Nothing New Here ...

This ain't change, baby:

Dan Riehl notes, via Amanda Carpenter, that in the list of earmarks he requested, $1 Million was requested for the construction of a new hospital pavilion at the University Of Chicago. The request was put in in 2006.

You know who works for the University of Chicago Hospital?

Michelle Obama. She's vice president of community affairs.

As Byron noted, "In 2006, the Chicago Tribune reported that Mrs. Obama’s compensation at the University of Chicago Hospital, where she is a vice president for community affairs, jumped from $121,910 in 2004, just before her husband was elected to the Senate, to $316,962 in 2005, just after he took office." (NRO)

And this doesn't sound like change either:

Sen. Barack Obama released his list of 2006 legislation with earmarks today. He has the list on his website here.

Among them, an $8 million request for the "High Explosive Air Burst Technology Program." Ultimately, $1.3 million in funding was awarded for the program.

the defense project was overseen by General Dynamics, one of the nation's largest military contractors. Obama's Illinois finance chairman, James S. Crown, serves on the company's board of directors and his family holds a sizable stake in the company.

Crown and his wife, Paula Crown, are members of Obama's National Finance Committee and have raised more than $200,000 for the Obama campaign, according to a list of fundraisers posted on Obama's campaign website. (Talk Left)

All in one day, one bad day for the Obama campaign: An America-hating pastor and news that he used his influence to double his wife's salary, and got $1.3 million in federal funding in return for a $200,000 contribution.

Admittedly, the vile-mouthed pastor is something new in American politics. Maybe that's the change Obama's been talking about. But the other stuff? The same old garbage we hate, well executed by the articulate young man we're all supposed to believe in.