Remember when all hell broke loose because Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich signed a book deal. As I recall, it was a major scandal with alleged ethics implications even though the book met the requirements of House rules on book contracts, and Gingrich forced to give up his advance money. Where are the attacks on the Obamateur and his unsavory book deal?

As he empathized with recession-weary Americans, President Obama arranged in the days just before he took office to secure a $500,000 advance for a children's book project, a disclosure report shows.

The terms of the book deal were disclosed in a Senate financial disclosure report filed Tuesday.

* * *

Mr. Obama approved the $500,000 advance on Jan. 15. The advance is against royalties under a deal with Crown Publishing, a division of Random House. The project calls for an abridged version of his book "Dreams From My Father" for middle-school-aged children, according to the disclosure.

A White House aide said that the deal had been in the works for weeks and that the publisher will abridge the book. The aide, speaking on a condition of anonymity, said the publisher will get half of the money while Mr. Obama will sign off on the final version.

In addition, the financial disclosure showed Mr. Obama brokered an amendment to an existing book deal with Crown Publishing to put off writing a nonfiction book until after he leaves office.

So, how on earth can Barry Hussein make this sort of deal when he is supposed to be so busy with the business of the American people? And who is buying influence with him, and what special favors will he show in return for that nice wad of cash in his pocket?

And will the Random House be cutting these little tidbits out of the book intended for younger audiences?

Sorta makes you proud to be an American, doesn't it.