mdwmodern

Behind the scenes work is already underway to rename Chicago’s Midway Airport after Obama — becoming the Barack H. Obama International Airport.

Apparently, there are those in the city, especially on the Olympics Committee, that want this done before October 2009, to give the IOC a little more incentive to award Chicago the 2016 games (despite the fact that here in Chicago it’s already considered a done-deal we’ll get the Olympics, and has been since November 4th). The Obamafication of Chicago begins with renaming Midway…and is partially designed to remind the IOC, in as loud a voice possible, that Chicago’s what gave the world Obama, and thus Chicago should be rewarded with the 2016 games, in “The One’s” adopted hometown.

Incidentally, for those wondering, Midway was named in 1947, after the Battle of Midway, but with so few veterans of WWII left, and so much for the city to gain by renaming Midway after Obama, don’t think for a moment the WWII honor will stand in the way here.

With 50 states competing for federal dollars, and Chicago competing for the Olympics (with Mayor Daley obsessed about winning those games), renaming Midway is part of a concerted effort to keep Obama focused on Illinois above all others. It’s also part of the Mayor’s scheme to privatize Midway airport…which he has been trying to do for a few years now, as privatization will give Chicago $3 billion in rent and cost savings. Currently, several of the major carriers flying out of Midway have been holding up the privatization deal (because they are concerned privatization will mean higher rent and other fees). The renaming is thus part of a rebranding and revamping that’s partially meant to force these holdouts to get on board.  “What are you racist? You don’t want to stand in the way of an airport honoring our first black president, do you?”

It also, no doubt, will enable a great deal of private fundraising, to convert Midway into an Obama shrine while funding all the fancy improvements the Mayor wants for the airport but currently can’t afford. All those hopium laced contributions Penny Pritzker is so good at bringing in are expected to flow freely to Barack H. Obama International Airport.

Just watch.  It will take a few months for the media to admit this is going on, but people we know in city government tell us this is the Mayor’s latest scheme (along with building room for the future Barack H. Obama Presidential Library and Museum into Chicago’s Southside Olympics plans, to guarantee Chicago lands that prize, and not Honolulu).

bhoairport