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Question for the Obamaphiles mid 1980's period

parkito

Oct 9, 08 20:25

Post #1 of 4 (102 views)

Question for the Obamaphiles mid 1980's period	Can't Post

For anyone that has read Obama's books, or maybe from another source, how is it that Barack Obama found his way to Chicago from Columbia around 1985?

What I know is that he graduated from Columbia in 1984 with a B.A., worked about a year in a financial information related publishing house, and then pulled up stakes and headed west like Horace Greely once directed.

He was in California at Occidental College before Columbia, and Hawaii before that. So, what called or directed him to Chicago, rather than stay in New York, or return to California? Clearly, Hawaii, as lovely as it is, isn't a hotbed for launching a political career (no offense intended).

I have to assume he probably discussed this in his book after talking about the dissatisfaction with the post Columbia job.

Anyone? Anyone? Buehler?

Behold the turtle! He makes progess only when he sticks his neck out. (James Bryant Conant)
GET OFF THE F*%KING WALL!!!!!!! (Doug Stern)
Brevity is the soul of wit. (William Shakespeare)

ChiTownJack

Oct 9, 08 20:46

Post #2 of 4 (94 views)

Re: Question for the Obamaphiles mid 1980's period [parkito] [In reply to]	Can't Post

the source below, the reader, is the local free weekly:

"He graduated from Columbia with a double major in English literature and political science, and a determination to "organize black folks. At the grass roots." He wrote scores of letters looking for the right job, and almost a year later got an offer to come to Chicago. He gave up a job as a financial writer with an international consulting firm and became a $1,000-a-month community organizer."

http://www.chicagoreader.com/...archive/barackobama/

short answer: he applied for jobs and was offered one in Chicago.

i've also heard that Harold Washington was a reason he came to Chicago, but don't have a source....

TripleThreat

Oct 9, 08 20:48

Post #3 of 4 (92 views)

Re: Question for the Obamaphiles mid 1980's period [ChiTownJack] [In reply to]	Can't Post

Well, he's in the right state to launch a career as a Democrat.

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-- At 211 degrees water is hot. At 212 degrees water boils. Boiling water produces steam. You can power a locomotive with steam. Will you supply the extra degree that makes all the difference? ---

parkito

Oct 9, 08 21:19

Post #4 of 4 (88 views)

Re: Question for the Obamaphiles mid 1980's period [ChiTownJack] [In reply to]	Can't Post

Thanks!

Behold the turtle! He makes progess only when he sticks his neck out. (James Bryant Conant)
GET OFF THE F*%KING WALL!!!!!!! (Doug Stern)
Brevity is the soul of wit. (William Shakespeare)