Obama to lobby for Chicago's Olympic bid

President Barack Obama will make a pitch in support of Chicago's bid for the 2016 Summer Olympics.

Today, First Lady Michelle Obama and TV talk show host Oprah Winfrey lobbied for Chicago, which is competing with Madrid, Rio de Janeiro and Tokyo.

Obama will travel to Copenhagen, Denmark to woo the 101 Olympic delegates that will choose the 2016 host city.

Chicago sleaze doesn't stick to Obama

When people think of Chicago they often conjure up visions of gangsters during the roaring 20s, people rising from the dead to vote in elections and political machines run by gambling kingpins.

Chicago also gained fame for its radicalism with links to groups ranging from the Weather Underground to the Nation of Islam.

During the campaign, Obama's opponents tried to link him with the sordid underbelly of the Windy City or with its radical elements, but without much success.

Chicago's political culture became linked with corruption back in the 1870s, when gambling tavern owner Michael Cassius McDonald became active in politics. It is said that McDonald first coined the phrase "There's a sucker born every minute."

However, the city is best known for its underground links through the personality of Al Capone, whose gangs shot up the city with machine guns during the Prohibition era.

Maybe partly because of Chicago, the state of Illinois has had more than its share of problems with corrupt governors. Otto Kerner (Blotto Otto; 1960-1968), Gov. Dan Walker (1972-1976) and Gov. George Ryan (1998-2002) preceded Gov. Rod Blagojevich.

Yet, the grime of Chicago's underworld has not been sticking to President-elect Obama whose teflon coating might make even cause Bill Clinton to envy. Both Clinton and Obama were charged with guilt by association, although in Clinton's case it was a more intimiate type of association.

Video: Barack at Unity 08 Convention

Here' video of Sen. Barack Obama at the quadrennial Unity 08 Convention of minority journalists in Chicago. CNN's Suzanne Malveaux and Time world editor Romesh Ratnesar interview the senator on issues that include Afghanistan, Iraq and the national economy. Sen. John McCain was also invited but was unable to attend.

Barack Obama talks with Democratic Governors (LIVE)

Sen. Barack Obama is hosting a forum with Democratic governors at the Chicago History Museum this morning.

You can watch the event live below.

Video: Barack in Chicago

Sen. Barack Obama speaks to staff and volunteers at the Chicago headquarters office on June 6, 2008. Obama and his family went on a bicycling trip over the weekend.




ABC's Nightline looks inside the Obama campaign organization.

Barack Obama's address to UFCW, new TV ad

Sen. Barack Obama speaks about the economy at an address to the UFCW in Chicago on Apr. 24, 2008.



In the television ad "Nothing's Changed," airing in West Virginia, Barack talks about the record profits at Exxon and the high gas rates. He promises to institute a windfall profits penalty and to invest $150 billion in alternative energy creating $5 million new jobs. He also reminds us that he does not take money from Washington lobbyists.





Apply now is you want to be an Obama Organizing Fellow.

A million calls by March 4th

The official Obama campaign has asked supporters to make 1,000,000 calls to voters by March 4th. To participate, click on the image below. If you don't have free long distance, you may be able to make calls from an office or other location near you.




Former Dallas Cowboy star Emmett Smith introduces Barack Obama at a Dallas rally on Feb. 20, 2008.


Charles Gibson of ABC News visits Barack Obama's campaign headquarters in Chicago.

Change Rocks Concert/Rally

If you're in the Chicago area, you're not going to want to miss this. Get your tickets now.

Friday, December 7th

Doors Open at 7PM

Riveria Theater
4746 Racine Avenue
Chicago, Illinois 60640

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Here's a video of Obama supporters at the Brown/Black Presidential Forum in Iowa: