I can pull up several articles from the last year in which Obama has asked supporters to give monetary support to him directly, rather than through an unregulated 527 or similar groups not affiliated with his campaign. He immediately stepped up on that. It’s clear that Edwards didn’t say anything about this 527 until Obama outed him. Another key difference is that the 527s interested in supporting Obama ARE NOT run by Obama operatives. How can Edwards’ supporters skate over the fact that people who worked for Edwards just this past spring have started up a 527 that’s spending nearly $1 MILLION on ads FOR EDWARDS in Iowa alone, meanwhile Edwards (who claims to be so against 527s) says nothing about it? He preaches against 527s, unless they’re spending money for him. It seems that Edwards saw early on that he was going to have trouble raising enough money to compete with Clinton and Obama, so they hatched this 527 plan to get more money for his campaign through the back door, while he publicly denounced these groups.

Is there anything Obama and his friends don't cry about?

Honest and up front is what I am seeing in Sen. Obama, the liars are beginng to show themselves for what they really are HELLO HILLARY !!!!

Edwards, "sensibilities", as expressed, have definite merit for the admirable construct/goal of a more perfect union.  Nevertheless, there IS an element of having your cake and eating it too regarding these 527's. Indeed, one would think that, given the reported relationship(s), past and/or present, of the person running the 527 backed by the SIEU to Edwards, that said person would not want to expose him(Edwards) to what is unhelpful, valid criticism. If this is not so, even after Edwards has expressed HIS preference, then the following point of Obama, apparently in answer to a question re Edward's ability, even as potus, to achieve the admirable but very difficult goals about which he is so passionate, is very valid as to desirable influence on process.

Here is the referenced point:  If you can't get your former campaign manager and political director to do what you like, then it's going to be hard to get the insurance companies and the drug companies to do what you like."  

Obama is going NEGATIVE again..
he's a nasty little man

Obama is in the pocket of the credit card lobby. Obama has remedial math issues and is not familiar with the greater than/ lesser than concepts, at least when it comes to counting advisers. Now he pushes his misinformation off on an article in the NYTimes... he doesn't know who advises him? Maybe that is because he is told how to vote? The insinuation that some kind of calling to a round table to confer and discuss, with corporate interests, a reconcilliation of the current abysmal state of democracy in this country calls into question the seriousness of this man. Osama... er... Obama. I mean it would be ludicrous to think that the Republicans would be supporting this guy's candidacy when clearly he has working class values and just wants to sit down with the monied interests so he can help them negotiate away their power. I must have missed his proposals to sit down with the people who favored a 30% interest cap on credit card rates... or maybe not... I  mean the guy clearly gets a bad rap, some people have even called his religion into question just because he studied for 5 years at a Madrasa in Indonesia, I mean what possible effect could that have had on him? I am sure these minor issues... Osama... Muslim... don't excite the very people that he claims to want to sit down with. Get real... Get a life... sell the lie to someone else this year. I voted for Kerry and he didn't fight even though the election was clearly stolen in Ohio and Obama is more of the same. If he is the nominee I am voting for Nader this  time like I should have done last time.

You have to wonder if the SEIU had endorsed Obama if he would have complained about them campaigning for him....seriously, does anyone HONESTLY believe if they were stumping for him he would complain?

I think Obama insistence on remaining on the issues is a legitimate course and if Edward cant stop the 527 ad, who are his friends, how can he stand up to the powerful insurance and lobby groups.  Let us remain on the issue than name calling

NO more Clinton dynasty and corrupted Health Industry.

!!! VOTE FOR BARACK OBAMA !!!

Obama is a liar, when he was senator the first two things he did was vote on a bill making it impossible for average citizens to sue big corporations for fruad


And he's a liar for taking money from lobbyists and corporations while denying it.

"The junior Senator from Illinois denounces the corrosive influence of private political cash on U.S. democracy while cozying up to Chicago's notoriously corrupt Big Money Mayor Richard M. Daley (with whom he shares the same high-priced campaign consultant (David Axlerod) and raking in campaign largesse from wealthy world-capitalist interests.  His top career sponsors include Goldman Sachs, Exelon (the world's leading nuclear plant operator), the Soros Fund Management, J.P Morgan Chase & Co., leading corporate law and lobbying firms (Kirkland & Ellis and Skadden, Arps,  Sidley Austin LLP and others), top Chicago investment interests (including Henry Crown & Co and Aerial Capital Management) and the like.

Obama's reliance on such deep-pockets supporters helps explain why he voted for a business-driven "tort reform" bill that rolled back working peoples' ability to obtain reasonable redress and compensation from misbehaving corporations. It is certainly part of why he opposed an amendment to the Bankruptcy Act that would have capped credit card interest rates at 30 percent. It is undoubtedly related to his vote against a bill that would have killed an amendment to the 2005 energy bill that Taxpayers for Common Sense and Citizens Against Government Waste called "one of the worst provisions in this massive piece of legislation."  Under the amendment, which passed with Obama's help, U.S. taxpayers are providing millions of dollars in loan guarantees to power plant operators.  They "risk losing billions of dollars if the companies default," as Ken Silverstein wrote in the November, 2006 issue of Harper's Magazine ("Barack Obama Inc.: The Birth of a Washington Machine").  

Special interest influence is certainly behind Obama's constant plugging of federally subsidized ethanol ("E-85") as an environmentally friendly "alternative fuel." Reliance on corporate cash and power is also likely related to Obama's opposition to the introduction of single-payer national health insurance on the curious grounds that such a welcome social-democratic change would lead to employment difficulties for workers in the private insurance industry and that "voluntary" solutions are "more consonant" with "the American character" than "government mandates." The latter judgment is advanced despite the fact that a large U.S. majority supports government-mandated universal health insurance.

Obama, it is worth noting, received $708,000 from medical and insurance interests between 2001 and 2006, according to the Center for Responsive Politics. His wife Michelle, a fellow Harvard Law graduate, is a Vice President for Community and External Affairs at the University of Chicago Hospitals, a position that paid her $273, 618 in 2006. For what it's worth, she also received $51,200 for attending a few board meetings of TreeHouse Foods, a giant firm where she was made a director after Obama was elected to the U.S. Senate.  

One day after Obama denounced Big Money control of U.S. politics in Iowa City, Iowa, the Los Angeles Times reported that Obama "raised more than $1 million in the first three months of his presidential campaign from law firms and companies that have major lobbying operations in the nation's capital."  Obama has also received a combined $170,000 so far this year from financial giants Goldman Sachs and Citigroup, who together spent $4.6 million on federal lobbying in 2006.

"Obama received more than two-thirds (68 percent) of his first quarter 2007 fundraising total ‘from donations of $1000 or more.'"  

The Los Angeles Times also reported that Obama received more than two-thirds (68 percent) of his first quarter 2007 fundraising total "from donations of $1000 or more."  Obama has "played up populist themes of [campaign finance] reform," trumpeting his "large number of small donations" and claiming (in the Senator's words) to be "launch[ing]a fundraising drive that isn't about dollars.". But his astonishing first-quarter campaign finance haul of $25.7 million included $17.5 million from "big donors" ($1000 and up) - a sum higher than the much more genuinely populist and remarkably pro-labor John Edwards' total take ($14 million) from all donors.

According to Chicago Sun Times columnist Lynn Sweet, "Obama talks about transforming politics and touts the donations of ‘ordinary' people to his campaign, a network of more than 100 elite Democratic ‘bundlers' is raising millions of dollars for his White House bid. The Obama campaign prefers the emphasis be on the army of small donors who are giving - and raising - money for Obama. In truth, though, there are two parallel narratives - and the other is that Obama is also heavily reliant on wealthy and well-connected Democrats."  

Two weeks ago, Sweet reported that Obama had received large donations from at least eight executives at Island Def Jam, a hip-hop recording firm that markets rap artists that Obama has accused of "degrading their sisters" with sexist slurs. I assume (incorrectly perhaps) that Simmons was not among the contributors."

I think John Edwards set the trap, then fell
into it himself!  He couldn't raise enough
money so tried to find "another way".  It's
crunch time and everybody's supporters are
feeling the desperation. Those laws were put in
place for a reason but some people who may have agreed with them in principle are now frustrated that they cannot use them to their own advantage. A lot of us are sick to death of negative politics and
whoever starts these attacks are just turning people against the candidates they were trying to "help".

Correct me if I am wrong, but Edwards is not taking lobbyist money, Obama is, and Obama wants to cry about 527's. His lastest bashing of Edwards shows his staff is worried about a Edwards surge.

Dear Friends:
Senator Obama I respect you for you have acheived.
I wrote the NAACP because like the Senator from New Mexico and Senator Hilary Clinton and Senator Biden and Senators Edwards, Romney, Thompson, and Senator John McCain, I believed the time was here for equal representation for the president of the United States of America.  We are proud of each of you.  Senator Hilary Clinton as Senator Diane Feinstein, Senator Matsui, Senator Barbara Boxer and each and everyone of you have made a place in history.  Hilary as the first woman to be the first lady, a Senator and a presidential candidate.  
Proud America is as the world watches and each representation of part of this nation.  Senator Romney if you are not a natural born citizen or any others then you cannot take the oath of President of the United States of America per our constitutional requirements.  
Senator Obama though I wanted you to have the opportunity you have lost part of my respect.  As I told the world African Americans were citizens though slaves in this nation.  Their freedom was to vote and to own land and not be part of chatels as women were.
Today in your talk show you disappointed me to no repair.  No matter how you see yourself you have failed to give the respect due others in how they saw you.  We did not see your color!!! Nor your race!
But you in almost every sentence said how white boys and girls are white.  Yes we are but not Boy!!!  White boy   Whity and all the other remarks have caused me great pain.  You are predjidice!!!
And as those who could not see that the literary piece historical for this nation and the world called TO KILL A MOCKING BIRD!!!  Was and is a statement of how part of this nation stopped to express and see and examine and feel how our legal system and our society and the society of the world was changing and that courts could give justice and the pains of that decision impacted all of us.  The many sensitive who  did not understand wanted off the book shelfs and stores and libraries.  Part of real history, examination and freedom of speech lost.  
God Bless you!! But I do not and cannot support your vote for all Americans.  Harvard is a great school but it is not the reason nor assurance to bring to the public a candidate that can love all man kind and woman and their rights.  

Senator John McCain you have my vote at this time!!
Guide us through this time down the road of the election.   A path that I hope Senators like John Kerry, and those mentioned above and all others and our president bring into alignment the protection of woman, man, and child and the unborn child and the sperm and eggs of us in this nation against the advancements of medical and scientific advancements that are making fake nanotech or biotech or stem cells that can alter and or hurt the natural God given experiences of child birth and the neptual practices and experiences and the unborn child, skin, nerves, brains, heart, organs, and life in the womb.
So precious and as a Doctor you Senator John Kerry and you with all your experience Senator John McCain and you President George W Bush Jr with your love of mankind and belief of protection of the abortionist and cancer rain.  Bring out the best legal and safe for today advancements so fast and most often well meaning can hurt including the womb and child.   Would mankind have used these things against baby Jesus or an Arab child of the origin or a Jewish child of origin say Abrahams sons.  We may not be here today!!!  God Bless and bring your children unto the Lord.  Courage sometimes calls for us to stand alone and seperate from the rest.  

I will have another message on the weather msn comment for Christmas and the Season of love and sharing for all Good will in men and women and for the children.  AMEN

For in the manger a child and the Holy spirit yes GOD CAME UNTO AND IN HIM.  For those who believe in GOD  HE is there for you come unto him.  Imagine kings diamonds, stars, gold, Silver, rubies, precious jewels none more precious than a son.  GOD WAS THERE AS THE ANGELS SANG GLORIA IN  .....  do you see!

Obama of course has his own 527s that he doesnt seem to be talking about.

Like Vote Hope in California. He's asking Edwards to do something he won't do himself.

Dear Friends:
Hey Obama!
Harvard is collecting brains from nuns for research alzeheimers.  Rather wrong to me.   Did Harvard put too much into their body and brains and give it to them?  Metal in the body does this per MSN.  Oh and experience I am telling the world you do not have the right to my brain, thoughts, organs, or faith!!!
Freedom of this nation per the constitution of the United States of America.  And no one has the right without my permission to prejarize my writings.  
Nor to take apart any of me.  Nor my children and family.  Obama how about yours  is your brain donated to Harvard?   Hilary?   Hmmm!! I do not blame you, they might get anxious!!!  

Does anyone know what happened to Obama's campaign of hope? Lately, all he's doing is whining and going negative. Also Obama, seems to have a major problem... he doesn't seem to have any clue as to what he thinks about things. Yesterday, he said emphatically that he wanted to ban all toys from China. Today, he backtracks and says not all toys but only those with a certain percent of lead. Yikes!!! Why doesn't he think before he speaks? Myself, I'm going to be voting for someone with more experience.

Go Obama!

Fired up, ready to go!

I think it is pretty obvious that Obama is worried about losing Iowa to Edwards and rightly so...

Obama is not "running scared" because of Edwards. I have reviewed the Real Clear Politics Iowa polls going back 2 months and I don't see a John Edwards surge there. In many polls he stayed the same (or roughly the same distance down from the Obama & Clinton), and in others he went down. When Kerry leapt to the front of the pack 4 years ago, you could see the progression in the polls week by week. We're not seeing that with Edwards. Now, it's still too close to call because Obama, Clinton, and Edwards are clustered close enough together in most polls, but I think it's too soon to declare Edwards the winner. He's been campaigning there for 4 YEARS and he doesn't have a solid lead over the other two. I won't count him out, but I'm not going to proclaim him the winner of anything.

Obama is clearly desperate now. He is the one never stops attacking others, direct or indirect using someone else to do the dirty work for him. I feel bad that Edwards should see through him long time ago. Obama is not some one you can trust or become a friend. He uses you when he needs you, then, see you. Just quicly go through his laundry, it is not hard to see that. He does not have capability Edward and Hillar have, far from that, he needs to go back on his training camp before opens his mouth. No wonder some foreign countries leaders ask, "who ? Obama, never heard of."" What he is talking about foreing policy ?" OMG !
OBAMA IS NOT VETTED, TESTED, NO EXPERINCE, CAN'T LEAD.

mr obama!
you poke at hillary,and edwards, but when they slap you down u cry foul..what is up with that.

EXCELLENT ONE, Barack!

The fact of the matter is, John Edwards could be awarded an honorary doctorate degree at losing. His 2nd choice numbers from Obama supporters is slipping away.

Someone ought to tell him that if Obama had not made it clear earlier in the year that anyone who really wanted him to win should not engage in these kinds of activities on his behalf, all of our 527s woud be out there beating down the tiny competitiom from Edwards.

What a joke.

Wow, looks like Obama is really losing it. Now he's asking Edwards to contact people at a 527. Everyone knows that it's against the law for anyone in a campaign to communicate with anyone in a 527. It's a good thing Christmas is Tuesday. Maybe the break will give Obama a chance to pull himself together and focus on his own campaign.

Edward's has been just about living in Iowa for the last four years. If he was any good this campaign would have been over as soon as it started. But truth be told, Edward's is the least experienced candidate on the Democratic side. I was all for him in 2004, tickled pink when Kerry picked him as his running mate. But I still have not gotten over the fact that he could not even carry his home state. Had he carried North Carolina the party would have won. I remember how his ticket cried foul when the 527 swift boated Kerry. I can vote for Edwards if he gets the nomination. But I will have to put him in the same boat with Hillary if he does not stop the 527....because he can!

Reading all this negative claptrap and drivel makes one thing clear. The United States [as evidenced not just by its corrupt Administration, but by the calibre of the public discourse] is in worse shape than it has been in since the Civil War. Can any of these readers clkear their heads of bigotry and hatred and try a little logic, intelligence and common sense for a change.

It is easy to spew unsubstantiated accusations and character assassinations - the Swift Boat Veterans showed how low one can stoop. But at least give Obama credit for focusing on the issue. He did not attack Edwards, he simply said that he opposes 527 campaign spending in the primaries - a position that Edwards has publicly agreed with. So, if Edwards cannot get his former campaign manager to heed his publicly stated principles, how strong is his leadership? I happen to think it is a fair question, no matter who stands in the shoes of the recipient of the 527 campaign spending.
People who are zealous will do things they should not do, believing that tyhey are "helping" their candidate. The point is whether the candidate has the courage and the ability to shut down such operations when they do come to light.  

Exactly Josh!!  When will Obama tell his 527 in Calif to stop raising MILLIONS for him?  ha!

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/19375615

Obama is a nasty little man - going negative on Edwards because Obama's internal polling is going down!

Obama brings hope of change, people need to grow up and stop hanging on to the past, all these so called experienced candidates had their chance, I am in Iraq right now and I sorry if you vote for Hillary you might as well hang it up because more of your tax dollars are going to be wasted Hillary don't know if she is coming or going I can't trust her she acts on fear and that’s how we got in Iraq in the first place. Our biggest problem right now is foreigners we can't get them to level with us I think Barrack will get them to listen to us I think he will open there minds, all these people of the past has caused people around the world to hate us even more. This man was a gift given to us we need to seize this opportunity and give him a chance, just give him a chance I sure he couldn’t F it up more than it is right now this man has vowed to clean up this mess made by George Bush let’s see what he can do.  Republicans need to spend the next 4 years finding out what they can do to improve their trust with Americans instead of trying to run for another term. Give him a chance to change the way we do business in the white house the fact that  he don't have old time experience is good that's what we need a fresh start.  

Seize the moment of excited curiosity on any subject to solve your doubts; for if you let it pass, the desire may never return, and you may remain in ignorance.
William Wirt
US politician (1772 - 1834)

Joe - Corporate lobbyists have FUNDED Obama's political career!
While Obama was engaged in Ethics reform last year - he was accepting donations from Washington lobbyists.  Then he entered the prez race with a theme of "changing Washington."
If Obama had wanted to "change Washington" he could have stopped accepting lobbyists donations when he came to Washington.
Go Edwards!

Helloooo!  Obama has voted for 2 NAFTA trade deals within the past year! Obama won't change anything in Washington!

Go Edwards!

Why is Obama attacking Edwards??  Isn't Obama "leading" in Iowa?
Oh wait --

IT IS ILLEGAL FOR A CANDIDATE TO HAVE ANY CONTACT WITH A 527 GROUP.  Let's talk about whose hands are cleaner here.  While John Edwards has never taken PAC or lobbyist money from Washington insiders, Obama's entire political career has been funded through special interests until this election, when he followed Edwards' lead.  527s are a whole other issue, as Obama well knows.  These groups are LEGAL under current campaign laws, and while Edwards doesn't like them (he'd be VP if not for the Swift Boaters) he can't singlehandedly change the laws.  It doesn't matter that he knows the guy representing the union that is running ads in his support.  If he tried to have any influence over the 527, he would be BREAKING THE LAW.  Obama is encouraging Edwards to commit a crime.

If Obama doesn't understand this, he's either really scared he's going to lose or he's one terrible lawyer.  I trust savvy Iowans to see that the emporer has no clothes.

The world needs a change, Obama is it.

"I  mean the guy clearly gets a bad rap, some people have even called his religion into question just because he studied for 5 years at a Madrasa in Indonesia, I mean what possible effect could that have had on him? I am sure these minor issues... Osama... Muslim... don't excite the very people that he claims to want to sit down with. Get real... Get a life... sell the lie to someone else this year."  
Bob, Columbus, Ohio

What's surprising is that someone who condones lying, repeats such obvious racist lies himself.

check the record)to helppeople and enhance their lives. Her early years as well heryears in the Senate are proof

Obama has not the whole truth.He has accepted funds from large corporations too. Obama is all talk( a gifted orator ) but no substance.His lack of experience willbe a big problem when he has to form relations with the countries of the world.What change??? What does that mean?  He is fooling us with words and charisma.

Obama, you can't be serious you were a senator for 1 year before you ran. Your supporters say the inexperience is an strength. Who would want the most inexperienced in any other field? A resident brain surgeon? C'mon lets be serious I thought the last election had the weakest field of candidates? Obama or Clinton have no chance against at least three of the Republicans. Voting in a Dem or Rep is just more of the same. You all are idiots if you think otherwise, Bill Clinton never came through on his campaign promises why would Hillary. Realistically, Hillary is weak, any strong woman would have thrown Bill's arse to the curb after how many suspected affairs and some proven ones. Is that who you want fighting for the US on the world stage? Someone with such of a lack of backbone. Obama, it is hard to win the black vote without the sponsorship of the presidents of black people: Sharpton and Jackson, everybody would know that is the media told the truth. Wow, Ron Paul has some novel ideas that buck both parties!! Where is his voice in the debates? He stands there but the fanfare go to the mainstream as usual (whose giving the networks the kickbacks?) but there is a revolution, it is happening right here on the internet. When all of these old timers pass, we'll be the ones who are leading. Jump on board now or look like a fool later.

New numbers out!
Sen. Barack Obama is the only Democratic presidential candidate who polled higher than all five of the top Republican contenders in its latest national survey of potential "general election matchups," Zogby International reported this morning.
Obama led:
• Rudy Giuliani, 48%-39%.
• Mike Huckabee, 47%-42%.
• Sen. John McCain, 47%-43%.
• Mitt Romney, 53%-35%.
• Fred Thompson, 52%-36%.

Edwards:
• Led Huckabee, 47%-41%.
• Led Romney, 50%-38%.
• Led Thompson, 51%-35%.
• Trailed Giuliani, 45%-44%.
• Trailed McCain, 46%-42%.

Clinton:
• Led Romney, 46%-44%.
• Led Thompson, 48%-42%.
• Trailed Giuliani, 46%-42%.
• Trailed Huckabee, 48%-43%.
• Trailed McCain, 49%-42%.
http://www.zogby.com/news/ReadNews.dbm?ID=1404
http://www.radaronline.com/exclusives/2007/12/poll-obama-beats-any-and-all-gop-noms.php

Clinton, Romney lead pack in 'level of core opposition'
47% say they will vote against each no matter who else appears on ballot

Obama is cracking under the pressure.  And getting terrible advice from his hack advisers, namely David "The Greaser" Axelrod, who curiously worked for Edwards in 2003-2004.

Which is advantageous to the Democratic Party, since Edwards is easily the most electable Democrat, and this will probably help him in Iowa.  Edwards is clearly running the best campaign right now.

Obama and Hillary are huge gambles for the Democratic Party in a general election.  Edwards, on the other hand, has "landslide" written all over him.  But hey, what do I know.  I'm only a political scientist.

Obama can see the weiting on the wall and he knows that when the chips are down he is going to lose both in Iowa and in NH. Game over. So now he starts complaining about the other candidates. First it was Hillary and now that John Edwards is climbing a bit (at his expense)in the polls, it's John who has done something "holier than thou" Osama would never do! Meanwhile this guy is so deep in the pockets of the Chicago money men that it's dark down there. Loser!

Why does B.H. Obama have Clinton experts as his advisers and is it a bad thing?  The obvious reason, he has them because he wants to boost his foreign policy cred.  He has proven wisdom when it comes to foreign policy, but having knowledgeable people around also proves wisdom.  Perhaps why he continues to make wise choices.  The second part: no, it is absolutely not a bad thing to employ Clinton experts.  Look, Barack Obama is the future, but that doesn't mean the past screwed up terribly.  He is smart enough to take the victories of the past and apply them to making the future better.  That's what I want in a President.  However, I would not advice Obama to make any big issues about the Clinton foreign policy experts.  There are better battles to pick.

Obama doesn't need 527 to root for him, he has Oprah.

KELLY, You are Highly recommended..."NO more Clinton dynasty and corrupted Health Industry.

!!! VOTE FOR BARACK OBAMA !!!"

AGAIN, AGE FOR TRANSPARENCY ARE AT HAND...AMERICANS REQUIRE STRAIGHT ANSWERS...OBAMA HAS HAS FOR THEM.

"There's plenty of experience in Washington. What's lacking is inspired leadership that can speak directly to the people,"
It is the time for Americans to have a new vision beyond the race. To look FAR for a new dignity, a new life in the line of expectations. The 'audacity of hope' --the true idealism, which sets the hearts deep back to the spirit of true American leader, a rising politician, a star. Obama symbolizes alot of firm minds, talents and strong political leaderships which have their remarkable foot prints in the hearts of Americans. He leads the spirit laid down by Abraham Lincoln..shedding lights all over; Then cames young and intelligent  politician star --John F. Kennedy with talented and fresh ideas. And now here comes an exciting political visionary and young thinker--Barack Obama. Indeed the powers of The America Great Ages of hope to the World, will be cemented under what bestowed in the audacity of hope. This is what Americans need to get staged to for the defined future. Its a great time for Americans change, then change America. Bringing new hope and not 'decorated politics (old wine in new bottle) of Hillary and Her Husband'. Hil & Bill Politics mode is a sort of what chemistry describes as a type of reaction where 'No new substance is formed' as an output.  Why should American embark on this miss? why blackout their future, hope and transparent destination? Obama adds 'new value'..he adds 'something new' to the America for Americans. Your endorsement is highly recommended. Again we say to others to keep it up, Oprah Win, keep it up Denzel Washington and many other celebrities to come. Draw a new ROAD MAP for new UNITED AMERICA. Its a very precise moment, to take a wiser mind, to fill the gap left between, locally and Internationally,  for a more United America, more Stronger America for the World, more delighted Americans and new dignity...new cemented life beyond races, throwing away colors and races ideology for new dignity and hope. Lots of American hearts cry for 'Mr. Right', a right President! ONLY visionary BARACK OBAMA can close that gap.
--------
Also Edwards is weaker..."indication of Edwards' inability to lead, if he couldn't stop the advertising(527 group from advertising on his behalf)",  he is so weak. "Well, you know, he said yesterday he's going to ask him to do it. And my attitude is: If you can't get your former campaign manager and political director to do what you like, then it's going to be hard to get the insurance companies and the drug companies to do what you like."  outlines visionary Barack Obama.

AMERICANS...VOTE FOR NEW HOPE, VOTE FOR BARACK OBAMA!!'

I dislike all politicians..all distorted the truth, cheat, and try to grab more and more power for themselves.  I like highly educated people..like obama and hillary.  I like obama..and will vote for him.  I like hillary, but, she is one of those "old school" politicians.  I sick of them.    

Obama is also flipping the race card.  His opponents are racist if they go after him.   Poitical attacks should be a one street in Obama's mind where gives but doesn't get.

As for 527's ... is that really a smart play among Democrats?   Democrats have embraced 527's.   Barry didn't vote to support Moveon -- he dodged the vote and campaigned instead, now he rails against 527's.  That dumb politics in the Democratic Party.

OBAMA CHNAGES STANDS WITH EACH AUDIENCE! IT TIME TO NOT CONSIDER HIM AT ALL..SEND HIM BACK TO OPRAH

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. -- If he wanted, the Barack Obama of today could have a pretty good debate with the Barack Obama of yesterday.
They could argue about whether the death penalty is ever appropriate. Whether it makes sense to ban handguns. They might explore their differences on the Patriot Act or parental notification of abortion.
And they could debate whether Obama has flip-flopped, changed some of his views as he learned more over the years or is simply answering questions with more detail and nuance now that he is running for president.
The Democratic senator from Illinois hasn't made any fundamental policy shifts, such as changing his view on whether abortion should be legal. But his decade in public office and an Associated Press review of his answers to a questionnaire show positions changing in smaller ways.
Taken together, the shifts could suggest a liberal, inexperienced lawmaker gradually adjusting to the realities of what could be accomplished, first in the Illinois Legislature and then the U.S. Senate.
On the other hand, political rivals could accuse him of abandoning potentially unpopular views or of trying to disguise his real positions.
Take the death penalty.
In 1996, when he was running for a seat in the Illinois Senate, Obama's campaign filled out a questionnaire flatly stating that he did not support capital punishment. By 2004, his position was that he supported the death penalty "in theory" but felt the system was so flawed that a national moratorium on executions was required.

$6.2 million. $11.9 million. $17 million. Can you guess what these figures mean?
Description: Profits at The University of Chicago Hospitals. Published: December 7, 2007
Those are monthly profit figures from the not-for-profit The University of Chicago Hospitals, the hospital that can't explain their discount policy for self pays and the uninsured (if they actually have one), and it's the hospital that pays Michelle Obama (wife of Presidential wannabe Barack Obama) a whole lot of money for part time work.
In FY2006, this not-for-profit hospital averaged $6.2 million in profit every month on their way to reporting a total profit of $74,236,000 for the year.

In FY2007, they averaged just over $11.9 million in profit every month on their way to reporting a total profit for 12 months of $143,158,000 .

And according to recently released financial statements, for the first 3 months of FY2008, they have reported making a profit of $51,015,000 which means they are now averaging a profit of just over $17 million a month.

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Once again unions only criticize hospitals they are trying to organize.
Description: AFSCME. Published: December 3, 2007
Residents in various neighborhoods surrounding not-for-profit West Suburban Medical Center in Oak Park Illinois, received a glossy postcard mailing over the weekend from the American Federation of State County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) that questions the quality of care at this not-for-profit hospital that is a member of not-for-profit Resurrection Health Care, Illinois' largest not-for-profit Catholic healthcare system.
The mailing highlights 7 cites from a 2006 public health inspection report, examples that are supposed to give the reader pause about going to one of this systems eight hospitals.

It concludes by saying that "of the ten hospitals with the highest price markup in Illinois, three were Resurrection owned".

No surprise here, as here is what I wrote in March of this year.

"Last Saturday Senator Barack Obama spoke to a rally organized by the American Federation of State County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) of 1500 union activists in Chicago.

"Here's part of what the Chicago Tribune wrote about his appearance.

"As part of the event, the local union received a check from its national parent for $1 million to aid an ongoing labor-organizing effort involving Chicago-area hospital operator Resurrection Health Care. AFSCME President Gerald McEntee, who was joined on stage by AFL-CIO President John Sweeney, delivered the check for what is the largest private-sector union drive in the nation."

According to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services not-for-profit West Suburban Medical Center has a cost to charge ratio of .3273 which means for every $327.30 in actual costs, they charge $1000.

The University of Chicago Hospitals has a cost to charge ratio of .2795.

That means for every $279.50 in actual costs they also charge $1000.

Not-for-profit The University of Chicago Hospitals is a bigger price gouger than not-for-profit West Suburban and makes a much bigger profit than Resurrection Health Care, but it has not been targeted by this Union.

Did we mention that Michelle Obama (Barack's wife) is a highly paid executive at The University of Chicago Hospitals, and that this past weekend that the state union AFSCME endorsed her husband for President?

Hypocrites.


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Tooting my own horn.
Description: A story in Crain's Chicago Business. Published: November 12, 2007
This week’s Crain's Chicago Business has a story that's titled "Hospitals' profits soaring to new highs", which reports on the record profits being made by several of the larger not-for-profit health care systems in and around Chicago.
Every profit figure in the story has been previously reported here on the blog weeks earlier.

I actually was asked by the reporter who wrote the story for some help which I gladly gave and for which the blog received no credit.

No problem.

When it comes to information about the abuses by not-for-profit hospitals, you'll usually find the facts and figures here first, as was the case when I beat the Associated Press by reporting Michelle Obama’s salary and second job, and the Toledo Blade picking up my reporting of the total compensation of the head of ProMedica etc.

By the way, last Thursday I wrote in part that "According to an article in yesterday's Crain's Chicago Business, Cook County's private non-profit hospitals would be on the hook for up to $241 million total in annual property taxes if stripped of their tax-exempt status, according to a county assessor's report released Tuesday.

"Sounds good to me.

"By the way, the article did not deal with the profits being made by not-for-profit Cook County hospitals."

I think that line helped trigger this week's story on profits.

In response to the report by the Cook County Assessor the Illinois Hospital Association along with the Metropolitan Chicago Healthcare Council put out a real weak defense, the usual stuff about how much charity care they provide, etc.

My rebuttal are their profits, their excessive compensation, abuse of arbitrage etc.

Anyway if you want to read their bullxxxx, Click Here

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My calls to the very very profitable not-for-profit The University of Chicago Hospitals.
Description: Discount policies for self pay. Published: November 8, 2007
As recently as a few months ago, this hospital where Michelle Obama works as a highly paid Vice President had no discount policy for self pays.
In fairness I try to stay on top of issues like this, so last week I checked back.

I started with their website.

Found this troubling piece of information.

"Usual, Customary, and Reasonable Rates

"Most insurance companies will pay only what is called a "usual, customary, and reasonable" (UCR) rate for hospital and physician services that are provided by an out-of-network physician or hospital.

"Each insurance company determines its own UCR rates for different medical services.

"Usually the UCR rate set by an insurance company is considerably lower than the hospital's or physician's charge for services. Payment by the insurance company is often a percentage of the UCR rate for a given procedure/service.

"If your insurance company pays based on UCR, you are then responsible to pay the difference between the UCR payment made by the insurance company and the charge for the service billed by the hospital or physician. This is in addition to the deductible and co-payment/co-insurance that you must pay according to your insurance plan. "

Troubling and did not answer my question regarding any discounts for self pays.

I did find this, "Patients with insurance questions or concerns may also contact the University of Chicago's Office of Managed Care at (773) 834-4730".

Called them immediately, the first of five offices I eventually talked to who couldn't answer the question, and suggested I try another office.

After a ridiculous conversation with somebody from the fifth office, they told me they would get the answer and call back.

They did, but the answer concerned discounts in their charity care (you know some varying amount for people up to 400% of the federal poverty level).

The person could not comprehend my question which finally was phrased, "let's say I make a million dollars a year, my bill is $100,000. I am willing to pay cash, what kind of a discount will I get?"

He expressed surprise that if I got a bill "out the wazoo" his term not mine, that if I was that rich, why wouldn't I just pay it.

I said because the bill was marked up by almost 350%, something he refused to believe that his hospital actually did.

He finally found something that he believed would give me a 25% discount but wasn't sure he was reading it or interpreting it correctly.

So I said please e-mail me what you have.

He asked why I would want it (simple-he can't explain it), and wanted to know what I would do with it.

It's been a week, no e-mail's and no return calls.

I would try and call Vice President Michelle Obama about this since she deals with the community, but she's running around Iowa and New Hampshire telling people that as President her husband will make health care more affordable.

Let's not forget that this not-for-profit hospital recently reported making a profit of over $143 MILLION in fiscal 2007, that's almost double from the $74 MILLION in profit that they reported for the year before.

Edwards is exploiting the same 527 blueprint he used in the last election.
From Politico.com:
"Edwards also insisted on his lack of control of the 527, but its emergence mirrors a similar episode in 2004, when a senior adviser, Jonathan Prince, quietly departed the campaign to start a 527 funded by trial lawyers and unions that paid for mailings to Iowans, two people familiar with that group said.
This year, another former top aide, Baldick, is running the 527, which is called the Alliance for a New America."
http://www.politico.com/news/stories/1207/7536.html

Lobbyists hit the campaign trail for Obama & Hillary -
http://www.politico.com/news/stories/1207/7473.html

Obviously - this won't be on First Read.

This is sad for John Edwards, he was having a good cmpaign down the stretch.  This hipocracy does hurt him, and it was born out of despiration and his inability to raise the kind of money from ordinary Americans that Obama could.  I lost all respect for Hillary with all the dirty campaigning that came from her side.

I dont want to be on the wrong side of change this time around.  My father was anti-black, and anti-semetic.  I do not want to be on the side of an anti-muslim, anti-black part of this country.  It is time to be on the right side of change.  When Martin Luther King was on top of the mountain, what he saw was Barak Obama.  Barak is the american dream, Matin dream.  A man judged by the content of his charachter.  It is time for us to caucus and vote for someone based on the content of their charachter.  For me that is Barak Husain Obama.

Dorthy

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