Chicago’s inferiority complex may be getting even more complex. Barack Obama is reported to be planning to set up shop in New York City at the end of his second presidential term. Michael Sneed of the Chicago Sun-Times writes:

Sneed is told by impeccable sources that President Barack Obama and his wife, Michelle, want to live in New York when they leave the White House.

“They want New York, plain and simple,” said a top Sneed source who asked to remain anonymous — but has a relationship with the Obamas.

“It’s not an unusual decision,” added the source. “The Clintons moved to New York after Bill Clinton left the presidency. It’s a happening place.”

“They love the vibe in New York and don’t plan to have their main residence in Chicago,” a second source said.

“Is Chicago not big enough anymore? I’m told the Obamas feel New York is the right place to be for the next phase of their lives,” the second source added. “I don’t think the emotional tie to Chicago is what it once was. Perhaps not sophisticated enough.”

Chicago has served its purpose for Barack Obama. He chose it as a launching pad for his political career, first as an Alinskyite (Alinsky was based in Chicago) community organizer and later as an office holder in a city dominated by a Democrat machine. But that was then, and now that he walks on the world stage, the second third city is not big enough or glamorous enough.  Besides, the United Nations and the American media are both based in New York, and those are the two arenas in which he is likely to make his future.

Back when he was a local pol, it was a stretch to satisfy his champagne tastes on the income of a senator and a hospital executive (Michelle was working in a job at the University of Chicago Hospitals that paid over $300k, and which was so vital that it has never been filled since she left), so they relied on sleazy influence-peddler Tony Rezko to pony up part of then purchase price for their Hyde Park mansion, in the form of buying part of the yard at an inflated price and leaving it vacant, so they could buy the house at a discount.

However, in the new post-Clinton America, presidents are able to amass nine-figure fortunes (unless, like George W. Bush, they refrain from a constant schedule of highly paid speaking engagements). So Barack and Michelle will be able to afford the stratospheric prices  of Manhattan.

If you think we’ll be rid of the Obamas constantly in our face once the next president takes office, think again.  A plan is unfolding.

Hat tip: Peter von Buol