This Rezko thing is getting worse by the minute - arab visa's and iraqi billionaire

[sunonmars]

http://abcnews.go.com/Blotter/story?id=4204413&page=1

Its connecting to the middle east and Iraqi billionaires now. WTF


Who'd seriously want to know this Rezko man.

In court, prosecutors said Rezko had become a "flight risk" because of his secretive transactions in the Mideast.

According to the court filings, the money came from a company, General Mediterranean, owned by a British-based Iraqi billionaire, Nadhmi Auchi, who was convicted in France on fraud charges.

The filing says when Auchi was unable to obtain a visa to visit the United States in 2005, Rezko intervened and "asked certain Illinois government officials" to appeal the State Department's ruling.

The officials who Rezko approached are not specified. Sen. Obama had just taken office as a U.S. senator in 2005, the same year he sought Rezko's help in the purchase of his home.

[jlake]

1. This is starting to sound very, very serious.

[sunonmars]

3. They are digging very hard

I am actually quite disturbed as to where this is going. The MSM are going to have a field day soon. This is going to become something of epic proportions.

[avrdream]

120. I don't think the MSM is going to jump on it unless he becomes the Dem nominee.

I think they are currently protecting him.

My opinion only but it views that way from the outside looking in.

[VotesForWomen]

122. quite possibly. they're giving him a pass now, but wait till he becomes the nominee. nt

[LittleClarkie]

50. You sound ever so concerned. Would you be nearly so concerned

if you didn't support Hillary?

You're hoping it's serious. And if it were Hillary instead of Obama, I'm sure you'd be playing it down like crazy.

[MNDemNY]

88. I support neither, but yes, this concerns me.

Any connection to any intervention as to the visa WILL sink Obama. If there is anything to that it must be dragged out NOW.

[neutron]

113. As I've mentioned, I got spooked by the way

Obama supporters have behaved in blogs. Like "either you're with us or
you're oughta here." It's unprecedented. They're more like tough guys
than bloggers.

I think he's going to be an embarassment to the Kennedy family.
Hopefully before Super Tuesday rather than after.

[jbnow]

126. I am very worried about the investigation going on

It doesn't look good at all

SEC Opens Investigation of Company Headed by Key Supporter of Clintons

The Securities and Exchange Commission has launched an investigation into InfoUSA, a Nebraska company that used corporate funds to fly Hillary Rodham Clinton around the country, and one of only two companies to put Bill Clinton on its payroll after he left the White House.
snip
For the past four years, both Clintons have used Gupta's corporate plane, flying to Switzerland, Hawaii, Jamaica and Mexico -- about $900,000 worth of travel, The Post reported in May.

Earlier this year, the company's spending on the Clintons gave rise to a shareholder lawsuit complaining that hiring the former president was a "waste of corporate assets."
snip
Hillary Clinton's presidential campaign declined comment last night

Why won't they just come clean? It worries me especially since it sounds like they are getting money taken from needy old and poor people.

Hillary, Bill Clinton Linked to Elder Scam - How Much Were They Paid?

According to the The New York Times, InfoUSA compiled and sold lists that disclosed the names of elderly men and women who would be likely to respond to unscrupulous scams.
snip
The Times reported, for example, that InfoUSA advertised lists of "Elderly Opportunity Seekers," 3.3 million older people "looking for ways to make money," and "Suffering Seniors," 4.7 million people with cancer or Alzheimer's disease. "Oldies but Goodies" contained 500,000 gamblers over 55 years old, for 8.5 cents apiece. One list said: "These people are gullible. They want to believe that their luck can change."

InfoUSA sold lists to companies that were under investigation or closed down by courts because of their criminal activity. The company's internal emails show that employees were aware that the investigation for elderly fraud involved their customers, but sold the lists anyway.

snip
Last week, Hillary Clinton sought and obtained an extension of time to file her presidential candidate financial disclosure statement.

While Senator Clinton offered no reason for the postponement, one cannot help wondering if a desire to conceal InfoUSA's payments to her husband while the company is under fire.
snip

The links between Gupta and the Clintons are extensive:

That does seem troubling

[Occam Bandage]

2. And Obama isn't implicated in any of it.

[Medusa]

4. and that's what really pisses off the Clintonistas

and Billary.

[jlake]

6. You don't think the fact that someone being investigated for funding terrorists

helped Obama buy his house is serious?

[sunonmars]

7. If that even vaguely heads in that direction GAME OVER

I sincerely hope not.

[Occam Bandage]

10. Don't worry.

[Occam Bandage]

9. I'll think it's serious once Obama is remotely implicated in any wrongdoing whatseover.

[MNDemNY]

14. Hypothetically, If Obama was involved in the visa intervention, would that be serious?

[Occam Bandage]

28. Like all scandals, it would depend on the extent of involvement and his knowledge as to

what was being done.

[MNDemNY]

31. If, say, Obama intervened in the visa,

would the mere appearance of wrongdoing have any effect, on your support, or your opinion of elect-ability?

[Occam Bandage]

35. ...

No, not really. First, I don't see why "appearance" of anything would change my support of anything; I tend to resist distortions. Secondly, I highly doubt that peripheral involvement in a scandal--and involvement in which the candidate has not been implicated in any wrongdoing or unethical behavior--is going to be a deal-breaker, as much as you might hope it would.

Bottom line is this: an official implication of unethical behavior or illegal behavior will have an effect. Anything else would be bullshit.

[beachmom]

25. Well, gee, Obama didn't pardon anyone. I believe a named figure

in the BCCI report, Marc Rich, is something to really give one pause.

If the standard is that if a donor turns bad then that politician is finished, then I suspect there would be no politicians left.

[papau]

34. Fact free - just like the BCCI mention - he got a loan, sold commodities, sold oil - but crime was

tax accounting - the same tax accounting that our major oil companies used - where they had no criminal charges and just a very large fine for following Big 8 advice of the day, Reagan refused a fine resolution - a bit like the AGs under Bush being "team players" - the gov hot dog being our current friend Rudy.



9. BCCI's financing of commodities and other business dealings of international criminal financier Marc Rich. Marc Rich remains the most important figure in the international commodities markets, and remains a fugitive from the United States following his indictment on securities fraud. BCCI lending to Rich in the 1980's amounted to tens of millions of dollars. Moreover, Rich's commodities firms were used by BCCI in connection with BCCI's involving in U.S. guarantee programs through the Department of Agriculture. The nature and extent of Rich's relationship with BCCI requires further investigation.

[Metric System]

100. Exactly! It's all about optics. Even if it turns out Obama did nothing wrong...

don't think for a second the Rethugs won't use it in the general election. "DO YOU REALLY TRUST THIS MAN AND HIS JUDGMENT?" is how it would go.

[jbnow]

124. Are you pretending here?

Do you know what the house connection was?

There were two lots, one had a house and opne was empty.

The owner wanted to sell them at the same time. Obama had an advance for his book, he could afford the house. He could not afford the lot.

Rezko did a lot of land/property deals. Rezko (well his wife) bought the empty lot. Their own transaction with the owner.

Obama bought the lot with the house, his own normal financial dealing having nothing to do with Rezko.
Later Obama bought 1/6th strip of the empty lot from Rezko. He paid over the assessed value of the strip because he paid 1/6th of the cost of the full lot.

It is public record and it has been investigated. There is no suggestion of anything illegal in this, just of some bad judgment to have done this with him while he was being investigated.

But we can all play this game.

[golddigger]

12. Doesn't matter now that Obama is the...

anointed one the M$M are gonna go after him with both guns blazing.

[Occam Bandage]

30. For what, exactly? He hasn't been implicated in any illegal or unethical acts.

[golddigger]

38. Will answer me this. If the M$M could destroy Dean over a scream

or let the swift-boaters swift boat Kerry. What do you think they will do to Obama over this.

[sunonmars]

40. total devestation comes to mind

[Occam Bandage]

42. Over what? His non-involvement in a scandal?

[golddigger]

53. I'm not saying he was involved...

I don't know all the facts. But watch the M$M talking heads this week, they will be salivating.

[Occam Bandage]

54. He wasn't. There's nothing to attack him on.

[CoffeeCat]

41. Yes, and people need to remember...

...that the Chicago Media has been vociferously researching this for a while now. Many reporters
would love to break the big story and find a link between Obama and something illegal
that happened.

If there was a smoking gun or if Obama had in fact done something wrong or illegal--beyond
what we all ready know--it would have all ready been discovered.

I'm sure the old gumshoe reporters at the Chicago Tribune and the Chicago Sun Times have
been through this scandal with a fine-tooth comb.

There's no "there" there.

This story will roll out, and we will know what Chicago has always known. However, it will
quickly become clear that Obama has done nothing wrong.

[sunonmars]

44. it sometimes takes years to get the right stuff

theres more and more coming out by the day.

Unfortunately some people keep doing the ostrich head in the sand bit.

[Occam Bandage]

And it's been years, and they're still not even considering targeting Obama.

Sorry. He's clean.

[INdemo]

86. The timing of this Rezko case seems to have Republican dirty

politics written all over it....Its the Gary Hart type story of 2008
With this corporate media ......well we all know what to expect
.....
http://www.cnn.com/2008/POLITICS/01/28/rezko.arrest/index.html

[MNDemNY]

5. Tick ,tick,tick ,tick . ...

:nuke:

[Proud2BAmurkin]

8. holy crap.

[sunonmars]

11. yes that what was my openmouthed reaction too

[gmudem]

13. Doesn't seem like Obama's actually connected to any of this

It does seem like Rezko is a very shady character but I doubt Obama knew about any of this stuff.

[Proud2BAmurkin]

15. Rezko "asked certain government officials to intervene" on getting his criminal pal a visa

who might that be

[Kittycat]

22. Fitz has cleared Obama, and said he isn't connected

It's someone in Blago's administration. I know you've read that, so quit acting like you haven't.

[MNDemNY]

32. No, he hasn't "cleared" Obama.

That is not true. He has not "targeted" him either.

[Occam Bandage]

37. He's neither cleared nor targeted you. Clearly you're guilty.

[MNDemNY]

48. I didn't say anything of the sort.

Jeez... you can vote for any corporate whore you wish, but if we must nominate a corporate whore, then let's get one who may have a chance of beating the republofucks. If Obama is connected in any way to the intervention on the visa...he's done. The republofucks will be able to use Iraqi, Islamic, terrorist funding, friend of Obama. This will doom his campaign.

[Occam Bandage]

51. Why would you think Obama was involved? It's pretty clearly going to be one of Blago's guys.

When this first started, Rezko was known as one of Blago's inner circle. Everyone who's been implicated is a Blago guy. This is the Governor's problem, not Obama's.

[MNDemNY]

57. I'm just sayin' that if

Obama is in any way connected to the visa intervention. he's done.

[Occam Bandage]

59. And if my aunt had balls she'd be my uncle.

[MNDemNY]

76. The former being MUCH more likely.

Well, maybe not, I don't know your aunt.

[Occam Bandage]

99. Keep hoping.

[thereismore]

33. hehe, the guy you responded to is on my "ignore" list.

:hug:

[MNDemNY]

94. Ignore lists are for people who can't handle the truth.

Or at least anyone challenging their own little perception of the "truth"

[thereismore]

108. Um, no. nt

[Occam Bandage]

29. It's Chicago. Could be anyone.

[MNDemNY]

17. Why?

[gmudem]

26. ...Because there's no evidence of it?

I'm not an Obama supporter but I'm not just going to jump to conclusions about him helping terrorists get visas.

[jaxx]

27. That will spoil all their fun.

[harun]

105. He's not, it has already been gone through

This guy was involved a lot in politics. Hence the picture of him will Bill and Hillary Clinton. Looks like it isn't someone they should have been consorting with but at the time none of them knew he may be shady.

[sandnsea]

16. Oh gosh, like Clinton and their Indian associates

or Burkle and his ME associates - which nobody was allowed to talk about because it was racist?? Ridiculous.

[thereismore]

18. stuff like this never hurt bush*. Let's see what the M$M is going to do. nt

[sunonmars]

19. Bush didnt run on a "i'm gonna clean politics up" campaign

The sleaze surrounding Obama is very questionable and very relevant to the campaign he's running.

[JanusAscending]

115. Short memory?

He most CERTAINLY did !! He was going to clean up the White House of all of the Clintons and their "ruination" of the place., and anyone who worked for the Bushes better be on the up and up,if they knew what's good for them!! They even went around disinfecting the place.

[Beacool]

20. Like the Phantom said to Christine:

Sing Rezko, sing!!!!!!!!! I hope that he chirps like a canary!!!!


:rofl:

[indimuse]

109. He has transferred money around the world including $400,000 to Beirut in 2004.

bad news for obama...


Rezko has significant ties to the Mid East wife and daughter met him in Damascus

Rezko has significant ties to the Middle East, and his wife and daughter met him in Damascus recently. He has transferred money around the world, Niewoehner said, including $400,000 to Beirut in 2004.

This is Chicago after all. Michelle Obama works for the Landmarks Commission, Obama’s boss is on the Planning Commission, Obama does legal work for Rezko real estate, Michelle works for a hospital, the Obama house was sold by a doctor, there are doctors investing in real estate with Rezko including in the Pizza parlors now in such deep legal troubles. We are sure this is all coincidence. We won’t even mention Todd Stroger and the corruption swirling around him and his dad and how Obama endorsed Todd and why Todd’s father had to leave public life. That’s for another day.

We do recall, as we have written before, http://www.hillaryis44.org/?p=97 that while Obama was writing letters to benefit by millions of dollars his indicted slumlord friend Antoin “Tony” Rezko, Obama’s African-American constituents were freezing in their tenements. Obama was busy writing letters.

”Obama, who has worked as a lawyer and a legislator to improve living conditions for the poor, took campaign donations from Rezko even as Rezko’s low-income housing empire was collapsing, leaving many African-American families in buildings riddled with problems — including squalid living conditions, vacant apartments, lack of heat, squatters and drug dealers. The building in Englewood was one of 30 Rezmar rehabbed in a series of troubled deals largely financed by taxpayers. Every project ran into financial difficulty. More than half went into foreclosure, a Chicago Sun-Times investigation has found. “Their buildings were falling apart,” said a former city official. “They just didn’t pay attention to the condition of these buildings.” Eleven of Rezko’s buildings were in Obama’s state Senate district.“http://www.suntimes.com/news/metro/353829,CST-NWS-rez23 ...

http://www.suntimes.com/news/politics/425305,CST-NWS-ob ... Read the whole story for yourself.



Rezko has significant ties to the Middle East, and his wife and daughter met him in Damascus recently. He has transferred money around the world, Niewoehner said, including $400,000 to Beirut in 2004.

[sam sarrha]

21. Rezko's wife made him a really sweet deal on that house too, $300,000 discount >Links>>

http://zmagsite.zmag.org/Feb2007/street0207.html

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/taylor-marsh/obamas-faustian-bargain-_b_82863.html

http://mediamatters.org/items/200801250006

http://www.suntimes.com/news/politics/124171,CST-NWS-obama05.article

[Proud2BAmurkin]

23. Wow that will go over with the people being foreclosed on.

[Tulkas]

24. Try this link for info

http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/opinion/chi-0127edit1jan27,0,847324.story


Pretty clear Obama is not involved with anything illegal. Just a "bonehead move" buying the house and expanding his yard.

The only thing they hit him on what he did or did not know and when he did or did not know it.


Non-issue

If this is the worst Obama has done then he is a pretty clean guy. I have worse things on my police record and I bet most of the people reading this do too.

[ClericJohnPreston]

72. Ummm, actually no Tulkas

as a lawyer, I and anyone in my immediate family and circle of friends, don't have a police blotter.

It is nice to know, for future thread reference, that you so casually dismiss your own record, which you volunteered without duress. Also noted is your belief that most of DU has a record.

You see, it really ISN'T so common, for people to acquire a police record. Therefore, I can understand why your moral relativity lets you excuse what is most certainly, questionable conduct, as being immaterial. It is materially relevant to a question of ethical conduct. In law, Judges insist that we Trial lawyers use an alternate elevator if any member of the jury would be in our proximity, to avoid even THE APPEARANCE OF IMPROPRIETY. In this situation, you certainly have a much greater duty as a lawyer and Senator, to avoid such appearances.

By the way, a lawyer can still be charged with administrative Ethical Misconduct, even in the absence of criminal charges, if a disciplinary rule of Ethics is breached.

The house sale is dirty, no matter how you look at it, even if not part of a criminal indictment. Acting to circumvent a clause in a sale's agreement by using friends whose friendship obviously comes at a COST, is not too intelligent, is it? OOPS, then again, you have a record, so it's no big deal. Right?

[thereismore]

36. All you need now is a picture of Obama with Auchi on a prayer rug.

:sarcasm:

[VotesForWomen]

121. yep; Obama (D-Manchuria). that's what the repukes will say. nt

[Flarney]

39. To what extent, do you think, that Obama will be at the mercy of the media?

(with respect to the court of public opinion)

Obviously, I dont expect our M$M to be fair at all.

[BeyondGeography]

43. The Clinton Foundation received $10 million from the Saudi royal family

information that it tried to conceal and was only discovered once the Washington Post looked at tax records.

So the Clintons conceivably owe the Saudis a big favor or two.

Advantage, Obama (and the Republicans, for that matter, if Hillary's the nominee).

[ClericJohnPreston]

74. Thats some advantage, huh?

What do you have on Edwards, who is my candidate? NOTHING!

[jackson_dem]

82. Edwards=the clean candidate. Another reason he is the most electable

[Occam Bandage]

103. Clean? You might want to look into William Lerach.

http://www.talkleft.com/wireservice?articleId=9065483&channelId=1180&buyerId=talkleftcom&buid=3042

[ClericJohnPreston]

106. Surprise...not!

A link from the Obama Camp. :rofl:

[BeyondGeography]

84. Edwards...he's the hedge fund employee, isn't he?

[Occam Bandage]

101. Actually, he had to return contributions from a convicted attorney, and refused to return $81k

that the guy raised for him. Oh, whoops.

http://www.talkleft.com/wireservice?articleId=9065483&channelId=1180&buyerId=talkleftcom&buid=3042

[LittleClarkie]

45. Just as such things never seemed to affect the public's perception of Hillary

I rather doubt it will do much to Obama. Esp if he's not charged with anything.

[Barack_America]

46. Have you ever looked at the donors for the Clinton Library?

You should.

[ErnestoG]

47. Keep trying the smears - none of it sticking to Obama

because its ludicrous on its face.

[ClericJohnPreston]

77. The only thing ludicrous

is your claiming it is ludicrous.

[ErnestoG]

102. Since its basically a non issue, yeah...it's ludicrous.

[ClericJohnPreston]

107. To a non-lawyer

without ethics, I guess.

[pipoman]

49. I have been waiting for the Illinois politics shoe to drop....

[sunonmars]

52. I find it funny that every time Rezko comes up, they attack Clinton

None of them can see the potential wipe out damage of this to their candidate.

How many times have you seen them try and take the Clintons out and failed. Obama does not have that luxury, he's running on a "clean up washington" campaign and that makes it a millions times worse for him. If this gets any way more serious and gains traction, the onslaught will be ferocious.

[MNDemNY]

55. If Obama is connected in any wat to the intervention

for the visa....he's done. Stick a fork in him.

[Occam Bandage]

58. He most likely isn't. Rezko had more connections to Blagojevich than to Obama.

Now who's gonna get you what you need--the Governor's guys, or some State Senator's guys?

[MNDemNY]

60. A Senator-elect would have more sway with State Dep. than a Gov.

Obama needs to be asked straight up, if he was involved, in any way with the visa intervention.BEFORE we make a nomination.

[Barack_America]

61. Please don't forget that Rezko donated to MANY politicians...

Both Democrat and Republican.

Just because he called in a favor from somebody does not mean it was Obama.

[MNDemNY]

62. I don't care.

[Occam Bandage]

64. Do you care that Obama was no longer an Illinois government official in 2005?

[Barack_America]

66. Lol. Just what I was about to post. n/t

[MNDemNY]

73. See how much LOL ing you do when he crashes and burns.

[Barack_America]

95. It's not going to happen. But you keep on hoping.

Barack likes to inspire hope in people.

[Occam Bandage]

104. Oh, over what? His complete non-involvement with a scandal? Americans only elect the corrupt?

[MNDemNY]

71. Yes, he was a US Senator.

Do you really think Rezko would not have called his pal, the Senator for help? You better hope he didn't.

[Occam Bandage]

97. The article said he called in an Illinois government official. That would disqualify Obama.

[Lucinda]

123. Not necessarily.

It doesn't say that it is a state employee.
Obama is an Illinios elected official serving in the federal government.
Not that it does apply, but it could apply.

[ClericJohnPreston]

80. Yeah

after all what influence does $200 grand buy nowadays, and the purchase of a $300K piece of property which stands between your purchase of your dream home or not getting it?

[Occam Bandage]

63. Hey wait, I misread the date. This took place in '05, not '03. That means

Obama is *completely* in the clear. Re-read it: Illinois government officials. Barack Obama was no longer a member of the Illinois government in 2005.

[MNDemNY]

81. He was a "government official", He was an Illini,

keep your hopes up.

[Occam Bandage]

98. The article says "Illinois government official," not "Illinoisan government official." But nice try.

[Barack_America]

56. I'm sorry, but there's nothing there.

The Chicago media has completely vetted this and has come up with nothing, either than that Obama should have known that Rezko was sketchy when he bought his house. That's it.

Lots of political donors run into personal trouble, but that does not necessarily implicate those that they have contributed to.

If you think that Rezko will end Obama, then why haven't Hsu, Rich, Gupta, etc. ended the Clintons?

[golddigger]

68. I understand what you are saying...

But like I have said in my other posts the M$M will not care. They will tear him to threads by repeating the name over and over with Obama's name. You know as well as I do when they have something on one of our own they can be merciless.

[golddigger]

87. Obama supporters need to contact the Obama campaign...

and let them know they need to come out with a statement to nip this in the bud before it gets out of hand. We all seen what happened to John Kerry.

[mzmolly]

65. This part doesn't look good:

The officials who Rezko approached are not specified. Sen. Obama had just taken office as a U.S. senator in 2005, the same year he sought Rezko's help in the purchase of his home.

The senator has said he was unable to afford both the home and an empty lot next to it which were effectively being sold as a package. Rezko's wife ultimately bought the empty lot, closing the same day as Obama did on his home.

Whatever comes of this, I'm glad it's being exposed pre-GE.

[Barack_America]

67. Um that has been known for months...

Absolutely nothing new there.

[mzmolly]

70. What I "knew" was that Rezko's wife sold Obama a bit of land.

I like Obama, I hope this is PROVEN to be nothing, but I will say again, it doesn't look good.

[OzarkDem]

69. This is why we need publicly funded campaigns

or caps on campaign spending coupled with a return to "equal time" provisions on public broadcasting licensees.

[cd3dem]

75. the press is waiting for Obama to be the nominee before they do anything

the press does not report anything on Obama, that is what scares me...

[jackson_dem]

83. Me too. Only ABC is covering this

[realFedUp]

91. More of the story from the Sun Times here...

http://www.suntimes.com/news/politics/425305,CST-NWS-obama13.article

[cd3dem]

93. I heard Obama made $300,000 plus on the house he bought

this was connected to Rezco.... and no one is covering it.... I heard it once.... and no one is calling Obama on his lie to Clinton during the debate when he said he only did 5 hours of legal writing for the guy...

he covered it up on national television ....

[jackson_dem]

78. Only ABC is honestly reporting this story. The rest of the media is continuing to shill for Obama

[Armstead]

79. I think you're aiming for the 87 Degrees of Seperation theory

Sure the guy sounds like a sleazeball. And Obama probably had a serious lapse in judgement by having anything to do with him.

But from what I've seen it sounds like Rezko was someone who was thought by most to be legit.

In any case, he's tiny potatoes compared to the players thge Clintons have (and continue to be) supported by.

[ClericJohnPreston]

85. I don't agree.

You were never a lawyer. We are trained to avoid even the appearance of impropriety. It is questionable judgment in the best case scenario, to deal with someone who already has a long history as an influence peddler. I'm sure you must have read, if not from Chicago, that the locals certainly knew the reputation of Rezko as a political "fixer" for years.

He would not have been unknown to the Obama Camp, for whom he raised over $200 K and then assisted, in the purchase of Obama's "dream home". That isn't an arm's length contact, but a very close contact.

Lets just see how this all plays out. I didn't think Obama would initiate a campaign if he knew he would be under close scrutiny he couldn't withstand, but other revelations about inconsistencies in his personal life story related in his books and on the stump ,with reality, leave me wondering who this guy really is.

[ProSense]

89. Check this out:

Earlier this month, Obama gave to charity more than $40,000 in past political contributions from seven individuals with ties to Rezko. The decision to donate the money contributed to Obama's House and Senate campaigns — but not his current presidential bid — came after a published report that Obama is the unnamed "political candidate" in one paragraph of a 78-page prosecution document that outlines the case against Rezko.

Obama also has had to answer questions about how Rezko became involved in the purchase of the Obama family home as well as other ties to Rezko that go back more than 15 years.

Obama has been accused of no wrongdoing involving Rezko or anyone else.

Rezko also has been one of Gov. Rod Blagojevich's leading fundraisers.

link

This is from Hillary's campaign site:

Fact Check: Sen. Obama Claims 'Nobody Had An Inkling' About Rezko

Oh, Hillary:

Obama comes clean, but Hillary's sleaze machine thrives

[Barack_America]

90. I think you'll all find a more complete story here (LINK)

http://www.suntimes.com/news/politics/124171,CST-NWS-obama05.article

[ClericJohnPreston]

114. LINKS,LINKS,LINKS

Obamites are always at the ready with their links.

Are you guys related to Scientologists? They too are defensive to a FAULT, and always have a press kit ready to undo whatever damage has arisen among the faithful.

[realFedUp]

92. “I’ve never done any favors for him.”

except write some letters...
http://www.suntimes.com/news/politics/425305,CST-NWS-obama13.article

[Barack_America]

96. You need to read the fact-check on that story.

http://mediamatters.org/items/200706140007

[Pachamama]

110. Yeah, and aint' it convenient that just days earlier, when no one had ever heard of Rezko, Hillary

made sure she tied Obama's name to Rezko....

Isn't it amazing the coincidence that days later after the debate that Rezko was indicted...its almost as if Hillary knew??? :eyes:

[KoKo]

111. Isn't Patrick Fitzgerald investigating this?

[mcg]

112. "Internship also links Obama, Rezko" Dec 24, 2006

Obama's name was already tied to Rezko, and yes, many people had heard of Rezko.

http://www.suntimes.com/news/politics/184952,CST-NWS-obama24.article

"In addition to a land deal, Sen. Barack Obama's ties to indicted dealmaker Antoin "Tony" Rezko include an internship the senator provided the son of a contributor at the request of Rezko, an Obama spokesman confirmed Saturday."

http://abcnews.go.com/Blotter/story?id=4111483
The Rezko Connection: Obama's Achilles Heel? Jan 10, 2008

Obama claims ""The facts are this: is somebody who was active in politics in Illinois, who I knew. Nobody had any indications that he was engaging in wrongdoing."
but

"Last January, aiming to increase the size of his sideyard, Obama paid Rezko $104,500 for a strip of his land.
The transaction occurred at a time when it was widely known Tony Rezko was under investigation by U.S. Attorney Patrick Fitzgerald and as other Illinois politicians befriended by Rezko distanced themselves from him."
http://www.suntimes.com/news/politics/124171,CST-NWS-obama05.article
Obama on Rezko deal: It was a mistake
November 5, 2006

[Helga Scow Stern]

116. This is a smear, just like any other. We should not even be entertaining it

for any candidate.
It will just be used as an excuse to give the public if the thugs in power want to cheat him out of an election.
The enemy is not the Clintons, but the criminals who have built up an obscenely lucrative racket from the White House. Do you think they are about to let that go? We have to quit gulping at every hook they throw us through essentially their controlled media. We need to stand together, because a big part of their strategy depends on us turning on each other.
We are letting them manipulate us.
What I remember when I feel myself being pulled to hate one of our candidates or their supporters is how proud I felt seeing all three candidates on stage at the debates. They are all so different from the Republicans. I am immensely proud of each one. They could work together. The country could be in good hands, but not if we keep letting ourselves get manipulated by this nonsense. When we buy it, we are giving away our country to thugs. Do you want President Giuliani? Doesn't it seem obvious that's what might be coming if we buy into this divisiveness that is cleverly, persistently being fomented?

[Bluebear]

117. Which facts are you disputing? Just calling it a "smear" is not very informative

[Cooley Hurd]

118. We mustn't feed...

...the trolls.:thumbsdown:

[DesEtoiles]

119. Tony Rezko and a terrorist gave Obama an expensive haircut! Pass it on...

[ursi]

125. who gives Hillary her botox? never saw a forehead that looks so frozen!