03/05/2008 7:15:57 AM

  I love Obama...but holy cow...he needs to get a little meaner. He has done a remarkable job of maintaining his integrity, dignity and disposition in the face of Hillary's histrionics...but it's time to push back a bit. I CANNOT believe that Hillary got away with not releasing her tax records before the primary. It's insane...and Clinton supporters, you can lie as much as you want...if Barack's tax records were at issue, you'd be making quite a lot of noise about it. The woman donated 5 million dollars to her campaign...if she's that wealthy, fine...but we have an absolute right to see where that money came from. Is she that wealthy? Did it come from some huge contributor?...which, is against the rules. You talk about "Obamans" blindly supporting him and refusing to see his flaws...and yet...your candidate can throw around 5 million bucks like chump change....aaaaaand.....you're not remotely curious as to the source because.......she SAYS it's her own money? So...you take her at face value...but criticize Obama supporters for supporting him...even though we know he is flawed. To be honest, I can't even look at that woman any more. She has disappointed me so greatly. I used to feel that I would vote for her if she's the dem candidate. But after 30 years of reveling in my right to vote..sadly, I think I'd have to stay home in November. I can't bring myself to vote for a rep. and it is with a heavy heart that, I wouldn't be able to, in good conscience, cast my vote for Mrs. Clinton. I've always been proud to vote...God and the American people willing, I will be able to in November...for Obama. oh...and Jennifer...you are a wonderful example for all of those uneducated people Hillary claims for her base.

• dpj 03/05/2008 12:33:16 AM

  Jenifer: Restating my comments by dpj � March 4, 2008 @ 11:59PM You have been writing so many false and inaccurate statements. Did you recently get a medical mental check up? I find that Hillary Clinton's supporters have gone overboard to show vindictiveness to Sen Obama. Jenifer, this is still America, [United] States. Why do you think Sen. Obama is running for this leadership position to lead people like you to become civil minded, and to abandon your "hateful thoughts"....Sen Clinton and former Pres. Clinton are doing what they do best... keeping potential challengers from getting in their way from reaching their political goal. This is not news to anyone. But, you HRC supporters disgraced yourselves bringing out the evil streak deep within yourselves; and one day, if not now, your off springs will follow in your footsteps and begin to hate as well. Did you every hear the phrase...love thy neighbor..., I guess not!! How about trying to calm down, take a deep breath, it will soon be over.......Senator Barack Obama should not have to defend his faith, are Americans now turning out to Isolate American Born Muslims, that is what really is happening. Muslims, think about it. By targeting Barack Obama as a "Muslim", which he claims to be a "Christian" - American Born Muslims are now casted as "terriorist". How do you Muslim feel now? Do you feel that your birth right has now placed you in a difficult place in this democratic nation? People of all nations live here, Sen. Obama is encouraging unity in this divided nation. Why is that considered reason to classify him in a derogatory manner. He has shown more class than those who cry out about how many years they have been around, yet they divide the citizens of this United States of America. Wake Up America, Wake Up.......

• dpj 03/04/2008 11:59:28 PM

  Jenifer: You have been writing so many false and inaccurate statements. Did you recently get a medical mental check up. I find that Hillary Clinton's supports and gone overboard to show vindictiveness to Sen Obama. Jenifer, this is still America, United States. Why do you think Sen. Obama is running for the position, to lead people like you to become civil minded and to abandon your "hateful ways"....Sen Clinton and former Pres. Clinton is doing what they do best...to keep potential challengers from getting in their way to reach their political goals. This is not news to anyone. But, you supporters and disgraced yourselves to bring out the evil streak deep within yourselves and one day, if not now, your off springs will follow in your footsteps and begin to hate as well. Did you every hear the phrase...love thy neighbor..., I guess not!! How about trying to calm down, take a deep breath, it will soon be over.......

• dpj 03/04/2008 11:59:19 PM

  Jenifer: You have been writing so many false and inaccurate statements. Did you recently get a medical mental check up. I find that Hillary Clinton's supports and gone overboard to show vindictiveness to Sen Obama. Jenifer, this is still America, United States. Why do you think Sen. Obama is running for the position, to lead people like you to become civil minded and to abandon your "hateful ways"....Sen Clinton and former Pres. Clinton is doing what they do best...to keep potential challengers from getting in their way to reach their political goals. This is not news to anyone. But, you supporters and disgraced yourselves to bring out the evil streak deep within yourselves and one day, if not now, your off springs will follow in your footsteps and begin to hate as well. Did you every hear the phrase...love thy neighbor..., I guess not!! How about trying to calm down, take a deep breath, it will soon be over.......

• dpj 03/04/2008 11:59:16 PM

  Jenifer: You have been writing so many false and inaccurate statements. Did you recently get a medical mental check up. I find that Hillary Clinton's supports and gone overboard to show vindictiveness to Sen Obama. Jenifer, this is still America, United States. Why do you think Sen. Obama is running for the position, to lead people like you to become civil minded and to abandon your "hateful ways"....Sen Clinton and former Pres. Clinton is doing what they do best...to keep potential challengers from getting in their way to reach their political goals. This is not news to anyone. But, you supporters and disgraced yourselves to bring out the evil streak deep within yourselves and one day, if not now, your off springs will follow in your footsteps and begin to hate as well. Did you every hear the phrase...love thy neighbor..., I guess not!! How about trying to calm down, take a deep breath, it will soon be over.......

• dpj 03/04/2008 11:35:31 PM

  3/4/08 Todd: Is your story meant to demean or discourage supporter to continue their support for Barack Obama? Or are you alerting the public that he has a temper if things are not going well? Perhaps you will notice that other candidates also displayed their two faces during the heated campaign as well. Sen. McCain we learned that he has a temper, and Hillary Clinton certainly showed all of her different personalities in each of the debates. Surely you do not wish to publish a story to give this candidate a "black eye", when in fact no one said he was perfect. I am sure that your experience with Sen. Obama should be considered that you know more truth about him to determine whether he would be a "good leader" or a mis-directed leader for the United States and the World. If you really feel, from your observation, that his personality, his working ethics, his relationship with fellow senators, office workers and entire associates is not deserving of his current position, then I believe you are within your journalistic right to let the people know. But, I do believe the persons cited in your article as not supporting his votes on passing bills in the senate, perhaps are individuals who may have exhibited jealousy because they realize that Sen. Obama is quite intelligent and can in fact inspire and communicate to all types of people, not only "Blacks"...so what if he used non-traditional phrases to connect with certain individuals, do you expect him to speak in a "Ivy-league" style when speaking to some individuals or children who have not yet mastered the English language. I do not use slangs when I speak, but certainly would not appear to use phrases that the audience could not relate to. What was your point anyway? dpj Copy sent to Barack Obama's email

• jennifer 03/04/2008 10:18:50 PM

  Across the board,from day one of early voting to the end of the day today, Obama supporters--ESPECIALLY THE MEN--are the truest representation of what is wrong with Barack Obama AND much of the reason they support him. They were both openly aggressive and passive aggressive especially when women came to vote for Hillary. I stood all day at one particularly bad-for-anyone-but-Obama-supporters voting area and at the end of the day a very nice older gentleman come over and confirmed my feeling about these men. You are not fooling anyone boys, and I stand by my last comment to these two sel-identified freedom fighters "you are both repulsive human beings and I am proud not to be supporting the man you call a hero." On that note, We took Rhode Island, We took Ohio, and we are leading in Texas. GO HILLARY GO!!!!

• heights for obama 03/04/2008 8:43:30 PM

  this isn't about clinton or obama...it's about the supporters. i've been to rallies for obama..i've just come back from my caucus...and i've got to say...the clinton supporters in general have got to be the most negative, humorless bunch of folks i've seen gathered in my life. is it some sort of pre-requisite to be a clinton supporter to be a flippin' shrew? good lord. and for the poster who said clinton supporters accept when she screws up...hell, wouldn't you have to acknowledge and admit that she has before you could accept it? a survey was taken of supporters of both candidates...the vast majority of clinton supporters didn't acknowledge that she's got any flaws (though they accuse the obama supporters of that)...however, the obama supporters acknowledge that he has flaws and weaknesses (being that he's human, and all) and still choose to support him. seems to me that debunks the cult theory a tad. just look at the posts here....there are a lot of posts that seem to signify people think their candidate is the second coming of Christ...but they seem to be coming out of the clinton camp as much, if not more than the obama camp. baaaaa baaaaa clintonites. you call obama supporters sheep...seems to me a case of the pot calling the kettle....

• Mike Donner 03/04/2008 4:58:48 PM

  Why can't Obama supporters admit Obama isn't so great all the time? McCain and Clinton supporters have no problem admitting when their candidate makes mistakes. Do Obama supporters think it's okay that he has no accomplishments of his OWN? Do Obama supporters think it's okay he runs around saying how he is for the people? Yet backed a candidate who was bad for the community in order to get favor with political powers. Or backed away from the community on numerous occasions. Or paid back favors to Jones using his political position. Do they think he has integrity after seeking out to disqualify all of his competition for the state senate?

• Ron 03/04/2008 2:49:47 PM

  You sound like a jealous little bitch. You both came to Chicago hoping to make it. Obama made it. You ended up writing snide commentary for small-time gutter press. All we know about your article that Obama didn't like is that you lied that he 'talked jive'. Naturally he didn't like it. Would you like it if some jerk wrote defamatory lies about you, that interfered with your career?

• Jeanie S 03/04/2008 12:57:59 PM

  I agree, what a stupid story! I read the entire lengthy long winded accounting, part trying to be artistic, discovered, part being docu drama. What a bunch of nothing!

• jennifer 03/04/2008 6:06:15 AM

  Let us just say that this is one place where stupidity will not get the last word. For Obama to even be in the running for anything other than deacon at a black supremacist Louis Farrakhan supporting church is SAD, SCARY, and UNBELIEVABLE. WAKE UP PEOPLE. TODAY IS THE DAY. Remember the Alama--PEOPLE HAVE DIED for your right to live in a country where all people are equal--don't cast your vote for a racist hypocrite. VOTE HILLARY CLINTON 2008. Make Texas a HILLARY STATE. God Bless Ann Richards, Sheila Jacksosn Lee, Barbara Jordan and GOD BLESS HILLARY CLINTON!

• Andrew Shone 03/04/2008 1:19:33 AM

  If every American read this there would be a lot of frustration and anger at Obama. People have seen this cookie-cutter perfect candidate and the media has not put him under any scrutiny. To you I say - BRAVO. It is not negative press, it is HONEST press.

• Tommy 03/03/2008 10:52:02 PM

  Here's a video for you folks. Enjoy Super Tuesday II. "Obama: 2+2=5" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4o166Eb_puo Thanks to Todd

• Jim 03/03/2008 9:08:50 PM

  OK, so let me see if I have this right. Obama had help advancing his career, some of the politicians he passed by are jealous, and he might have called the "reporter" an asshole. Horrors! Will your next expose' cover how he also goes to the bathroom, doesn't shave on his days off, and occasionally forgets to clip his toenails?

• not jennifer 03/03/2008 8:39:39 PM

  spam much there Jennifer?

• jennifer 03/03/2008 7:44:50 PM

  I had a scary discussion with a very progressive and intelligent woman today. She told me that she is NOT concerned that Mr. Obama's church gave Louis Farrakhan a humanitarian award three months ago (for those of you who don't know, Louis Farrakhan has called for the extermination of the white AND jewish race, she told me that she is NOT concerned with the fact that his constituents in Chicago are NOT happy with him as an elected official, she told me that she is NOT concerned with his ties to BIG BUSINESS, GE, the KENNEDY'S (TED specifically), his million dollar home, his lack of ever living a middle class life, his lack of having never done any community service, his lack of experience, his lack of consistency, etc., etc. NOPE. None of this matters to her because of his promises. Well, I have this promise to make to her and everyone else who blindly votes for this man--promises DO NOT FEED CHILDREN, promises DO NOT PROTECT BORDERS, and PROMISES ARE MADE TO BE BROKEN. Hillary Clinton stands up valiantly for the middle class, for women and children, for the elderly and the ill, for people who fall under the radar of even poverty, she PROMISES to KEEP DOING WHAT SHE HAS ALWAYS DONE. This promise you can take to the bank because for 35 years she has been doing this and doing it well, honing her talents as a speaker, a leader, an educator, a first lady, and now, as president. Texas is TOO SMART and TOO INDEPENDENT to fall victim to mass media frenzy, Texas needs to go down in the record books for 2008 as BEING A HILLARY STATE. HILLARY CLINTON 2008!

• Patrick 03/03/2008 7:14:32 PM

  Great article. Here are my takeaways: 1)Barack could rattle this reporter with his intellegence and poise; 2) Barack's big breakthrough year in the IL state senate was only FIVE years ago. Before that he hadn't accomplished diddly. 3) Barack won election to the state senate on a technicality. Thanks for the insight.

• Shelley 03/03/2008 6:09:25 PM

  Required reading for all UNDECIDED voters in Texas, Ohio, Rhode Island and Vermont. Reality bites!

• ana 03/03/2008 1:00:03 PM

  I really am not paying much attention to the democratic side of the race, so I say this without regard as to who this article is about. But from a writing standpoint, this is a really horribly written piece...not so much the content, but the way in which the content was presented. The writer's points are muddled and seem to be based on hearsay and opinion as opposed to any real documented facts. He also flip flops about five times on his opinions. Maybe he is trying to seem like he is being objective, but it's just confusing. The "personal" tone the author took I suppose he did to make the story more interesting, but it comes off (to me) as someone who just doesn't care for Barack Obama (because Obama apparently doesn't like the author?), and is going to look for any reason to knock him. Politicans don't get where they are for being nice, friendly, and cuddly. They wheel and deal. It doesn't matter if its Obama, Clinton, or McCain. Also, I find the race card is being played in this article in a big way. Regardless, this guy will never get a job with any major paper, not because he attacked Barack Obama, but because his writing is subpar on many levels.

• jennifer 03/03/2008 12:33:33 PM

  A WHOLE bunch of people thought it was okay to own slaves (in Africa today there is STILL SLAVERY). A WHOLE bunch of people thought it was okay to beat a woman as long as the stick was a certain size (and many people still think it is okay to do this). A WHOLE bunch of people want to kill each other all over this world because of religion, skin color, birth place (always have, and seems as though they always will). A WHOLE bunch of people voted to re-elect George "the compassionate conservative" Bush even though he had messed the country up pretty bad in the first 4 years and many of us knew that the worst was yet to come. JUST BECAUSE a whole bunch of people believe in and/or do something does NOT make it a great thing. Yes, it is great that Americans are starting to really care about their country, but you have to know who you are voting for (not just the spin but REALLY KNOW) before that vote truly counts. Obama has been a CAREER politican for 18 years (just only spent 3 in Washington), he is backed by more BIG MONEY INTERESTS than any candidate ever, and his agenda is VERY DIFFERENT in reality from what he preaches (talk to people in Chicago for first hand information about this). MAKE YOUR VOTE COUNT--VOTE FOR SOMEONE WHO MEANS WHAT SHE SAYS--HILLARY CLINTON 2008!!!

• Michelle Freeman 03/03/2008 11:27:54 AM

  Thank you Mr. Spivak for writing an article which sheds some light on who Barack Obama really is. I have studies political science in school for over 23 years and I have never seen such "worship" of presidential candidate before without knowing what this man really is about. If I were a citizen of Illinois, I would be furious that the man that I just voted to the Senate two years ago dumped me to go run for the president which it is just his FIRST term. I personally do not feel it is bad to say this man does not have the experience of his opponent, Hillary Clinton. I also feel that the word "change" has been run into the ground because change is just a promise but experience is a fact. I find it sad that the democrats who are critizing the Hillary and not supporting her because she is a Clinton when in truth if anyone but this charismatic speaker was running against her, she would have the nomination by now. She has been battletested over and over for several years now and can take anything that the Republicans will dish out at her but the supporters of Obama are living in a fantasy if they believe that McCain and the rest of the Republican party are not going to get down and real dirty over the next 8+ months before the General Election. I hope Obama and his supporters have the stomach for it but personally, I voted early last week for Hillary Clinton because she has had my back for years and personally I want someone in office who is battletested, ready for action and who can turn around the mess George Bush has this country in.

• Electionwatch 03/03/2008 10:35:15 AM

  You Might Be An Idiot If you think Bill Clinton is the one running for president. You Might Be An Idiot If you think the tech bubble during the Clinton era had anything to do with him You Might Be An Idiot If You Believe anyone who does not share your views might be an idiot You Might Be An idiot If you expect anyone to change their views just because they get insulted when they don't. Talk all you want, Texas and Ohio will decide tomorrow, Lets listen to what they have to say.

• Bonnie 03/03/2008 10:29:59 AM

  I wonder how much Spivak was paid by the Clintons to run this "story".

• elme 03/03/2008 10:08:29 AM

  Obama is the pre-packaged "New & Improved Chocolate Flavor" Presidential candidate PRODUCT - being hyped & PUSHED by GE and its WHOLLY-Owned subsidiaries NBC & MSNBC...along with Westinghouse & its subsidiary CBS...while slamming the Clintons all day every day. (Assisted by...CNN/FOX/ and a lot of newspaper & radio media dependent on advertising$$.) GE is the 2nd largest corporation on the planet. WHY? Obama is IN with the Nuclear Industry: Excelon Corp of Illinois has been one of his largest contributors from his entry into politics to the present. Excelon is the largest nuke operator on the planet;owns Con-Ed of NY; more nukes in Illinois than any other state. GE, Westinghouse, Excelon & 3 consortiums of other companies are planning to build 29 new nuclear power plants. Their Wholly-Owned & Wholly Influenced "News" media are selling the Obama Product because Obama is in favor of Nukes. In 2005 Obama Voted FOR the Cheney Energy Bill (H.R.6) which ENABLED the nuke industry to make its Plans to build 29 new nukes-by Guaranteeing Taxpayer Payback of any nuke loans that default. (No nukes were built for the past 30 years because the banks wouldn't loan the money - too risky) Obama Voted FOR the Cheney Energy Bill-despite the fact the Congressional Budget Office rated the risk of default on the nuke loans at 50% or greater. (Does that sound like...GOOD...JUDGMENT to You?) [NY Times has several articles about the nuke plans & a map showing all 29 locations; Wikipedia covers the subject] Clinton Voed AGAINST the Cheney Energy Bill and said her Energy Plan does not include nuclear. ? "Its about the FUTURE...Turn The PAGE" ? Nope. ts about Turning the PAGE BACK to the PAST: Obsloete 50 yr old nuke power plants-the dirtiest most expensive kind/centrally-controlled MONOPOLY POWER-instead of inventing New, Clean, Green De-Centralized inexpensive Energy. An ad campaign has already begun on the TV media to re-package & re-name nuclear power plants as: GREEN & CLEAN -for-everybody too young to remember the 1970's anti-nuke movement and all the Bad News about nuclear energy. Don't be taken in by the ad campaigns-Google:'nuclear waste dumps' & read about the hundreds of BILLIONS of gallons of nuke waste at the Hanford Washington dump; 140 tons of plutonium stored at Rocky Flats, Colorado; Barnwell, South Carolina; leaking into groundwater and rivers; plutonium released into the air around Denver from 500 instances of fires at Rocky Flats; stored on-site at every nuke reactor in America...presenting hundreds of potential "dirty bomb" targets for terrorists. Is it true that Obama takes No Contributions/NO MONEY from Registered Federal Lobbyists? Yes. It's a LawyerSpeak/Trick of: Speaking a Small truth covering up a Big Lie. Nope, doesn't take money from REGISTERED FEDERAL Lobbyists. DOES take money from STATE Lobbyists, Not Registered Lobbyists, AND the wives, husbands, law partners, aunts, uncles cousins...of Registered Federal Lobbyists. Gets money from the same big corporate donors as any other candidate. Obama's campaign finances are involved in the prosecution (by Patrick Fitzgerald)and trial of his friend of 20 years Antoin Rezko. Some of the funds... allegedly...extorted by Rezko went into Obama's campaign coffers. Curiously, Iraqi Power Plants amd fraud are also involved in Rezko's trial. (Google: Obama -Rezko- Alsammarae-Auichi- IRAQ POWER PLANTS) GE & the same wealthy people who sold the "new & improved vanilla flavor" Presidential PRODUCTS: Reagan & Bush/s 1 & 2 - are behind the massive ADVERTISING CAMPAIGN to sell you OBAMA. At the beginning of this campaign season a large majority of voters were looking forward to electing Clinton. Then Obama stepped in and started the dirty campaigning that has created the DIVISION he so hypocritically decries. Obama played "the race card" so he could win in South Carolina. He was caught red-handed playing that race card-but the media blamed it on Clinton-even though they all knew they were pushing the Big Lie. With nearly ALL "the mainstream media" pimping for Obama & slamming, smearing, and lying about the Clintons-it is truly amazing enough voters have seen thru the Media-Created Obama "movement"-for Clinton to STILL be in the race. The only way a very small minority can CONTROL a very large Majority is: DIVIDE & CONQUER-Exactly the same Republican Strategy/Deception they have successfully pulled for most of the last century And ALL of this century, so far. . . GE, the nuke industry/wealthy have hedged their bets & they will get Billions of your money via 29 new nukes IF either Obama or McCain is elected President. Ladies & Gentlemen, Dads & Moms buy nothing GE & Westinghouse are selling - not Obama, not a washing machine, a dishwasher, 29 nuke power plants, or a garbage disposer .... because there is no garbage disposer for Radioactive Nuke Waste. Do not allow them to poison the earth and your children anymore.

• Evan 03/03/2008 9:32:05 AM

  "Innuendo, conjecture and agenda: I see talk-radio in your future, boy." November 4th we will see a change to better this country, to begin fortifying the middle-class instead of riding them to an early grave. It doesn't involve John McCain, thankfully. Thanks to all the Republicans and conservatives alike posting that we Democrats are putting every candidate we choose on an infallible pedestal, our "next liberal messiah." They've left me with so much faith in our democracy! Like McCain is any kind of messiah!? Like McCain isn't more of the same himself?! This article doesn't need to be 5 pages as you could've posted this crap on any look-at-me blog like the rest of the teeming world of. He's campaigning for the presidency, so big deal if he doesn't have time to do an interview with the Houston Press. Big surprise!? So you're feeling left out and pissed off and decide to write something stirring with the intent to aggravate him without any good basis. I think we've seen this trick before in every other meaningless smear campaign in history. Great way to be a part of history Todd, stepping on other people's toes and then sounding off when they're angered by it. Hope you get all your bills paid.

• jennifer 03/03/2008 8:02:56 AM

  Mr. Obama is going to tank in the next week or two. Rezko, his record, his church, his lies.... GO HILLARY--the BEST, the ONLY Choice for President in 2008!!!

• Fred Couples 03/03/2008 2:10:08 AM

  The article claims that Obama � built his entire legislative record in Illinois in a single year.� In fact the entire premise of there being a "king maker" requires that "fact" to be true. Yet when you look at the actual record (http://www.nytimes.com/imagepages/2007/07/29/us/politics/20070730_OBAMA_GRAPHIC.html) that statement is shown to be a total fabrication. This thinly sourced article begins to make more sense when you realize that most of it is not even about Obama, it is actually about the AUTHOR of the article himself. This guy is trying like hell to inflate his credentials. I don�t begrudge him that, but doing it by tearing someone else down based on bold faced dishonesty is a problem. It defies credibility that someone was actually WAS a state house reporter remained totally unaware of at least the most well known of Obama�s accomplishments prior to 2003. Obama is credited by both Democrats and Republicans in the Illinois state legislature with being largely responsible for state Campaign Finance Reform passed in 1998. Newspapers at the time said it was : �the Most Sweeping Good-Government Legislation in Decades.� So, between this and the NYT time line of his vast legislative history over the entire time he was in office he clearly did NOT � build his entire legislative record in Illinois in a single year�. Either the "reporter" who wrote this 1) Isn't being truthful about his own background (otherwise he'd already know Obama's true background), or 2) isn't capable of learning easily obtainable pertinent facts about a story he's writing or 3) has a ax to grind and is using an opinion piece mislabeled as "news" to run a public smear campaign. ... but that's OK because Obama yelled at him. (I notice by the url that was actually supposed to originally be the name of the article - lol.)

• Catalan 03/03/2008 12:06:18 AM

  Wow! Thanks for a new, interesting take on Obama that I haven't read elsewhere. I was surprised to learn of his mentor in the Illinois assembly; sure, every national politician has a mentor, but it was refreshing to learn that Obama's wasn't from the usual Chicago establishment of Irish, WASP, or East European pols, and that he could work out some legislation in the time he was there. I'm from suburban Chicago, and we always thought of the guys in Springfield as rather hidebound, not given to anything progressive. It's a turf war, and most of the turf is white-owned farmland, with some urban/suburban developers competing. So, while I can see how Obama's fast-tracking alienated some black politicians who'd earned a place 'ahead in the line', I can also appreciate his dynamism in creating a coalition to get stuff passed. And yes, I regret Barak's reticence about preserving the historic limestone breakers; but I suspect he had larger, more local, fish to fry and could depend on support elsewhere for this mainly property-interest preservation bill. Anyway, thanks for adding to the record that's been derided as 'missing'.

• Eyeswideopen 03/02/2008 10:53:41 PM

  "I don't take money from any special interests groups" he says in his commercials, yet GEORGE SOROS comes to mind when I watch his commercials. This is one crazy old white billionaire that is working hard to take away our second amendment rights says the NRA. Go ask the Australians what happen when the strict guns laws were passed there, the death toll went way up, and that is what would happen, because the criminals will buy the guns illegally, or like Australia, the criminals will not go turn their guns in. I read he has a God complex, but the more I read of him, he is the pure devil. We are appalled that this man is able to come here and throw money at politicians like he has thrown at OBAMA! Any person taking up sides with this crazy man Soros needs to know we do not want him sending us straight into the days of Revelations, we Christians know that when the Nations come together as one we are getting really close to the end. Read Revelations and tell me that this crazy man isn't trying to run around and cause the end of our world as we know it, and once all of those politicians sell us out to all of the other countries we are in for it, read your bible and if you do not have one, well go find one fast! Romans 1:16 I am not ashamed of the Gospel for it is the salvation for everyone who believes. I am worried about you if you think for one minute that one Nation, one money is a good idea, because that will be our end! My bible tells me so. When reading some of the web sites I am convinced that any politician taking up with this man isn't reading their bible. We are in a war with Iraq, and Senator Obama takes money for his Presidential campaign from an IRAQI ?? He is getting backed by NADHMI AUCHI? Our government allows him to take money from these people who seem to SCREAM special interests to me. He says GROUPS in his commercial, if he thinks we are not questioning his connections with ANTOIN REZKO, well he is as crazy as the billionaires showing him the money. All I know is we were fine when the Clinton's lived in the white house before, and we will be just fine with Hillary, but with Obama I'm not sure, and I'm not taking such a big risk after reading up on Soros.

• HoustonWeHaveAProblem 03/02/2008 10:32:31 PM

  Obama Would Ground NASA's Next Generation Spacecraft http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=87829747 NPR documents how Obama would delay the NASA Constellation program to pay for social programs, and his general disdain for human space flight. Hillary Clinton�s Statement in Support of U.S. Aerospace and Aviation http://www.hillaryclinton.com/news/release/view/?id=6300

• Jules 03/02/2008 9:03:56 PM

  Mr. Spivak, you sound dubious! As Jasmine said, why did you wait until now to write this redundant article? Also, how much were you paid by the worst camp in town? Let me also remind you of the ethical standards that you are held to as a jornalist: as a journalist, I'm sure you're aware of the ramifications of disseminating information you know is untrue. I hope you sit by the phone waiting for Barack's phonecall for the rest of your life!

• John Paul Telhomme 03/02/2008 6:14:38 PM

  Let me get this right. Mr Obama out-shone other Chicago politicians (no pinky-whimpy lilies themselves)and they took the slight lying down until you arrived to hear them sulking. Right! Then, the remainder of these seasoned Illinois politicians self-destructed as evidenced by their divorce papers therefore clearing the way for Obama. Right? Infact, Alan Keyes was hurriedly imported and hurriedly qualified as an Illinois Republican candidate. Obama gave him a good thumping (See YouTube) So, Obama should have abdicated (ok. renounced) the opportunity because all these things happened? So, the opportunity came knocking and he responded, took it (no blackmail was involved, no shooting or stabbing or poisoning, nothing nefarious) and we are supposed to think of him as a light-weight, shady, incompetent and evil? Is this supposed to be a profile from a journalist of Mr. Obama? Your boss will fire you (mine would have) because, nothing you have written about will derail the Texas primaries. They wanted you to provide something beefy: tales of dead, naked boys and/or bundles of 100 dollar bills in a freezer or buried in his backyard and/or packs of pure cocaine. You got none of that instead you got this mush! A lame profile indeed. Even you agree that he worked on the legislations, -- well, ok -- with the help of Jones reassigning him to work on them. I work in a very fast paced environment and my big boss has this habit of walking up to peoples desks and there he would snatch projects from their desks and shove the papers into my chest and say ... "Take a look at this. It is hot. There is an escalation on that. I need results by EOD." And he knows he will get results. Maybe Jones knew that Obama, an Ivy Leaugue graduate, a constitutional scholar (you never mentioned that in your "profile") can get things done. You did not talk about the work he did as an organizer (the details of it; the quality of it and never did you talk to any of his employers (bosses), friend, fellow organizers (you talked to one). The proof of his success is that legislation got passed when he was engaged. Once he worked on them, there were results ... all in one year a bumper crop of new and cutting-edge legislation materialized. Not bad for a rookie. Mr. Spivak, what is this about? ""Anybody but Obama," the late state Representative Lovana Jones told me at the time. State Representative Monique Davis, who attended the same church as Obama and co-sponsored several bills with him, also did not support his candidacy. She complained of feeling overshadowed by Obama." Come to my office and I will lead to a bunch who feel over-shadowed. When my boss reassigns work to me I work directly with the boss and any information I request from any source is provided immediately as if the Boss himself requested it. You can find this lot of over-shadowed workers in every office in America. ""I was snubbed," Davis told me. "I felt he was shutting me out of history."" Wow! What is the point in relating the beginning of the article: "It can be painful to hear Ivy League-bred Barack Obama talk jive." That he is good at it? To which I will say great. The guy knows how to relate to people who use vernacular. And if your point is to criticize him for talking jive, I would say, ok, I understand how Mr. Spivak feels but Obama tried his best at "jive talking." Ivy league schools ought to provided its graduates excellent education including the ability to speak good English and use good grammar and oratory. Are you suggesting that he learnt all this since he announced he candidacy for presidency? That is what you are implying, Mr. Spivak. "It seemed so silly; I thought for sure he was joking. He wasn't." Mr. Spivak, I have a problem with the last two sentences. That is street talk, for your information. Mr. Spivak, I have watched several "black legislators" including "super delegates" since the Iowa primaries and each time, I cringe at their behavior, what they say and sometimes, I fear for this country. (See Andrew Young's public endorsement of Clinton). When last did you see any legislator stand up as say openly that he or she would talk to Cuba, or Syria, or Iran? It takes BALLS to do so or people will run you out of Miami and New York. (By the way, Mrs. Clinton talks about how she REJECTED a party's endorsement... Ask her what happened next. Ask her about the village in Upstate New York, which in its entirety voted for her when she first ran for the senate and how the town was rewarded.) I have more to say but I am tired.

• Mary Daigle 03/02/2008 6:01:11 PM

  Sounds like sour grapes on your part, guy. Why are you not working in Chicago any more anyway. Obama has more smarts and education than you so you blast him any way you can. It's a free country, bub....go vote for Hil and Bill.

• ac in nc 03/02/2008 5:16:00 PM

  Thank you Todd for writing this wonderful, truthful article. My friends in Illinois have been telling me this for months. The public seems to forget that it is not about voting for a charasmatic person or a rock star but THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES! Let's not forget how the evangelicals fell for Bush's use of religion to get elected and see what a Godly man he turned out to be. As you will recall Hillary has always said that she felt with the information given to her that she was protecting all of us by voting for the war at the onset. Obama said he never voted for it from the onset. Well he wasn't even in the Senate when it was voted for the first time so how do we truly know how he would have voted. Also I am sick and tired of him accusing her of associating with lobbyists. Have you noticed his self righteousness when the debates are over how he runs to first the man from the newspaper who was quizzing him and then breaks his neck to go over to Tim Russert after the next debate? I never saw Hillary ever rushing over to those she thought would further her campaign. Sorry Obama lovers he is not the great and self righteous one you think he is. I know the truth hurts. VOTE FOR HILLARY - SAVE AMERICA!

• Joe 03/02/2008 4:31:20 PM

  Jack sez it all http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U9NUPLaoUdo&NR=1

• Ann 03/02/2008 3:58:20 PM

  Wow, this was a fascinating and very telling article. It's too bad the public is discovering this stuff so late in the game.

• BT 03/02/2008 2:57:57 PM

  This reporter shamelessly invokes the victim card to smear his subject. Sounds like a chapter from Hillary's playbook. Hope the *blood money* he received is enough to pay for his journalistic integrity. I suggest he apply to The National Enquirer. It is a better fit for his writing style and ethics. I'm sure the compensation is more lucrative as well!

• Joe 03/02/2008 2:49:16 PM

  YOU MIGHT BE AN IDIOT:-) If you think Barack Obama with little or no experience would be better than Hillary Clinton with 35 years experience. You Might Be An Idiot! If you think that Obama with no experience can fix an economy on the verge of collapse better than Hillary Clinton. Whose ;-) husband (Bill Clinton) led the greatest economic expansion, and prosperity in American history. You Might Be An Idiot! If you think that Obama with no experience fighting for universal health care can get it for you better than Hillary Clinton. Who anticipated this current health care crisis back in 1993, and fought a pitched battle against overwhelming odds to get universal health care for all the American people. You Might Be An Idiot! If you think that Obama with no experience can manage, and get us out of two wars better than Hillary Clinton. Whose ;-) husband (Bill Clinton) went to war only when he was convinced that he absolutely had to. Then completed the mission in record time against a nuclear power. AND DID NOT LOSE THE LIFE OF A SINGLE AMERICAN SOLDIER. NOT ONE! You Might Be An Idiot! If you think that Obama with no experience saving the environment is better than Hillary Clinton. Whose ;-) husband (Bill Clinton) left office with the greatest amount of environmental cleanup, and protections in American history. You Might Be An Idiot! If you think that Obama with little or no education experience is better than Hillary Clinton. Whose ;-) husband (Bill Clinton) made higher education affordable for every American. And created higher job demand and starting salary's than they had ever been before or since. You Might Be An Idiot! If you think that Obama with no experience will be better than Hillary Clinton who spent 8 years at the right hand of President Bill Clinton. Who is already on record as one of the greatest Presidents in American history. You Might Be An Idiot! If you think that you can change the way Washington works with pretty speeches from Obama, rather than with the experience, and political expertise of two master politicians ON YOUR SIDE like Hillary and Bill Clinton..

• Liz 03/02/2008 2:28:16 PM

  http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/02/29/AR2008022902784.html Another Obama article worth reading.

• Rebecka 03/02/2008 12:57:26 PM

  Gee, that's the first time I've ever seen a 'RESUME' on the front page of a Newspaper. I'm just questioning what it has to do with Obama though? Other than the fact that you expect us to pity you because Obama isn't constantly at your beck and call? So in revenge for his slight of you, you come up with a load of crap that could be proven false be anyone who can read and surf the Internet. Face it, you give us an ad-nauseam account of your struggles, while constantly finding fault with Obama, going on to state on page 4, "Over the years, most of my interviews with Obama were conducted by phone. So it felt good when he immediately recognized me and shouted my name from the end of a long, empty hallway inside the church after his speech." (Great for your..er...um...Resume, but hardly newsworthy.) Then you conclude that, "After all, I admired the guy � and *still do*." (Here is some news. Being a hypocrite didn't help your 'resume'.) You also seem to have forgotten to mention that The Houston Press is a WEEKLY, FREE Newspaper. That your previous 'employment' was with the Illinois Times, ALSO a WEEKLY, FREE Newspaper. 8 years and no upward mobility? I can see why you are jealous and bitter. Neither trait is becoming to a would be Journalist though.

• Debbie 03/02/2008 10:27:29 AM

  I know in my heart Obama is a figment of someone's imagination, now we know who!! That he is slick and will do anything to win this election! The country has been hoodwinked! Will they wake up before it too late? I seriously doubt it, I groaned when John Louis, who is my Congressman, deserted Hillary to jump on his train. What a sad day! Obama who touts his greatness is pulling a scam. He is right though, this IS his time but not for anything good. This is a time where we Do want change, he has played on that, on our hurts and disappointment. He is here when flash and Oprah ( gag) and money moves folks. It is a sad day for us, because we will wake up and we will see he is shallow I wonder what he has promised behind closed doors?? Debbie Atlanta

• Shocked 03/02/2008 10:07:51 AM

  I was very disappointed to read this story. Not surprised by the Obama Girl wanna be's jumping on the journalist. Disappointed to learn that Obama appears to be the Chicago hand picked President. Haven't we had enough of old style Chicago politics?

• Jenny 03/02/2008 9:12:17 AM

  Well, 2 days ago, Obama denied his campaign had any dealings with the Canadian govt, then they were quiet for a day (trying to figure out what strategy to take) and now Obama flip flops on his answer. Interesting that he chooses to talk to the smallest media outlet there is. Do you think MSM will pick this up and question him on it? He and his campaign are clearly lying and trying to cover up something. He attacked Clinton on her NAFTA stance with misleading mailers in OH, campaigned against NAFTA in OH and told OH voters it was a bad thing to get our votes at Clinton's expense. Who is this guy? He plagierizes speeches, Clinton's commercials, is involved with a "bone-headed mistake" Reszco (could he say that was good judgement), he's "pressed the wrong buttons" (again, good judgement?), his thugs are going after and harrassing African-American superdelegates, he said al-qaeda was not in Iraq. How much more are we going to take from this guy? We need to get rid of this THUG! By the way, OH Labor Unions are demanding answers from the Obama campaign on this NAFTA issue. http://www.tribune-chronicle.com/page/content.detail/id/502344.html?nav=5021

• Thankful 03/02/2008 9:09:35 AM

  Check out Hillary's new commercial, it's the coolest Political commercial ever made! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tsweXFpfa28&feature=related Thank You Jack Nicholson, Rob Reiner, and Hillary Clinton, thank you for trying to help us stop the Big Media from picking our next President of the United States for us! Thank You so much!

• jennifer 03/02/2008 8:57:34 AM

  Hard news are facts. Facts are statements that can be proven or substantiated and are not opinions. For example, I think Mr. Obama is a racist and a liar AND a hypocrite. I am stating my opinion. However, then I back it up with facts. He supports Louis Farrakhan, an admitted race hating (white race that is), Anti-Semite, Anti-American individual. Thus, Mr. Obama is racist. This is a fact. Mr. Obama has said 1000's of times he believes in Unity, thus, his support (even tacit) makes him a liar because you cannot support Mr. Farrakhan and be for unity. This is a fact. And finally, Mr. Obama is a hypocrite, because a liar and racist he is, and as such he cannot want to unify America because she is made up of ALL types of wonderful people, including Whites and Jews. Mr. Spivak's article was not the best example of writing I have seen, but what he SAID, and the courage it took to say it, makes him a FINE WRITER. He stated HARD FACTS, cited many sources, and if any of it was untrue (other than his opinion) he could be subject to serious civil penalties. Hard facts are what scares me, because I don't think that we really want to look at hard facts in America and we NEED TO DO SO RIGHT NOW. Mr. Obama is no small town Mr. Smith goes to Washington, but rather he is funded by the richest, most connected group of Anti-Americans ever. His platform is the result of many focus groups, his mantra the same, but his message is empty if you will just wake up people. HARD FACTS--demand them of this man and his facade will fade and you will see him for who he is--just another greedy self-serving egomaniac. We have already had that for 8 years, and I don't think this country can handle another one. CNN has just started hitting the Farrakhan story HARD, but really it is our JOB as voters to fully investigate the candidates before voting. NO ONE who reads the hard facts can state that each candidate is "good." And that is a fact you can take to the bank. Martin Luther King once said that his dream was that no one would be judged SIMPLY by the color of their skin, so please people LOOK BEYOND THE FACADE because this vote might be the most important vote of your lifetime and the most important vote America has ever had to make.

• Sunny Daydreamer 03/02/2008 7:56:10 AM

  Mr. Kevin Callahan, Here is your hard news that comes to us straight from IRAQ! This is a letter from my friend in Iraq, I got this letter, Feb. 29, 2008. As to the media..They are setting back and laughing at you, yes all of the American public, because they think they can pick your next President for you, They have done it for years..This is the same folks who just decided to let Little George Bush off the hook for grievous offenses like a serious drug indulgence in school, Like where did the oil exploration money he blew and lost in the 80's come from?....They just let him get away with saying he was not going to talk about it..If Clinton had done that the press would have unearthed his childhood home and examined it with q-tips and tweezers till they got their evidence. The political machine, for reasons yet unknown, seems programmed to facilitate the demise of the USA. This, I think just may do it. Our strategy is we are going to vote for Hillary twice here. For God's sake, he would not even honor our flag! This is absolutely the truth! Now ask yourself..Why is the media white washing him??? Clue: Follow the money and I say GEORGE SOROS Of my own personal knowledge I know this.... Troops just left for the Sudan. Muslims are literally butchering Christians all over north Africa. Europe is mounting an army of "Humanitarian relief" with AK's and 50's to protect women and children. This is, simply put, a mercenary army complete with non combatant logistical support (food water shelter transportation & sanitation) and "Security" (read 'Military Force, not necessarily limited to defense'. They are financed by Money and the World Bank, and most likely guaranteed by Western Europe. These two organizations are really running Europe and the USA. This Islamofascism has been going on in cycles for 3000 years. They are armed but ammo is in short supply so they often round up the old, women and children and butcher them with machetes. They are not killing Muslims!! They are killing the Christian communities we Anglos have worked so hard in Missionary Churches to nurture. And this is going on all over the globe! The plain and simple reason why we are still being attacked is that the general public here does not fear us and they must be made to fear us before this shit will stop. It can be done but not by molly coddling these vicious hate mongers. Fire can be effectively stopped with fire. The American public better get very angry and soon. Please continue to tell everyone you know and ask them to spread it as quickly as possible to everyone they know. This is the most serious thing I can think of. You may, if you like use my description. You have my permission to use my email traffic. Please keep my name and email address confidential. To make matters worse the WWW connection I pay for over here keeps going in and out so I never know if this is going out or not. I do not like to use my company email to send my editorials out.

• Kevin Callahan 03/02/2008 6:41:07 AM

  First I will address the crazies on both sides: Stop seeing your candidate as anything but what they are: humans. And ambitious ones at that. I tend to think Hillary is better, but I would not be unhappy with Obama. McCain is, admittedly, much better than Bush. Second I will address the complaints against Mr. Spivak being a bad or faulty journalist. I am a journalist, and I have been one for almost ten years now. I certainly am not at the the head of my field, or even in the middle of the pack. I'm still a young reporter, and there is much I have to learn. However, something I learned while in college was that the news of facts, as people typically speak of when they are not journalists, is more commonly known inside the newsroom as Hard News. This is when you have a report on the front page of a newspaper that lists facts and figures. "Obama spent five million, reports the FEC... the FEC released a report today that Presidential Candidate..." blah blah. However, to suggest that the whole of journalism resides inside of Hard News is inaccurate on the face of it, but even if speaking philosophically, I find most journalists would consider the claim laughable. In fact, what Mr. Spivak has written here, and it has flaws, as any human creation does, is not Hard News but rather a Features Piece. Hard News is concerned with reporting current events. Features are often about "putting you there." The prevalence of "I" and the novelesque feeling in features writing inside the newspaper is in order to express insight into what you just read in the Hard News section on the front page. Is it fallible and biased? Certainly, because imperfect hands create imperfection. But to call Mr. Spivak's ability to "put you there" bad journalism is far too harsh a criticism. If you aren't interested in his insight, that's fine. Stick to Hard News, and read only names and numbers, but I warn you, you shall be the poorer for it. Notice I have not claimed either side, because for supposed adults, you are all acting like squabbling children.

• jennifer 03/02/2008 2:01:16 AM

  Obama has no experience, no morals, no ethics, no conscience, AND no soul. Mr. Spivak is allowed five pages to discuss Mr. Obama's severe lack of anything anyone should have that is running to be President of the United States of America. Martin Luther King and JFK should rise from the grave to haunt anyone who compared this hate-mongering souless egomaniac to either of them. I may not have marched at Selma, because I was not born then, but if I had been alive I would have been there and when JFK asked what would I give to my country I answer with a resounding ANYTHING AND EVERYTHING. Color does NOT make one a freedom fighter, passion and a willingness to risk it all does. Obama is no Martin Luther King, Obama is no Freedom Fighter, Obama is no JFK, but Obama certainly is a Louis Farrakhan (an evil race hating anti-semite anti-American Hypocrite). I challenge EVERY person of color to look beyond Obama's COLOR and into his heart, and then choose HILLARY CLINTON because she would make Martin Luther King AND JFK proud. Actions speak louder than words. God bless Martin Luther King, God Bless JFK, and GOD BLESS HILLARY CLINTON.

• salome 03/02/2008 12:32:09 AM

  barak has no record and it took 5 long pages to relate this info ? was more like a combined "mein kamph" of not only barak but the author as well.

• Linda Valerio 03/02/2008 12:13:31 AM

  SEN. OBAMA YOUR MENTOR HAS A PROBLEM, BUT YOU DON'T SEEM TO SEE IT On Tuesday nights Debate, Tim Russert brought up which in my book, was a very poignant fact. That Obama's Pastor had called Louis Farrakhan a GREAT MAN. Obama stated that in the past, he Denounced Louis Farrakhan's racist beliefs. Then Hillary Clinton also stated a very poignant fact. That he never really REJECTED him in whole as a person. Obama looked almost confused, as if he couldn't distinguish between the two. So in his moment of temporary anguish, he then Stated O.K. I'll concede the point, I both Denounce & Reject. OH Really? Do you really Reject and Denounce him Sen. Obama ? O.K. let's examine his MENTOR, the Rev. Jeremiah Wright Jr. Posted In Wright's 2005 church publication, Wright suggested "white America" had the 9/11 attacks coming, while calling for business "divestment from Israel," which he refers to as a "racist" state along with America. "In the 21st century, white America got a wake-up call after 9/11/01," he wrote on page 7. "White America and the Western world came to realize that people of color had not gone away, faded into the woodwork or just 'disappeared,' as the Great White West kept on its merry way of ignoring Black concerns." In the November/December 2007 issue of Trumpet, Wright sang the praises of Nation of Islam leader Louis Farrakhan, who has described whites as "blue-eyed devils" and Jews as "bloodsuckers." "He brings a perspective that is helpful and honest," Wright said. "Minister Farrakhan will be remembered as one of the 20th and 21st century giants of the African-American religious experience." Wright then held Farrakhan up as a pillar of "integrity." "His integrity and honesty have secured him a place in history as one of the nation's most powerful critics," he continued. "His love for Africa and African-American people has made him an unforgettable force, a catalyst for change and a religious leader who is sincere about his faith and his purpose." Farrakhan's photo is splashed across the cover of the church magazine, which gushes "the Minister truly epitomized greatness." Wright has nurtured Obama's political career as a close adviser and mentor Obama says he is "proud" of Wright and his values. VALUES ???? How in the Hell are we suppose to believe that Sen. Barak Obama has now, DENOUNCED & REJECTED LOUIS FARRAKHAN'S BELIEFS, WHEN THE MAN HE HOLDS UP AS HIS MENTOR. HIS PASTOR THE REV. J. WRIGHT THINKS LOUIS FARRAKHAN IS A MAN OF INTEGRITY & GREATNESS ???? WHITES ARE BLUE EYED DEVILS AND THE JEWS AS BLOODSUCKERS. He's proud of these VALUES ? Sorry people, OBAMA cannot have it both ways. There is something very, very wrong with this picture. I see Barak Obama in the same light as Tom Cruise, being led by the nose by a CULT. Neither thinks anything is wrong with their beliefs. Their MENTORS brainwash them into believing, that THEIR thoughts are FACT. I think Barack Obama is one very misguided man. Naive when it come to Cuba, and wanting to jump unconditionally into the fire with untrustworthy individuals. Yes he gave a fabulous speech during the 2004 Democratic Convention. But does that make him Presidential material? He is inexperienced and at times seemingly of not having a mind of his own. He's a TALKER, but sometimes I question of who's putting the words into his mouth of which he speaks. All I know is YOU CAN'T say you denounce and reject someone, but at the same time worship a mentor who thinks the man your proclaiming as Evil, personally thinks he's GREAT. I HAVE A PROBLEM WITH THIS, AND IF THE WALKING COMA'S WOULD WAKE UP. They might see it as well, before it's too late. In my opinion Sen. Obama needs to get his head together, without the so-called inspiration of his MENTOR who has some very twisted & demented views, that seems to be shared by the Denounced & Rejected Farrakhan Views. White Bigots, Black Bigots they are one in the same. I don't put up with either.

• Pam 03/01/2008 10:22:48 PM

  And you admire him -- why? I am extremely concerned about his finance committee leader and friend, Syrian-born Tony Rezko, and Rezko's ties to an Iraqi-Born billionaire, possibly wiring money from that could have been used to swing Obama's home purchase. Obama's old boss of five years, Allison Davis, lawyer and developer, is very tight with Mayor Daley, one of the most corrupt public officials of all time in this country. Rezko was one of their biggest clients, and also a business partner. I was hoping the Dems would actually come out on top this election, but with the stench from the cesspool that is Chicago politics that Obama is associated with it won't happen. Republicans will hold their hounds until he beats Hillary out for the nomination, then it will be all over. Obama will could find himself in legal trouble before the General Election of these dealings with Rezko and his house. http://abcnews.go.com/Blotter/story?id=4204413&page=1

• Sunny Daydream 03/01/2008 9:38:16 PM

  Mr. Todd Spivak, I read your story in a hurry this morning and I liked it, but I come back to read it with some time to spare tonight and I think it is a great story. Finding out now is most important and I Thank You for having some big kahonies at a time we desperately need to know this about a man rising to power . It is a well written piece of journalism, so don't listen to all of those Obama campers. I would read the whole book if there was one, because I think you just wrote about the ole Devil himself! If the Senator would turn on his friends as he rises to power, than what is this arrogant devil going to do to our country if elected. I choose Hillary Clinton, because she's a safe bet, she's lived up there before and nothing biblical happened to us back then, but that's not the only reason, I've loved the Clinton family for years, since they were in our White House years ago, and the more Big Media hates on them the more I love them! Ha! I feel so sad, because I know without a doubt after reading this story the type of person he really is, and it's a shame that our big media decided we will live in their communist type world of lies and deceit about a man that is so arrogant that he has his political machine ready to attack anyone who questions who he is! I feel so sorry for Senator Clinton, and the more they pick at her and criticize her the more endearing she becomes. Don't they get it, TEXAS LOVES HER, WE'VE LOVED HER FOR YEARS! I really don't think he is the Anti Christ, but he may be in the Anti Christ's pockets, I'm joking here, well I think I'm joking, umm, now that I've typed it I'm not sure. Some of your "ENGLISH TEACHERS" or Obama Campers up above me here are silly, you were writing your story in a first person narrative and it sounded GOOD to me, but what do I know, I'm just the normal housewife buying the books and newspapers. Who's got big Kahonies, Todd Spivak !

• Tim 03/01/2008 9:21:59 PM

  There's a name for this reaction (i.e. fury in response to an injury to image). It's called "narcissistic rage". In combination with charm, etc. it is typical of NPD. People might find it really illuminating to read about NPD (in the context of Obama).

• Open Your Eyes 03/01/2008 7:16:00 PM

  Come on people, I understand that Todd has been through alot but look where this article come from Houston Press, where is Oama and Clinton battling at Houston Texas, Todd know what he is doing why not put this article in the Chicago news what happened did Todd get fired why is he working for the Houston Press if he was one of Obama writers open your eyes people....

• M 03/01/2008 6:37:34 PM

  To: Comment by jennifer � March 1, 2008 @ 06:09PM I was just about to leave, and I saw your post! Thank you, very well written. Your words ring true -- I hope enough people listen, before we all vote in Texas and Ohio, on March 4th! As well, I am proud that you are an American!

• Dan H. 03/01/2008 6:34:36 PM

  I thought the article was very enlightening. Why has the mainstream media failed to look into Obama's past? Perhaps they don't want to know the real Obama.

• M 03/01/2008 6:28:12 PM

  I enjoyed your article, very well done! It confirms, my opinion of Barack Obama. We really do not know the "real" person! Only the person, he thinks we "need" to see and hear, in order to win the election in November! Truthseeker, you do in fact live up to your name -- I was just at clevelandleader.com, and saw your post!

• M 03/01/2008 6:27:07 PM

  I enjoyed your article, very well done! It confirms, my opinion of Barack Obama. We really do not know the "real" person! Only the person, he thinks we "need" to see and hear, in order to win the election in November! Truthseeker, you do in fact live up to your name -- I was just at clevelandleader.com, and saw your post!

• jennifer 03/01/2008 6:09:16 PM

  I spent all day yesterday and today in the streets talking to people about Hillary Clinton. 80% of the people I spoke to were voting for HILLARY CLINTON. Black, White, Men, Women, Hispanic, Oriental, Old, and Young....it was FANTASTIC!! Today, I had to work, but I also asked every single person I met who they were voting for and 92% said HILLARY CLINTON. I had wonderful black women grab me and tell me that Hillary Clinton was their choice because she has ALWAYS had their back, always worked on issues that affected them, and always would. I was thrilled at how many Hispanic men gave me the thumbs up when I asked if they were voting for Hillary, and when I asked them why they said that they felt that she was the BEST candidate and someone who had already proven herself as a good leader. It is easy to say things will get better and let's all get along, but making things get better and actually working together are two totally different things. Hillary Clinton has spent 35 years WORKING for women and children, low income families, middle class families, helping Americans with access to Health Care, taking care of our veterans, protecting the environment, and strengthening the economy of this country. She has already MADE THINGS BETTER. Mark my words. Mr. Obama is a dangerous man because he is holding out a dream to people that have lost hope, and, unlike George Bush who only promised to make rich people richer (and he did), when Mr. Obama does to America what he has done to poor people in the South Side of Chicago this country may break in two. The people for whom his false message resonates the loudest are those most unable to handle another liar in the White House. I wish that I could debate him on stage with all of his followers listening because in 10 minutes--with hard questions that he would HAVE to answer--you would see what this man really is. And the saddest thing of all is that were he what he pretends to be, I would be one of his most ardent supporters. I am proud to be an American, and I am even prouder to vote for Hillary Clinton for the next president of the USA.

• Xoro71 03/01/2008 6:07:06 PM

  Senator Obama has gotten a bye from the American media, and it will be a huge disappointment to all Democrats when the Republican machine starts firing on all engines aimed at Obama. Hillary has been there, done that. She's been the most publicly scrutinized person in politics, and there's nothing left to uncover. This is only one, but one important reason why Hillary is the better candidate to stand up to the Republicans. If the Democrats think Republicans are going to be lulled into blind admiration of Obama, they're in for a rude awakening. The notion of "bringing people together" is pure fantasy, as are these so-called "Obamacans" -- they are a neglible percentage of the population. He hasn't a clue what he's in for. That's one of the reasons why I would feel so much more comfortable with Hillary at the wheel. She'll get things done because she knows how. But I've already cast my vote... it's in your hands Texas!

• M.L. 03/01/2008 4:59:05 PM

  I would still rather vote someone who worked hard for his accomplishments rather than someone who rode the back of their last name and family affiliation into office, or someone who wants to keep us in war for up to a century just for the backing of yet another politician who got their office riding on their last name and family history in politics. Obama for President!

• M.L. 03/01/2008 4:59:03 PM

  I would still rather vote someone who worked hard for his accomplishments rather than someone who rode the back of their last name and family affiliation into office, or someone who wants to keep us in war for up to a century just for the backing of yet another politician who got their office riding on their last name and family history in politics. Obama for President!

• M.L. 03/01/2008 4:58:30 PM

  I would still rather vote someone who worked hard for his accomplishments rather than someone who rode the back of their last name and family affiliation into office, or someone who wants to keep us in war for up to a century just for the backing of yet another politician who got their office riding on their last name and family history in politics. Obama for President!

• JJetson 03/01/2008 1:08:51 PM

  To R. Mary Why doesn't Hillary release her Tax Returns? Why doesn't Hillary release her White House papers. If she has nothing to hide, she would. Begs the question, what is she hiding?

• TRUTHSEEKER 03/01/2008 12:20:24 PM

  Why hasn't Obama anwered the Larry Sinclair charges on his youtube video? www.youtube.com/watch?v=sVeFVtcdSYY Or his radio inerviews also posted on youtube? These are very serious charges, yet Obama has not denied them. The MSNBC interview with Chris Mathews gives Larry Sinclair's story much credit. Allegations of scandalous info on Obama Nov. 19: MSNBC�s Chris Matthews weighs in on the latest scandal allegations against Barack Obama. BEFORE Larry Sinclair�s youtube video. http://video.msn.com/video.aspx?mkt=en-us&brand=msnbc&vid=7d3a1056-23f9-4012-8f97-0203358bb073

• r.mary 03/01/2008 10:33:59 AM

  Why does Obama not answer question about Rezko? In the Chicago Sun Times front page today, Obama says he will be coming with answers soon. I ask, how soon? Does Obama want to wait until the trial is over or wait until after everyone votes on Tuesday? Just as always Obama ducking the hard things. Just like always voting "present", or choosing carefully which committee's he should be on so as not to have anyone hate him. I call him a wuss. Obama what are you afraid of? I do not want anyone like yourself to be my president.

• r.mary 03/01/2008 10:26:59 AM

  Why does Obama not answer question about Rezko? In the Chicago Sun Times front page today, Obama says he will be coming with answers soon. I ask, how soon? Does Obama want to wait until the trial is over or wait until after everyone votes on Tuesday? Just as always Obama ducking the hard things. Just like always voting "present", or choosing carefully which committee's he should be on so as not to have anyone hate him. I call him a wuss. Obama what are you afraid of? I do not want anyone like yourself to be my president.

• rick mitchell 03/01/2008 9:41:20 AM

  Reading these comments was almost as interesting as reading the article itself. Instead of reflexive hostility, Obama supporters (and I am one) need to understand that this is what good journalism does. Todd Spivak, who knew Obama before he was a rock star, has given us a taste of what it will be like when the aura inevitably wears off. If he wins the nomination, Obama is going to be subject to many more investigative stories. If they turn up nothing more serious than the fact that some black legislators resented his quick rise and community activists distrusted some of his political compromises, and that -- yes -- he's human and has a temper, he will be the next president of the United States. Thank you, Todd, for giving us a story to remember in a season when so much of the mainstream political coverage has been abysmal.

• Arthur Krauser 03/01/2008 8:04:37 AM

  Enjoyed reading your rather detailed report of Obama in Chicago. The image that I definitely did not come awaay with waas that of a young community organizer tirelessly working the streets of Chicago;s South Side to improve the lives of residents with a variey of community projects. I did get an image of a young politician whose major motivation is ambition and who has no problem stepping over and taking credit for the accomplishments of other local black poiticans whenever he can. Far from being controversial, he almost always appeared to have sided with the decisions of larger political entities when it came to urban renewl projects that local community residents were not in faovr of. Obama does continue to be seen as bright and talented, but I really to wonder how much of the big HOPE and CHANGE will come out of the White house if he is elected to the Office of President.

• r.mary 03/01/2008 7:21:59 AM

  YES OBAMA FOR CHANGE: I believe him when he says this. He changes his stand so much it is pitifull. See page 2 in the Chicago Sun Times today 3/1/08. The Sum Times asked him some hard questions and all he had to say was Hillary didn't do this or that. He still hasn't answered anything important or has done anything important. All he does is speak alot of hot air.

• A Letter From Iraq 03/01/2008 7:20:02 AM

  It's a great article Todd! This is a letter from my friend in Iraq. As to the big media..They are setting back and laughing at you, yes all of the American public, because they think they can pick your next President for you, They have done it for years..This is the same folks who just decided to let Little George Bush off the hook for grievous offenses like a serious drug indulgence in school, Like where did the oil exploration money he blew and lost in the 80's come from?....They just let him get away with saying he was not going to talk about it..If Clinton had done that the press would have unearthed his childhood home and examined it with q-tips and tweezers till they got their evidence. The political machine, for reasons yet unknown, seems programmed to facilitate the demise of the USA. This, I think just may do it. Our strategy is we are going to vote for Hillary twice here. For God's sake, he would not even honor our flag! This is absolutely the truth! Now ask yourself..Why is the media white washing him??? Clue: Follow the money Please continue to tell everyone you know and ask them to spread it as quickly as possible to everyone they know. This is the most serious thing I can think of. You may, if you like use my description. You have my permission to use my email traffic. Please keep my name and email address confidential. To make matters worse the WWW connection I pay for over here keeps going in and out so I never know if this is going out or not. I do not like to use my company email to send my editorials out.

• Don 02/29/2008 10:50:11 PM

  With just a simple store like that its unbelievable how much hatered you get from BHO supporters. They have to be the most hatefull and racist bunch of people i've ever seen. moreso than the KKK or the NAZI'S. wow is this the change and hope BHO talks about? Is this how BHO claim's to bring people together? Grow up SHEEEEPeople.

• Ximena Calisto 02/29/2008 10:49:38 PM

  Well done. We know from the debates how is his response criteria, he is agreed with everything�s that Hillary have mentioned and then he says� I will add two important points, which at the end is the same that the other candidate has said. Rhetoric! He has to learn how to be a loyal representation of his own people and learn how to be ready for his own answers. Also we can see his voting record, present or absent, or in block, nothing from himself, very opportunist!

• Diane 02/29/2008 10:41:16 PM

  I think BHO A.K.A Obama should apoligize to john McCain for questioning his citizenship. Be a real man and man up like McCain did. But that may be out of reach for BHO.A.K.A. Obama.

• Don Elliott 02/29/2008 10:36:22 PM

  Best beware the BHO Electric fourcefield might get you. Obama might not talk the game and use the words but he has masered the shuk and jive game.

• Kim 02/29/2008 10:30:22 PM

  whee: Yes, Hillary said "Whatever happens, we're going to be fine." I guess she copied Edwards, Bill Clinton, Laura Bush, Shaquille O'Neal, Lindsay Lohan, and plenty of other people you won't recognize, so...whatever. You don't support plagiarism, but it's ok when Obama does it? Or do you not think that's plagiarism even though it's probably enough to get any student a failing grade? Did you go to college? I didn't skip your post. I know Obama supporters will bring the hillary-edwards thing up. Since you don't seem to know the difference, let me explain. The "Just Words" speech was brilliant and unique. It garnered lots of applause because people thought it was brilliant. The fact that Obama did not acknowledge that Patrick already said it made people think they were hearing it for the first time and that Obama was brilliant. That's called deception, and that's why plagiarism is wrong. A loss is a loss, whee. People were expecting BO to win Massachusetts, with Kerry and Kennedy endorsing him. Oh, Patrick supported him too. Maybe that's why he lost huh? It was deja vu for the people from Massachusetts again: http://www.thecjpoliticalreport.com/deval_patrick_a_cautionary_tale.htm Oh, and who said these words? �It�s time to put our cynicism down. Put it down. Stand with me and take that leap of faith. Because I�m not asking you to take a chance on me. I�m asking you to take a chance on your own aspirations. Take a chance on hope.� Bill is Hillary's kingmaker? Did he slip her almost-finished legislations to work on? Was he even a senator? Your analogy is not apt, whee. Try again. Speaking of being a senator, you know that Hillary has worked hard and got reelected to a second term. What did BO do? He did not hold a single subcommitee hearing as chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Subcommittee on European Affairs. It could have done something about NATO and Afghanistan...So I guess he was too busy campaigning. I find it very funny indeed that you could not answer my questions. It's pretty typical with Obama supporters. Why did Obama not stand by his judgement in 2004? You're the one who claimed that he has superior judgement. Gee, whee, that was a letter for Mr. Spivak. It wasn't for you. Don't get worked up. And you spelled something wrong. It's "supremacist", not "supremecist".

• Owen Scott, III (Ph.D.) 02/29/2008 9:51:38 PM

  I am an older supporter of Sen. Obama's, not the prototypical first time participant in the political process, (in fact, I'm a 55-yr old white male professional, lifelong Democratic voter who came up through the '60's), I found this article via a hostile comment on The Caucus, the NYT political blog I've become somewhat addicted to during the primary race. I think this is a solid article and I disagree with those who think the perspective is too personal. I like a good story well-told; and, I appreciated the author's gritty determination and honesty. To me, this piece shows that Sen. Obama is in fact a human being who has strengths and weaknesses, just like the rest of us. Anyone who develops into an outstanding person goes through a long period of development during which some of his or her behavior is flawed and less than admirable. Examine the life of any great man or woman and you'll see that process unfold. So, I appreciate learning about the messy path my candidate walked on his way to a rendevous with history. Thanks for a fine story and best wishes along your own path to excellence.

• Carole Timmerman 02/29/2008 9:34:08 PM

  I am a lifelong Democrat who will NOT vote for Obama in the general election if he wins the nomination. Barack Obama is the biggest hoax every inflicted upon the American people. He is dishonest, evasive, vain and unqualified to be Commander in Chief. I have never been a huge Hillary fan but I will vote for her in the primary here in Ohio because she has a solid record of hard work for the American people and she has never once lied about or distorted Obama's record. I hope the residents of Texas and Ohio wise up before it is too late.

• Maxb 02/29/2008 9:21:44 PM

  Whaaa! Obama turned Todd into a newt!

• Theresa 02/29/2008 8:18:11 PM

  Timeline: British billionaire and Barack Obama Events bringing Nadhmi Auchi, British-Iraqi billionaire, together with Antoin Rezko, Barack Obama's fundraiser Spring 2004: Nadhmi Auchi visits Illinois and Michigan, attending an event at Four Seasons Hotel in Chicago. Senator Obama shakes hands with Middle East businessmen at event at Four Seasons in Chicago, but aides say he does not remember Mr Auchi 2004: Mr Auchi makes first investment in 62-acre land development project Riverside Park in Chicago, according to Mr Rezko�s lawyer. June 16, 2004: AR Pizza established in Delaware. Mr Auchi is �passive investor� in the company April 28 2005: Mr Auchi�s conglomerate General Mediterranean Holding (GMH) lends $3.5 million to Tony Rezko May 23 2005: Fintrade Services SA, a Panamanian company related to Mr Auchi, registers loan to Mr Rezko, secured by Mr Rezko's stake in AR Pizza June 15 2005: Mr Rezko's wife Rita buys garden plot on same day as Obamas buy neighbouring mock Georgian mansion from same seller. Mrs Rezko pays asking price of $625,000, with a $500,000 mortgage. Obamas pay $1.65 million, which is $300,000 less than the asking price September 30 2005: GMH makes $11 million loan to Mr Rezko November 2005: Mr Rezko lobbies US State Department and, apparently, elected officials to try to get a US visa for Mr Auchi, prosecutors say December 7 2005: AR Pizza sued by Papa John's pizzeria chain January 2006: Mrs Rezko sells 10-foot strip of garden plot to the Obamas for $104,500 November 2006: Mr Rezko tells court he is broke. Mrs Rezko says she has salary of $37,000 and $35,000 in assets December 28 2006: Mrs Rezko sells remainder of garden plot to Michael Sreenan, a lawyer for her husband's business, for $575,000 Spring 2007: Mr Rezko flies to London to meet a "business partner�, court records state April 4 2007: Mr Auchi's GMH makes $3.5 million loan to Mr Rezko, transferring the money from Beirut to Mr Rezko's lawyers June 13 2007: Mr Rezko informs the court that he will reduce his interest in the 62-acre Riverside Park project in Chicago from 40% to 20% to reduce his debt July 5 2007: GMH wires $200,000 to Mr Rezko's lawyers December 5 2007: Mr Rezko writes to GMH affiliate in Beirut to arrange a further $3.8 million cash plus forgiveness of $200,000 in return for liquidating his remaining stake in Riverside Park January 28 2008: Mr Rezko jailed for violating his bail by failing to declare $3.7 million in payments from Mr Auchi�s companies March 3 2008: Mr Rezko's corruption trial due to begin in Chicago

• jennifer 02/29/2008 5:40:03 PM

  It took 10 posts to get someone who supports Obama to speak directly to the issue of Obama's support of Louis Farrakhan. 10 posts. For the record, Mr. Obama's church has a magazine and the magazine awarded Louis Farrakhan a 'humanitarian' award. For the record, if my church OR my church's magazine awarded any person who preached hatred of entire races of people and advocated violence against these races I would resign. Period. And I would expect anyone running to be President of the United States of America to do the same. ESPECIALLY a president running on a slogan using the word UNITY. Unless he, and his supporters, were lemmings (i.e. rats).....just a little humor kids because the more I just keep stating the facts the madder and madder they get. And I am glad, because I am pretty mad too. Double standards are not acceptable, and if Hillary's church's magazine gave an award to David Duke I am quite sure there would be quite a ruckus. But, of course, her church did not. Also, for the record, there is nothing you can say that bothers me EXCEPT that you are voting for Mr. Obama. And while I may not change this sad fact, I think that my words are at least proof that I will not give up the fight. However, the very fact that you at least admitted the award is proof that my words are worthwhile.

• whee 02/29/2008 5:21:46 PM

  Oh...for the record....I'm going to let my son handle his neopet responsibilities :-) lest anyone think I've gone into hiding or am afraid to post.

• whee 02/29/2008 5:19:12 PM

  Jennifer...you're an idiot. I could give a rat's a** what you wish for me. I've been tolerant of you...but clearly, you're just an idiot. Personally, I don't think there's anything "accidental" about anything with which we're born. You know...there are actually Catholics who don't denounce homosexuality as an abomination, who are pro-choice and support civil ceremonies..but they remain Catholics. The don't reject their Church. The MAGAZINE that awarded Farrakhan isn't exactly the same thing as the church awarding him. If everyone quit attending their church everytime they disagreed with their minister...well, what the hell would be the point? You'd be playing musical churches. It's patently ridiculous to hold something over which he had absolutely no control or played any part in whatsoever. What I "hear" more and more in your posts is ignorance...and it's the same fear based ignorance that drives most racists. Please don't think because you're jewish, you're above being a bigot. I've met bigots from all races, genders and religions. Get off your little righteous perch. And stop playing the martyr all of a sudden because you feel attacked. Don't dish it if you can't take it. I will give you credit for one thing...I appreciate your attempt at improving your spelling and grammar. Other than that... you're such a LEMMING...ugh!

• jennifer 02/29/2008 4:51:25 PM

  Missing the point seems to be the point. Racism, Sexism, etc., etc., is dislike of a group of people based on how they were born (i.e. accident of birth); for example, people who dislike white people just because they are white, or are scared of people with mental illness just because they are sick, or look down on people who cannot walk and must use wheelchairs. This dislike is irrational--it is not based on something the person has done but rather how they were born. Louis Farrakhan is a racist because he talks about how he hates white people and jews. I cannot help being born both. Nothing I have said is racist. Period. Nothing I have done is racist. Period. Barack Obama cannot say the same thing. Period. Nothing you can say about me diminishes this fact. And I still wish for you the American dream. And the thing about this dream is that it has to be a possibility to be real, and right now it is simply a pipe dream. If Hillary becomes the next president, perhaps it will become a reality for most Americans. I certainly hope that this happens...

• Queenie 02/29/2008 4:33:35 PM

  POST #143 Your words were my thoughts exactly. This article reads like a guy who jealous of Barack and then at other times like he has a crush on Barack. This guy Todd, reminds me of someone who would sell his Grandmother for the right price. I can't belive any of you would take this ONE SIDED crap as truth. NO WONDER BARACK DISTANCED HIMSELF FROM TODD!! Todd are you Bi-Polar? Or just can't stand Barack's success? ORRRR.....you do have a crush...because you sound like a JILTED LOVER!!

• Birdie 02/29/2008 4:05:57 PM

  Once Hillary's fight for the middle class includes loaning us $5 million -- after all, she does understand just what we're going through, right? I mean, she *is* on my side, isn't she? Of course she is. As a former first lady twice over and multi-millionaire, she can no-doubt relate to my life right here in Inner Loop Houston -- then I'll vote for her. Until then, I'm hoping for an Obama/Edwards ticket.

• whee 02/29/2008 3:52:11 PM

  Jennifer...your last post is so completely full of s*it, you've left me speechless. As for the mean and untrue things people have said about you...How very Hillaryesque of you...you can dish out hatred and racism...but you can't take the heat when it's on you. By the way...does the phrase "accident of birth" not seem even the slightest bit bigoted to you? If someone is not born unto white Christians, you are calling it an accident of birth? You've said it at least twice now. Me thinks the Hillary camp will be happy to have your vote...but probably wouldn't want someone like you actually speaking for their side.

• jennifer 02/29/2008 3:26:41 PM

  Once again folks, the facts, simply the facts. Mr. Obama belongs to a church called Trinity Church, in Chicago, Illinois. This church, where he holds a leadership role, gave Louis Farrakhan a "humanitarian" award as of late. Louis Farrakhan is a racist--he hates white people and, most especially, Jewish people. Any church that gives an award to Louis Farrakhan is racist, and anyone who attends that church and does not step down is either a racist or condones racism. Google this and you will see this is the truth. I called the church myself. It is true, and they are proud of it. Thus, it is written in stone. What makes Mr. Obama more than simply a racist though is the fact that he 'preaches' unity--this makes him a hypocrite. These are facts. His church gave the award, Mr. Obama did not step down, and thus he is a racist hypocrite. I can see that many people do not like facts though, unless they support their agenda. The only problem with this is that we may elect the wrong person. Mr. Obama is smart for sure, he just isn't a good human being. I also want to mention, for the record, that questioning someone's behavior, words, actions or beliefs is not racist. What is racist is to make blanket statments about a group of people in relation to an accident of birth. I have every right to challenge Mr. Obama's record, his church, his words, his voting record, etc., etc., and NO ONE has the right to call me a racist. We live in America, and the freedom to speak is one of the most important freedoms we have. I am a Jewish woman and I face the same, if not more, challenges that Mr. Obama, who grew up in a privileged white neighborhood going to elitist schools (that cost $14,500.00 per year and this is for grade school). America is a country built on a dream and if we lose the middle class we will lose the foundation of this country. Hillary has spent her life protecting the middle class, and we don't have to spin this fact or make up sayings or slogans. Hillary Clinton is quite possible the best candidate we have ever had for President, and I hope we all vote for her because America truly needs her. We need programs and policies to stabilize the economy and provide working class Americans with enough money to pay their bills, go to the doctor, and take some time off to enjoy the fruits of their labor. I think everyone deserves this, even people who have written untrue and mean things about me.

• whee 02/29/2008 3:24:23 PM

  Kim...has it ever occurred to you that maybe the opposition to the article has more to do with it a) not being very well written and b) lacking anything more substantial than "he said, she said"? It's not like we've never read anything negative about Barack. It seems to me, for the most part, the people on this board have been critiquing the man's writing style and facts. Had this been a poorly written, factless article about HRC, I'm pretty sure you wouldn't think it to be quite so brilliant. Although...I could be wrong about that. Perhaps you haven't really read much literature beyond internet blogs and therefore are unable to judge. I'm not attacking you...I'm just wondering. Just another personal observation...and it is a generalization..warning you beforehand. You fanatical HRC supporters seem to be rather joyless much of the time. And I think that's a fair observation, as you've judged the majority of Obama supporters delusional and misguided. I suppose if I had to choose, I'd choose delusional over joyless...it's really such a sad way to live.

• sooj 02/29/2008 3:20:35 PM

  unity and change. that what the man's promising. imo, he's the most divisive candidate out there. if you look at this from a policy point of view, do you really believe republicans, even moderate ones are gonna come around to the pro-choice, pro-same sex union, anti-war stance? i'm a very liberal democrat who laughs at the idea of red states and blue states turning magically into something purple. unity SOUNDS great. it ain't gonna happen. and the way obamatons are treating the hillary supporters, you get your bottom dollar that a significant majority of hillary voters will drift to mccain. you know why? if you look at his policies, he's not a bad guy. he's been a POW for 5 years. he's got experience, which regardless of what people say, matters. would you hire a babysitter for your precious children with no references, a history of drug abuse, and no experience in child development? if you would, then don't blame your husband who was weary of te babysitter in the first place, when the kid burns his hands on the stove. and change? both hillary and obama are promising the same exact things. most of these issues and ideas obama stole from clinton platform. HILLARY is the BEST candidate for the job. she's worked hard her entire life, she's faced significant challenges, was at ground zero comforting families, firefighters and cops after 9/11. she's an intelligent person with massive foreign policy experience. she won't be spending the first two years of her presidency meeting world leaders;she already knows them. she can defeat mccain. she is battletested. you don't think the republicans are saving up all the dirt they've uncovered on obama for the general election? they've got a lot to work with already: tony rezko, his ties to iraqi government officials, his flip-flopping views on NAFTA, and the list continues to grow. VOTE HILLARY FOR PRESIDENT 2008

• whee 02/29/2008 3:09:23 PM

  Kim: I didn't say I don't think plagiarism is wrong...I believe that one of the things I stated was that the vast majority of politicians paraphrase other politician's speeches...change out some of the words...and spit it back out as their own. I believe I also stated that during a particular debate...HRC did the exact same thing. Check it out for yourself here: http://bravenewfilms.org/blog/29979-hillary-s-closing-line-in-debate-plagiarized-john-edwards But, I guess you've only skimmed my posts...perhaps the same way you skim through articles...only looking for points that support your opinions. Mass. wasn't exactly a landslide, you know...and I don't know if you've noticed...but he's pretty much the front runner these days. I'm not counting her out...just saying... It's not that I could not answer your questions...I believe I alluded to the fact that it's pretty much pointless...am I going to sway your vote? You're clearly capable of looking things up on the internet...since you choose to only read things that favor your candidate, why should I bother...I do have a job that doesn't include doing your research for you. If you're not interested in learning...then clearly you don't actually want me to teach you. But if that's quite an interesting sense of humor you've got if you actually find that...hilarious. At least we all know who Hillary's kingmaker is...Bill. At least I can support him :-) and fyi kim...i've managed to slip in a few posts here and there...during work. if necessary, i will try to post in the evening...however, my son has some sort of neopet that he's trying to keep alive...so he's been using my computer. just let me know if i need to so that you can be satisfied. although, i do like the idea of entertaining you by not responding in a manner that meets your satisfaction...i aim to please ;-)

• Kim 02/29/2008 3:05:53 PM

  I forgot the link: http://news.yahoo.com/s/po/20080215/co_po/blacklawmakersrethinkclintonsupport One more thing: there has been no news about Clinton threatening Kerry and Kennedy to switch their support to her, even though she won their state, Massachusetts. Why doesn't the BO camp do the same, eh?

• Kim 02/29/2008 3:02:07 PM

  Mr. Spivak, Thank you for this article and for taking the hits from Obama supporters. Apparently they are so shocked to find that he is not perfect and that someone dares write a negative article about him that they are trashing your work. Here's another link regarding threats to black superdelegates. Notice how Rep. JJJ says "So you wake up without the carpet under your feet. You might find some young primary challenger placing you in a difficult position"...That is called a veiled threat, another not so surprising tactic that the BO campaign uses.

• Sidmore 02/29/2008 2:54:04 PM

  Nice hit job, hater!! Did he say "no" to your man crush?

• NJ OBAMA SUPPORTER 02/29/2008 2:13:39 PM

  It is no wonder that "newspapers" are a dying breed. I wouldn't want the black ink or other fecal matter to smudge on my hands after reading this poorly researched, obviously biased, attention-seeking piece of trash. Guess you still haven't made it to the serious outlets and you saw this as an opportunity to jump start an obviously unimpressive career. But thank you for showing us what an intelligent person already knows....most politicans have help or a mentor getting to office (duh), Obama probably pissed some folks off (duh), politicians SHOULD back legislation which directly affects their constituents (duh), he rose to spotlight because he is able to negotiate with both Rep. & Dem. ( duh...it's that a good thing?) and Obama is obviously very preceptive as he was able to name your major character attribute (which was overheard at the fundraiser.) It is depressing what mediocre standards we have for what constituents journalism these days. I think you should try TMZ...I'm sure they could use your talents there. OBAMA '08. The CHANGE is he talking about a CHANGE in how AMERICANS engage in the Democratic process. One person/politician or President can NOT do it alone! It is ALL of our RESPONSIBILITY!

• Kim 02/29/2008 1:47:27 PM

  whee: So you went to a gifted high school, and yet you still don't feel that plagiarism is wrong. "Professor, I didn't write this speech. I copied it from my friend who got a standing ovation. But that's ok because my friend is totally ok with it and said he supports me." That's Obama for you. And it's not just his speech. The whole theme of his candidacy is similar to Patrick's...So it's no surprise that Massachusetts went to Hillary Clinton, not Barack Obama. Mass. may be full of college students and educated professionals, but they were smart enough not to be fooled twice. And it's hilarious that you could not answer my questions. I'll just assume you're too tired to write another post. Oh come on: http://www.kansascity.com/news/nation/story/510737.html http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0208/8762.html EB: Any good thing written about Obama shows that he is above politics. Any bad thing written about Obama shows that he is human. He can get things done, all right, except I wonder who his kingmaker will be if he gets elected. Maybe he should make Emil Jones VP...

• Jakob 02/29/2008 1:44:15 PM

  Boring. Four pages of fluffy nonsense and the last page a letdown. He didn't like your article huh? Great story.

• r.mary 02/29/2008 12:38:32 PM

  This is another interesting read. http://www.humanevents.com/article.php?id=25166

• r.mary 02/29/2008 12:38:06 PM

  http://www.humanevents.com/article.php?id=25166

• americans for LITERACY 02/29/2008 12:25:08 PM

  which people are you EGNORING, khandie? oh...has anyone noticed that john mccain has been attacking obama...as though he knows that's who he's going up against in november? shouldn't hillary and her supporters be complaining that she's not getting equally attacked? and whining because clearly mccain has already written her off?

• Khandie 02/29/2008 11:48:20 AM

  Americans are tired of people like you. I as an American will egnor you!!!!

• Nashville_fan 02/29/2008 11:42:57 AM

  You know, I actually enjoyed this story. Nothing in it changes my vote for Senator Obama, however. There seems to be a common theme in Senator Obama's career, people feeling that he has not "earned" his current status in politics. However, for me, it is not a matter of "paying dues", it is a matter of getting things done. For whatever reason, he has been brought to this place and he is uniquely positioned to do something that has never been done before - take the will of the people DIRECTLY to the White House. YES WE CAN! P.S. The ending of this story did come across as just a little bit petty . . . kind of makes the entire article seem like sour grapes.

• whee 02/29/2008 11:32:45 AM

  #96 Gary...You must hurry and move out of Illinois. Clearly your state is overrun with delusional Obamamaniacs, as Obama took that state by a landslide. Even scarier...65% of those voters were Caucasian!!! Probably Muslim terrorists. I mean...it's truly frightening...not only does NO ONE in the entire country outside of Illinois know anything about Illinois...but even people who LIVE in Illinois don't know what goes on there. It's craziness, I tell you! Snark!

• whee 02/29/2008 11:15:22 AM

  To #128...Perhaps you should learn how to spell grammar before telling people to check theirs ;-) To #130...If you weren't able to admire people in spite of their flaws, I would think it would be impossible to have admiration for anyone. But, honestly, I thought the writer kind of threw that in as a "qualifier", it was a very small attempt at making him appear objective...and clearly, the objective boat sailed for him some time ago.

• whee 02/29/2008 11:10:19 AM

  Well, Jennifer, now I see why this story struck such a chord with you...your first line pretty much says it all...you don't have time to bother with the facts. Your posts are so juvenile...and apparently the more frustrated you become the more ineffectual your arguments. I have to admit...I have to admit...in some perverse way, I am entertained by you...it almost makes me feel bad. I am assuming you're pretty riled up by the deterioration of your spelling, grammar and phrasing...which, to be honest, wasn't that impressive to start. Most of the "facts" you've stated are, in truth, narrow-minded, ignorant opinions without any factual basis at all. Where did you get the facts that he is a Muslim, sexist, racist? The aryan brotherhood? My God, woman, how old are you? You can find positive and negative spin on any candidate, some true, some false. Any moron with a computer...or a library card can get on the internet and blog whatever they want. Do you actually believe everything you read on the internet...or even everything see on t.v. I'm assuming so since you find this article to be objective, factual, responsible journalism. I don't even know why you (and others of your ilk) continue to insist that Obama supporters just blindly follow him...or think that we all think he's the second coming of Christ...I have yet to read a post that claims he's perfect, a golden child, the messiah. Most of us simply state that he's our choice and we support him. You call him a racist in the same post that you denounce all Muslims as war-mongering, hate filled terrorists...regardless of the FACT that it is untrue...AND he's not even a Muslim...so really, it should be a moot point. You keep telling everyone to read and learn the facts. Have you done any research on Obama other than browsing anti-Obama propaganda blogs? Have you done real research on his church, his faith, his upbringing? Or have you decided he's a racist based on posts you've read? I mean...of course, he must be a racist...his church is majority black...and (horrors) they're proud of their history and heritage. That can't be a good thing right? How dare black people overcome the oppression and shame they were forced to accept for so long. So, I assume that in all fairness, you believe churches that are majority white (and should they be of German, Italian etc. descent) and should they honor their heritage...clearly they must all be neo-nazis, klan, aryans, white supremecists...under your logic, this should be true. I think I've been pretty kind to you...but reading your posts accusing others of spewing hate, only to spit out your bigoted opinions a couple of lines later...well, it's disgusting, to be honest. And hsmith...what is is tie to "the man who bombed the pentagon"????????????? It is beyond my comprehension that people like you actually have the gall to accuse Obama supporters of being delusional.

• Silenced Voters 02/29/2008 10:54:14 AM

  Congratulations! Finally some actual journalism, THANK YOU Mr.Spivak. We have been digging into Mr. Obama and finding very much what you have written and more. We are being denied our voice in a choice of presidential candidates because we voted per state law and not per party rules, so we as voters did research because the candidates were not allowed to campaign here. Mr. Obama is salvation itself on the surface, but its whats beneath that is frightening. If someone is always giving you a hand up and your not earning your way there soon those same hands will be out instead of up and they will want filled some how. A Silenced Voter member of the Pajama Action Coalition www.527anamericanvoice.blogspot.com www.youtube.com/527anamericanvoice

• jeff 02/29/2008 10:03:16 AM

  very interesting article. i wonder though how many of the people commenting in regards to the 'true nature' of Obama actually read the article. particularly the line "i admired the guy [Obama], still do." i find it fascinating that even though this author, after really investigating Obama's career and finding the faults still would take the time to write how he admires him.

• r.mary 02/29/2008 9:55:22 AM

  http://youtube.com/watch?v=p1ofQRam--g http://hillbuzz.blogspot.com/

• just here 02/29/2008 9:53:58 AM

  To #4. The writer's picture isn't in this article, you idiot. And, btw, check your grammer.

• Lorraine Hodges 02/29/2008 9:51:28 AM

  Finally, an article that gives real insight to the whole man that is Barrack Hussein Obama. He is a politician and so the tactics he has taken in the past. I knew that the golden sheen of higher road politics was just a facade. It is a carefully crafted image. Obama is as power hungry and ambitious as any person in politics because that is what it takes in politics. If he really ran a truly clean campaign, he would have never gotten as far and as fast as he has. He is smart because he has managed to present this squeaky clean image of himself. He knows that we are an image conscious society and that is why he is going to win. We Americans want the cool guy; we want to be the cool guy and we elected a cool, everyday man with hardly any experience to office and we are once more poised to do the same.He has glossed through each political position he has occupied to get to this moment. He has piggybacked on bills that he now cites as past accomplishments. This is very similar to what he has done in the debates. Hillary would say something and Obama would say me too but I would add this and that. He will be the person who adds the sprinkles to the cupcakes when they are frosted and ready to go. He is the triangle player in a band concert.I don't think Obama is on the whole a bad candidate.What bothers me is that he has not even finished his term in the senate for the people of Illinois. Did he not believe that Illinois deserves his service? Apparently not. It is as if the Illinois was the wife that supported him throughout graduate school and as soon as he got success, he decided to upgrade to his trophy wife: the presidency. Now, I actually believe he could be an incredibly effective leader but not now. He needs more experience. I don't want an intern to operate on me, I want a specialist. He needs more time to become a specialist. Obama is plain old not ready.

• Alicia 02/29/2008 9:35:47 AM

  Thank you SO MUCH for shedding some light on Obama's record in the IL state senate. As a South Sider, I can easily say that poverty and blight carries on in Obama's neighborhood and people are being forced out instead of community issues being addressed. I hope more papers pick up your story.

• Mike N. 02/29/2008 9:33:20 AM

  Hopefully, there will come a day when reporters stop interjecting themselves into the stories they write. Factual information about Obama's past politics is legitimate and fair game, and should be reported. But the focus of this story seems to be the reporter's relationship with Obama, and how he "felt" when Obama criticized a story he wrote. Really, do we care? That has nothing to do with anything, except to try to victimize the reporter and make Obama look bad. Do I get to go off and write 2,500 words about how one of my clients got upset with me over something? Reporters need to stop making it about them, and stick to reporting relevant facts.

• whee 02/29/2008 9:11:39 AM

  Jennifer...where is the stone upon which it is written that Obama is a racist hypocrite? It seems to me we might have seen that by now. I went ahead and took your advice and re-read my posts...technically, I did not attack your intelligence. I merely refuted your implication that Obama supporters are ignorant, delusional and have no intelligent basis for supporting him. In fact, I gave you credit for possibly being more intelligent than your posts would suggest...you could be a little more gracious, you know. As far as your Bush re-election comment....the hell???? When did i say intelligent people voted for Bush? Did I say I voted for Bush? What are you talking about? Never mind...I don't even know why I'm responding...clearly I'm getting emotional...which leads me to...... Kim, of course I'm emotional...I'm all over the board with my emotions. I don't fault the woman for being an emotional roller coaster. I simply would prefer that the leader of the United States of America be able to contain his/her emotions. Look, I think Hillary is very intelligent. Should she be the Dem. candidate...I will vote for her because I'm a Democrat through and through...always have been. Were Obama not in this, she'd probably be my candidate of choice. I don't have patience for women having emotional outbursts and not being able to control themselves in the working world. She loses a bit of my respect everytime she plays the martyr/victim. I have no patience whatsoever for that behavior...not even in my own life. I'm not insensitive...but she's running for president...show some restraint. You tell me to take your blinders off? Why??? Am I going to change your mind...sway your vote? No. I don't think Obama is perfect. I am not ignorant to the fact that he'll make mistakes. Anyone of the candidates elected will make mistakes. To think otherwise is ludicrous. Oh Come on...keep posting...you're hilarious...in a good way, though...not in the way I find Jennifer amusing...hee... Oh yeah...Jennifer...we're grunions...not lemmings. :-)

• hsmith 02/29/2008 8:53:45 AM

  Thank you for finally writing a transparent report on Obama. I know the more we learn about this presidential candidate, the more we will see that he cannot become our next president. He is not what he appears to be, and his ties to racists and terrorists (the man who bombed the Pentagon) is very concerning. Anybody, but Obama will work for me!

• hsmith 02/29/2008 8:52:49 AM

  Thank you for finally writing a transparent report on Obama. I know the more we learn about this presidential candidate, the more we will see that he cannot become our next president. He is not what he appears to be, and his ties to racists and terrorists (the man who bombed the Pentagon) is very concerning. Anybody, but Obama will work for me!

• Maggie 02/29/2008 8:50:53 AM

  Thank you for writing this article. Please Texas, pay attention. You have the ability to stop this Obama cult. We all know in Massachusetts that Obama is a fake. Please take the time to check out Obamas stand on the "Born alive infants protection act. He was chairman of the committee to kill babies that survived late term abortions. Why doesn't he list that as his accomplishments. He cannot say he pushed the wrong button on that one. He is bringing Americans together as he boasts. In fact it is the other way and many democrats will be voting republican if he is the democratic nominee. And lastly, how can we elect a President that is married to a woman that for the first time is proud to be American. PLEASE TEXAS, OHIO, RHODE ISLAND AND VERMONT vote for Hillary. She is the real deal!

• kris 02/29/2008 8:24:14 AM

  "This story sounds like such crap. You should have wrote this at the beginning of his move to becoming President. Not when he is more than ready to become President of the United States of America. You actually call yourself a journalist? Find something more concrete to write about instead of trying to sabotage Obama's candidacy or better yet, gain some sort of recognition for claiming that you know Obama. It seems to me that you are more like the pot calling the kettle black. And why should he speak "street"? He is an educated black man! You should write a story about how unhealthy black men have become as they age. Look at your photo. A picture tells a thousand words. Do you want a drink??" Comment by Jasmine � February 27, 2008 @ 03:31PM Ah yes...another Obama follower comes forth to spout their disbelief that some one could question the authenticity of the golden one. Only one of your comments actually warrants a response in my opinion, and that response would actually be to agree with you on the question - why hasn't this kind of reporting indeed been done before now - before we follow blindly the Obama campaign of naive political promises right over the cliff to our national peril. Indeed, I will be one of the many anti-rockstar vote dissenters who'll be sitting back in about four years and asking ourselves - am I better off today than I was four years ago? If Obama wins in November, I fear just what that answer will be.

• kris 02/29/2008 8:17:04 AM

  "Does it strike anyone as frightening that people would let this article be the basis for their votes?" Does it strike anyone as frightening that people would let words and vague promises of change (read big government "free handouts") mixed with arrogant charisma and personality instead of hard work be the basis for their votes?

• kris 02/29/2008 8:12:34 AM

  Interesting video report: http://www.realclearpolitics.com/video_log/2008/02/obama_tells_canada_that_trade.html

• jennifer 02/29/2008 8:07:11 AM

  Lemmings happen to have been on the animal planet chanel at the same time I was writing yesterday, but never mind, lemmings, herrings, salmon, sheep, Americans who waste their precious votes on candidates who lie fall into that sad category of small beings whose lives don't matter. Americans who feel that Obama is going to help them, help this country, unite the factions, and cure what ails us are BLINDLY stepping in line to the sacrificial altar. How do I know this? From his own words and actions. You may not like Hillary, or John McCain, but at least they are brave enough to say THIS IS WHO I AM. Like me or not. Obama has to hide behind the mantra of CHANGE AND UNITY and the only problem is that his life, his actions, and his words SHOW THIS MANTRA TO BE FAKE. Thus, you are voting for someone you do not know EXCEPT you know that he is a liar and a hypocrite. That fact should be enough dismiss him from the running. No one is perfect, we are all just human, but American is not in a position where we can have another liar (remember George Bush ran as a compassionate conservative) in the White House. I challenge EVERY American to read as much as you can and make a decision based on facts, because if you do Hillary Clinton will be our next president, and our wonderful country might make a comeback.

• KoaNY 02/29/2008 7:48:53 AM

  There's isn't anything wrong with ambition!

• Ande 02/29/2008 7:29:53 AM

  Written like a true Thug. Obama has my vote just for disassociating himself from people like you. ps Your pathetic

• jsa 02/29/2008 7:22:42 AM

  Does it strike anyone as frightening that people would let this article be the basis for their votes?

• cuppa jo 02/29/2008 6:04:08 AM

  http://www.kansascity.com/news/nation/story/510737.html Here is a story on how the superdelegates for CLinton are being strong-armed for the person that wanted proof.

• Mrs. Carr 02/29/2008 4:55:02 AM

  This article is great. Thank you. I'm very suspicious of why the Kennedy clan are supporting Obama, the man with the thinest resume ever to run for president. Even republican Maria Schriver, best friend to Ophrah, joined the super liberal Obama. The Kennedy clan never even supported John Kerry. I suspect Obama has made a deal with Uncle Kennedy about selecting a Kennedy as his vice president. Old uncle Ted Kennedy is on his last leg, and as we very well know no Kennedy of today has a chance in h*ll of ever becoming president. Except for one Kennedy; Caroline Kennedy (50 years old). As we know, John jr was being groomed to be president and he would be running today instead of Obama. Obama and John Jr would be close in age. The blacks fulfill their dream of having the first black president and the Kennedy clan rise to power. Caroline Kennedy as VP gets the training to run for first woman president after eight years. This race is not about selecting the best candidate during such terrible times in our nation. The race is not even about an arrogant inexperienced kid who has climbed the political latter stealing other's ideas, even Hillary's down to her own words. This is about old uncle Ted Kennedy and his family's rise to power before he dies. The democrats long for a Kennedy as president and have wet dreams of Camelot, not any different than the republicans wetting their pants over Reagan. The media thinks they have the right to elect our president and they choose the worse person. Hillary is fighting the media, fighting her own polical party who are not supporting her. She's fighting the black people she and president Clinton helped get into power, including Obama, and she's fighting the powerful Kennedy machine. She's doing great fighting all these evil agents. Go Zena Hillary!

• plain jane 02/29/2008 2:25:24 AM

  great article!!!! thanks for the reporting the truth. His IL senators "created" obama's image, just like the US senators are doing. Obama is only a mouth peice for senators that want the power and are using obama. Obama is just their puppet. He will do as he is told, because he has no experience. So just remember, a vote for Obama is a VOTE FOR THE SAME OLD POLITICIANS!!! there will be no change, just more lies!!

• Hannah 02/29/2008 1:16:54 AM

  Thanks for telling the truth, Todd. People who are in the throes of Obamamania might hate you for telling it, but the truth is absolutely required considering this guy is running around the country pretending he's the second coming. Don't let the Obamabots get you down. You did the right thing.

• Chandra 02/29/2008 12:22:59 AM

  Is there hint of envy and jealousy in your recollections? Have you presonal diaries/records to prove your recollections? What a nasty piece of work you are!

• Patricia 02/29/2008 12:19:42 AM

  Jennifer, You are an amazing intelligent woman! I admire the way you continue to fight back to these men who are willing to sacrifice our country because they can't tolerate the idea of a woman President. It is obvious why these guys are attaching you. It's hard to deal with ignorance. Hillary is the best person for our country at this time. At the very least we know what to expect from her. We have no clue what Obama will do to our country. I personnaly have never trusted him. Hang in there girl and give them your opinion and knowledge of Obama.

• Patricia 02/28/2008 11:42:46 PM

  Todd, Thank you so much for this artical. You confirmed what my gut was telling me. Bless you for your honesty! I hope everyone in Texas reads this before they vote. I know that Obama'a party will be attaching you but just remember honesty is always the best policy! You have supporters also.

• Mark S. 02/28/2008 9:59:17 PM

  The Obama supporters are worried since they knew that the media would start asking hard questions sooner or later. They want to wrap this up since the media got to talk about Obama's real faith. There have been missteps with Michelle Obama saying that "for the first time in my adult lifetime, I am really proud of my country." This really got the Republicans furious with Michelle. Obama then got Jews angry with him reluctantly rejecting Nation of Islam leader, Louis Farrakhan�s support on Tuesday�s debate. Farrakhan is a known Anti-Semite. Each day the passes, he and his campaign make more mistakes. The extremist left wing of the Democratic Party needs to realize that the base of the Democratic Party which include the working class, women, Hispanics, etc. have not abandoned Hillary. Here he is confronted by NBC�s Meredith Viera on his position on single payer universal health care. He was for it in 2003, and then he denied in the debate of ever being for it in 2008. She asks where is the consistency in his stance. He doesn't answer the question and starts spinning. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PlT78hQYTzU In November 8, 2004, he told the press he would not run for president. He has no experience. Obama has a history of saying one thing and doing the opposite. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4gexyfVpFMU Rep. Maxine Waters, member of the Congressional Black Caucus, criticizes Obama on his lack of experience. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uz824LbGrRQ Rep. Waters discusses Obama�s lack of concrete ideas for solving the country�s problems. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fa2fK5jbljQ

• Scott Gilbert 02/28/2008 9:57:07 PM

  Good work, Todd. Finally some solid background on Obama. He's not a bad candidate, but definitely not seasoned enough to be the POTUS. I'm voting for Hillary, who is also not perfect, but who has the chops to win and do better things for this country.

• Maddie 02/28/2008 9:29:30 PM

  Wow. Sounds like a whole lot of sour grapes. Sorry. Nobody is buying what you are trying to peddle.

• pmoo 02/28/2008 9:27:30 PM

  Although I am not a journalist, my sentiments precisely match those of #31. Whom you or I support, Huckabee, McCain, Clinton or Obama, is irrelevant with respect to the contents and quality of this article. The article stands on it�s own and should be appraised as such. As many have stated, the piece is long. The author rambles. Significant portions of the piece are essentially a story about the author. Unfortunately for the author, the article reveals more about him than it does about Barack Obama. Below is a partial list of issues: 1. The phrase "screaming at me" is not objective. In places of work - hospitals, corporations, educational institutions, etc. this phraseology would not be considered as an acceptable description. One would be asked to describe the action objectively and factually - for example, "he raised his voice" or "he spoke loudly". 2. Todd did not place the following in quotes: He liked the story I wrote about him a couple weeks ago, but not this garbage. That begs the question of why Todd did not directly attribute the words to Barack. Did Barack use the exact word �garbage?� If not, then why didn�t Todd quote it? 3. Again, the below statement is a second hand account. It is generally not acceptable to accept second hand information as the truth. He was not present. He therefore does not know if the friend is telling the truth. "...a reporter friend told me she overheard Obama call me an asshole at a political fund-raiser" Even if the statement were true, it is irrelevant. Many of us have called another person an ass-hole. 4. It is irrelevant whether the story had just gone online or was printed. 5. Todd's (below) reaction to the phone call is also not relevant. "It's the first time I ever heard him yell, and I'm trembling as I set down the phone. I sit frozen at my desk for several minutes, stunned." Many people would not react the same way as Todd. 6. Whether "His book Dreams From My Father has been out of print for years." is irrelevant. What is Todd's purpose in adding this, as well as the "Obama Girl", Secret Service and best selling author? The remainder of page 1 is completely irrelevant. 7. In addition to its irrelevance, Todd's characterization of the offices of "the dumpy old Chicago Sun-Times building" reveals more about Todd than he might like us to know. A journalist at the Chicago Sun-Times was "Unimpressed by my clips". That statement says quite a bit about Todd�s journalistic skills. 8. On Page 2, again, Todd's comparison of his income and lifestyle to Obama's irrelevant. However, it does reveal a bit more about Todd. It begs the question, why did Todd include this information? What was Todd's purpose? 9. Todd's comments about The Hyde Park Herald are again irrelevant, but reveal even more about Todd. His aspirations were higher than working there? It is commendable that he had high aspirations. However, one does have to start somewhere. Sometimes one has to start at the bottom. He had no job, his resume was "shamefully thin", yet he "swallows his pride" to submit his resume. As someone who had little or no experience, how much pride did he have? He is "dismayed" when he receives an offer. Why would Todd be dismayed? If he decided that he didn't want to work there, he could have said no. When someone has little or no experience in his or her desired field, it is hard to get that first job. The Hyde Park Herald took a chance on Todd, they offered him a break, let him get his foot in the door. In this article Todd speaks disparagingly of The Hyde Park Herald. His remarks are published in the Houston Press. Todd�s treatment of The Hyde Park Herald reveals much about Todd's character. 10. There is nothing of relevance on the remainder of page 2, nor on page 3. Also absent are concrete facts and figures. 11. The information on page 4, is also irrelevant. What "many people speculate" is particularly not relevant. Which people? How many is many? Is speculation significant? And, if Timuel Black did say that Obama should have remained neutral, could there not have been others, with credentials equal to Timuel Black's, who would state otherwise? As a journalist, did Todd search for such? 12. Page 5, again, nothing of substance, nothing that is relevant. The title of Todd's article "It is painful to hear Ivy League-bred Barack Obama talk jive� raises a few questions. To whom is it painful? What is the specific jive? If that article were anything like the current article, it would little or no information that supports the title. Conclusion: Unfortunately, this article appears to have been written by an author who first decided what the outcome should be and then only included information that supported their desired outcome. That is not reporting. It is not editorializing. It is a 'would be' short story, and a poorly written one, at that.

• sonia 02/28/2008 9:22:48 PM

  Wow, he's human after all. that's great to know. i know for sure i will vote for him march 4th now.

• DWR 02/28/2008 9:22:02 PM

  Spivak strikes again. You should be ashamed for printing this crap. This was a crummy hack job in 2004 when he traded on his "relationship" with Obama and scrounged a few grumbles from Chicago hacks who felt Obama had jumped ahead of the line. A few things that Mr. Spivak evidently forgot to mention. Obama's signature ethics reform bill was passed in 1998 and the Earned Income Tax Credit in 2000, under Republican controlled legislatures. Obama chaired the Health and Human services committee in 2003-2004 which accounts for his sponsorship of most of the legislation passed in those years. The work that Obama did to secure the video interrogation bill against vehement opposition is well documented. Hendon's claim that he took the ball to the 1 yard line is risible. The story about Obama gaining his senate seat by legal technicality, challenging nominating petitions and so betraying his mentor Alice Palmer completely distorts the story. Obama was encouraged to run by Palmer who was herself running in a special election for US Congress. Days before the filing deadline (in December) and just a few months before the primary which would surely be determinative in his Democratic district, she lost the special and decided to reclaim her state senate seat. Obama refused to step aside and she was unable to gather sufficient valid signatures to get on the ballot. Challenging nominating petitions is standard procedure in Illinois politics and while Obama has indicated he regrets having displaced a distinguished progressive politician, he was certainly entitled to pursue a race he had invested so much in already. Finally when Spivak gathered all those nasty comments about Obama he was the dark horse in a three way race for the US Senate nomination, and most of the Illinois machine was working for his opponents (namely Dan Hynes son of long time Chicago alderman and self funding millionaire Hull). Nearly all of the folks named are now outspoken advocates and supporters (but they're still hacks).

• Ben 02/28/2008 9:21:32 PM

  Hilary is still a bigger dick. She's even been given the honor of being inducted into DICKIPEDIA. Obama would have to stab a baby to beat hilary. http://dickipedia.org/dick.php?title=Hillary_Clinton

• notfamous 02/28/2008 9:15:22 PM

  @E.B. Exactly. Thanks for your reasoned words. Cheers.

• E.B. 02/28/2008 9:00:37 PM

  Very interesting piece. Thanks for writing it (though as others have said, it could have been a little heavier on the Obama and a little lighter on the, uhh, what's your name again?). I'm an Obama supporter who has had no illusions of him being as squeaky clean as the image we're fed. He's a politician, and I was sure he'd done some, well, political things to move up so quickly in his career. This article merely confirms that. It doesn't change anything for me, nor should it change anything for any other informed voter. I still see him as the most likely candidate to get something positive done; and if he's not, we can always pull the eject lever in just 4 years (4 years which can't possibly be as bad as the last 7, anyway). Compared to the known political histories of John McCain and Hillary Clinton, this stuff is absolutely tame. Anyone who refuses to see similar occurrences in their chosen candidate's history seems to be practicing willful ignorance. I guess that's what we're seeing here in the rabid pro- and anti-Obama commenters. On both sides we have people apparently so emotionally attached to their candidate that anything remotely negative about theirs is an obvious lie, or anything remotely negative about their opponent is the most important fact in this entire campaign. It's an interesting study in human nature. At least there are some besides myself who try to be level-headed.

• Suze 02/28/2008 8:40:00 PM

  Well Obama certainly isn't the nice guy he pretends to be, and more people are catching on to his little ruse. It's interesting that democratic voters tend to vote for Hillary, while the independents and republicans are flocking to Obama. These voters will be fair-weathered, and when Obama runs into any trouble, they will quickly abandon him. Since Obama doesn't have the democratic base, democrats will lose with him as a nominee. Obama is terrible for the democratic party and all democrats should join together to vote this guy OUT of the primary before it's too late. He's a shark and a charlatan.

• GARY 02/28/2008 7:56:36 PM

  I liked the piece that you wrote and it sounds just like the way they do things in ILLINOIS. I live about 85 miles northwest of CHICAGO and everyone here knows how they work there. So maybe you OBAMA people should shut your mouths becouse none of you could no what goes on in this state. Keep that story comming maybe you can prove to the OBAMA clowns what we here know. IN the meantime OBAMA HERES A SUGAR-TIT for you so you can stop crying and whinning about him.

• Jay Mulberry 02/28/2008 7:56:02 PM

  This is THE most boring article I have ever read. The title makes you want to read it but then you find that the author has nothing to say and spreads it through, what? about 1500 words?

• Jame Mandrey 02/28/2008 7:55:37 PM

  Whao!! good story but at the end it appears you are still searching for better job opportunities as it is. This is cos you just make it kind of plain that you had access to Obama and still would like to have access and think you could apply that to get you your dreams. Correct me if I am wrong but why now?

• MARY LOU JONES 02/28/2008 7:54:17 PM

  TODD, THANK YOU FOR YOUR COURAGE IN WRITING THIS ARTICLE. NO ONE IN MAIN STREAM MEDIA HAS THE BALZ TO DELVE INTO OBAMA'S RECORD OR LACK THEREOF. OBAMA AND HIS CAMPAIGN HAVE CRIED "RACIST" IF ANYONE DARES TO CRITIZE HIM. THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA REPRESENTS IT'S CITIZENS THROUGHOUT THE WORLD. THE AMERICAN PEOPLE DESERVE TO KNOW ALL THEY CAN ABOUT THE PERSON THEY ELECT TO GUARD, GUIDE AND DEFEND OUR COUNTRY. ANY LESS IS CRIMINAL! THANK YOU AGAIN AND I WILL BE SENDING YOUR ARTICLE TO ALL I CAN. BEST REGARDS, MARY LOU JONES

• Lori McMaster 02/28/2008 7:51:51 PM

  We new he was a back street thug. I just can't believe he has gotten this far and the local and national media has given him a free ride. The man scares me that he can go this far and no one will touch him. He should not be even allowed near the White house. It would be like electing Rezko himself as President and the the government would be ran by a boss mob. I am so glad finally someone was the guts to say something and do something about it. You have no idea all the stuff we as a group have come up with and no one listens. I cannot wait to see this and I would buy a copy if at all possible for the folks up here in Washington State. God Bless you Lori L McMaster

• Amy Pagnozzi 02/28/2008 7:31:54 PM

  If politicians aren't yelling at you, you're not doing your job, Petunia. Shaking in your boots when you get near your interview subject because he's (key up the theme from Jaws) SMARTER than you? That happens a lot, does it? Hate to see you covering a war or a riot (or Hillary, for that matter). They paying you by the word or by the goose-bump? I can understand wanting to exploit your proximity to Barack Obama while it lasted, seeing how you're not exactly headed for Washington Bureau Chief, but a word to the wise: next time you land an interview, try revealing more about your subject than yourself. And oh, yeah, one more word: BOO!

• Bee 02/28/2008 7:21:57 PM

  I would yell about this story as well. Why do you contrast your own meager living situations with Obama and his condo? Why is that relevant? Why would intelligent readers assume that Obama was not a politicians? Politicians always are involved in give and take, push and pull. Was Obama alone in this? What are the records of his critics? The reader needs a great deal more context about the political landscape, much less about your big ambitions, poor living conditions, and your girlfriend.

• Oh COME on 02/28/2008 7:18:46 PM

  p.s. Jennifer?? Not to "attack" your intelligence, but lemmings are rodents that run off cliffs. Not sea creatures that "swim up on shore."

• Oh COME on 02/28/2008 7:16:43 PM

  I also feel sorry for the people who think that just because we happen to genuinely LIKE our candidate, it's some how reckless or over-the-top, that we've decided he's our "chosen one" (that was BITCHY, by the way, and unnecessary) and need to see him in a "heavenly light." People were nuts about JFK - were they "cult-like" and "creepy"? People love Bill Clinton to the point of hysteria. Are they brainwashed or delusional? I love Bill Clinton, too, with just as much ardor. I wish he were still president. But he's gone, and I wouldnt' want him to come back because it's time to move on. I can't believe that it's so hard for you jaded cynics to understand that hey, we happen to like him. It speaks volumes about you. I'm sorry you don't have the genuine affection for your candidate that we do for ours. I'm sorry you can't cut people enough slack to allow them to genuinely like a candidate again. Do you ever let in sunshine? He's intelligent and funny and charismatic. That is NOT the only reason I support him. It's the reason I LIKE him. I support him because I think he'll be good for this country, and because I like him better than the alternative. Jennifer, Hillary's going to lose, either the primary or the general. If Obama is the nominee, you'd best get behind him - and stop giving the Republicans talking points that are littered with lies - or else President McCain is going to screw all those working moms you sacrifice so much of your life to help and you can thank your own hysterical self. OK, sorry. NOW i'm done.

• Oh COME on 02/28/2008 7:06:14 PM

  " I just keep getting this image in my head of lemmings, swimming up on the shore, slowing dying, while more and more lemmings swim up on the shore, on top of them, slowly dying..." Aside from being annoyed and a little frightened about the pure insanity contained in that remark, I guess I just feel sorry for you. You've closed your ears (or gone deaf since you "can't hear" me) and yet you're asking us to open our eyes. I have yet to make a single disparaging remark about Hill and I will probably vote for her in November unless she continues with this mockery and disrespect - which tells me more about her than I need to know already. Meanwhile, your negative, spewing hatred of people who aren't like you - who happen to have made their own decisions that you should respect - no longer makes me mad, it makes me laugh. I mean sad. It makes me sad. Yeah. Have fun with all that hatred. It's gonna be a miserable life.

• Portia Elizabeth 02/28/2008 7:02:12 PM

  Mr. Spivak, I wanted to commend you for your courage in writing this article. I'm sure you anticipated the attacks from Obama supporters who refuse to accept anything which doesn't portray their chosen one in a heavenly light. There are many of us who appreciate what you've written, who have no doubt of its veracity and who are out here in the ether cheering you on. Please don't let the detractors try to silence you from the important and essential job of getting the truth exposed. Thank you!

• kathleen 02/28/2008 6:46:06 PM

  While your writing is sub-par at best, I see another motive in this article. As a poor writer and I assume a struggling journalist this is your opportunity to cash in on your time in Chicago. Congratulations you squandered your moment. I am surprised that any paper in Chicago hired you and even more surprised that you were able to secure a job in Houston.

• jennifer 02/28/2008 6:44:06 PM

  Whee, instead of attacking my intelligence (by the way, you should re-read some of your posts before you start sounding a tad, yikes, hypocritical), why don't you attack my argument. NOT ONE PERSON has yet to attack the facts. Come on, take off your coats, put on your gloves, and come out fighting. Oh, wait, you can't fight the facts because they are written in stone. Obama is a racist hypocrite. Period. End of story. Whether or not you want to admit this and choose another candidate is your choice. And as far as your point about allegedly smart people voting for Obama, George Bush got RE-ELECTED. This conversation makes me sadder than you will ever know, because the lemmings keep coming up on shore as I speak.....

• whee 02/28/2008 6:25:02 PM

  Jennifer, Kim...I am not going to change your mind and rest assured, you will not be changing mine. I am thrilled at this race...it excites me that so many Americans are taking an interest, talking about it...getting out there and voting. I spent much of my youth in a gifted school...not saying this to toot my own horn..I'm telling you this because, in a school of...well, bookworms and dorks, I was the only one that watched debates, followed elections and couldn't wait until I was old enough to vote. I've never seen such passion and excitement about an election. It's wonderful! I never understood why people didn't exercise their right to participate in choosing our decision makers. So, while I don't agree with or respect your opinions, I certainly respect your right to have them. Kim, I won't say you are misguided...although you have chosen to believe that I am. I'll say...we're guided in different directions. Jennifer, thousands upon thousands of people have chosen to vote for and endorse Obama. No small percentage of whom are extremely well educated people. I seriously doubt you are more intelligent and better informed than the majority of those people...I don't mean to insult you..I'm only basing my opinion on your posts...I have no idea if you are more intelligent than your posts would lead one to believe. Now...to address your bigotry...Obama is not a Muslim. His mother was not a Muslim...he was not raised by his father. He was raised by his mother and her parents. Even if he were...so what? Muslims are not the enemy. There are fanatics in every walk of life...there are radical Christians, too. Do you denounce all Christians? I am off to bed now as I get up early for work..but I'd like to remind you Kim...Deval does not feel that Obama plagiarized him...and in fact endorses him. Hillary practically copied verbatim a speech that John Edwards made...and he has not endorsed her...why are you not crying foul over that? Most politicians paraphrase others...many people do...it's really not quite as uncommon or immoral as you seem to think. Anyway...good night all...and long live democracy.

• jennifer 02/28/2008 6:03:33 PM

  I just keep reading the comments thinking I truly understand why the rich and evil keep getting richer and more evil. For everyone's information, I have NEVER spoken online about Mr. Obama before today. I do not blog, email, text message, or the like. I commented on the brilliant piece by Mr. Spivak because it gave me a bit of hope that everything might be okay. Todd Spivak gets my highest kudos for printing the first bit of truth about Mr. Obama I have had the pleasure of reading since he started his race to the white house. I have NEVER voted for a Republican either. I have a hard to get post graduate degree and I have a 30 year life span of letting my actions speak louder than my words. Oh come on is yelling as loud as s/he can, but I can't hear him/her anymore because my ears stop being able to translate gibberish at -30 iq. I have friends of every color, gender, gender orientation, ability level, and age. I just cannot tolerate hypocrisy, especially when it is so obvious and so hurtful. I just keep getting this image in my head of lemmings, swimming up on the shore, slowing dying, while more and more lemmings swim up on the shore, on top of them, slowly dying, etcetera, etcetera, etcetera...

• J. Lynn 02/28/2008 5:59:38 PM

  Self-indulgent claptrap, written to fire up the masses, filled with unverifiable "facts." Agreeing with an earlier post, this should have been filed months ago. Of course, no one cared months ago because Senator Clinton was big double digits ahead, and Senator Obama was just a blip on the horizon. Now you see an opening to zoom in and Make Your Mark. The truth is, it's just badly written. There are too many "I's;" this reads like a college paper expose from a deluded Hunter S. Thompson fan. I know journalists. My husband is a journalist. You, Todd, are no journalist. Get an editor, then grow up.

• julie 02/28/2008 5:54:40 PM

  This "story" reads like a bunch of unsubstantiated internet rumors mixed up with your old diary entries. Readers, there is a factual source to learn about Barack Obama's record in the Illinois senate: the New York Times. The paper published a helpful graphic describing the more than 800 bills Obama introduced during his 8 years in the Illinois senate, on topics like health care, poverty, crime reduction, the economy, education, and civil rights. Please check this link and you can see the New York Times graphic explaining Obama's lengthy state Senate record. http://www.nytimes.com/imagepages/2007/07/29/us/politics/20070730_OBAMA_GRAPHIC.html

• jennifer 02/28/2008 5:47:19 PM

  Oh Come on, you may or may not be a woman but you are still a sexist and spew hatred of woman out of every core of your being. I, on the other hand, do not hate all Muslims and you slander me with that remark. I dislike any group and/or individual that hates and hurts others such as, but not limited to, the Muslims terrorists that took out over 3,000 Americans on 9/11, Louis Farrakhan and his supporters who profess deep hatred against whites AND jews, and any other group of people or persons who hate based on someone's accident of birth. Mentioning FACTS does not make me racist even if the person whom I am talking about happens to be black. I hold Mr. Obama responsible for ONLY his words AND HIS actions. His church, not his fathers, awarded the 'humitarian' award to Mr. Farrakhan. Thus, it is Mr. Obama who is racist and hypocritical and it is Mr. Obama who lies when he says he is for Unity and Change and NOTHING you can say about him, about me, or about yourself can change this fact. Vote for him if you must, but remember that YOU will be responsible for your actions. And, if you must know, I work 7 days a week, helping to support middle class women and their children, and I left the feminist party many moons ago because of their hypocrisy. I am just a hard working, middle class American who LOVES her country and LOVES what Hillary Clinton stands for--truth and the American way! GO HILLARY! We LUV YA!

• jennifer 02/28/2008 5:47:14 PM

  Oh Come on, you may or may not be a woman but you are still a sexist and spew hatred of woman out of every core of your being. I, on the other hand, do not hate all Muslims and you slander me with that remark. I dislike any group and/or individual that hates and hurts others such as, but not limited to, the Muslims terrorists that took out over 3,000 Americans on 9/11, Louis Farrakhan and his supporters who profess deep hatred against whites AND jews, and any other group of people or persons who hate based on someone's accident of birth. Mentioning FACTS does not make me racist even if the person whom I am talking about happens to be black. I hold Mr. Obama responsible for ONLY his words AND HIS actions. His church, not his fathers, awarded the 'humitarian' award to Mr. Farrakhan. Thus, it is Mr. Obama who is racist and hypocritical and it is Mr. Obama who lies when he says he is for Unity and Change and NOTHING you can say about him, about me, or about yourself can change this fact. Vote for him if you must, but remember that YOU will be responsible for your actions. And, if you must know, I work 7 days a week, helping to support middle class women and their children, and I left the feminist party many moons ago because of their hypocrisy. I am just a hard working, middle class American who LOVES her country and LOVES what Hillary Clinton stands for--truth and the American way! GO HILLARY! We LUV YA!

• notfamous 02/28/2008 5:37:15 PM

  @Jennifer. You are not doing your cause any favors. But please continue, because it aids my cause. Cheers.

• oh COME on 02/28/2008 5:28:03 PM

  "Who threatened the superdelegates by saying they should vote with the people, when as superdelegates they do not have to represent the people because that's the job of delegates? Who threatened black voters to vote with their race?." KIM, Jesus Christ. Where on EARTH is your proof of this? Threatened? REALLY?!?!?!?! Who's threatening anyone??? Where are you crazy people GETTING this? How are you putting these lies out there with a straight face? Prove to me that someone was threatened. As for Jennifer, I'm done with you. Get a job.

• Oh COME on 02/28/2008 5:20:33 PM

  Jennifer, he has been a practicing Christian for 20 years or longer and IS NOT MUSLIM. How much control, I ask you, did he have OVER HOW HIS PARENTS RAISED HIM?! Are you going to blame him for the actions of his parents? Now. Let's address your pure, unadulterated hatred of Muslims. Your blanket mistrust of them. Your assumption that they hate America. I for one could give a DAMN if our president is Muslim - they are a peace-loving people who denounce the war and do not deserve your hatred. Did I say racist? I'm sorry. I should have said "bigot." Much more accurate. There you go belittling me again. I've READ up on him and decided based on what I consider to be important. YOU on the other hand are hysterically screaming at me because I disagree with you. You say I'm blindly supporting him but you know nothing about me. YOu can be me all you want, but I WAS a Hillary supporter and READ up on Obama and REMEMBER her husband's presidency and WENT AND SAW BOTH OF THEM at rallies and THEN decided on Hillary. HOW MUCH OF THAT DID YOU DO, JENNIFER? Or are you blindly following Hillary because Obama's middle name sounds like a terrorist, or because he's black, or because his church happens to support African issues, or because he's related to Muslims? Huh? Do you realize that smearing him now will only make it easier for McCain to win in NOvember? Or.. wait.. Are you a REPUBLICAN?!?! I'm starting to understand now. I'm a woman, a feminist, a PhD, and I just early voted for every female Democrat on the ballot. Except Hillary. So bite me.

• oj 02/28/2008 5:13:45 PM

  srsly; jennifer cuts and pastes this same garbage on the Caucus blog at the NY times, the Washinton Post and the LA times. jenniefer -- get a life honey. you need some dick in your life?

• oj 02/28/2008 5:11:53 PM

  Jennifer trolls on every blog. Once Obama is President, he'll send you flowers, honey don't worry. Maybe you can be his intern?

• jennifer 02/28/2008 5:01:37 PM

  Oh come on, your patronizing, overtly sexist response confirms why you would blindly support a black supremacist only interested in power and money. Let me repeat myself, Barack Hussein Obama was raised a radical Muslim (two-thirds of his family are practicing Muslims), so his middle name is of GREAT importance especially in light of the fact that his church, the churh where he is a member, gives sermons, and holds a leadership role, gave Louis Farrakhan (a Muslim) a 'humanitarian' award. By the way, Barack Hussein Obama did not denouce the award, but rather Farrakhan's endorsement of his running for public office. Barack Hussein Obama is just fine with his church giving Louis Farrakhan a 'humanitarian' award. But I am not. Racism is racism and if people who think black people are lesser because of their color are racists, than people who think whites or jews are lesser because of the color of their skin or the country they happened to be born in are racists too. You are missing the point entirely, and this is the BIG problem. You cannot say you are for unity if you preach separatism and hate, you cannot say you are for change if you are doing the same old thing (lining your pockets, pandering to the public, and piling on the pork), and you cannot say that you care about people if nothing you do speaks to this as a truth UNLESS you are a hypocrite and a liar. You and others remind me of poor people who voted for George Bush when ALL (i.e. EVERY SINGLE ONE) of his programs benefitted only the top 10% of the most wealthy. WHY do you support someone who is laughing all the way to the bank carrying YOUR money driving his rolls royce? I am begging you to reconsider, read, and vote for someone who really cares. I would challenge Mr. Obama right now to debate me anytime, anyplace and I would win because I speak the truth and I have no other motive other than to help others. I don't want to be elected, I don't want to be rich, I just want poor people, the middle class, women, people of color, etc., etc. to have a fighting chance at the American Dream. The BIG LIE always seems to work though, so my truths and THE TRUTH just keeps getting overlooked....PLEASE remember to look beyond the hype and please vote for Hillary Clinton.

• Oh COME on 02/28/2008 4:48:31 PM

  Whee, you're being extremely patient while Jennifer is behaving like a lunatic. Jennifer, sweetheart, darling. Obama denounced Farakkhan's endorsement, ok? Good LORD. (Do you know what that means? He said he didn't want it.) The Republicans actually pointed that out today, so try to get with the program please. Second, the fact that you use his middle name when NOBODY ELSE DOES is a scare tactic that's fooling nobody. You come off as racist and unstable. To the guy who called us all "Obama-tons" and predicted we'd be all over this article, you're right - and you would be, too, if a rip job was done on your candidate. To the writer of the article, I found it an interesting read but not all that surprising. Obama got mad for what he perceived to be a one-sided article? Shocking. His communications guy didn't pass on the message and Obama didn't get to respond? I'm stunned - and also curious as to why you didn't offer to interview him about it right there. Huh? What about that? And finally, of course Obama had a kingmaker, sure he did. Most of them do. As a matter of fact, so did Hillary. His name was Bill.

• Carl 02/28/2008 4:45:23 PM

  thank you for this articale. i have researched his bills and the information that could be confirmed and it is right on. he has been a plagarizer all along. i hope enough people see this before they make their vote. they to can research and find this to be true. send this to cnn and fox and msnbc., but i doubt they will cover it they have also given him the free ride.

• Kim 02/28/2008 4:35:56 PM

  1) SOME Obama supporters are crazed like the first poster who called the author a "hick". I am sorry that you feel insulted. I did not mean to include you in that statement. Certainly some Obama supporters have seemingly logical reasons to support him. The fact is that it's becoming clear that many of those reasons are baseless: he is not above politics, he does not have good judgment, he is not truthful. What's bad is that because Obama has not had much experience (and this is not hearsay), he runs his campaign on character and a new kind of politics. This is what angers Hillary supporters: While he managed to display a squeaky clean image in the media, his actions show that he is not. We are angry at the hypocrisy and arrogance. By saying that they are behaving as though he's the anti-Christ, you are confusing Hillary's supporters' behavior with Repubs'. Hillary supporters have been on the defense ever since she was First Lady. We are increasingly disgusted with the treatment that she gets. You are 37, so you must be aware of the scandals that Republicans tried to inflict on the Clintons--Whitewater, Travelgate, Vince Foster? They found nothing and wasted millions of taxpayers' money. So yes, I am not surprised that they have become defensive. Clearly they need to be because Republicans do not like them. Obama supporters, on the other hand, are defensive when someone points out the obvious--that he is not the Messiah, that he did NOT pass that nuclear bill when he said he did, that he DID copy Deval Patrick's words, that he DID say he would bomb Pakistan. 2) Some Obama supporters do blame Hillary for Iraq because they forget that her vote counts only once. It was not her decision to invade Iraq. It was Bush who broke his promise and did not let the UN finish their inspections. If she was president, would she have done the same thing? I don't think so. You cannot compare Obama and Hillary's judgements because Obama was not in the Senate. As he said, he was "not privy to intelligence reports." Again, if his judgement was so great, why did he not stick by it in 2004? Since judgement is such an important quality, why did Obama show such poor judgement in dealing with Rezko? According to him, it was a "boneheaded mistake." He has not been shown to have done anything wrong or right for that matter. What has been shown is that it's questionable, because we don't know the details until the upcoming trial. This is vastly different compared to Hillary Clinton having $5 million to spare. For one thing, she did not get it from an indicted slum lord. And yes, while it's somewhat disgusting that they live in a posh mansion, it's a personal matter and would not make me want to vote for him if I already liked him. 3) I see you think Hillary is emotional. I don't know how you are in real life, but this seems completely normal to me. Maybe normal people go to life with more than one emotions? I don't doubt that her emotions are sincere. She can be conciliatory because she is a Democrat who strongly believes that a Democrat should be president and accusatory because she is angry at Obama's right-wing scare tactics. I do not see any contradiction there. If you do then you must have been buying into the MSNBC frat boy garbage. While their policies are similar, a debate is a debate. If he cannot say anything different, why bother rambling on for minutes to make it sound like he is saying something different? And I hope you noticed that while they talk about the same policies, Hillary always managed to be more direct and concise. That's because she knows what she's talking about. So how has Hillary waffled? Go ahead and take my blinders off. 4) When did Hillary say that she would take her names off the ballot? No, what she has always maintained is that she would NOT take her names off the ballot. No one forced the other candidates to take their names off the ballots either. It was their choice. So too bad. And wasn't Obama's name on the Florida ballot? If a majority of voters don't like her, why did they bother going to their polling place to vote for her? If by divisive you mean that Republicans oppose her, I do see that and I find nothing wrong with it. She has been in politics all her life and has stood by Democratic principles like universal health care, and some Republicans just don't want that. When a person stands for something, they will have enemies. That's how it is. What does Obama stand for? At least Hillary has a Senate record of working with the very people that tried to take her down. How much has Obama done? This is important because Republicans will not just happily agree to whatever a Democrat president wants, even if the president is an incredibly gifted speaker. Universal health care cannot work without mandates. No matter how affordable it is, some people will always want to save money by not buying health insurance. Who will pay for them when these people do get sick or get in an accident and end up in the ER? It will be you and me who will pay the hidden costs. Social Security is mandated. Where is the catastrophe? I guess you'd rather support someone who has never tried than someone who has tried, failed, learned her mistakes, and tried again. I hope you do not think that Obama will never make a single mistakes. He has already made some, and he deals with them by shrugging them off and acting like they are no big deal. I'm sorry I said that you were blaming Hillary Clinton for her husband's affair. However I disagree that it should be a part of your decision, and it seems to be if you care to mention it. By emphasizing it you seem to negate the fact that she chose to keep her family together. Look at how Chelsea turned out. 5) Obama's campaign is ripping the party apart. Who threatened the superdelegates by saying they should vote with the people, when as superdelegates they do not have to represent the people because that's the job of delegates? Who threatened black voters to vote with their race? Who sent out flyers that contain Republican scare tactics? Good for you to base your vote on who you think is the best candidate. For the reasons above, I think you are misguided. But I was saying that I am not basing my votes on what Republicans think, not you. So relax. No, I do not find it curious that Ted and Caroline Kennedy endorsed Obama. Caroline Kennedy barely knew her father when he was assassinated. Of course, she must have heard that her father was extremely popular and a fine speaker, so I'm not surprised that she identified more with Obama. And Ted Kennedy? Frankly I don't care because he represents the establishment, and he does not remind anyone one bit of JFK. Speaking of establishment, so is Kerry. It's very curious that suddenly they want to endorse a guy who claims he is anti-establishment.

• sheila sands 02/28/2008 4:27:11 PM

  You writing is gorgeous. I no longer care about this election - I will vote for HRC -, but I sure am knocked out by your beautiful writing. You must continue with your gift. I anticipate that I will be reading more of your work! Best wishes in your endevors. I loved the evocative scenes and feelings you captured.

• ERW 02/28/2008 4:19:01 PM

  Interesting story. As an Obama supporter, it (a) doesn't change my mind, and (b) doesn't reveal a whole lot. I've read some people on the internet, in publications geared toward the black community write: "He isn't black enough." In publications geared toward the progressive community, some write: "He isn't progressive enough." Your article seems to suggest .... what.... that he didn't do enough for the community where you lived? He supported, in your opinion, the "wrong" candidate. He was an ambitious politician, who was smart enough to find an effective mentor? I would be disappointed in a well educated man, like Barack Obama, if he had no further ambition. As he (Obama) said of Ralph Nader - "Anybody should be able to run for President, if they file all the necessary papers." He filed all the necessary papers, and here we are. However, if you watched the 2000 Democratic convention, you should have known, at that time, it was going to happen. I did. He has superior intellect, he has charisma, he will be able to unite this country, and he will be a great President. You will be able to tell your grandchildren, you knew him when.

• whee 02/28/2008 4:14:43 PM

  First of all, Jennifer...I am not a "woman-hater", I am not voting for Barack because he is black nor does anyone who knows me or who has ever known me considered me remotely cult-like. Please don't make assumptions on me as a person when all you know of me is a couple of posts. I do read...thank you. I'm an avid reader...have been all my life. I am a fan of fiction and non-fiction and I also read and research candidates before I choose for whom to cast my vote. Not just presidential candidates...my state representatives, governor, senators, city council..etc. I have never taken my right to vote lightly and take great care in my choice before I cast my ballot. Having said this, I also realize that anything can be spun for or against any person or issue. It's kind of how racists are able to interpret the Bible to read that minorities are inferior, etc. How people assume that all Muslims are taught to hate and kill. I guarantee you, if you read an article like this...that basically has unfounded allegations against HRC, you would be railing against the author. And that is your right...to disagree and even state your opinion. As it is my right to disagree and state mine. I don't think I've insulted you...though, reading your post, you definitely gave good reason for me to do so...and yet you've categorized me as a woman-hating racist who doesn't read??? I'm not blind...I do not thing that Barack is flawless, nor do I think he is a savior or the second coming of the Messiah. I've followed his career, I've read his policies...and being a generally good judge of character, find him to be sincere, dignified and someone I would like to see as the leader of this country. I feel he is very diplomatic and would garner the respect of world leaders. This is what I feel...having read both positive and negative articles and documents about him and your candidate. What you feel is what you feel. I could be wrong. You could be wrong. What we do is make our voices heard by casting our votes and see what happens. I do not wish to insult anyone...however, post #58 is one of the most bigoted, ignorant posts I've read in some time. It would be completely ridiculous if it weren't so incredibly offensive. I feel sorry for the poster...to go through life so ignorant and full of hate...must be a sad, sorry kind of life.

• oh COME on 02/28/2008 3:57:38 PM

  You know, you guys can keep on screaming and hollering and flailing around about "crazy" and deluded Obama supporters - but if by some miracle Clinton gets the nomination, you're going to need us to send her to the White House. But she's losing us every day - every time one of you harpies pisses and moans about how "crazy" we are, one more of the crazies stays home because it's obvious that she doesn't repsect us or take our opinion seriously. Clearly, you don't. Why in the hell would we want to vote for a person who has spent most of her campaign belittling and making fun of us? What makes us think she's working for us? On the flip side, we don't need all of you for Obama to win in November. And yet, we're maintaining a level of respect toward the supporters - the REAL VOTERS - because we recognize that your opinion means something and you deserve respect as a Democrat. If that's creepy, then fine. Color me creepy. So enjoy your little hate fest while you can. Really, it's quite a good example of the kind of vitriol and division we can expect from a Clinton adminstration. Again.

• ozamerican 02/28/2008 3:55:35 PM

  Even the title, "Barack Obama and Me," is a bit misleading, because it presumes we know or care who "me" is. How about "Barack Obama and a Self-promoting, Mediocre Writer"?

• angie 02/28/2008 3:16:45 PM

  Great article -- I'm glad someone in the msm final had the cajones to write the truth: Obama is the bully in class that steals other kid's homework and takes credit for the work. Obama is only out for Obama -- look at how he brags about his work on the Senate NATO subcommittee as an example of his experience, and then, when caught that he hasn't even held one conference on that committee since being appointed to it, that he was appointed when the election started. People are dying in Afghanistan, but Obama is too busy to help, he has a campaign to run. I hope the people of Houston read this and vote for the person who deserves your vote -- Hillary Clinton.

• LPG 02/28/2008 3:14:43 PM

  George Bush 41 is connected with the Carlyle Group.So is Bill Clinton,along with several allies from Bill's past administration. With Hillary as President, Bill and GB41 are in line to profit billions from the Carlyle Group. The same Carlyle Group standing ready in the wings to manage the building of the Bush43 approved NAFTA corridor from Mexico to Canada, with the construction performed by Saudi based Halliburton. After all, Cheney's company will need something to do once we finish off Iraq. So we will have Hillary approving Carlyle Group or some connected private entity to insert a Bush invented privately owned and operated four football fields wide toll booth gash through the middle of our country, beginning with the beautiful wide open ranges of Texas. Note that the Carlyle Group also includes members of the Saudi royal family. Just imagine the possibilities.If Hillary is elected you can be sure Bill will be invited to continue his gifted ride on that Carlyle Group wagon train, with GB 41 & 43 swapping shotgun, along with the top dogs from Bill's former administration riding herd. Our country will be slashed up the middle by a non-regulated,non-taxable, privately built, owned, and operated super highway, and the Bush and Clinton families will be making bubbly toasts to NAFTA and tax exempt hedge funds e.g. "Carlyle" along with the Saudis and singing "what a friend we have in our pocket". They don't care about America. They have given up. They are not Democrats or Republicans. They care about themselves. Carlyle Group and related activities are why Hillary and Bill want this election so desperately.At her core, I am sure there is some light and sincerity and twisted notion that we will all be lifted up as Carlyle Group member billions add up, but the trickle down theory doesn't work when the wealth is concentrated in such few hands. Slave wages paid by Halliburton to desperate workers do not count. When I say wealth, I mean billions. Every millionaire out there who assumed you were part of the uber rich everyone keeps targeting for tax money, please sit down. You are good. You have worked hard. Join the country, the people, the solution. Know that your millions you worked so hard for will not be worth squat when our country and our dollar is destroyed by these selfish accumulating misguided Bushbots.At the very least, really think about the implications of a privately owned and operated infrastructure. Imagine a worst case scenario. Access? Privately controlled? Be an American and vote for Obama or McCain.

• Denko 02/28/2008 3:04:59 PM

  Learned a lot from your article about Barack's days in Hyde Park. I used to work with Mr Obama right after he got out of college, and I also have some mixed feelings, but like you I'm still a supporter. It really bugs me the kind of trash talk and hate mail you're getting in the comments. These people can't accept the fact that you saw the bad side as well as the good side. It's as if nobody can say anything without having some partisan ulterior motive. Take a look in the mirror, folks.

• jennifer 02/28/2008 2:46:58 PM

  Whee, you just don't get it. You fall into that blind to the FACTS, woman-hating, just because he is black, cult-like behaving mass of dumb and dumber voters who quote nonsense and DO NOT READ. First, Barack Husein Obama is a CAREER Politician. He is detested by many blacks, both in political offices and voters, in Chicago for his failure to support them (he does not want to look TOO BLACK). He belongs to a BLACK SUPREMACIST church that honors Louis Farrakhan, and unless you are a RACIST and an ANTI-SEMITE too you cannot support anyone who supports Louis Farrakhan. He has done NOTHING, NADA, NO, ZILCH, ZERO community service or volunteer work (and I do not count being a paid politician community service). He parrots Hillary on all the major issues and has not said ONE SINGLE REVOLUTIONARY or NEW IDEA other than to repeat over and over, sort of CULT-LIKE, Change and Unity. Well, as someone who speaks, lives, and breathes in a way to make sure that he is electable, rather than doing what he needs to do to actually help or change people, this makes him a LIAR, a RACIST, and a HYPOCRITE. Don't you get it??? This is like the big lie from Hitler, or the Emperor's clothes (he was really nude, remember), or like when people voted for George Bush AGAIN (as if an idiot once could change and become not an idiot the second time). YOU DISHONOR YOURSELF, and every single American who truly wants a new person, someone who wants to make America a better place by defending this man and voting for him. Take the time to actually read (read the Houston Press article on him for example), google Obama's church and the 1000's of links to articles about his support of Louis Farrakhan, the 100's of articles about him being just another politician, and then perhaps read about Hillary Clinton--a true American, a lover of America and her people, a hero, and, if we are lucky, the next American President. God bless America and God bless Hillary Clinton!

• notfamous 02/28/2008 2:44:31 PM

  I'm shocked, shocked I tell you to learn that a politician has engaged in... politics! The humanity. Seriously, this piece might be more appropriately titled an opinion or commentary piece. It certainly doesn't rise to any acceptable level of actual journalism, however. This being my first visit to the Houston Press, I'll reserve comment on whether this piece is indicative of the journalistic standard as employed at this newspaper. But if it is, then I understand better why Texas politics (thanks for W!) are as they are. I do find it interesting, however, that in every hit piece I've read about Obama, most have not risen beyond the level of hearsay or easily discredited "fact;' or in this case, a lot of sour grapes from former political rivals eclipsed by his success. This interests me because it shows that no matter how hard the attempt is to smear his name, record, heritage, patriotism, etc., that he still emerges relatively unscathed and with little of that dirt sticking to him. To me, this says that despite all best efforts to discredit him, there is little, compared with other politicians, with which to do so. Might we entertain the thought that this means, instead of the "fact" the MSM is going "soft" (need another pillow?) on Obama, that in fact there is no there there (in terms of any scandalous or unpatriotic background or intent)? Perhaps he actually is the enthralling leader and optimistic visionary he appears to be. I really think we could use that right now. Cheers At least that is how the Obama drama plays out for me.

• Sennit Ford 02/28/2008 2:39:56 PM

  People are so dismissive of articles like this which are too well documented to be without merit. As a black man..sort of.........Obama will always get the support of those who are dyed in the wool "we must have a black man in the White House types" whether he knows his butt from a banjo or is definitely Wiley Coyote as all politicians are finally discovered to be since they got a taste of power. One thing we do not need is another ego trip in the oval office. I can just picture Obama winning, having his wife redoing the place with fur covered furniture, lots of bling around both their necks and arms, and Barbecues on the WH lawn.If 1/10 of the article is true, I think America is in the hands of another ambitious but smarter choice except he is going to take two years to figure out the world he has never seen or leaders he hasn't met. Meanwhile, back in the U.S.

• whee 02/28/2008 2:08:13 PM

  Comment by Kim � February 28, 2008 @ 10:55AM 1) That's quite a blanket statement you're making about Obama supporters. I don't know about you, but when I'm reading an Obama message board, there are many, many HRC supporters who appear rather crazed and blinded. They get offensive and insulting...on an OBAMA site. I've visited HRC message boards...and they're crazed and on the defense there, as well. Clearly crazed fanatacism isn't indigenous to the Obama support base. For the record, I said the HRC supporters BEHAVE as though he's the anti-christ...and I didn't really think anyone would take that comment so literally...but...hope this clarifies that for you. 2) Obama supporters don't blame Hillary for everything that's gone wrong with the Bush administration...I believe Hillary has said that she was wrong and was duped...not really a sign of good judgement. She, by the way is running for Pres. not Kennedy. You're right...she's not obligated...and if you could care less...without seeing any proof...then how do you know she's done nothing illegal or immoral?? As for him living in a mansion...do you think the Clintons live in a homeless shelter???? You bring up Michelle's "posh hospital job" with a an undertone of disgust...but qualify it by saying you could care less. Questionable dealings? He has not been shown to have done anything wrong either...seems like you should care less about that as well. 3) She's all over the board with her emotions...sarcastic and shrewish, victimized, accusatory, concilliatory...the list goes on. They don't differ that greatly on their policies...he's not repeating her answers...his policies have been out there for some time...just because their plans are similar...doesn't mean he's mimicking her responses. If you don't think Hillary has been insulting or that her campaign has done anything negative or that she's waffled on any issues...clearly you go through life with blinders on. 4) I think anyone with 1/2 a brain can see that HRC is divisive without any help...she feeds that perception quite well enough on her own. Democrats were lining up for her before Obama...WHEN HE WASN'T RUNNING. Just like people in Michigan and Florida voted for her...BECAUSE SHE WAS THE ONLY CANDIDATE WHO DID NOT STAND ON HER WORD AND TAKE HER NAME OFF THE BALLOT. As far as her healthcare reform....it might not have failed had she been willing to bend a little. Her rigidity and inability to unite the parties is what caused it to fail. And personally, I don't believe that health insurance should be mandated...that just screams catastrophe. It isn't about backing down...it's about being able to see outside of your own tunnel vision and get people behind you. I didn't "blame" Hillary for her husband having an affair...perhaps you should re-read my previous post. I simply pointed out another instance where she was oblivious...just happened to be an intimate...albeit, very public example. I tried to find where I implied that had anything to do with my choice of candidate...but couldn't. So the only comment I have to that statement is that you are clearly one of those precious folks who reads/sees/hears what they want to...and go off half-cocked. 5)Again...you are a tad too literal for my tastes...but I did not say I was unique or special..merely discounting beforehand anyone who might think I am voting for Obama based on gender, age or race. The fact that I think he is more than capable of uniting the nation does not mean I'm ignoring anything...I do not believe it is Obama that is "ripping the party apart". In fact...I don't really think anyone is "ripping the party apart". Please don't tell me I need to do more research as you have no idea as to how much I've researched both candidates. I also do not dismiss everything I read as hearsay...what you know of me is that I have dismissed this one particular article...and clearly a majority of it IS hearsay. The man references alleged phone calls and conversations...that no one has come forth to support. He has nothing to back any of it up other than his word...and quite honestly, much of it sounds pretty pedestrian for a seasoned, professional journalist. And again, you tell me how I'm basing my vote. I don't mean to be harsh...but telling someone of whom you know almost nothing on waht they are basing ANYTHING...comes of as a little ignorant. I'm not basing my vote on what the Republicans are going to do...I made a comment that I believe will happen. I will vote for a Democrat regardless of who it is....it just happens that I hope and pray that Democrat is Obama. In response to your last question...no I don't find it at all curious. Don't you find it curious that Teddy and Caroline are backing Obama...seeing that they had an intimate relationship with J & R and would know better than anyone who is more closely related in principle to the late Kennedy's? Final note: the bullying tone of your email makes it a little clearer to me how you would relate to HRC ;-) sorry...couldn't help that little jab.

• Kesha 02/28/2008 1:58:35 PM

  Why the title of your story is Obama and Me for a journalist you use limited words, I mean why not make it interesting like The Good and The Bad Times Working With Barack Obama, that sounds better than Obama and Me, who me oh you, I just wanted to point out in your article you said Obama yelled at you because he didn't agree with your last story then you said that you are impressed with Obama, you can't be impressed with someone thats always yelling when you do wrong, make up your mind Hillary Clinton or you against the war or not did you answer yes but you was hopeing the bill didn't pass.... Why would you try to get incontact with Obama if he was that bad of a person..

• Sunny 02/28/2008 1:30:35 PM

  I really liked the article. As a college senior, I am interested in what the candidates have accomplished and if they are qualified to lead this country. I dont think Obama fits the bill. He seems just a little "sneaky".

• harry 02/28/2008 12:44:18 PM

  PC world gone mad - you mention the internet story that hasn't hit local newsstands... that's because nobody can get it out of cyberspace!! no one wants to touch it... o'reilly eluded to its existence, youtube censored its site on the comment ticker, even tabloids like the globe barely talk about the fact that network or cable or talk radio are scared to be the first to report it .. YOU know about it... it is explosive, but we'll let the dems vote for him before the story is out...even if the story is a crock, the suppression of this information stinks of communism and that is a BIG story...

• Robin 02/28/2008 11:43:59 AM

  I would like to know what you know about Larry Sinclair's accusations of gay sex and smoking crack with Barack Obama in 1999? He has also accused Mr. Axelrod of hiring Mr. Parisi of Whitehousedotcom for $750,000 to give Larry a bogus polygraph. Nodody from the Obama/Axelrod campaign has addressed these accusations, but maybe you could get to the bottom of this story. Larry is posting new info daily at his webpage larrysinclair0926(dot)spaces(dot)live(dot)com/ as well as bigheaddc(dot)com. I think these are very serious charges and am hoping you might want to get the answers that that the rest of MSM is keeping so silent about. Thank you for the article.

• Michael 02/28/2008 11:42:02 AM

  Lies and corruption ?? The allegations, much less proof, are too thin in this article. A good beginning to a background bio but too anecdotal, internally inconsistent and not readily reliable. Of course, as we see, there is no shortage of those who cant read critically so they accept the last thing they heard which, if it is this article, would lead them to discount a gifted politician. Wonder why you havent seen this type of article in the major Chicago dailies, the Times or the Washington Post ?? It would only be published where the standards are relaxed. And please, dont start that stuff about how Hillary is virtuous. Last I knew, she ran Bill's clean up operations when one of his perennial bimbo eruptions happened. The proof is in the pudding: two terms of Clinton produced NAFTA, the first Republican Congress since Eisenhower and too many scandals to recount. McCain ?? A hundred year crusade. And this reporter is peddling second hand stories from his years as a third rate stringer in Illinois with no verification ??

• Kim 02/28/2008 10:55:59 AM

  Comment by whee � February 28, 2008 @ 08:58AM 1) Obama supporters are crazed not just because they attack this article and call the author a "hick" but because they have done so with every other articles that uncover negative things about him. Open your eyes. This is not the first article that unveiled Obama as a typical politician. Hillary supporters do not think Obama is the antichrist (that's Republicans), but we do believe that he lacks the very principles that he base his campaign on. 2)Wasn't the media heavily promoting Bush when he was running as the "Uniter"? As usual, Obama supporters seem to blame Hillary for everything that went wrong during the Bush administration. Guess who was in charge of the Bush administration? Bush fooled Hillary and the other senators, including Kerry and Kennedy, who believed that he would use the authorization to let the UN finish their work. It's funny that in 2004, when Obama was running for the US Senate, he took the speech off his website and said he was not privy to Senate intelligence reports. Of course not, because he wasn't a senator and could not vote! And he said in 2004, "What would I have done? I don't know." Hillary has no obligation to release her tax returns. As she said, the info is already public. Frankly, we could care less because she has done nothing illegal. We could care less that Obama's wife got that posh hospital job and increased their income many fold when he became US senator. Most Americans don't live in a mansion that they acquired through questionable dealings either. 3) Barack Obama has calmly and with dignity stumbled, stuttered, and run the clock during debates while essentially saying that he agrees with Hillary's position. It's not hard to be calm and dignified when all one has to do is sit there and remember the other person's answer and change it just a little bit. While he only said mildly negative things about Hillary, his campaign used Republican scare tactics that distorted her health care position and attributed quotes to her that she didn't say. Saying one thing and doing another is something that Obama is particularly good at. 4) Who ran a smear campaign? The one who claims to be above politics who attacks his opponent's character and personality? The one who helps people buy into the belief that Hillary is divisive? Hillary was the one who declared her intentions to run for president first, and Democrats were lining up behind her before Obama came in and started attacking her character. It was Obama who stood by while the pundits accused Bill and Hillary of being racists and it was his camp who distributed the 4-page memo while saying he wasn't commenting about the issue. She was only married to the president, but she was in charge of health care reform. What other first lady has ever done that? She championed health care when it was relatively unpopular. She stood by universal health care as Repubs and big businesses attack them with the same tactic that Obama is using now. And while it failed, guess what, she did not back down. You are another person who blamed Hillary Clinton for Bill Clinton's affair. If this is your reason for picking a president, then maybe you are delusional. 5)I am also a woman who is voting for Hillary who would vote for her if she was a man. Good for you, 37 year old woman. But guess what, you are not unique. You are not special because you are white and voting for a black man. You are another person who thinks that he will unite the country while ignoring the fact that he is ripping the party apart. You need to do more research and not dismiss everything you read as hearsay. One more note...Unlike you and many people I know, I am not voting on how I think the Republicans will vote. I am not voting for another candidate because I'm afraid that Republicans will come out in large numbers to vote against her, because doing so is succumbing to their desires. I know they have been attacking Hillary ever since she was a First Lady. I know Republicans hate the Clintons' guts. But that's because they are true Democrats who will fight for the people, not big business or special interests. Good for your dad, but don't you find it curious that the young Kennedys, Bobby's children, all endorsed Hillary Clinton?

• jennifer beegle 02/28/2008 10:23:58 AM

  Mr. Obama's color is a shield of impenetrable armor protecting him from even the slightest bit of scrutiny, and thus putting all of America and the world at risk. In addition to receiving Mr. Farrakhan's endorsement, Mr. Obama's church gave Mr. Farrakhan a "humanitarian" award in the last year or so. Mr. Farrakhan is an racist, a hater of Jews and white people, and someone who should be feared, reviled, and perhaps even pitied. If, for example, Hillary Clinton belonged to a church that gave the KKK a "humanitarian" award she would be forced out of office. However, Mr. Obama appears to have been given a most disturbing pass on this by almost everyone in the media. Talk about a double standard. Talk about disturbing. Talk about hypocritical. I almost choke when I hear him talk about UNITY knowing this fact. At the very least, Mr. Obama should have left the church based on their support of this racist, but as we all know he did not. This FACT alone should force him from public office. Let's talk about some other facts. Mr. Obama has expressed open dislike, almost hatred, for this country. I want a President that LOVES this country. Mr. Obama has never done community service or volunteer work of any kind, so when he talks about change it is empty rhetoric. Furthermore, he recently purchased a MULTI-MILLION dollar house with the proceeds of his book making him look even more the hypocrite. The Houston Press'story about Mr. Obama shows him to be a politician's politician, quoting him on pork barrel spending in Chicago as saying he doesn't just get pork he gets "steak" implying that he is better than your average politician at lining the pockets of his supporters. He has avoided every single potentially controversial vote EVER, except the one regarding whether we should invade a Muslim country suspected of hiding Muslim terrorists that took over 3,000 American lives on 9/11 and he voted AGAINST invading that Muslim country. He is, by his own words and actions, a hypocrite and a racist. Hillary Clinton has spent 35 years helping poor people--many of them people of color. Real change would be electing someone who really cares about America and Americans. I am proud to be an American and I will proudly vote for someone who might actually effect change--Hillary Clinton.

• angdee 02/28/2008 10:16:17 AM

  Todd, You write an article that includes a story where Obama shouts you down. Then his supporters do the same thing. This isn't change or uniting - it's Bush II

• susan 02/28/2008 10:12:18 AM

  Thanks for this article and your willingness to take abuse from Obama supporters. That is something that has bothered me so very much. He is this inspirational above it all guy and so many of his supporters are vile and mean spirited in thier comments.They so gleefully trash the Clinton's using republican talking points. I often wonder if they are Democrats at all? He should be required to address this along with the misogyny that is so much worse than I realized. I saw yesterday a supporter's website that is selling sweatshirts that say, "Bros before Hos" lovely.

• Diana 02/28/2008 10:06:06 AM

  Thank you for writing this. My Mom grew up in Chicago and has been telling me that politics are an entirely different thing there. Your story really illustrates that. The background on Obama is disturbing, to say the least. I have no use for star-makers, I have no use for "rock star" candidates. The last two times we elected one of those, we got Reagan and Bush (substitute cowboy for rockstar when it's GOP.) It didn't work out either time. The last time we had a president that got things done and improved the lives and civil rights of our citizens. But that is forgotten because the push to elect Obama has made enemies of friends all in the name of getting him elected. The most disturbing aspect of the story is how many people resent this created candidate, resent his tactics (which are shamefully ugly and anti-unity), yet they go on to say that they support him! Where is the integrity in that? Does it seem odd to anyone that Obama has suddenly taken on this Southern Baptist minister style of speaking? I have no doubt that Axelrod has had him working with a vocal coach or watching videos... The Youtube video of Obama speaking then intercut with Denzell Washington playing Malcom X is almost identical -- word for word. But that is not how Obama spoke before. He's playing a part and people refuse to see it. Instead they'll attack journalists like Mr. Spivak for pointing out Obama's path to this election, and the inconsistencies. I'm tired of blank slate candidates. I'm not looking for a savior, I'm not looking for a preacher, I'm not looking for a rock star. I'm looking for someone that can get up in the morning, sit down at that desk in the Oval Office, and get the work of repairing the Nation done. The person that gets EVERYONE health care, reverses the deficit (again!), keeps people from losing their homes, does not have to be a feel-good candidate. The idea that all America needs is someone to inspire us to be better people is silly, and smacks of American Idol thinking. Yeah, a candidate makes us feel all warm and fuzzy with David Axelrod's words about how we're bringing the nation together... and then what? I don't know about the rest of you, but I'm pretty busy trying to keep my own life together, struggle along, and keep our heads above water. I don't really have time to help the President run the Country. Once the chanting stops, the tears stop, the signs are thrown into recycling, the person you select has to do the work. No amount of inspiration will fix the nation's problems. It's about electing someone that gets thing done. When Obama mentioned in the debate a "sermon" he gave at a church... I was shocked. I don't want a "preach"er, I want a "do"er.

• joeysky 02/28/2008 9:39:52 AM

  Thank you for writing this report. There is no perfect candidate. But people need to make informed decision.

• Grendel 02/28/2008 9:15:00 AM

  Bravo. MSM and cable talking heads pale in comparison and make us worse off. It's high time they were called out.

• whee 02/28/2008 8:58:03 AM

  1. I'm an Obama supporter. I'm not crazed, hypnotized and I do not think he is the second coming of the Messiah. That being said, why are Obama supporters so criticized as delusional for doubting an article in the Houston Press that is riddled with hearsay? It seems to me that it's more delusional for the rest of you to be so drawn into this article that you're behaving as though the man is the anti-Christ. Anyway...I'd like to address 5 comments in particular: #12. He opposed the war because it wasn't the right thing to do. And everyone with 1/2 an ounce of intelligence realized it then...and most people realize it in hindsight. Hillary now regrets that she was duped by Bush...ya really want someone running the country who could be fooled by...W? Not to mention the fact that Hillary has shown her many ugly sides throughout this campaign. I used to like Hillary (still love Bill), but her behavior of late has been disheartening. Not because she's a woman...if she were a man behaving this way, she would be considered a bully. And if Barack is poised on becoming a very wealthy man, at least he's not hiding how he earns his money...Hillary won't...not before the primary on the 4th...doesn't that seem curious to you? And if you think there's something wrong with being wealthy...you should be slightly troubled that Hillary "loaned" 5 MILLION dollars of her own money to her campaign. Sure, it was a loan...I'm sure most Americans have that kind of cash laying around. #14 Shocking debate style???? The man has remained calm and dignified in the face of Hillary's erratic, emotional outbursts. He's remained respectful and classy and even when he's said mildly negative things about HRC he's done so respectfully and without malice. If you want to learn his policies, go to his website...they're there for anyone to read. If you want to hand the presidency over to McCain, vote Hillary. She won't beat him..what she will do is energize conservative and apathetic repulicans to get out there and vote for McCain. Hillary is the polarizing candidate. She's behind him AND Obama in the polls. Do the math. #21 What side has been shown? This article is comprised almost entirely of hearsay. He's run the least negative campaign of any of the candidates. Threatening black leaders? Where are you getting your information? He's not the candidate that's been ripping the party apart...that would be HRC...who has been running a smear campaign from the start. NONE of the candidates have ANY experience running the country...HRC was only married to a president...not quite the same thing. Good Lord...the woman didn't know her husband was having an affair (and I know from experience that when your spouse is having an affair, the signs are all there...if you don't turn a blind eye), she didn't know Bush going to war was the wrong thing to do...she's clearly oblivious. Her healthcare plan failed in the past because she refuses to listen to people other than yes men, she wants things to go her way or no way at all, unwilling to be flexible to make things happen...that's exactly what we've had for the past 8 years. A stubborn leader who wants things done his way regardless of what anyone advises or wants. Look, everyone gets defensive when their candidate is attacked or criticized...whether justied or not...HRC supporters, McCain supporters, Obama supporters. We support these people and believe in them because we relate to them, feel like they represent us, believe in their policies and believe that they can affect change. I am a 37 year old white woman. I am not voting for gender or race. I'm voting for the candidate I believe can unite our country. Whether you believe it is because I am a blind sheep, hypnotized or whatever you believe...that is your right. But when we get on these boards and attack each other...it serves no purpose. I have done much research...and learned a lot about Obama...since my dad told me about this young man from Illinois about 8 years ago. He said..his star is rising...he brings people together in a way he hadn't seen since Bobby. I started learning about the man and his beliefs and I admire and respect him. Just because I don't flip on him based on hearsay or an article in the free press does not a fanatic make me. I stand up for my beliefs as we all have the right to do and should do. God Bless America.

• Bitch is the new black 02/28/2008 6:42:54 AM

  The Obamatons are on alert and will flood the site with rage shortly. Todd thanks for a very interesting piece with a unique point of view. You are a brave guy to take on the followers of our lord and savior Obama.

• Mary 02/28/2008 6:24:26 AM

  Thank you for filling in some blanks a lot of us have about Mr. Obama. The more information we have to make an informed decision on this important Presidential race, the better.

• Henry 02/28/2008 5:53:34 AM

  Enjoyed the background on Barack Obama - there is just not enough information on him available. I know, because I try to do good research before making my decision. I imagine you will be attacked by some over ardent supporters of his, but the rest of us thank you for filling in some blanks. We can make a better decision on which candidate to vote for. Thanks again.

• Minina 02/27/2008 11:44:12 PM

  A very interesting piece, indeed. It surely exposes Obama's lie of a "politics of change, politics of unity." It further exposes the corruption of his past political life, as well as giving insight into how he might have been running his current campaign for the nomination. The fact that this piece is written from a personal perspective does not diminish the veracity of the facts presented. In my observation, although all of us have based (up to a point) our choice of candidate on personal preferences, many of us who chose NOT to support Obama have taken the pains to base our choices on something other than absolute and blind devotion; the candidates' platforms and resumes should not be seen as mere unnecessary and annoying footnotes, as something to ignore or assign second priority. That is not to say that all Obama supporters chose him based on nothing but a sense of "personal relationship" with him, but my interaction with Obama supporters continues to give me the impression that many are perhaps too young or too blinded by attachment to their candidate to take seriously his faults, his questionable actions, his silence when people in his campaign do his dirty work in a manner unbecoming of his purported "clean" and "post-race" candidacy. Sad as it is, Obama will be easy to defeat in the GE against McCain. Hillary Clinton, on the other hand, would be a far better choice despite (or perhaps because of) her supposed flaws. Her record is extensive and commendable, though it isn't perfect; her platform, especially on health care, is a far better choice than Obama's; her personality qualifies her as someone who has what it takes to clean the mess Bush will leave us; her intelligence and presence will make her a great representative of the U.S. abroad. I had the pleasure of meeting her once in New York, and I found her to be a pleasant individual with a peculiar type of charisma all her own--something that I consider a plus, rather than a negative.

• Shawn 02/27/2008 11:32:13 PM

  What a brilliant piece of journalism!!! I wote an email to this reporter but I also wanted to express support on a public level for this piece. I have witnessed what this reporter speaks of and it is the truth. Anyone attacking this reporter is blinded, and I truly feel sorry for them. This reporter KNEW Obama before he became the Barackstar (as I did) and he isn't blinded by the mystique of the Axelrod PR campaign. He stated he admred the man (as I do), but none of that takes away from the fact that he has hidden his past, the media have happily oblidged (probably because there are threats to shut them out), and everyone has sucked up Axelrod's BS. People of Texas: Take it from an Illinoisan and vote Hillary. Sen. Obama does not have the experience or the judgment to be President and Commander-in-Chief.

• Shawn 02/27/2008 11:31:14 PM

  What a brilliant piece of journalism!!! I wote an email to this reporter but I also wanted to express support on a public level for this piece. I have witnessed what this reporter speaks of and it is the truth. Anyone attacking this reporter is blinded, and I truly feel sorry for them. This reporter KNEW Obama before he became the Barackstar (as I did) and he isn't blinded by the mystique of the Axelrod PR campaign. He stated he admred the man (as I do), but none of that takes away from the fact that he has hidden his past, the media have happily oblidged (probably because there are threats to shut them out), and everyone ha sucked up Axelrod's BS. People of Texas: Take it from an Illinoisan and vote Hillary. Sen. Obama does have te eperience or the judgment to be President and Commander-in-Chief.

• nycvoter 02/27/2008 10:05:00 PM

  Readers may be interested in this article on race during the campaign. lots of insight http://www.tnr.com/politics/story.html?id=aa0cd21b-0ff2-4329-88a1-69c6c268b304

• Skip 02/27/2008 10:02:55 PM

  This man would be a disaster for the Democratic Party and for the country. Texas, do the right thing - vote for Hillary, and don't fail to go to the caucuses in the evening with proof of voting.

• Pam Fulgham 02/27/2008 9:59:11 PM

  Thank you for your insight on Obama. I have watched him in the debates, and read articles about slimey deals he has done in the US Senate. The one that mostly bothers me is the one that he watered down a Nuclear Bill where Exelon had leaked nuclear waste in the rivers to not mandate notification to the public. The watered down bill has given his presidental campaign $289,000 from executives at Exelon. Thank you for being honest and bringing this to light. I am a Democrat, never voted Republican, but this year I will vote for McCain. He has earned respect. I may not like his stances on the issues, but I can say he is honorable.

• sam 02/27/2008 9:49:19 PM

  there's something about him that i find suspicious...i also find him arrogant and cocky...to this i add lacking experience and sexist...no, i'm not into the obama-mania crap...i like leaders who are experienced and qualified...i want the usa in the hands of someone that i trust...this is not football; i will not take a chance on the well-intentioned rookie...and, since i'm an independent voter, that leaves me with clinton or mccain...if there's no clinton, the next president will be mccain....the writing is on the wall...centrist democrats are going to vote the same way....so will a significant number of women and hispanics...and, by the way, many independants that may have voted for BO, will vote mccain in the general election....add the vote of republicans (who DO NOT jump ship like democrats) and there you have it....

• vee 02/27/2008 9:46:09 PM

  '"The white, race-baiting, hard-right Republican Illinois Senate Majority Leader James "Pate" Philip was replaced by Emil Jones Jr., a gravel-voiced, dark-skinned African-American known for chain-smoking cigarettes on the Senate floor. Jones had served in the Illinois Legislature for three decades. He represented a district on the Chicago South Side not far from Obama's. He became Obama's �kingmaker. Several months before Obama announced his U.S. Senate bid, Jones called his old friend Cliff Kelley, a former Chicago alderman who now hosts the city's most popular black call-in radio �program. I called Kelley last week and he recollected the private conversation as follows: "He said, 'Cliff, I'm gonna make me a U.S. Senator.'" "Oh, you are? Who might that be?" "Barack Obama." Jones appointed Obama sponsor of virtually every high-profile piece of legislation, angering many rank-and-file state legislators who had more seniority than Obama and had spent years championing the bills. "I took all the beatings and insults and endured all the racist comments over the years from nasty Republican committee chairmen," State Senator Rickey Hendon, the original sponsor of landmark racial profiling and videotaped confession legislation yanked away by Jones and given to Obama, complained to me at the time. "Barack didn't have to endure any of it, yet, in the end, he got all the credit. "I don't consider it bill jacking," Hendon told me. "But no one wants to carry the ball 99 yards all the way to the one-yard line, and then give it to the halfback who gets all the credit and the stats in the record book." During his seventh and final year in the state Senate, Obama's stats soared. He sponsored a whopping 26 bills passed into law � including many he now cites in his presidential campaign when attacked as inexperienced.' This is like the story by Joe Wilson debunking the "Saddam is shopping for uranium" story in the run up to the Iraq war. It shows up so late in the game that there is no time, and probably no desire on the mainstream press's part, to analyze the story and discuss it.

• Jenny 02/27/2008 9:34:43 PM

  I wonder if Obama will treat his supporters the way he treated the people who helped him get into the Senate?

• Brandon 02/27/2008 9:26:59 PM

  As a journalist, I have to say that anyone who recognizes this gentleman's ability to write a story as journalism, should really move beyond a high school yearbook. I may or or may not like Barack Obama, but this...my friends...is crappy journalism...and that's probably a compliment.

• Bees 02/27/2008 9:26:19 PM

  I am glad to see some insight into Obama's personality. Nobody knows who this guy is. In his book, he said he was a "blank screen" onto which people could project anything. He has carefully cultivated a mystery man persona in order to get the presidency. Hillary, on the other hand, is well-known and everybody knows she can get the job done. Nobody knows how Obama would behave as president. Hope and change? How idiotic. I'm sick of this Obamamania. It's foolishness and a lot of people are going to be very embarrassed with the way they have fawned over this man.

• BMN4O 02/27/2008 9:25:53 PM

  WOW!!! This answers so many questions. We need to hear from more reporters that saw Barack before. But wow that is really telling that he wasn't able to "Change" and get the Republican run congress to do "Believe" together. If they were tough on the state level what does he think is gonna happen on the Fed level? Again in the Senate no major votes against the existing grain that he is gonna change as supposed president. No ground breaking legislation nothing. Just votes as the other democratic senators who were already there votes. This is so ridiculous now. Please TX, OH, RI and VT stop this madness!

• Emily 02/27/2008 9:24:53 PM

  Thank you, Mr. Spivak for writing an honest article about Senator Obama. I have no doubt that you will receive lots of nasty comments, plenty of virtual shouting, and perhaps even threats from Senator Obama's supporters (based on Tavis Smiley's experience), but I thank you for being honest. His use of intimidation has been apparent throughout this campaign, and it is no wonder that others in the state legislature found him difficult to work with. This has confirmed my judgement of his character that he is mostly a talker, not a doer and that he has not nearly the record of accomplishment when it comes to improving the lives of Americans as his opponent. I hope the rest of the so-called journalists in this country will follow your example and take a closer look at Senator Obama, to highlight not only his strong points, but also his very real flaws, and his dangerous lack of experience.

• bb60 02/27/2008 9:24:01 PM

  I knew there were local stories about Obama-Even the fawning Chicago Tribune had said in endorsements that they would like to know a little more about his going along to get along in Chicago politics. One doesn't rise that quickly through the ranks-especially in Chicago without a story- Thanks for giving it to us.

• Billy Deez 02/27/2008 9:23:14 PM

  HAHAHAHAH, I love the libs all pouring out condemnation on the HOUSTON PRESS of all papers. HAHAHAHA. Or I should say the OBama Sheep. They can't stand if you insult their messiah. He's the second coming right? Of course a bill that Obama did support that should be added to his "lengthy" record is the bill that lets babies who survive abortions, ie are alive after the procedure, die. I guess he likes to see babies die in the name of abortion. To me, that sums up the man Obama is. A typical coward, a politician, and best of all, he'll come in 2nd place come election time! Good try Barack Hussein Obama.

• Mathomas 02/27/2008 9:20:39 PM

  Thank you for being brave enough to tell the real story on Senator Obama. I know that you will take a lot of heat for going against "The Messiah", but stand strong. America needs more journalist like you to expose the truth about Senator Obama's past. Our Country has too much at stake to nominate and Empty Suit like him. Thank you again!

• Fred 02/27/2008 9:18:35 PM

  I think we should be asking that Obama step down and out of the democratic race for his dishonest mailings about Hillary and old style politics. Not only does it show dishonesty, but it flies in the face of everything he says he is about. He is using old politics to get ahead. He has now become the devisive one to the democratic party.

• hillarysmygirl 02/27/2008 9:17:45 PM

  P.S. I think Barack Obama would make a great vice-president. He can learn a thing or two from Hillary in 8 years, then he can be President for the next 8. Poke a fork in him, he's not ready yet. And p.p.s., Jasmine? That's a picture of Illinois Senate President Emil Jones Jr. you were referring to...that's not a picture of Todd Spivak. I find it hysterically funny that Senator Clinton's supporters are supposedly the uneducated ones. At least we read captions.

• nycvoter 02/27/2008 9:15:29 PM

  I don't understand how the national media hasn't looked at his past seriously, he's running for President for goodness sake, if his words aren't his own, shouldn't his legislative accomplishments be his?

• divabunny 02/27/2008 9:09:46 PM

  i commendyou for writing this article. one question has plagued the country since obama announced his bid for the presidency... you have certainly showed us a side that i think all of us knew existed. this article has just soldified my belief that voting for hillary clinton is the best choice for our country. it is even more clear now that barak obama is running on a platform of pure rhetoric... he claims to want to unite, yet he attacks other democrats and is not above ripping the party apart. he claims to want to unite, yet he is dividing the african american community by threatening prominent african american leaders that do not support him. maybe in time he will be ready, but after the last seven years, we do not need another empty suit in the white house. no more on the job training... this is the time for experience, not time for an experiment!

• hillarysmygirl 02/27/2008 9:06:48 PM

  Thank you for your courage to tell this story! You're going to get a lot of flack from the crazy Obama supporters. When the nomination process started, I thought I would vote for Obama. But the more I learned about him, the less secure I felt about electing him as our most important public servant. I trust Hillary to take care of our country and to stand up against her detractors in the Senate and the House. I trust that she can stand up against foreign leaders who might want to do harm to the US. I feel safe with her and I haven't given up yet. Vote for Hillary, Texas!

• Rick Ramsay 02/27/2008 9:05:56 PM

  He'a a thug. A Harvard educated thug. Wake up, Texas. It's in your hands.

• Kim 02/27/2008 9:04:35 PM

  To Obama supporters: I am sorry that someone has uncovered your hero's true face: an opportunistic bully. Your reason for supporting Barack Obama is continually changing, just like his stance on important issues. When he first ran for President you support him because he is above politics. Now as more evidence surface that he is just another ambitious politician, you are supporting him because his campaign ran a "lean, mean political machine." Your blindness has led you into hypocrisy. You just sound pathetic now. Of course, intimidation is no big deal to you. That's what your campaign has been doing to black superdelegates. You better be careful and not upset your hero, because one day you may on the receiving end.

• ginaswo 02/27/2008 8:50:21 PM

  Oh thank you for this article! The media has not vetted Obama's record at all to this point. Thank you for being willing to be a reporter for the American people.

• AJ Fish 02/27/2008 8:50:04 PM

  When somebody rises so far so fast, I wonder how he is acclimating to fame. That's why I really liked this article because it gives a vantage point into Obama at all these stages of his career. Nobody is perfect, especially a politician. His supporters are going to give you hell for this.

• she's right 02/27/2008 8:12:55 PM

  I have to agree with some of the earlier writers. I'm an Obama supporter, and there's some fascinating juicy stuff in this piece. But, there's a few points that make you lose credibility... but they lead to honesty. The jive talking line, the fact that he didn't get to respond to your negative article (or this article), all of it shows a narrowness of your perspective. That being said, I really needed to read something about the nitty gritty of how Obama rose so fast. He was a golden boy, and they sometimes hurt feelings on the way. He still worked hard, and he still possesses a power to encourage people to work together. It's just nice that someone pointed out the fallout of all of that. So it's a good necessary article, that isn't completely fair.

• Lauren 02/27/2008 8:12:50 PM

  It just proves what a viable candidate Hillary Rodham Clinton is in comparison. I had long been a supporter of Barack Obama, but I feel that he has much yet to learn and much yet to prove. This kind of behavior does not warrant the support of the superdelegates neither the support of those that shall be voting in the upcoming primaries. It is time for America to WAKE UP and start reading the facts and the literature that is finally being released on this candidate. He had my vote, but his shocking debate style and unanswered policy questions AND tactics leave little to be desired. Hillary Clinton on the flip side of the coin, HAS what it takes....between the 9th-19th February, no other candidate has taken the staunch, steadfast approach that she has taken. I was in awe of her intelligence watching both the Texan and Ohion democratic debates and her solutions for America....it does not take a a great deal of intelligence to decipher exactly who is the most viable. I sure wish American would start evaluating the facts, the credentials and the experience of this candidate, before we make the massive mistake of handing the presidency to more of the same aka John McCain. If we want a Democratic nominee that will take us to the White House....VOTE HILLARY CLINTON. And my vote will proudly be awarded to you. Congratulations on wading the storm and I look forward to the victory that will be March 4th.

• Fred Rouse 02/27/2008 7:31:57 PM

  Nice biography.I especially liked the part where Barak Obama hurt your feelings. When somebody yells at me,and won't return my calls,the first thing I want to do is write my life story so a newspaper will pretend is some kind of shocking expose to fill a lot,and I mean a lot,of space. Douche.

• jennifer 02/27/2008 6:56:38 PM

  Barack Hussein Obama belongs to a black supremacist church that gave Louis Farrakhan a 'humanitarian' award. Barack Hussein Obama has never done community service or any voluteer work in his life. He expresses deep dislike--some might say hatred--for America. He avoided every single potentially controversial vote as a Senator except for the one regarding whether we invade a Muslim country that was harboring terrorists that had killed over 3000 Americans, and, interestingly enough, he voted against invading that Muslim country. He is a self-serving egomaniac and what scares me is that NO ONE seems to be looking at these truly disturbing facts. He is a politician's politician, and since buying his multi-million dollar home with the proceeds of his book he is poised to become very powerful and wealthy. Unity, change, poor people, give me a break. Hillary Clinton has spent 35 years helping poor people--many of them people of color. Real change would be electing someone who really cares about America and Americans. I am proud to be an American and I will proudly vote for someone who might actually effect change--Hillary Clinton.

• anna 02/27/2008 6:21:05 PM

  So Barack Obama got famous and you covered Chicago sort of and maybe it will help your career to hop on the bandwagon and promote yourself. Otherwise it's a list of grudges with no clear argument and some name dropping. Gee, somebody in big city politics was ambitious and had rivals. Oh and you knew him. Big whup.

• Jeremy 02/27/2008 5:35:51 PM

  Your article is confusing at best. At one point you complain about how he didn't do enough for the culturally rich Bronzeville, then knock Tillman for having a money consuming cultural center. You knock Barack for directing state money towards Chicago, then say he didn't give enough. Your article is riddled with inconsistencies. Sloppy journalism even for "new journalism". It's no wonder you had to leave Chicago to get a job. And $150 a month for a place in Chicago is good no matter where you are. But maybe since this paper is in Houston, no one there will be able to call you out for your blatantly false statements about Chicago.

• Ed 02/27/2008 5:25:03 PM

  This reads like a pure Rick Pearson-fed Springfield fringe article. The only substance is your weak, utterly unverifiable supposed phone conversation. I can't believe this got past an editor's desk: even Houston. Innuendo, conjecture and agenda: I see talk-radio in your future, boy.

• Steve Johnson 02/27/2008 4:36:56 PM

  I'm an Obama supporter, and I found this piece very interesting. I'll still be an Obama supporter of course, but it's good to read this information. I'm hoping that his policies and judgment in the future coincide with the way he's run his campaign. As far as his actions before he was a US senator, well, you bring up some important stuff.

• NightHawk 02/27/2008 3:44:41 PM

  To Kevin M.: Obama supporters who bought into his his empty "hope and change" claptrap SHOULD feel shock and horror at this tactics because his whole campaign has been based on how he represents a "new" kind of politician. Obama called on his supporters to reject the politics of cynicism when he was practicing the very same thing. It's interesting how far people will move their own moral goalposts when their beliefs are undermined.

• JB 02/27/2008 3:43:49 PM

  This article would be a lot better if it was less about you, and more about Obama, whatever his faults may be. As it is, the important, interesting things are buried. And you don't have much credibility left by the time you get to them, after potshots like "a reporter friend overheard him call me an asshole". Why don't you just let the facts speak for themselves...you know, like a journalist.

• Kevin M. 02/27/2008 3:32:09 PM

  Yeah, excellent article. Of course, it's no surprise that - shock, horror - Obama acted like a politician on the make in the state legislature but it's nice to have the details spelled out. Besides is this a generational thing for Democrats? Are they going to elect yet another centrist candidate (like Clinton or Carter) and believe they've found the next liberal messiah?

• Jasmine 02/27/2008 3:31:47 PM

  This story sounds like such crap. You should have wrote this at the beginning of his move to becoming President. Not when he is more than ready to become President of the United States of America. You actually call yourself a journalist? Find something more concrete to write about instead of trying to sabotage Obama's candidacy or better yet, gain some sort of recognition for claiming that you know Obama. It seems to me that you are more like the pot calling the kettle black. And why should he speak "street"? He is an educated black man! You should write a story about how unhealthy black men have become as they age. Look at your photo. A picture tells a thousand words. Do you want a drink??

• NightHawk 02/27/2008 3:07:54 PM

  Excellent article Mr. Spivak. Obama's fervent supporters will probably try to nitpick your story (as the previous comment indicates) to make it seem less credible, but the truth is there. Barack Obama schemes and lies like any other politician. He is the ultimate proof that the more things "change," the more they stay the same.

• Media 02/27/2008 3:03:12 PM

  So you're jealous of Obama, along with some other black politicians. So what else is new.

• wackadoo 02/27/2008 2:42:14 PM

  "Waaaa! Obama won't return my calls!" So this is "journalism"? GO BACK TO VERMONT, YOU HICK!