Extortion

Extortion

This probably rises to the level of criminal behavior, although proving that Obama knew that this was going on might be difficult. Some of the Chrysler bondholders who refused to give up most of the value of their bonds, so that the UAW could get ownership of Chrysler, were directly threatened by an Obama official with the full force of the White House press corps. (So much for the press as a protector of our liberties--but you knew that wasn't the case already.)

The audio of one of the lawyers involved, directly describing what happened, and naming names, is here. Here's a transcript. Instapundit asks:

How does the supposedly independent White House Press Corps feel to know that it’s being wielded as a weapon by Obama’s operatives? Might it at least be interested in looking into these allegations?

One might as well ask prostitutes how they feel about being accused of having sex for money. Chicago government, for at least the last several decades, has always had a significant element of extortion involved. I remember in the late 1970s or early 1980s seeing a 60 Minutes report where they used hidden cameras to catch Chicago health inspectors bluntly and directly demanding payment from restaurant owners to pass inspection. Obama's operatives operate on the same model of government. No wonder Democrats love this guy so much.