Deadbeatonomics: Obama stiffs Chicago for $1.74M

[samspade]

When Barack Obama won the presidential election, the DNC and the Obama campaign staged a massive party in Chicago’s Grant Park. They wanted to emphasize that Hope and Change had finally come to America. Instead, it looks as though they showed how they planned to deal with the mortgage crisis — by letting the bill go unpaid after the big party (via Michelle):

Chicago has yet to recoup the $1.74 million cost of President Obama’s victory celebration in Grant Park — despite a burgeoning $50.5 million budget shortfall that threatens more layoffs and union concessions.
“The Democratic National Committee has not yet paid us,” Peter Scales, a spokesman for the city’s Office of Budget and Management, said Thursday after questions from the Chicago Sun-Times. “We’re reaching out to them this week.”
Stacie Paxton, a spokeswoman for the Obama-controlled DNC, explained the reimbursement delay by saying, “We are still looking at various costs and bills.” She would not say whether parts of the bill are disputed.

This wasn’t the Hope and Change Mayor Daley promised:

Hot Air Blog Archive Deadbeatonomics: Obama stiffs Chicago for $1.74M

We all know how words flow easily out of Obama but we also know Obama either does not follow up or changes what he said.

[peapod]

Hillary's debts were called after her campaign and she took the hit, now it's Obama's turn.

Or does the Messiah really have to deal with petty things like "money"?

[the enfusiator]

I was there, and it was a blast. The level of positive energy was amazing. And with all those people from different backgrounds, there wasn't a single arrest made during or after the celebration.

I was very proud of my city. I really think that Chicago is going to get the 2016 Olympics now. We showed the world that people of widely diverse backgrounds could assemble peacefully to celebrate.

[NewC]

I was there, and it was a blast. The level of positive energy was amazing. And with all those people from different backgrounds, there wasn't a single arrest made during or after the celebration.

I was very proud of my city. I really think that Chicago is going to get the 2016 Olympics now. We showed the world that people of widely diverse backgrounds could assemble peacefully to celebrate.

yeah 2008 was the year of the first bi racial party

[the enfusiator]

It was more multi-racial than bi-racial, but I mostly noted the diverse socio-economic status of the celebrationistas.

[NewC]

It was more multi-racial than bi-racial, but I mostly noted the diverse socio-economic status of the celebrationistas.

oh yeah that too first time a party that consisted of multiple sects of society

[Psyclist]

I was there, and it was a blast. The level of positive energy was amazing. And with all those people from different backgrounds, there wasn't a single arrest made during or after the celebration.

I was very proud of my city. I really think that Chicago is going to get the 2016 Olympics now. We showed the world that people of widely diverse backgrounds could assemble peacefully to celebrate.

I guess you don't think that little matter of rampant corruption will get in the way. lol

[Newman]

It was more multi-racial than bi-racial, but I mostly noted the diverse socio-economic status of the celebrationistas.

....were you checking W-2s or something?.....

[the enfusiator]

....were you checking W-2s or something?.....

Yes, I was checking W-2s. Oprah's was much bigger than mine.

I'm sorry you guys couldn't enjoy it. It was a really fun time.

[peapod]

Proud of Chicago?

hahahahahahahahahahahahaha!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Probably the root of the most crooked politicians ever.

Oh, and enfusiator - that's great you had a good time. If I'm going to have to foot the bill for your entertainment, I'm glad you at least had a good time! /sarcasm

Oh, and let's not forget the perpetual losing sports teams Chicago puts out - Bears, Cubs - and that's saying something because I'm a Bears fan.

It's arguable that the residents of Chicago are amongst the most stupid in the country, thanks to the fantastic school system there, too!

The city is underwater in debt as well and the Olympics are going to fix it? Again - hahahahahahahahaha! Look how well that turned out for Beijing - it didn't. Property taxes are outrageous, sales taxes are outrageous, and a lot of great businesses hightailed it out of there long ago.

So freaking glad I live 2 hours west of the city. A nice place to visit if you're selective, but I've lived there and will never do that again.

Chicago may have once been great, but the fact that Obama passed through (he's not even from Illinois!) doesn't make it great. It makes it more used.

/rant