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Why Ayers, Rezko Matter!
Raising the specter of Barack Obama’s ties with the likes of Bill Ayers is perfectly legitimate, and John McCain's only fault is that he didn't start sooner, writes Charles Krauthammer in the Washington Post. These associations “provide a significant insight into character” and “are particularly relevant” for a candidate “as new, unknown, opaque, and self-contained as Obama,” he writes. But mention the links and the media bemoans “dirty campaigning tinged with racism and McCarthyite guilt by association.”
The Ayers, Tony Rezko, and Jeremiah Wright connections reveal two things about Obama. One: “his cynicism and ruthlessness.” He was willing to use unsavory characters to launch his political career. Two: while Obama doesn’t agree with Wright's or Ayers’ views, he “clearly did not consider these views beyond the pale,” Krauthammer writes. "For many years he swam easily and without protest in that fetid pond." Raising the specter of Barack Obama’s ties with the likes of Bill Ayers is perfectly legitimate, and John McCain's only fault is ... more -
No Need for Obama to Worry About Rezko, but Someone Else Does...
Despite all the semi-breathless blog posts and Ditto-head phone-ins from the over-zealous among the Obama-haters (and, frankly, they do not even seem like mere “McCain supporters”), if Tony Rezko rolls over and co-operates with Federal authorities – as expected – it is NOT the Democratic Presidential nominee who has much (if, indeed, anything at all) to worry about…
Yes, the found-guilty (and awaiting-sentencing) Syrian-born fundraiser, deal-maker, developer, and upper-level schmoozer among Illinois pols had some past dealings with Sen. Barack Obama (particularly over their neighboring real estate parcels; Rezko’s wife has since sold their parcel). Rezko even raised some political money for the then-novice Senator…most of which Obama has since donated to charity.
Overall, Obama has fairly confidently been able to distance himself from his previous (and minor) connections with Tony Rezko – and he has even apologized for not realizing earlier that the oft-connected man-about-town was what he turned out to be.
However, the Rezko bell may well be about to toll for not just one, but two members of the Blagojevich household…
Governor Rod has long been sweating through the Rezko trial and its aftermath. He – and his administration – has been tied multiple times to Rezko through fund-raising, patronage, and alleged pay-for-play kickbacks and even flat-out bribes. The worst-kept secret in Springfield, Chicago, and Washington is that Blagojevich is the unnamed “Public Official ‘A’” mentioned as being involved in political and financial corruption in the indictments of Rezko and the man who testified against him (in a deal), Stuart Levine.
Now, word is that Rezko may be attempting to cut a deal with the Feds to limit his potential prison time by rolling over on B-Rod…AND on his stylish, connected, and usually shrewd wife, Patty.
Patty Blagojevich – the daughter of one of Chicago’s most powerful ward bosses, Alderman Richard Mell (who pretty much boosted his son-in-law’s career, but now is somewhat distanced from both Rod and his daughter over some financial and political differences) – made some decent money over the last decade acting as a real-estate agent on multiple Rezko corporate property deals. And the probe into both Gov, and Mrs. B. based on Rezko’s info is said (by at least one insider source) to be moving “at top speed.”
The talks that Rezko is reported as having with Federal investigators and authorities are said to be “intense,” but are also said to not yet be thought of as full co-operation. But, with Rezko scheduled for sentencing in late October – as well as for at least two more trials in the next year or so – it is believed that his ultimate spilling o’ the beans will be coming sooner rather than later.
Makes you wonder about the discussion topics – AND the relative tension levels – that are floating over the Blagojevich dinner table these days…
See the original post here: http://stonecipher.typepad.com/the_stonecipher_report/2... Despite all the semi-breathless blog posts and Ditto-head phone-ins from the over-zealous among the Obama-haters (and, frankly, they d... more -
Barack Obama: this is my patriotism, these are my values
At the N.C. Democratic Party Jefferson-Jackson dinner in Raleigh (NC) on May 2nd, the immense hall exploded with energy when Obama presented a speech about his patriotism and values. This article includes photographs and three videos (Barack Obama's Jefferson-Jackson speech, the acclaimed actor Tom Hanks' endorsement of Obama, and Obama playing hoops with the UNC basketball team). At the N.C. Democratic Party Jefferson-Jackson dinner in Raleigh (NC) on May 2nd, the immense hall exploded with energy when Obama pre... more
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Rezko trial - new name surfaces: Karl Rove
The trial of Chicago developer and political fixer Antoin "Tony" Rezko has been closely watched for any mention of the defendant's one time friend, Barack Obama. But last week, prosecutors threw a curve ball, telling the judge that one of their witnesses is prepared to raise the name of another prominent Washington hand: Karl Rove. Former Illinois state official Ali Ata is expected to testify about a conversation he had with Rezko in which the developer alleged Rove was "working with" a top Illinois Republican to remove the Chicago U.S. attorney, Patrick Fitzgerald.
The allegation, which Rove denies, quickly reverberated in Washington. Democrats in Congress now want to question Ata. They believe he can help buttress their theory that Rove played a key role in discussions that led to the firings of US attorneys at the Justice Department in 2006. The House Judiciary Committee "intends to investigate the facts and circumstances alleged in this testimony," panel chairman Rep. John Conyers of Michigan said in a statement to NEWSWEEK.
Investigators are intrigued by the timing of the alleged conversation about Fitzgerald. According to the Rezko prosecutors, it took place in November 2004 — weeks after Fitzgerald had subpoenaed Rove to testify for the third time in another matter he was aggressively investigating, the Valerie Plame CIA leak case. A source familiar with Ata's testimony (who asked not to be identified talking about sensitive matters) said that Ata was meeting regularly with Rezko that Fall. The two men shared a concern about Fitzgerald's ongoing probe of Illinois public officials. In one of those conversations, the developer allegedly told Ata that Bob Kjellander, a prominent GOP state lobbyist, was talking to Rove about getting rid of Fitzgerald. The reason: to "get a new US attorney" who would not pursue the Illinois corruption probe, the source said. Ata, who has pleaded guilty to corruption-related charges and is now cooperating with the Feds, has no evidence that the conversation took place other than what Rezko allegedly told him, the source says. The trial of Chicago developer and political fixer Antoin "Tony" Rezko has been closely watched for any mention of the defen... more -
Obama says he still considers Rezko a friend
Now to be fair, this may turn out to be nothing... However, this has the same distinct feel to it as Bush defending Ken Lay, and it makes me uncomfortable. Obama already disclosed to the Chicago Tribune that Rezko actually donated 250,000 to various campaigns of his when it was originally stated as 60,000. How much else do we not know about this and his connections with him? Now to be fair, this may turn out to be nothing... However, this has the same distinct feel to it as Bush defending Ken Lay, and it ma... more
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Obama's Rezko narrative
U.S. Sen. Barack Obama waited 16 months to attempt the exorcism. But when he finally sat down with the Tribune editorial board Friday, Obama offered a lengthy and, to us, plausible explanation for the presence of now-indicted businessman Tony Rezko in his personal and political lives.
The most remarkable facet of Obama's 92-minute discussion was that, at the outset, he pledged to answer every question the three dozen Tribune journalists crammed into the room would put to him. And he did. U.S. Sen. Barack Obama waited 16 months to attempt the exorcism. But when he finally sat down with the Tribune editorial board Friday,... more
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Tony Rezko
