Corruption in Chicago? Who could imagine such a thing?
Madigan's office has notified Obama's presidential campaign of the probe, which was launched this week. But Obama's actions in awarding the money are not a focus of the investigation, Smith said.
Questions about the grant, though, come as spending on local pet projects has become an issue in Obama's campaign against John McCain.
Obama and Kenny Smith announced the "Englewood Botanic Garden Project" at a January 2000 news conference at Englewood High School. Obama was in the midst of a failed bid to oust South Side Democratic Rep. Bobby Rush for a seat in Congress. The garden -- planned near and under L tracks between 59th Place and 62nd Place -- fell outside of Obama's Illinois Senate district but within the congressional district's borders.
Obama vowed to "work tirelessly" to raise $1.1 million to help Smith's organization turn the City of Chicago-owned lot into an oasis of trees and paths. But Obama lost the congressional race, no more money was raised, and today the garden site is a mess of weeds, chunks of concrete and garbage. The only noticeable improvement is a gazebo.
Guess he got too busy running for the next office.
What corruption?
Someone wins a grant to construct something that Obama deems highly desirable. The someone then fails to deliver on it.
So Obama is corrupt. Yup. Got it.
"But Obama's actions in awarding the money are not a focus of the investigation, Smith said."
Keep working on that reading comprehension, Anon.
Was there ever a time in its history when Chicago politics wasn't a hive of scum and villainy?
They told me if I didn't support Barack Obama's candidacy that people would quit funding activities in black communities -- and they were right.