BREAKING: Obama linked to Rezko indictment

The Chicago Sun-Times headline today:

Sun-Times Exclusive:
Obama surfaces in Rekzo's federal corruption case
Source confirmed Obama is the unnamed "political candidate" referred to in document which outlines case against Rezko

Obama is not named in the Dec. 21 court document. But a source familiar with the case confirmed that Obama is the unnamed "political candidate" referred to in a section of the document that accuses Rezko of orchestrating a scheme in which a firm hired to handle state teacher pension investments first had to pay $250,000 in "sham" finder's fees. From that money, $10,000 was donated to Obama's successful run for the Senate in the name of a Rezko business associate, according to the court filing and the source.

Rezko, who was part of Obama's senatorial finance committee, also is accused of directing "at least one other individual" to donate money to Obama and then reimbursing that individual -- in possible violation of federal election law.

Looks like Obama wasn't kidding when he said last week that he knew all about Chicago-style politics.

Here's the full article in today's Sun Times:

http://www.suntimes.com/news/politics/ob ama/749138,obama20web.article



Display:


Re: BREAKING: Obama linked to Rezko indictment (none / 0)

BIG QUESTION: Will the mainstream media cover it? I am sure that MSNBC will not do it, FOX will (I hate to say it, they are fair and balanced sometimes), and CNN might.


by American1989 on Sat Jan 19, 2008 at 10:51:00 AM EST

Re: BREAKING: Obama linked to Rezko indictment (none / 0)

Now you already now the answer to that question.


by lonnette33 on Sat Jan 19, 2008 at 12:00:34 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Oh My God!! Rezko linked to Obama?!!? (2.00 / 1)

The end of Barack Hussein Obama as we know it. Oh Barack!! how we loved thee....alas your ties to Rezko hath destroyed your chances at the Presidency....

LOL!!!!!

I Snark!! I keeed!!

This is so old! you anti-obama's are so depressing.


by rapcetera on Sat Jan 19, 2008 at 02:58:54 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Obama isn't accused of ANY wrongdoing. (none / 0)

The article makes clear:


The Illinois senator isn't accused of any wrongdoing. And there's no evidence Obama knew contributions to his 2004 U.S. Senate campaign came from schemes Rezko is accused of orchestrating.

And the Q&A:

    Q. What is Sen. Obama's reaction to being referred to in the Rezko evidentiary proffer?
    A. We have no way of knowing he is the politician named here but we returned this money months ago for other reasons.

   Q. Was Sen. Obama aware that Rezko allegedly had directed at least one person to donate to the senator's campaign and later reimbursed that person, possibly violating federal election law?

   A. No.

   Q. Has the Federal Election Commission or the U.S. attorney's office in Chicago contacted the senator or any of his representatives about these matters?

   A. No.

   Q. Why has the senator donated to charity campaign contributions from Rezko and Rezko-linked people?

   A. In keeping with our practice of donating to charity donations from people who have been called into question through the legal process, when he was named in documents as potentially engaging in wrongdoing we thought it was appropriate to return his donation to charity.

   Q. Does the senator think this development will have any impact on the presidential campaign or undercut the senator's message that he is an agent of change?

   A. No. In fact, Sen. Obama has been a champion of reforms that have made campaign finance laws more transparent so that the public can more closely follow the source of contributions to campaigns. As with any campaign, occasionally individual contributions are called into question. Sen. Obama's policy in such instances is to donate that money to charity which is what he did in this case seven months ago when questions first surfaced.


Obama's Pop. Vote LEAD = 600K | Clinton & McCain = WAR Authorizers
by NeuvoLiberal on Sat Jan 19, 2008 at 12:17:20 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Don't disturb (none / 0)

this little pile on with facts.

Ken Starr is waiting the wings -

I think some of the people here are Republicans trying to stir up anti-Obama feelings.  Its sounds so much like Republican demagoguery.

The Reps are salivating to have Hillary on the ticket.


Listening comes first
by Moonwood on Sat Jan 19, 2008 at 12:49:29 PM EST
[ Parent ]

I think you (none / 0)

are confusing the Republican Party with those who vote for Republicans - noboby wants the Republican party.  We want those people who used to be called Reagan Democrats to vote for the Democratic party.  I don't think Clinton can deliver those votes - on the other hand Edwards and Obama can.  Hillary is just too polarizing.
Also I don't think it is accurate to characterize Obama as stupid.
Listening comes first
by Moonwood on Sat Jan 19, 2008 at 02:50:51 PM EST
[ Parent ]

they are plenty of signs that republicans fear... (none / 0)

running against barack and crave running against hillary (i can always pull out the norquist or stone quotes again).  probably more so now that she came in third in iowa (a state they need to win), and the fact that her experience is discounted even by most democrats (per exit polls)...


"We did not come to fear the future. We came here to shape it." - President Obama, Sept 9, 2009
by bored now on Sat Jan 19, 2008 at 03:03:18 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: BREAKING: Obama linked to Rezko indictment (2.00 / 1)

Hsu. Hsu. Hsu.


by mattmfm on Sat Jan 19, 2008 at 10:51:41 AM EST

Re: BREAKING: Obama linked to Rezko indictment (none / 0)

Hsu gave money to many dems, including Obama, right?


by Jerome Armstrong on Sat Jan 19, 2008 at 11:12:58 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: BREAKING: Obama linked to Rezko indictment (2.00 / 1)


The Illinois senator isn't accused of any wrongdoing. And there's no evidence Obama knew contributions to his 2004 U.S. Senate campaign came from schemes Rezko is accused of orchestrating.

The allegations against Rezko that involve Obama are contained in one paragraph of a 78-page document filed last month in which prosecutors outline their corruption and fraud case against Rezko, who was also a key money man for Gov. Blagojevich and other politicians.


by Piuma on Sat Jan 19, 2008 at 11:31:13 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: BREAKING: Obama linked to Rezko indictment (2.00 / 1)

A longstanding relationship
Rezko is one of Obama's earliest political patrons. Long known as a prolific fund-raiser, the Syrian-born businessman helped raise money for Obama's political campaigns beginning in 1995, when Obama was running for the Illinois Senate.

In 13 years in politics, Obama has gotten at least $168,000 in campaign donations from Rezko, his family and business associates. The Sun-Times reported that figure last June. Obama's "best estimate" seven months earlier had been that Rezko had raised no more than $60,000 for him.

When Obama ran for the U.S. Senate, Rezko held a June 27, 2003, cocktail party in Rezko's Wilmette mansion, picking up the tab for the lavish event. Obama's campaign staff has said it has no records to show who attended that party, or how much it cost.

Obama's relationship with Rezko dates to 1990, when Obama, then a Harvard law student, interviewed for a job with Rezko's development company, Rezmar Corp. Obama turned down the job, instead going to work for a small Chicago law firm -- Davis Miner Barnhill. That firm did work on more than a dozen low-income housing projects Rezmar rehabbed with government funds.

Eleven Rezmar buildings were in the state Senate district Obama represented between 1996 and 2004. Many of the buildings ended up in foreclosure, with tenants living in squalid conditions, the Sun-Times reported last year. In one instance, Rezko's company left tenants without heat for five weeks. Obama said he was unaware of problems with the buildings and minimized the legal work he'd done.

Obama's relationship with Rezko grew closer in June 2005, when Obama and Rezko's wife bought adjoining real estate parcels from a doctor in the South Side Kenwood neighborhood. Obama paid $1.65 million for the doctor's mansion, while Rezko's wife paid $625,000 for the vacant lot next door. Obama's purchase price was $300,000 below the asking price; Rezko's wife paid full price.

Six months later, Obama paid Rita Rezko $104,500 for one-sixth of the vacant lot, which he bought to expand his yard. In November 2006, he expressed regret about the transaction.


by truthteller2007 on Sat Jan 19, 2008 at 11:34:58 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: BREAKING: Obama linked to Rezko indictment (none / 0)

I actually find the land deal one of the most disturbing charges.  What reason did Rezko's wife have for buying the parcel, other than to purchase it for Obama's later use?  Has she done anything with the rest of it?  After selling a piece of it to Obama, is the lot  large enough by zoning standards to do build anything on? If not, why would she want it? Any Chicago people out there that can shed light on this?


by AnnC on Sat Jan 19, 2008 at 01:55:47 PM EST
[ Parent ]

i think there are people here trying to raise... (none / 0)

accusations so that barack has the same level of psychodrama that surrounds hillary.  sure, the courts aren't accusing him, but hillary's supporters are clearly trying to smear obama with as much innuendo and possibilities as possible...


"We did not come to fear the future. We came here to shape it." - President Obama, Sept 9, 2009
by bored now on Sat Jan 19, 2008 at 02:33:04 PM EST
[ Parent ]

thanks for being obtuse... (none / 0)


"We did not come to fear the future. We came here to shape it." - President Obama, Sept 9, 2009
by bored now on Sat Jan 19, 2008 at 02:59:37 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Hillary never called hsu her (2.00 / 1)

political Godfather as Obama often publicly did with rezko.

Hillary was never personal pals with Hsu.

Hillary never did legal work for Hsu.

Hsu was show off wh ran a ponzi plan, but he never has been charged with bribing politicians like Rezko.

hillary never had a law partner that became  partners with an illegal low income housing venture and scheme llke obama did with Rezko.

Hillary never asked Hsu to help buy her own house for her, saving herself close to a million bucks doing so,  like Rezko did with Obama.

and then lied about it to EVERYONE.


Offend the Media - Vote for Hillary!
by Seymour Glass on Sat Jan 19, 2008 at 11:41:28 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Peter F Paul, a convicted felon, raised over $1mn (1.00 / 0)

for Hillary in 2000, by organizing Hollywood gala just two days before the DNC convention, timed perfectly to suck out money and attention away from Al Gore (who was already out-raised by Bush, thanks to the poll deficits he was suffering due to Clinton sex scandal and impeachment):


Gala Hollywood Farewell Salute to President Clinton

The Hollywood Gala Salute to President William Jefferson Clinton took place on August 12, 2000 at the private Brentwood, California estate of businessman Ken Roberts. It was produced and hosted by Peter F. Paul and Aaron Tonken, and was the largest Hollywood tribute ever produced for a sitting President of the United States.[citation needed] Besides honoring President Bill Clinton, it also served as a fund raising event for the 2000 U.S. Senate election campaign of First Lady Hillary Rodham Clinton, and was the largest such event of her campaign.[citation needed] The event also included the largest invitation-only private concert, featuring eight international headlining artists.[citation needed]

The event included both a dinner and a concert, and about 350 people accepted invitations to both. [1] The singers during the concert included Michael Bolton, Cher, Toni Braxton, Patti Labelle, Sugar Ray, and Diana Ross. Celebrities in attendance included John Travolta, Brad Pitt, Jennifer Aniston, Jason Alexander, and Muhammad Ali and his wife Lonnie Ali. White House daughter Chelsea Clinton was also present for the event.

Hillary Clinton's campaign failed to file proper documentation for the event with the Federal Election Commission, and later paid $35,000 in fines.

Shortly after the party, it was revealed that organizer Peter Paul had a criminal conviction for drug dealing, leading Clinton to distance herself from him. Three other men involved with the gala have also since been convicted of federal felonies. Co-organizer Aaron Tonken was sentenced to 63 months in jail for committing fraud connected with charity fund raising. Sponsor Raymond Reggie was convicted of bank fraud and served time in jail. Finally, a man named James Levin, who claimed to have been paid to "monitor" the party for Clinton pleaded guilty to a minority contracting fraud scheme involving the Chicago Public Schools.[1]

This video of Hillary calling and co-ordinating with Peter F Paul looks damning. Seems like serious baggage.


Obama's Pop. Vote LEAD = 600K | Clinton & McCain = WAR Authorizers
by NeuvoLiberal on Sat Jan 19, 2008 at 12:35:34 PM EST
[ Parent ]

what the F does that have to do with Rezko?! (none / 0)


Offend the Media - Vote for Hillary!
by Seymour Glass on Sat Jan 19, 2008 at 12:57:57 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Reminder that the Clintons have scores of scandals (none / 0)

out there, and Peter Paul and Norman Hsu are directly connected with fund raising and related activities of the Clintons.


Obama's Pop. Vote LEAD = 600K | Clinton & McCain = WAR Authorizers
by NeuvoLiberal on Sat Jan 19, 2008 at 01:05:16 PM EST
[ Parent ]

the "she did itt too!" defense... (none / 0)

puleeze, neither hsu or peter paul were personal friends of the clintons, she didnt call either her "political gofather' - as obama called Rezko, nor did they help hillary buy a house she couldnt afford alone, like rezko did for obama.

what hillary hate site did you dredge up that crazed peter paul stuff from anyhow?

al gore would be ashamed of you.


Offend the Media - Vote for Hillary!
by Seymour Glass on Sat Jan 19, 2008 at 01:42:19 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: the "she did itt too!" defense... (none / 0)

"al gore would be ashamed of you."

If he wasn't already Al Gore would ashamed of the Clintons for the slime and smear (and partly racist) campaign they have waged against Obama: clintonattacksobama | Incident Tracker.  Gore's mother warned him not to get involved with the Clintons by accepting the VP nod. She was 100% right.


Obama's Pop. Vote LEAD = 600K | Clinton & McCain = WAR Authorizers
by NeuvoLiberal on Sat Jan 19, 2008 at 01:55:13 PM EST
[ Parent ]

god , you ARE crazy arent you? (none / 0)

Gores mom?

looney.


Offend the Media - Vote for Hillary!
by Seymour Glass on Sat Jan 19, 2008 at 04:52:54 PM EST
[ Parent ]

freeper land (none / 0)

How many times does that case have to be dismissed before you will understand that it has no basis? Yes, there are many made up Clinton scandals, everyone in the country knows that. Hillary Clinton's ability to deal with these right-wing attacks is a pillar of her campaign.

So now we have a potential Obama scandal tied to a pending federal corruption case and given major coverage by his hometown paper. Obama's claim is that he is squeaky clean and that these things wouldn't come up, well he was wrong. Let's see how he deals with an avalanche of news coverage speculating about his history of connections to Rezko. Maybe he will work his magic with the press and the story will not get legs, or maybe not.


by souvarine on Sat Jan 19, 2008 at 01:15:04 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: freeper land (none / 0)

"How many times does that case have to be dismissed before you will understand that it has no basis?"
Wiki says:


Paul's suit against former President Clinton remains, as of December 2007, outstanding. He is seeking $41.9 million in damages.[45]

And the video  of Hillary Clinton calling in to sort of co-ordinate with Paul is actually quite bad (and potentially incriminating on the ground of coordination). I would have said so even if I were a Clinton'08 supporter.

"Obama's claim is that he is squeaky clean and that these things wouldn't come up, well he was wrong."

I don't think he ever called himself "squeaky clean". Second, we have know about Rezko from the very beginning, so he could never have said "these things wouldn't come up". You're putting words in his mouth.

In some sense, it's actually kind of good that this Rezko thing is getting an airing now. The Clinton scandals mess (voluminous one) could come down as an avalanche the moment we nominate her. Once they do, her negatives will skyrocket (don't forget that Bill Clinton is actively campaigning to get her election) from the near 50% level they're already at. No chance of  her winning the general election after that. Just Bill Clinton's "that woman" clip (of Monica) by itself can potentially sink her candidacy, if you ask me.


Obama's Pop. Vote LEAD = 600K | Clinton & McCain = WAR Authorizers
by NeuvoLiberal on Sat Jan 19, 2008 at 01:33:25 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: freeper land (2.00 / 1)

You are aware that Clinton's Senate finance chair was indicted by the Bush Justice Department in connection with Paul's failure to disclose his fundraiser costs to the FEC. Clinton's finance chair was acquitted with a finding that Paul defrauded the campaign, filing false expense reports to the Clinton finance chair.


by hwc on Sat Jan 19, 2008 at 01:38:20 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Given Norman Hsu, (none / 0)

Peter F Paul, Lewinsky,Gennifer Flowers, Paula Jones, Kathleen Willy, Juanita Broderick, Mark Rich pardon to name just a few Clinton scandals out there, it's practically a suicidal death wish for the Democratic party to nominate Clinton. Why don't people realize that?


Obama's Pop. Vote LEAD = 600K | Clinton & McCain = WAR Authorizers
by NeuvoLiberal on Sat Jan 19, 2008 at 01:43:32 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: BREAKING: Obama linked to Rezko indictment (none / 0)

Oh, and how odd, you forgot to post the subheading:

The Illinois senator isn't accused of any wrongdoing. And there's no evidence Obama knew contributions to his 2004 U.S. Senate campaign came from schemes Rezko is accused of orchestrating.


by mattmfm on Sat Jan 19, 2008 at 10:53:50 AM EST

Re: BREAKING: Obama linked to Rezko indictment (none / 0)

But Obama did.  Did you read the Aramanda passages?  Aramanda's $10,000 donations are tied to Rezko's scheme, and Obama hired Aramanda's son as an intern at Rezko's urging.

And Presidential candidates should not be mentioned in federal indictments.  This is not good for Obama.


by truthteller2007 on Sat Jan 19, 2008 at 10:56:41 AM EST

Yeah, that Norm Hsu thing is STILL (none / 0)

a problem for Hillary and her sleazy corrupt money machine


by dataguy on Sat Jan 19, 2008 at 10:59:18 AM EST
[ Parent ]

change the subject, huh (none / 0)

you should be worried...VERY WORRIED.


Offend the Media - Vote for Hillary!
by Seymour Glass on Sat Jan 19, 2008 at 11:43:06 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Burp (none / 0)

Man, I'm panickin. Whoa, major worry here.


by dataguy on Sat Jan 19, 2008 at 11:52:22 AM EST
[ Parent ]

being a smart ass is not a good defense here (none / 0)


Offend the Media - Vote for Hillary!
by Seymour Glass on Sat Jan 19, 2008 at 12:35:09 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: being a smart ass is not a good defense here (none / 0)

One wonders on "smart."


While I could sit in church and pray all I want, I wouldn't be fulfilling God's will unless I went out and did the Lord's work ~ Barack Obama
by bowiegeek on Sat Jan 19, 2008 at 01:54:37 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: BREAKING: Obama linked to Rezko indictment (none / 0)

Truth, you've been saying that Rezko was going be Obama's downfall. I'm stating to think you are correct.


by lonnette33 on Sat Jan 19, 2008 at 12:04:04 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: BREAKING: Obama linked to Rezko indictment (none / 0)

"I'm starting to think.."


by lonnette33 on Sat Jan 19, 2008 at 12:11:06 PM EST
[ Parent ]

As above (none / 0)

I go by the Norman Hsu rule.

When they go to jail, you got a problem.

Is Hillary stil getting sham contributions of 4600 from poverty-stricken CA hairdressers?


by dataguy on Sat Jan 19, 2008 at 10:58:13 AM EST

Re: As above (none / 0)

I quote the Sun-Times article:

That money was donated to Obama by Joseph Aramanda, a Glenview businessman and Rezko associate who, sources have said, is the "Individual D" prosecutors say received the $250,000 in finder's fees demanded by Rezko. Individual D did nothing to earn those fees, according to prosecutors.

The $10,000 contribution to Obama was given in Aramanda's name on March 5, 2004, records show. While Obama's camp has said the senator did not know Aramanda, Obama's office hired Aramanda's son as an intern in 2005, at Rezko's urging.

Repeated attempts to reach Aramanda, who was involved in pizza franchises Rezko owned, were unsuccessful. He has not been charged with any wrongdoing.


by truthteller2007 on Sat Jan 19, 2008 at 11:02:00 AM EST
[ Parent ]

BREAKING: Obama linked to Rezko indictment (none / 0)

For those new to the Rezko indictment:

Rezko was a corrupt Chicago land developer who got government money for developing low-income housing, largely in Obama's district. His projects went into foreclosure, leaving his tenants without heat at the same time he was making political contributions to Obama.

Obama's law firm did significant legal work for Rezko, including Obama himself -- although the records have conveniently not been made available.

Rezko was one of Obama's closest political patrons and fundraisers.

Rezko subsidized the purchase of Obama's house by buying half of the property at full asking price on the same day that Obama bought the other half at a substantial discount.

Rezko is currently under indictment on federal corruption charges brought by Peter Fitzgerald (of Scooter Libby fame) with the trial scheduled to start in late February.


by hwc on Sat Jan 19, 2008 at 11:02:13 AM EST

Re: BREAKING: Obama linked to Rezko indictment (none / 0)

You have no shame. None of those facts implicate Obama in any wrongdoing. He has an old friend and political supporter who has turned out to be a scumbag in his financial affairs. Obama has admitted that it was a mistake to have allowed Rezco to help him buy his first house, which by the way he paid full price for and Rezco did not by "half the property", he bought a small strip of land next door that needed to be purchased at the same time.

Everything else cited has nothing to do with Obama.


by dmc2 on Sat Jan 19, 2008 at 12:03:38 PM EST
[ Parent ]

bullsh%t! (2.00 / 1)

Both as part time State Senator and part time lawyer, Obama helped his friend of 17 years, REZKO, obtain tens of millions of dollars in government subsidies. There are many of these land deals.

At the Chicago political machine law firm where Obama worked, Obama helped pump tens of millions of government subsidy monies to the REZKO company called REZMAR.

As State Senator, Obama, in his official capacity, also helped pump tens of millions of more dollars to REZKO. [Obama denied doing "favors" for REZKO as a state senator but this too was an Obama lie ]

II. Obama/REZKO land dealings benefitting Obama:

Obama received many contributions from REZKO and even more money from contributions raised by REZKO for all of Obama's political campaigns (the failed congressional race, the state senate race, the U.S. Senate race). But the biggest personal benefit Obama received from REZKO, that we know of, is the big house Obama lives in today.

Obama was elected to the U.S. Senate in 2004. Obama and Michelle owned a condominum at that time but now that Obama was a U.S. Senator they wanted to move to a big house. Obama could not afford the big house he wanted. The house cost $2,305,000. However, in 2005 Obama bought the house he could not afford. Here is how Obama bought a house he could not afford:

   Step 1 - Obama talked the doctor selling the house into selling the house and the house's side yard separately. There would be two separate buyers of the single property - both purchasing the property on the same day.

   Step 2 - Obama had previously asked his friend REZKO to buy the side yard of the house. REZKO was doing financially well at this point.

   Step 3 - Obama purchased the land with the house on it. REZKO, probably to hide his involvement in this land deal and protect Obama, had his wife Rita purchase the side yard. Both purchases of the single property closed on the same day.

Result - Obama got a $300,000 discount on the much more valuable property on which the house stood. REZKO's wife, Rita, purchased the side yard for full price. After the deal, Obama paid for mowing of his front lawn as well as REZKO's yard.

The math is this: Obama gets a $300,000 discount and pays $1,605,000 for his house; REZKO's wife buys the yard at full price for the undeveloped, less valuable side yard for $625,000. Obama gets a $2,305,000 house for $1,605,000. "Profit" to Obama = $925,000.

III. Obama/REZKO land deal benefitting REZKO:

By 2006 Obama and REZKO had reversed fortunes. Obama was a U.S. Senator peddling books and Obama's wife, Michelle, had fortuitously received all sorts of financial benefits from her new found status as wife of a U.S. Senator - including a promotion and a raise of $200,000 to make $316,962 salary from the hospital she worked at. REZKO was in financial difficulty and it was reported that REZKO was about to be indicted.

Obama came to the REZKO rescue. REZKO, Obama's friend, slumlord and Chicago fixer was in trouble. Money was drying up and Patrick Fitzgerald was on his tail. REZKO needed money. The cash flushed Obama obliged. Obama offered to buy some of the REZKO-owned side yard.

The 10 feet of land Obama decided to purchase from REZKO was appraised at $40,000. Obama paid the financially troubled REZKO $104,500. Shortly thereafter, REZKO was indicted by "Scooter" Libby prosecutor Patrick Fitzgerald on charges including Bribes, Kickbacks, and Extortion.

Why Obama rescued REZKO remains a mystery. Why would an up and coming Chicago politician risk his political future for a slumlord about to be indicted remains a question.


Offend the Media - Vote for Hillary!
by Seymour Glass on Sat Jan 19, 2008 at 12:32:01 PM EST
[ Parent ]

BUllshit indeed (none / 0)

No house has a value.  Demonstrating house values is extremely difficult.  this is just more hit crap.

especially now in the era of dropping house values, you can't show that any house has any distinct value.

More total crap.


by dataguy on Sat Jan 19, 2008 at 12:41:00 PM EST
[ Parent ]

You really are stupid (none / 0)

Why would he buy the side yard?  Because he wanted it.  What a ridiculous question.  

This is all allegation, inuendo, and scummy stuff.  Please, tell me EXACTLY why having someone else help you buy property is wrong.  EXACTLY what statute, law or rule was violated by having someone else help you.

GEEZUS, this is MORONIC.


by dataguy on Sat Jan 19, 2008 at 12:49:27 PM EST
[ Parent ]

DEEP and thouughtful response!! (none / 0)


Offend the Media - Vote for Hillary!
by Seymour Glass on Sat Jan 19, 2008 at 01:01:41 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: bullsh%t! (none / 0)

Links?


by dmc2 on Sat Jan 19, 2008 at 01:56:13 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: BREAKING: Obama linked to Rezko indictment (none / 0)

The rumor is that he will be called as a witness. And since this is going to be going on during the primary, he's probably toast. One copy of this front page in an ad would be deadly.


No longer a Democrat, now proudly an independent voter!
by Ga6thDem on Sat Jan 19, 2008 at 11:07:37 AM EST

Rumor has it (none / 0)

is that what this thread is all about.  The Democratic party has been reduces to indictment by Rumor.


Listening comes first
by Moonwood on Sat Jan 19, 2008 at 03:03:54 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Rumor has it (none / 0)

Nope, facts are that Rezko was a long time associate of Obama's. The only rumor is whether he'll be called to testify. It's on record that he's in the court papers.

Obama has said that he wasn't contacted by the prosecutors but he has made up stuff about him not knowing Rezko was under investigation when he did the house deal. That was a lie because the fact that Rezko was under investigation was in all the papers. You should watch Bryan Ross' investigative report. It lays it all out.


No longer a Democrat, now proudly an independent voter!
by Ga6thDem on Sat Jan 19, 2008 at 03:26:13 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: BREAKING: Obama linked to Rezko indictment (none / 0)

It's a pretty fascinating read, especially the part about "A longstanding relationship". I could see how the media would latch onto that angle more than just the contributions, especially the part about the housing developments.


by Jerome Armstrong on Sat Jan 19, 2008 at 11:26:37 AM EST

Re: BREAKING: Obama linked to Rezko indictment (none / 0)

Keep in mind that Rezko subsidized the purchase of Obama's house.

Rezko is also very likely the reason that Obama can't find any of his law firm billing records or his state senate schedules or notes.

The relationship between Rezko and Obama goes back at least to Obama's law school days, when Rezko tried to hire him for his development company. Instead, Obama took a position with the law firm that handled Rezko's real estate development work. Until the presidential run, Obama was listed as practicing real estate law. Those references were scrubbed for the Presidential campaign, in favor of "civil rights law".


by hwc on Sat Jan 19, 2008 at 11:38:44 AM EST
[ Parent ]

rezko did no such thing... (none / 0)

he bought an adjacent property the closed on the same day (hours apart) from the house obama bought.

i can't imagine why anyone who supported hillary -- who hid her billing records in her closet when they were under subpoena -- would want to bring up state senate records that no one saves, but it's pretty well established that they have a double standard.  god save the psychodrama queen, right?


"We did not come to fear the future. We came here to shape it." - President Obama, Sept 9, 2009
by bored now on Sat Jan 19, 2008 at 02:18:18 PM EST
[ Parent ]

the 1mill Rezko saved obama on his house (none / 0)

a house he couldnt afford and couldnt get a lone on, but still HAD TO HAVE, and came up with the krazy plan to split the property from the house and get a known "influence peddler" to pony up, would be the commercial the gop would run on a loop and it alone would cost us 08...

but the bigger trouble is with the low income housing and the role of obamas law firm and Obaama's work as a state senator in getting funding for the project.

But, of course...Obama says it was all just a  "boneheaded mistake" and his fans buy this without thought or question.

Now THAT'S Boneheaded!


Offend the Media - Vote for Hillary!
by Seymour Glass on Sat Jan 19, 2008 at 11:54:01 AM EST
[ Parent ]

WRONG! (none / 0)

we've established that you can't add and that you know nothing about real estate, but i'm pretty sure you're just making this crap up.

rezko never saved obama a dime, let alone a million dollars on his house.  i've pretty sure you're the bone headed one, and intentional so...


"We did not come to fear the future. We came here to shape it." - President Obama, Sept 9, 2009
by bored now on Sat Jan 19, 2008 at 02:20:32 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: BREAKING: Obama linked to Rezko indictment (none / 0)

My contention has long been that this could well KILL our nominee, REGARDLESS OF WHETHER OBAMA DID ANYTHING WRONG.

This is not a one-time contribution thing.  There is no simple deniability here.   His ties to the indicted Rezko go waaaaay back, for years, on every level.  Fundraising parties in his home, Rezko was his finance co-chair, etc.

The Republicans have been sitting on this hoping that it would stay  under the radar until Obama was nominated.

If crap like this starts hitting the front pages AFTER Obama is nominated, you could kiss the general election goodbye.  The Repugs will have a field day, because there is just too much juiciness there.  It has nothing to do with whether Obama did anything shady. There are just TOO many connections, and the general will turn into battling the Rezko crap, not battling the Republican candidate.

Sorry, but that's the political reality.


by WMCB on Sat Jan 19, 2008 at 12:07:13 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Whitewater all over again (none / 0)

That's what I would say. THis is just another attempt to smear another politician by trying to link him to his associates.  I have had many dealings with Mr. Rezko, but I do not control him, and I did not influence his corrupt behavior.

This is much less than any scandal I have seen in a long time. It's just hysteria and bleating.


by dataguy on Sat Jan 19, 2008 at 12:32:09 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Wouldn't it be funny (none / 0)

lets hire Ken Starr to sort this all out - he did such a great job for the Clinton's the first time.
I'm sure he is ready to serve again.
Listening comes first
by Moonwood on Sat Jan 19, 2008 at 03:07:23 PM EST
[ Parent ]

it's not a problem for obama... (none / 0)

nothing suggests (yet) that he's anything more than a victim here.  that doesn't mean it doesn't look bad (ala hillary's cattle future profits or the hiding of her billing records).

otoh, for gov. blagojevich, it doesn't like good...


"We did not come to fear the future. We came here to shape it." - President Obama, Sept 9, 2009
by bored now on Sat Jan 19, 2008 at 03:15:31 PM EST
[ Parent ]

the big difference between rezko and whitewater... (none / 0)

is that the clintons were directly involved.  obama is not.  your argument would hold water it was aimed at blagojevich and not obama.

there's another difference: patrick fitzgerald.  when fitzgerald is done, no one will ask for a redo...


"We did not come to fear the future. We came here to shape it." - President Obama, Sept 9, 2009
by bored now on Sun Jan 20, 2008 at 08:25:17 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: BREAKING: Obama linked to Rezko indictment (none / 0)

The Republicans have not been "sitting on this."  They have been sending press releases about developments in the Rezko case to journalists, in fact.


"Another problem we have...is that in election years we behave somewhat as primitive peoples do at the time of the full moon." --Harry Truman
by Steve M on Sat Jan 19, 2008 at 12:43:23 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: BREAKING: Obama linked to Rezko indictment (none / 0)

Has been de-bunked.

Now Hsu is a different matter for HRC.
She is very vulnerable in his case.
HRC could be toast.
So much scandal around the Clintons..they wallow in it.


by hawkjt on Sat Jan 19, 2008 at 11:28:15 AM EST

you are so in denial. (2.00 / 2)


Offend the Media - Vote for Hillary!
by Seymour Glass on Sat Jan 19, 2008 at 11:56:23 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: BREAKING: Obama linked to Rezko indictment (none / 0)

In Magical Obamaworld, "he denied it = debunked"  

I'm sure that Rove et al, when Obama denies something, are going to say, "Well, thank you Senator Obama.  I'm so glad we cleared that up." and walk away.


by WMCB on Sat Jan 19, 2008 at 12:22:35 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: BREAKING: Obama linked to Rezko indictment (none / 0)

This is bullwicky!  Do you HONESTLY believe Obama would be STUPID ENOUGH to even TRY to run for the Presidency if he had done something illegal?

Give me a break.

You are getting desperate and it's showing.


Coonsey's World http://coonsey.wordpress.com/
by coonbug on Sat Jan 19, 2008 at 11:38:49 AM EST

Re: BREAKING: Obama linked to Rezko indictment (none / 0)

Of course he didn't do anything technically illegal. He's a frickin' Harvard Law School grad. He knows how to structure deals -- just like the way he structure his house purchase so that a corrupt Chicago fixer could buy part of his house for him legally.


by hwc on Sat Jan 19, 2008 at 11:42:26 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Yeah, that's the ticket (1.00 / 1)

Yeah, Obama is so smart that he made it look like he was totally innocent.

He just looks like his hands are clean. But we all know that the cleaner your hands, the guiltier the relationship.

In fact, if it looks like Obama is totally innocent, he is actually totally guilty.

Right, Hillary-bots?


by dataguy on Sat Jan 19, 2008 at 11:50:49 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Yeah, that's the ticket (none / 0)

But he hired the son of a Rezko associate who also owned pizza businesses tied to Rezko's business network.  Obama is not clean, and he will be scrutinized as a result.


by truthteller2007 on Sat Jan 19, 2008 at 11:52:54 AM EST
[ Parent ]

So lets see (none / 0)

That is guilt by association of the 3rd degree with pizza fillagree.

SO fucking what?

You can jump up and down and scream and people will still consider this to be YET another Hillary Hysteria.  You Hillary Hysterics are always yammering about some crap or another.  Hysteria, thy name is Hillary.


by dataguy on Sat Jan 19, 2008 at 12:00:39 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: So lets see (none / 0)

He hired an intern at Rezko's behest, and he purchased property with Rezko.  I beleive these are direct relationships, and they span a decade.


by truthteller2007 on Sat Jan 19, 2008 at 12:02:02 PM EST
[ Parent ]

WOW!!! He HIRED AN INTERN (none / 0)

GEEZ, you would think that the word "INTERN" would never cross the lips or keyboard of a Hillary-bot.

But you would be wrong.

Intern, intern, intern - what does that remind me of?


by dataguy on Sat Jan 19, 2008 at 12:04:35 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: WOW!!! He HIRED AN INTERN (2.00 / 1)

Dude, the indicted Rezko was Obama's campaign  finance co-chair.  If you don't think that is going to bite him in the ass as this trial heats up, you are dreaming.


by WMCB on Sat Jan 19, 2008 at 12:10:23 PM EST
[ Parent ]

you are determined to be the most offensive (none / 0)

person here arent you?


Offend the Media - Vote for Hillary!
by Seymour Glass on Sat Jan 19, 2008 at 12:21:13 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Data guy (none / 0)

You're great - I am enjoying your sense of humor.


Listening comes first
by Moonwood on Sat Jan 19, 2008 at 03:09:38 PM EST
[ Parent ]

only you cult members think he looks (none / 0)

innocent


Offend the Media - Vote for Hillary!
by Seymour Glass on Sat Jan 19, 2008 at 11:57:57 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: only you cult members think he looks (2.00 / 1)

Can you imagine the uproar if an indicted political influence peddler had bought part of Hillary's house for her?


by hwc on Sat Jan 19, 2008 at 12:01:13 PM EST
[ Parent ]

they'd Joan of Arc her (none / 0)


Offend the Media - Vote for Hillary!
by Seymour Glass on Sat Jan 19, 2008 at 12:19:18 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Hysteria (none / 0)

Better watch out, Seymour.  Your candidate is looking more and more like a hysterical woman.  Once that one gets attached, Hysteria Hillary and her band of whining hysterics will not be taken seriously by anyone. You hysterics are on the bubble as it is right now.  Every time there is a hint of problem, it's THE SKY IS FALLING!!  

Hysteria.


by dataguy on Sat Jan 19, 2008 at 12:02:47 PM EST
[ Parent ]

sexist, mysoginist crap from (none / 0)

a fan boy.

grow up, try...to be a man.


Offend the Media - Vote for Hillary!
by Seymour Glass on Sat Jan 19, 2008 at 12:17:47 PM EST
[ Parent ]

You're getting (none / 0)

saliva on your keyboard, Seymour.

Yuck.


by dataguy on Sat Jan 19, 2008 at 12:23:13 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: BREAKING: Obama linked to Rezko indictment (none / 0)

How about directing your fire to his hometown newspaper.

I don't know how you would not be alarmed that your candidate might be linked or named in a federal indictment.

In an ideal world that might end the presidential prospect of any other candidate if the media picked it up and ran with it , but I won't hold my breadth .

It undermines Obama 's candidacy a whole lot , just like Clinton said he hasn't been vetted.


Educated in a small town Taught to fear Jesus in a small town Used to daydream in that small town Another born romantic that's me.
by lori on Sat Jan 19, 2008 at 11:46:03 AM EST
[ Parent ]

hey, nobody forced obama to buy (none / 0)

a house he couldnt afford or get a loan for with a well known political fixer -now charged  with BRIBING politicians..

Nobody except Michelle Obama of course


Offend the Media - Vote for Hillary!
by Seymour Glass on Sat Jan 19, 2008 at 12:04:00 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: hey, nobody forced obama to buy (none / 0)

The same Michelle Obama who got a nice $200,000 a year raise when her husband was elected to the US Senate?


by hwc on Sat Jan 19, 2008 at 12:11:34 PM EST
[ Parent ]

i luv that, a 150% raise (none / 0)

from a "non profit" hospital that is dependent on govt funding.

oh those obamas...so squeaky clean!


Offend the Media - Vote for Hillary!
by Seymour Glass on Sat Jan 19, 2008 at 12:14:30 PM EST
[ Parent ]

You guys are mirroring the WHitewater (none / 0)

playbook, and parrotting RNC lines.

Next, you will be looking for her billing records.

Scummy Karl Rove stuff.


by dataguy on Sat Jan 19, 2008 at 12:24:32 PM EST
[ Parent ]

facts only facts (none / 0)

why do you think she got such a raise , hmmm?


Offend the Media - Vote for Hillary!
by Seymour Glass on Sat Jan 19, 2008 at 01:50:55 PM EST
[ Parent ]

you've said some stupid things... (none / 0)

but this one is one of the stupiest.  only someone who has your incredibly poor math skills would assert that a published author who just got a $1.6 million advance couldn't afford a house bought for less than $2 million.

that you have the gull to suggest that senator obama couldn't get a loan just demonstrates how desparate you are to make a mountain out of a molehill here.

not that i blame you.  everyone knows about the crap swirling around hillary...


"We did not come to fear the future. We came here to shape it." - President Obama, Sept 9, 2009
by bored now on Sat Jan 19, 2008 at 02:26:19 PM EST
[ Parent ]

get your facts straight (none / 0)

he didnt have that money then and he and the Mrs. just HAD to have that house.

dumbest thing Ive ever seen a politician do besides WJC...but I at least understand his lust, its their  avarice that confuses me.


Offend the Media - Vote for Hillary!
by Seymour Glass on Sat Jan 19, 2008 at 06:35:02 PM EST
[ Parent ]

i would ask for facts if i were you... (none / 0)

given your reckless disregard for them.

obama did indeed have his advance (that's why they call it an advance).

and given your inability to understand other people, we need not go into your last sentence...


"We did not come to fear the future. We came here to shape it." - President Obama, Sept 9, 2009
by bored now on Sat Jan 19, 2008 at 07:36:14 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Hysteria (none / 0)

This bunch of hysterical ninnies has the lowest trigger point of an organized lynch mob that I've ever seen.  They go off at the least suggestion of something in Obama's past.  They just run around like Chicken LIttle and look like major league ninnies.  How can anyone take any of this crap seriously?


by dataguy on Sat Jan 19, 2008 at 12:06:47 PM EST
[ Parent ]

you wont - soon, everyone else will (none / 0)


Offend the Media - Vote for Hillary!
by Seymour Glass on Sat Jan 19, 2008 at 12:11:56 PM EST
[ Parent ]

BREAKING: Hillary-bots running amok (1.00 / 0)

This just in: A minor 3rd rate relationship has led to a major outbreak of gloating, glee and hand-rubbing for Hillary-bots everywhere.  They sense a major opening for their candidate, Bill II.  They believe, oddly enough, that by gloating loudly and with total abandon that people will pay attention, and that this will go from being a laugher of a scandal to something approaching the devastating Norman Hsu scandal, which was  a considerable problem for the Bill II campaign some weeks ago.


by dataguy on Sat Jan 19, 2008 at 11:57:54 AM EST

99% of country has no idea of who Hsu is. (2.00 / 2)

It's one of a gazillion little fundraising scandals that happen all the time. If the Obamanauts can't tell the difference between this and the Rezko tangle they are either being stupid or disingenuous. More likely the latter. You can tell by the knee jerk mention of Hsu, it will be cattle futures next. This story like Rezko's indictment a week or two back is only important if it gets legs. It is potentially of a totally different order of magnitude to the Hsu matter because of the myriad of connections between Obama and family. If this gets some traction this is potentially immensely damaging whatever the deniers claim. If it doesn't get legs, it don't matter a damn.      


by ottovbvs on Sat Jan 19, 2008 at 12:08:13 PM EST
[ Parent ]

his "politcal godfatther" (none / 0)

who saved him $950,000 on a 2.6  million dollar house, who he got state funding for on his now bankrupted and fraudulent low income housing scheme, is about to come to trial for fraud AND political bribery...

and you pretend this means nothing.

Right....


Offend the Media - Vote for Hillary!
by Seymour Glass on Sat Jan 19, 2008 at 12:10:22 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Dataguy: whose Hsu. (2.00 / 1)

You completely overstate the case in an effort to distract attention from this matter. The Hsu "scandal" was never devastating otherwise the campaign would be over and Obama would have nom wrapped up. No doubt the Clinton fans overstate case too but make no mistake if this gets traction it's much more dangerous than the Hsu matter because of the myriad of connections. By all means state the Clinton fans are hyping this but by making ridiculous claims you just weaken your case.    


by ottovbvs on Sat Jan 19, 2008 at 12:13:24 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Obamabots spam comments (2.00 / 1)

in a vain attempt to distract everyone from analyzing the Sun-Times story.


by truthteller2007 on Sat Jan 19, 2008 at 12:04:54 PM EST

This is a spam diary (none / 0)

because it doesn't mention that Obama wasn't accused of ANY wrongdoing

The Illinois senator isn't accused of any wrongdoing. And there's no evidence Obama knew contributions to his 2004 U.S. Senate campaign came from schemes Rezko is accused of orchestrating.


Obama's Pop. Vote LEAD = 600K | Clinton & McCain = WAR Authorizers
by NeuvoLiberal on Sat Jan 19, 2008 at 12:19:31 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: This is a spam diary (none / 0)

At least not yet.  But what if he is asked to testify?  And what of his fiduciary relationship to an entire business racket that included everything from pizza joints to dilapidated structures?


by truthteller2007 on Sat Jan 19, 2008 at 12:21:18 PM EST
[ Parent ]

well, there are many Clinton scandals (none / 0)

of both sex (at least half a dozen) and non-sex (Hsu, Peter F Paul, etc) variety out there.

What if Rove/GOP pull them all out and turn the presidential race into a scandal parade? In fact, they have Bill Clinton caught and lying to the American public (wagging his finger and lying that he didn't have with "that woman, Ms. Lewinsky) on tape already, which I have no doubt will be a campaign commercial by the Republicans if Hillary is the nominee.


Obama's Pop. Vote LEAD = 600K | Clinton & McCain = WAR Authorizers
by NeuvoLiberal on Sat Jan 19, 2008 at 12:43:41 PM EST
[ Parent ]

god -how gutter you are w/ your clnton hate (none / 0)


Offend the Media - Vote for Hillary!
by Seymour Glass on Sat Jan 19, 2008 at 01:53:49 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Seymore (none / 0)

Every time someone criticizes Hillary they are a hater.  When you smear Obama with innuendo and rumor you somehow call that vetting.
Rove then is captain vet.
Listening comes first
by Moonwood on Sat Jan 19, 2008 at 03:16:29 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: well, there are many Clinton scandals (none / 0)

You don't see the difference do you? All of that is old news, stuff that has been investigated and investigated. No one wants to hear about it anymore. The stuff about Rezko is "new" and "sexy."


No longer a Democrat, now proudly an independent voter!
by Ga6thDem on Sat Jan 19, 2008 at 03:30:53 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: BREAKING: Obama linked to Rezko indictment (2.00 / 1)

Here's the article that details how deep Obama's law firm ties were to Rezko:

http://www.suntimes.com/news/metro/35382 9,CST-NWS-rez23.article

The next year, Obama joined Davis Miner Barnhill & Galland, a 12-lawyer firm that specialized in helping develop low-income housing. The firm's top partner, Allison S. Davis, was, and is, a member of the Chicago Plan Commission, appointed by Mayor Daley. Davis was also a friend of Rezko. Davis and Rezko would eventually go into business together, developing homes.

Another firm partner, Judson Miner, ran the city Law Department under Mayor Harold Washington, one of Obama's political idols.

Asked what Rezko cases Obama worked on, Miner told the Sun-Times, "We'll put together a list of the cases he worked on involving Rezko/Rezmar in the next day or two.''

That was March 13. He never provided the information.

While at the law firm, Obama spent much of his time working on issues that would help improve conditions in poor neighborhoods, according to his first book, Dreams from My Father, published in 1996.

"In my legal practice, I work mostly with churches and community groups, men and women who quietly build grocery stores and health clinics in the inner city, and housing for the poor,'' Obama wrote in the book.

Three community groups represented by Davis Miner Barnhill & Galland were partners with Rezmar in the troubled housing deals.


by hwc on Sat Jan 19, 2008 at 12:20:13 PM EST

Re: BREAKING: Obama linked to Rezko indictment (none / 0)

Rezko is Obama's idea of "building housing for the poor". No wonder he thinks Republicans are the party of ideas.

Here's the Rezko idea: get rich off cronyism and no-bid deals with government patrons while screwing the little guy.


by hwc on Sat Jan 19, 2008 at 12:27:03 PM EST
[ Parent ]

you got it (2.00 / 1)

he helped the community from 23 to 25 as an organizer,  then helped rip it off at a daley machine lawyer after that.

this so obvious if one actually looks past the rhetoric to the reality.


Offend the Media - Vote for Hillary!
by Seymour Glass on Sat Jan 19, 2008 at 02:00:44 PM EST
[ Parent ]

only if you're an idiot... (none / 0)

like most of what you write, it's nothing but hill-smear.  where's the beef?


"We did not come to fear the future. We came here to shape it." - President Obama, Sept 9, 2009
by bored now on Sat Jan 19, 2008 at 02:27:10 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: only if you're an idiot... (none / 0)

whats not true?

find one thing


Offend the Media - Vote for Hillary!
by Seymour Glass on Sat Jan 19, 2008 at 06:38:22 PM EST
[ Parent ]

what's not true??? (none / 0)

we should ask what is true about the crap you tout.

here's one: the properties were listed separately for more than 8 months before the obama's became aware of them.  you maliciously contend that they were a single property (despite the fact that they are actually listed as three different lots on chicago tax rolls).

there's one.


"We did not come to fear the future. We came here to shape it." - President Obama, Sept 9, 2009
by bored now on Sat Jan 19, 2008 at 07:38:42 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Obama hater machine (none / 0)


Listening comes first
by Moonwood on Sat Jan 19, 2008 at 03:17:27 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: BREAKING: Obama linked to Rezko indictment (none / 0)

The Polito cited the article.  It is spreading.


by truthteller2007 on Sat Jan 19, 2008 at 12:29:56 PM EST

Yea lets get Ken Starr to do the dirty work (none / 0)

He is the king of smear and innuendo.  


Listening comes first
by Moonwood on Sat Jan 19, 2008 at 12:43:00 PM EST

Re: BREAKING: Obama linked to Rezko indictment (2.00 / 1)

I guess I need to take a closer look at the Rezko indictment.  This is a complicated case.


"Another problem we have...is that in election years we behave somewhat as primitive peoples do at the time of the full moon." --Harry Truman
by Steve M on Sat Jan 19, 2008 at 12:45:53 PM EST

You are a lawyer, correct? (none / 0)

Give us a little UNBIASED opinion on this.  

There is a huge load of guilt by association, and little fact of any sort, as far as I can tell.

The quid pro quo that is alleged is again very tangential.


by dataguy on Sat Jan 19, 2008 at 12:52:39 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: BREAKING: Obama linked to Rezko indictment (none / 0)

Yes please do since Obama is not named in the indictment.


by Piuma on Sat Jan 19, 2008 at 01:51:33 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: BREAKING: Obama linked to Rezko indictment (none / 0)

No one is named in the indictment except Rezko. Apparently you don't understand how Fitzgerald operates do you?


No longer a Democrat, now proudly an independent voter!
by Ga6thDem on Sat Jan 19, 2008 at 03:32:20 PM EST
[ Parent ]

LOVIN' IT! (none / 0)


by dpANDREWS on Sat Jan 19, 2008 at 12:55:51 PM EST

Can you say Hsu (none / 0)


Listening comes first
by Moonwood on Sat Jan 19, 2008 at 01:26:00 PM EST

Re: Can you say Hsu (none / 0)

barely..


While I could sit in church and pray all I want, I wouldn't be fulfilling God's will unless I went out and did the Lord's work ~ Barack Obama
by bowiegeek on Sun Jan 20, 2008 at 03:37:48 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Can you say Hsu (none / 0)

that's better than me...


"We did not come to fear the future. We came here to shape it." - President Obama, Sept 9, 2009
by bored now on Sun Jan 20, 2008 at 08:25:34 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Obama: Just another dirty Chicago pol (none / 0)

Nothing different there.  Obama better hope that he can escape indictment.


by dpANDREWS on Sat Jan 19, 2008 at 01:34:43 PM EST

Re: Obama: Just another dirty Chicago pol (2.00 / 1)

I don't think Obama was stupid enough to do anything to get himself indicted. His kickback from Rezko was $925,000 towards the purchase of a house Obama couldn't afford. That deal was structured to pass the legal test, even though it stinks to high heaven on the "sniff" test.


by hwc on Sat Jan 19, 2008 at 01:42:53 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Obama: Just another dirty Chicago pol (2.00 / 1)

Indictment for what?


by illlaw1 on Sat Jan 19, 2008 at 01:46:43 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Rupert Murdock supports Hillary (2.00 / 1)

His paper the Sun Times, is attacking Obama.

This is just political hit crap.  

It appears that Murdock. owner and publisher of the Chicago Sun-Times, will do for Hillary what Scaife did for the Republicans.  Dredge up (or is that Drudge up) unsubstantiated crap, increase the type size, put bullshit in Garamond 14 pt bold face, and make it look like there is something there.

Next we will be having the Murdock-funded Chicago project, in which money is put into a slush fund to dig up dirt on Obama.

It's amazing. The Clintons learned plenty from Whitewater.  What they learned was how to Whitewater others.


by dataguy on Sat Jan 19, 2008 at 01:44:44 PM EST

Now its making sense (none / 0)

This is like the article in the NY Post alleging Obama played JZ.


Listening comes first
by Moonwood on Sat Jan 19, 2008 at 03:20:35 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: BREAKING: Obama linked to Rezko indictment (2.00 / 1)

Um. Where's the part that says Obama had anything to do with it or any knowledge?

Perhaps you can update your post with that part.

Or this a fact-free GOP-like smear?

I'm sure it's not right? Dems are better than that right? Right?


by illlaw1 on Sat Jan 19, 2008 at 01:46:09 PM EST

To actually understand the relationship (none / 0)

between Rezko and Obama, it requires a degree in nuclear physics and advanced accounting knowledge.  The facts, as far as I can see it, is that Mr. Rezko is under indictment, he in the past hosted fund-raisers for Obama and gave him money, and R helped O buy a house.  

That's what we've got.

The Hillary-bots are telling everyone in tones of hysteria and high dudgeon that Obama helped Rezko.  In point of fact, he did help him, and the help is all detailed in many contracts.  Oddly enough, in America the land of capitalism, people work together all the time to make deals.  So, I am just at a loss to see why THESE deals are bad, and the millions of other deals of exactly the same kind are just normal and unremarkable.

It's Karl Rove stuff - you say it often enough, loudly enough and with great passion, and the ninnies begin to believe it. Of course, before Karl, this was the Goebbels technique - the big lie.


by dataguy on Sat Jan 19, 2008 at 01:54:21 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: BREAKING: Obama linked to Rezko indictment (none / 0)

The post is calling attention to a breaking news story in a major US newspaper that Obama is referenced (not by name) in the major corruption indictment of Obama's top Chicago political patron.


by hwc on Sat Jan 19, 2008 at 01:59:44 PM EST
[ Parent ]

is there an allegation the candidate did (none / 0)

anything wrong? Knew about the scheme? Should have known about the scheme?

Do any HRC supporters believe Obama knew about the scheme?


Rrrinnggg... Time to change the government.
by Carl Nyberg on Sat Jan 19, 2008 at 01:51:32 PM EST

Re: is there an allegation the candidate did (none / 0)

Which scheme? Rezko had quite a few schemes working to profit off his tight crony relationships with Illinois politicians.


by hwc on Sat Jan 19, 2008 at 01:57:15 PM EST
[ Parent ]

One thing that these folks don't know is (none / 0)

that Rezko is also linked to Blagojevich, our lovely governor.

So the unnamed politician may be Obama or may be Blagojevich, or may be Daley.  Illinois is a target-rich political environment.


by dataguy on Sat Jan 19, 2008 at 01:58:15 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: One thing that these folks don't know is (none / 0)

You missed the bottom line on the Sun Times breaking news story today. The whole point of the article is that the Sun Times has confirmed that Obama is the "unnamed politician" in Fitzgerald's indictment of Rezko.


by hwc on Sat Jan 19, 2008 at 02:01:35 PM EST
[ Parent ]

well, in case they don't know... (2.00 / 1)

here's what is says:

Obama is not named in the Dec. 21 court document. But a source familiar with the case confirmed that Obama is the unnamed "political candidate" referred to in a section of the document that accuses Rezko of orchestrating a scheme in which a firm hired to handle state teacher pension investments first had to pay $250,000 in "sham" finder's fees. From that money, $10,000 was donated to Obama's successful run for the Senate in the name of a Rezko business associate, according to the court filing and the source.

   Rezko, who was part of Obama's senatorial finance committee, also is accused of directing "at least one other individual" to donate money to Obama and then reimbursing that individual -- in possible violation of federal election law.

less definitive than you wanted, but not a surprise to those of us who are actually following this...


"We did not come to fear the future. We came here to shape it." - President Obama, Sept 9, 2009
by bored now on Sat Jan 19, 2008 at 02:31:17 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Anonymous sources are crap (none / 0)

The anonymous source is probably someone on Clinton's staff


by dataguy on Sat Jan 19, 2008 at 02:35:46 PM EST
[ Parent ]

the suntimes is a conservative paper... (none / 0)

i wouldn't count on it coming from clinton's people.  add to that the fact that the clinton campaign has proven to be awful, just awful at oppo.  they will smear their opponents, but less likely to find new stuff.  ok, they could have just made it up, but i doubt they can find an original story...


"We did not come to fear the future. We came here to shape it." - President Obama, Sept 9, 2009
by bored now on Sat Jan 19, 2008 at 02:58:58 PM EST
[ Parent ]

That's what Bob Johnson is for (none / 0)

You don't do it yourself. Everyone knows that.  You get a surrogate to do it.


by dataguy on Sat Jan 19, 2008 at 03:23:09 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Sun Times (none / 0)

owned by Murdoch - do we really need to explain.
The slimiest capitalist in American is going after Obama - that should give some of you pause.
Listening comes first
by Moonwood on Sat Jan 19, 2008 at 03:24:34 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Prediction: Obama will flip race card (2.00 / 1)

Obama will flip the race card again.  Probably as soon as today or tomorrow.  That is my prediction.

He blew a huge lead in New Hampshire and he was able to take the focus off that by injecting race.  Look for him to inject race again to try and spin away from this Rezco issue.


by dpANDREWS on Sat Jan 19, 2008 at 02:07:09 PM EST

Re: Prediction: Obama will flip race card (none / 0)

He never stopped flipping the race card. He had surrogates in South Carolina yesterday giving media interviews saying that Clinton questioning his "experience" is perceived as a racist attack "in the community".


by hwc on Sat Jan 19, 2008 at 02:38:25 PM EST
[ Parent ]

I think this site (none / 0)

is populated by a lot of Clinton staffers.


Listening comes first
by Moonwood on Sat Jan 19, 2008 at 03:25:47 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: I think this site (none / 0)

Oh Lord have mercy!


by lonnette33 on Sat Jan 19, 2008 at 03:33:51 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Sad (none / 0)

This is even flimsier than the Norman Hsu stuff.


by Korha on Sat Jan 19, 2008 at 05:49:13 PM EST

Re: BREAKING: (none / 0)

I don't think the common voter cares about this sort of thing- he has bigger problems than this.


by reasonwarrior on Sat Jan 19, 2008 at 06:04:20 PM EST

Re: BREAKING: Obama linked to Rezko indictment (none / 0)

"The Illinois senator isn't accused of any wrongdoing. And there's no evidence Obama knew contributions to his 2004 U.S. Senate campaign came from schemes Rezko is accused of orchestrating."

Supporters of the White Water queen shouldn't throw stones.


by yitbos96bb on Sat Jan 19, 2008 at 06:41:45 PM EST

Trial starts in Feb. (none / 0)

I think the trial starts in Feb. I live in Illinois and this is a big deal here and everyone in Chicago is talking about it. As much as I like Obama, I think he is guilty. I don't think it is possible to survive Chicago politics without being corrupt and I say this as someone who has live in Illinois my whole life. Trust me if you play nice and play by the rules, you can not win in Chicago. This is one of the reasons why I hate living in Illinois. Hopefully, the trial will start in Feb. as plan. There is a good chance that Obama's name will come up to testify. I hope he gets to testify before the primary season ends. If this is going to destroy Obama than I would rather have it destroy him during the primary than the general. Remember even if Obama is innocent, most people will only look at the perception of it.


by harmony94 on Sat Jan 19, 2008 at 06:44:41 PM EST


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