Obama's Cry Poor, Yet Toss Away Assets

Michelle Obama used the couple's student loan debt to point out how in touch with America they were. But there's a bit more to that story.

It wasn’t until Barack Obama wrote a pair of best-selling books that he and his wife escaped their student loan debt, an experience Michelle Obama said Tuesday helps the couple understand everyday challenges better than policymakers in Washington.

“We are not so far away from life that we don’t understand and get it,” said Michelle Obama, wife of the Democratic presidential candidate.

While the media erroneously introduced Michelle to center stage as an attorney, technically she isn't and hasn't been one since as far back as 1993. As she continued to work full-time, not simply desire the life of a stay home Mom, isn't it uncommon for such a person to simply let an asset like a law license go away? It's hard to imagine that less than a year out of her first and only law firm she could be so absolutely certain that the license to practice wouldn't come in handy again one day - perhaps even soon since the couple apparently were carrying their school debt at that time. I believe Barack Obama retained his up until 2008.

Michelle Obama has not registered with the Attorney Registration and Disciplinary
Commission since (drum roll for emphasis) 1993. Since she was admitted to the
bar in the Spring of 1989, her entire career as a licensed attorney lasted
less than five full years. As published, the item in the Sun Times would make
one believe that Michelle Obama assumed inactive status within the past few
months, not a decade and a half ago.

In any event, if working and borrowing - all to acquire such a significant asset after graduating from Harvard only to toss it aside after a few short years is the typical American way ... the country may be in more trouble than I thought.

And if nothing else, maybe it's time to stop identifying her as an attorney. Some practicing law folk might actually take offense to that, unless they've already donated to the Obama's campaign.

Comments

[jharp]

You, my friend, have got to be kidding.

[joeb]

Here is my take on McCain's many mansions. It is not John McCain's fault that his wife is rich. And anyway isn't being rich the whole idea behind the pursuit of happiness? I think it is very American to want to be rich and own many homes. Should he live in a log cabin? Should he have been born in a log cabin? John is just living the American dream of living large. Plus I would rather have a real rich man for President than a poor one. A rich man is less likely to steal from the governmet. And when someone asked John Kennedy how rich he was he repleied "You think I am rich? I am not rich. Rockefeller, now that is rich!"

[IslamoLlama]

"-- In any event, if working and borrowing - all to acquire such a significant asset after graduating from Harvard only to toss it aside after a few short years is the typical American way ... the country may be in more trouble than I thought. --"

Wait, weren't you just arguing a few months back that Michelle Obama was getting paid too much at her job working for U of Chicago Hospital?
http://www.riehlworldview.com/carnivorous_conservative/2008/03/did-obama-earma.html

"-- Michelle Obama has been appointed vice president for community and external affairs at the University of Chicago Hospitals. Obama, who was previously the executive director for community affairs at the Hospitals, will be responsible for all programs and initiatives that involve the relationship between the Hospitals and the community. She will also take over management of the Hospitals' business diversity program.

Prior to joining the Hospitals, Obama worked as an associate dean of student services for the University of Chicago where she developed the University's first office of community service. She came to the Hospitals in 2002 and quickly built up programs for community relations, neighborhood outreach, volunteer recruitment, staff diversity and minority contracting. --"

Her position as VP of Community and External Affairs apparently isn't a good enough job for Dan "I'm still Unemployed" Riehl because she's not keeping up her license to practice law? That's a twist. I didn't realize that Michelle had turned into such a failure, pulling down a piddly six figure salary holding an executive position at a major city institution.

Maybe something could be said about the weight of student loan debt, that you can make so much money and yet still be trapped under hundreds of thousands of dollars in education costs. And we could talk about the price of quality education in America, except that this will take valuable time away from taking cheap, unfounded shots at a Presidential Candidate's wife.

I still don't see what Dan has against Michelle, that he needs to run these whiny attack screeds every chance he gets. I mean, she's no billion dollar booze queen, but then who is?

[jharp]

"I still don't see what Dan has against Michelle, that he needs to run these whiny attack screeds every chance he gets. I mean, she's no billion dollar booze queen, but then who is?"

Maybe it's to deflect from Cindy McCain's stealing drugs from her own charity.

[BobInStamford]

I'm not sure what's more pathetic, suggesting that Michelle Obama isn't a Harvard-trained lawyer or quoting from the 'Chicago Daily Observer'. Is this a free paper? One handed out by the homeless for a buck? Put out by the Moonies like the Washington Times?

Your journalistic skills nearly matches your patriotism!

Semper Fi!!!

[Totally Heterosexual Conservative]

"[I]sn't it uncommon for such a person to simply let an asset like a law license go away?"

No, moron. Many many many many people with law degrees don't actually pratice law. Why? Because a more profitable opportunity comes along. Or one's priorities change. Also, you're aware that not practicing law doesn't preclude one from practicing law in the future, right? States permit once practicing attorneys to withdraw from the practice for a period of time, which is renewable every X amount of years.

Seriously, does stupidity hurt?

[ET]

--Your journalistic skills nearly matches your patriotism!

Your grammatical skills nearly match your stupidity, boob.

[ET]

--taking cheap, unfounded shots at a Presidential Candidate's wife.

--she's no billion dollar booze queen, but then who is?

Typical llame-o. the pot calls the kettle black, "you shouldn't take cheap shots, so here's one right back 'atcha". Way to elevate the discourse.

[PA]

Graft pays better than working as a lawyer.

[SacTownMan]

With the free ride this couple has gotten from the Chicago graft machine who needs an education anyway?

They have diversified skills like Community Organizer, Outreach co-ordinator, staff diversity administrator and get paid a sick amount of money.

In addition they have crap loads of questionable associations and friends that are known terrorists and convicted felons to help buy their home. Attend a racist church for twenty years and never hear a word and still get a free ride from the press. If anyone gets a little hot you just throw them under the bus. Is this a great country or what?

This can't be good for the kids though!

[befair]

Attend a racist church for twenty years and never hear a word and still get a free ride from the press. If anyone gets a little hot you just throw them under the bus. Is this a great country or what?
-------------------
Just a reminder, the United Church of Christ is NOT a racist church in the context you put your remarks. That particular church which Obama attended has a racist pastor. Just sayin'

[Befair]

Graft pays better than working as a lawyer.

Posted by: PA | Friday, August 22, 2008 at 07:06 PM
---------------
lol - how about a lawyer participating in taking graft????

[PA]

"how about a lawyer participating in taking graft?"

Then you got ethics problems ;->

[DaveP.]

A Democrat with an ethics problem? Naahhh... can't f'in be.

Be interesting to find out if Mrs. HopeyChangey actually PRACTICED law, or represented herself as a lawyer, during the period her credentials had lapsed.

Hint hint.

[Spartan112]

Wow what a ridiculous post Dan. I have at least 3 colleagues at the school I teach at that have law degrees that are no longer practicing.

BTW, holding on to student debt makes sense when compared to other debt you can accrue becuase of the relatively low interest rates.