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Obama Scant on Details the Day of Rezko Trial
March 03, 2008 7:24 PM
ABC News' Sunlen Miller Reports: In Chicago today is the first day of Tony Rezko's federal corruption trial and in San Antonio, presidential candidate Barack Obama was grilled about his relationship with the indicted real estate developer.
Sen. Obama, D-Ill., went through the motions repeating point blank details that were already known about their controversial history, "Tony Rezko was a friend, and supporter of mine for many years. He was a well known business man in the community, as you’re aware of, he supported not just me, but many democrats and republican. He is now in trouble and is on trail for federal corruption charges. Those charges are completely unrelated to me and I don't think anyone disputes that. What is also true is that I entered into a real estate transaction with him, I bought a strip of land at an adjacent property that he had purchased and I said that that was a mistake because at that point there was already a cloud over Tony Rezko’s head."
Obama said that he has returned all the money, that he can identity, that has been raised by Rezko for his campaign. He admitted that he made an error, as he has in the past.
Obama disputed the claim that there hasn't been much transparency about this issue and referenced a press conference with Chicago reporters as evidence, a meeting which happened over two years ago in 2006 before he was a presidential candidate, "I took every question. I was there until everybody had satisfied their questions. So I mean, I just want to make that point an issue. You may still have questions, which I’m happy to answer, but I don’t think it’s fair to suggest somehow that we’ve been trying to hide the ball on this."
Then the specific questions came. When asked twice about fundraisers, with details, who was there and how many, Obama did not answer.
"What happens is these requests I think can just go on forever and so at some point what we've just tried to do is respond to what's pertinent to the question that had been raised. There's no question that he raised money for us and there's no dispute that we've tried to get rid of that money."
Obama said that several hundred stories have been written about this and turned the argument around on his opponent, Hillary Clinton, chalking this up to political tactics this close to the election, "I understand you know, that this is a hot story at this point because there's a convergence of a trial unrelated to me and the fact that I'm a presidential candidate…. if there’s something additional other than the fact that he’s gone on trial and the Clintons campaign have decided to make this a theme in the last couple of days, I’m happy to answer specific questions."
After about ten questions in a fifteen minute press avail. As he walked away from the podium a slew of questions were barreled at him. He said he was late and had already taken numerous questions.
But a slew of specific questions yielded few new answers from the Senator, just one day before the March 4th primaries, although he claimed, "I’ve been very open that I called it a boneheaded move."
March 3, 2008 | Permalink | User Comments (273)
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do you want him to just talk about this for the day? I don't get what the tone of this piece is
Posted by: dl | Mar 3, 2008 7:38:21 PM
He should answer questions but ...today I as American citizen want to talk about my healthcare, my future being effected by Iraq, my parents being taken care of later on...social security, etc...
If I was Hillary I would probably want this to be the topic all day...along with the false reports about NAFTA.
This nasty stuff all piled on the last day I hope is transparent to regular Americans.
Posted by: dl | Mar 3, 2008 7:42:27 PM
The tone of this article is this: The press has many questions which in light of recent events and stories wanted Obama to give some straight answers. The tone is one of frustration that the media darling is not cooperating and once again is evasive. The tone to be quite frank is ominous and disturbing. Should I go on? I didnt think so if you have half a brain you get the picture. Overall not a good day for Rezko friend and Nafta flip flopper Obama.
Posted by: robert | Mar 3, 2008 7:48:03 PM
Enough of tony rezko stories already probably we all should turn blind eyes to hillary clinton cheap shot on obama trying to gain political points. And it's obvious barack is whooping her butt nationally on every issues she need to quit getting upset cause she's loosing on every level now.
Posted by: Abdul Olufowobi | Mar 3, 2008 7:49:15 PM
Obama! Shame on you! Why ducking the questions when you are given chances to make it clear? Is that the change and hope you are referring to as a president? I think Bush is still better than you.
Posted by: Jeff | Mar 3, 2008 7:49:21 PM
The media has helped Obama develop a larger-than-life image. He has not been asked the really tough questions nor received the rough approaches and derogatory statements that McCain and Clinton and earlier candidates have been subjected to at times. However, Obama can continue to pick and choose the questions he wants to answer and deny any statements that show him in a less than positive image. But ANY candidate who does this type of campaigning for such a high visibility/high responsibility job as the Presidency is sure to meet increasing pressure by voters who simply want answers to issues they find very significant.
Posted by: Jennifer | Mar 3, 2008 7:51:39 PM
What is nasty about all of this? Voters need to be informed. If he has nothing to hide he would have stayed to answer the questions.
Posted by: J | Mar 3, 2008 7:51:55 PM
DL -- welcome to Hillary's world. The media have been bashing her over the head since Ted Kennedy announced his support. Actually, it started earlier -- when college students and overzealous Iowans gave him a cornfield victory. Now, thanks to SNL of all things, they have decided to scrutinize him. Doesn't feel so good, does it? But this is what is supposed to happen. Spread it around. Don't just beat up one candidate. Notice how once they laid off of Hillary her poll numbers have gone up.
Posted by: tony | Mar 3, 2008 7:55:20 PM
I'm concerned.
Obama first claims that he didn't meet with Canada over Nafta...then he claims he didn't know that a meeting took place.
Obama has a fishy deal with Rezco over some land...Obama claims he didn't know his friend was under investigation.
How many things can Obama claim to not know? I don't want to vote for an ignorant candidate.
Posted by: Ben | Mar 3, 2008 7:55:39 PM
Poor Abdul. Not seeing the writing on the wall. The media darling is tanking. He has flip-flopped on campaign finance and Nafta and is now evasive on Rezko. The "great divider" is getting some heat, now that the "glow" is wearing off. We should not pick a person for president just because he has the ability to make young girls pass out at pep rallies.
Posted by: tony | Mar 3, 2008 7:58:18 PM
Ben,
You are right. We have had enough with 8 years of lying we don't need more.
Posted by: J | Mar 3, 2008 7:59:05 PM
It was fair game to call Hillary Clinton "untrustworthy" in an earlier debate as he took out the Karl Rove playbook. It must not feel very comfortable dealing with questions regarding his 17-year relationship with Rezko. When you live by the sword, you may have to suffer the sword, to paraphrase the cliche. Just think what John McCain and the Republicans plan to do--more of the same.
Posted by: georgia | Mar 3, 2008 8:03:58 PM
Hillary was under attack because...well do you remember the 90's...unfortunately the Clintons bring a lot to bare... we don't want to go there and Obama to his credit has stayed away from all that... think about it Tony, Ben...think about all the scandals and there are too many to name with Hillary and Bill... some wrong some right...but here Hillary thinks it is okay to start throwing these rumors, false reports and unsubstantiated ideas (and all of these aren't based in facts...you can't find me one fact that he hasn't acknowledged that can be proven) on the front pages no matter what it does to the party... so WHAT are you all talking about...ugh...
Why with all that he is doing right now do you think that he would not know about a meeting between a low level person at the canadian conselate and one of his multitude of advisors...
...and if you watched he said he did know that Rezko was in trouble when he took the land deal...and it was a "bonehead mistake" ...did you listen to the interview and the press conference or did you just listen to the Clinton machine...
Obama needs to be vetted about things... but not have things created...
Posted by: dl | Mar 3, 2008 8:05:44 PM
The press may let Obama walk now, but the Republicans won't if he's the nominee. A vote for Obama now means a McCaine presidency once they're done with this connection. Obama acts like Mr.Entitled, entitled to live in a home he can't afford, entitled to not answer questions he doesn't deem appropriate. The charges against Rezko may not have anything to do with Obama, but Obama's long relationship with Rezko does have very much to do Obama's willingness to hang with sleaze to get where he wants to go.
Posted by: Christine | Mar 3, 2008 8:07:05 PM
...but then again the fact that he admits a mistake might be foreign to you if you only listen to Hillary ...or George Bush for that matter...
sorry I am level-headed but lately ugh...until people start throwing around stuff that isn't true on this massive level lately and it is not based in fact but spin.
Posted by: dl | Mar 3, 2008 8:09:13 PM
Every Obama worshiper blames Hillary Clinton for Obama's 17 year relationship with a crooked businessman. Why is that? How is it Hillary Clinton's fault?
Posted by: Jay | Mar 3, 2008 8:11:07 PM
Obama must answer all questions regarding his business relationship with Rezko! He keeps talking about transparency, well I don't see any of that coming out of him when asked the tough questions. We the American people deserve to know and need to know before we decide who we want to elect as president. I sure don't want to elect a president we find out later has ties to some kind of corrupt devious activity that can jeopardize the US. I believe that was Obama's chance to clear things up for the American people because I for one want to know the details and the goings on with this so called business transaction. I find it unacceptable and beyond reproach that he thinks he can get away with this by just deciding to not take anymore questions. He should be called a witness on trial and questioned extensively.
Posted by: willpart08 | Mar 3, 2008 8:13:52 PM
Hey you Obama supporters did it ever occur to you that maybe the republicans started this,but then again any you prefer to balme Hillary for this..Just once stick your head out of the kool-aid bowl and see how things are in the real world..If you think its abd now wait till the republican scum machine starts..now that the heat is on the worlds messiah it really feels bad,right.Well get used to it because the s..t hasn`t started flying yet..You folks are so overcome by the Voodoo crap that you hate to see the high priest falling off his throne..Wait once the fireworks start all of you will have to run for cover becAUSE all these slip ups are darn good ammunition for the republicans..Relax and enjoy the bumpy ride and while you doing this bring the kool aid as you will need it...hahaaahhhahahhaaha..phhhhhhh
Posted by: DG | Mar 3, 2008 8:16:21 PM
tony
how can you say shame on us...when that is what I was pointing out... all these scandals that have not been proven...oh I am sorry besides Jay who has an in with the FBI and says there was a "Mole watching Obama, rezko and the Governor of Illinois" as if there is proof that Obama did something...
You can sit there and say shame... what is going on right now... ...
Posted by: dl | Mar 3, 2008 8:16:30 PM
Obama has always claimed that he didn't know Rezco was under investigation when he did the land deal--which is denying any guilt.
Obama now calls it a bone headed mistake--which is admitting guilt.
Of course...that's the problem with all of this... Obama says two opposite things and people don't call him on it.
One is a lie one is the truth...it can't be both.
Any talk about the Clinton machine is "silly." Honestly, lets have the truth about the front runner without everyone blaming the Clinton machine. I swear Obama supporters see the Clinton machine in their own shadows.
Posted by: Ben | Mar 3, 2008 8:16:59 PM
Wait until more of this Resko fiasco surfaces. Nadhmi Auchi,the British-Iraqi billionaire who lent millions to Tony Resko is a real piece of work. He has big ties to Iraq. Do a search on this dude. It's an eyeopener.
Posted by: nhnell | Mar 3, 2008 8:17:05 PM
ROB,
I think they are trying to get to the bottom of all this. That's why Resko is in court today picking a jury. Obama may be called to testify. Most answers are yet to come.
Posted by: nhnell | Mar 3, 2008 8:22:09 PM
Christine's comment is right on the mark.
For Obama, who said he wants to have transparent government, he means just government. He certainly does not appear to be transparent when the questions involve his decision making and his own personal choices.
I am beginning to see Obama as a sequel to George W Bush. He too cannot be questioned. Seems Obama cannot take the heat. Wow. This trial just started and is going to be on Obama's heals the entire campaign. McCain can look Presidential and Obama will look guilty by association with Rezko.
At least he and Michelle will have that extra 10 feet of lawn to put up some lawn chairs and sit and wonder what their "boneheaded" deal bought them.
Posted by: Michelle | Mar 3, 2008 8:22:16 PM
Not violating any legal principals...is different than making a moral decision.
Also, not violating any legal principals...is different from telling the truth. That's the problem with running as you are better than everyone.
Posted by: Ben | Mar 3, 2008 8:22:26 PM
all of this attacking Obama... I don't get it. Here's a guy who keeps talking about not slinging, not saying crap about the other side, not putting the person ahead of the party...
I don't think he is perfect ...nobody is but all this nasty stuff from Hillary's side is whack...and just because she is losing...ugh.
Posted by: dl | Mar 3, 2008 8:22:31 PM
Did I read this correctly that Rezko’s wife purchased the lot next door for $650.000 but after couple of months sold it to Obama for only $104,500. who will sales a lot for only 104.500 after paying over half million dollars. This sound like a payoff to me. Someone help me understand……………………………………………..“In June 2005, Obama and his wife, Michelle, purchased a large home on Chicago's South Side. The owners of the property wanted to sell both the house and the adjacent lot as a package deal, but the Obamas didn't want to buy the extra land. Obama consulted his friend Rezko, who had once lived in the same neighborhood. In transactions that closed at the same meeting on the same day, Obama bought the house for $1.65 million—$300,000 less than the sellers had originally asked—and Rezko's wife, Rita, bought the lot next door for $625,000. Several months later Rita Rezko sold the Obamas a strip of the vacant lot for $104,500. Several months after that, Tony Rezko was indicted by the Feds on the unrelated charges.
Obama has said he negotiated a fair price for the house, got no help from Rezko in buying it and paid market value for the strip of land he later bought from the Rezkos. But critics have said the deal left the impression that Obama had allowed himself to become beholden to an operator known for cozying up to pols.
Posted by: suzelee | Mar 3, 2008 8:23:22 PM
Watch out Barack-the kitchen sink is coming right at you-and I don't think you can duck this time. Caught in a lie about NAFTA, sketchy Rezco financial deals and not one meeting as Chairman of Oversight Committee. Been too busy campaigning to do your job?
Posted by: justin | Mar 3, 2008 8:23:43 PM
Yeah I said...he has to answer but this ...today...is not about the answers...this is about four state primaries tomorrow...and a kitchen sink to stop a great candidate who beat Hillary on tone and merits.
Posted by: dl | Mar 3, 2008 8:25:41 PM
I think the biggest mistake Senator Obama has made is: he claimed himself too good to be true....People will be easily seeing the contrast when all the issues surface out... His PAST is not a blank screen but he tried to hide it...
Posted by: Truth | Mar 3, 2008 8:28:09 PM
DL - is the potential for "dirt" so painful that you cannot do a google search? i had never heard of the FBI mole thing until just now. There is coverage of it in legitimate sites -- like the Chicago Sun Times and Salon.com.
Posted by: tony | Mar 3, 2008 8:28:14 PM
Everything imaginable has been thrown at Hillary Clinton over the years, and look at her! She is still standing and fighting for children, families, healthcare, education, the environment, the economy. our integrity around the world, and much more. She is prepared on the issues, she does the work harder than anyone, she is well prepared, and she deserves to be the leader we know will fight for us all.
Posted by: georgia | Mar 3, 2008 8:28:18 PM
Obama has had this whole season to answer these questions.
It's about time the press has tried to make him answer all of these questions. Today...is better than tomorrow. There are MANY more questions to ask...about MANY different topics.
Posted by: Ben | Mar 3, 2008 8:28:45 PM
The tone and merits are right out of Clinton and Edward's playbook. You are voting for personality and speeches. What has he done in his year in the Senate? He has been campaigning the other two years.
Posted by: justin | Mar 3, 2008 8:28:55 PM
dl its called a newspaper,for those adults concerned about the issues in this country,we read them and now that its the age of the computer we can even get daily updates on Rezkos trial.And guess what we can get that information from Illinois news papers.According to articles in the Illinois press lately Obamas name will be coming up alot.
Posted by: girlinvt | Mar 3, 2008 8:29:22 PM
Obama is definitely hiding something about REZKO. When someone flips off the serious questions people, that is a clear sign. If you have known someone 17 years and did a real estate deal with them and they are now on trial for corruption, it does not implicate you but neither does it clear you. SOMETHING IS ROTTEN IN THE OBAMA COTTON. AT LEAST WE KNOW O IS NOT A SAINT. THANK GOD FOR THAT! IT'S TIME FOR OBAMA WORSHIP TO CEASE.
Posted by: JJ | Mar 3, 2008 8:29:49 PM
tony your inference was that revealed something about Obama...
Posted by: dl | Mar 3, 2008 8:30:31 PM
First, Obama denies his campaigns NAFTA story and then he either lied or his campaign is not under his control.
Then, Obama said last year that "nobody had an inkling" about Rezko and yet it was plastered all over Chicago.
Then, Obama said he only "worked 5 hours for this guy". Then he admits to a 20 year friendship with Rezko.
Then, Obama waters down a nuclear bill to make his campaign donors happy so the money will keep rolling in.
So, it is all about Obama. Not the people. Not the truth. Just another lying politician trying to advance his career with pretty speeches. Maybe he and Oprah and he could co-host a talk show together. They both seem all about self promotion off the backs of the American people.
Posted by: Pattern | Mar 3, 2008 8:31:46 PM
Im sorry are we forgeting REZCO picture with Clintons.
Posted by: Amy G Wright | Mar 3, 2008 8:32:41 PM
People... do you understand that there have been no charges against Obama....they have said with all of that...there are no charges against Obama.
One more time...there are no charges against Obama.
Posted by: dl | Mar 3, 2008 8:33:09 PM
Honestly, I think Clinton is stronger in the general. At least for every negative thing someone can bring up, there are good things to point too also from the Clinton years.
The Republicans and Independents will have a field day with Michelle Obama's statement about not being proud of America...and tie it to Obama's connection and praise of Ayers...and how he wouldn't wear a flag pin.
We cannot have a President who is ashamed of America. WAKE UP DEMOCRATS!
Posted by: Nick | Mar 3, 2008 8:34:49 PM
I just did the "mole" search thing. It's all there. I never knew about this either. What a find.
Posted by: nhnell | Mar 3, 2008 8:35:07 PM
Damm I wish I could get $300,000 knocked off the cost of a mansion.
You and I know "You've gotta have Friends".
Come Clean Obama, you've been told this
before regarding Rezko.
His platform has so many sinkholes, I think he is about to crash.
Posted by: electress | Mar 3, 2008 8:36:17 PM
dl. No one said there were any charges. We are all concerned about the way Mr. Obama operates out of the public eye. Shouldn't you be concerned as well? As far as Rezko donating to Clinton, it never happened. The photo was a photo op. The only Rezko money was donated to the Mayor of Los Angeles in 2001 and 2003, that is as close a connection to Rezko as Hillary has, but the OBamabots are trying desperately to push the spotlight away from their savior with this diversion.
Posted by: Jay | Mar 3, 2008 8:38:31 PM
The reason there were no new answers is that he told the truth the first time....sheesh...The Chicago papers have been all over this for years now. If they had a smoking gun, it would have been gleefully reported ad nauseum by now. This is the only thing the Clinton machine could come up with to use as a smear and they are playing it to the hilt.
Here is some fun Clinton connections for you. Do some looking into Mark Cherry and Bill Clinton. Face it, no one is totally clean in politics because it is not possible. The amounts of money needed to mount a viable campaign results in some people being involved in campaign finances that should not be. It happens. If you go back over the Clinton's years of campaigning you will find MANY problematic contributors such as Hsu and IPA. Compared to the Clinton machine, Rezko is pretty small stuff.
Posted by: Chip | Mar 3, 2008 8:38:39 PM
dl, of course there are no charges against Obama. That's why they are picking out a jury today. It's called going to trial. That's when the charges will happen if there are any.
Posted by: nhnell | Mar 3, 2008 8:41:08 PM
Just look at that list of recent RADAR posts and check the kind of coverage the already historic front-runner in the Democratic campaign gets. Amazing that ABCnews gets away with it.
The Senator in question has become a world phenomenon by now, for many striking reasons, but here in these blogs people prefer to treat him as just another second choice runner with a big mouth. It's all about Hillary, the Clintons, Hillary and the Clintons. Amazing how blind a country can be in recognizing its most gifted, passionate and revolutionary politician.
It's a pretty sad sight but it tells a lot about why the USA appears to be going down instead of going up.
Posted by: Greg | Mar 3, 2008 8:41:22 PM
Again Chip, all old news. We all know about Hillary Clinton's past and all of her blemishes. Mr. Obama was running on a platform of being clean and above the normal politics. Not one Obama supporter has yet to say, well I still support Obama , even if he is a bit more tarnished that I originally thought.
Posted by: Jay | Mar 3, 2008 8:41:58 PM
Well in the real world, people have to do something (anything in Obama's case)to be called gifted, passionate, and revolutionary.
He's sorta skipped a step--the work.
Maybe we should notify SD that there will be a new face on Rushmore.
Posted by: Nicholas | Mar 3, 2008 8:46:50 PM
Greg, shame on you! Shame on your for idolizing Obama. Shame on you for worshiping him. What phenomenon? The fact that people are praising him and calling him a "phenomenon" is the exact reason we need to question his credibility. Shame on you for spiritualizing Obama. I am so thrilled that Obama is being put under the scope. It's about time that he got the same treatment as Hillary who has taken the brunt of this biased reporting and biased scrutiny throughout the entire campaign. Now that Obama is being asked some "tough" questions, the whole Obama camp is crying over spilled milk. The reporters need to grill him.
Posted by: willpart08 | Mar 3, 2008 8:48:22 PM
Obama, you lost my vote. I will not vote for a hypocrite! Together we can, but you didn't...
Posted by: Charles G. | Mar 3, 2008 8:50:39 PM
Chip-No, Obama didn't answer everything the first time. The Chicago press are still waiting for answers-many answers. Yesterday David Axelrod kept dodging Howard Wolfson's request that Obama share emails related to his house purchase and Resko's side lot gift. There is something they are not sharing or the press in Chicago and now the nation would have put it to rest. Some media are finally putting him under the same scrutiny as other candidates and he is squirming. I don't have anything against Obama but come on...he has skeltons too. He just hopes he'll get the nod before they come dancing out of his closet.
Posted by: jp | Mar 3, 2008 8:51:13 PM
OMG. What a double standard. Hilary got a free pass on her buddy Hsu who is now in jail. Rezko targeted every Chicago politican. The question is did Obama return any favors to Rezko for his donations? By all accounts the answer is no. The Chicago Tribune did a thorough investigation into this and found nothing.
Posted by: Bob, DC | Mar 3, 2008 8:53:19 PM
Dl, Hillary did not attack Obama. She was just tring to wake up the voter what Republican is waiting to attack. When it close the general election, that will really too late for democrats. What an 'electibility' issue for Obama when all the dirt come out before the general election! No one wants to elect a possibl corrupted guy who took the support from Rezko and recommanded Rezko to get the contract from his juristiction when Obama was state senator as payback to Rezko's support and fund raising. Rezko got Obama a lots of the donation from Rezko's friends, islamic supporter. Rezko default the government's millions of money to build the low income housing. The taxpayers bit the dust.
Posted by: Claire C | Mar 3, 2008 8:56:21 PM
dl - i didnt say that the mole stories found anything against him. in fact, i said they DIDNT indicate anything -- but that i had just started reading them. you obama guys are overly defensive.
Posted by: tony | Mar 3, 2008 8:57:51 PM
Of course he walked away. He could be held in contempt of court if he says something wrong. He could very well be called as a witness in Resko's trial.
Posted by: nhnell | Mar 3, 2008 8:58:47 PM
Disgusting how ABC has sold out to the Clintons and is gleefully bashing Obama. This is non-story that has been thourough investigated over and over. Obama did nothing wrong.
Posted by: Bob, DC | Mar 3, 2008 8:58:54 PM
THERE IS AN ENGLISH PROVERB:" YOU ARE KNOWN BY THE FRIENDS YOU KEEP." ONE CAN'T CHOOSE ONE'S FAMILY AND RELATIVES, BUT ONE CAN CHOOSE ONE'S FRIENDS. OBAMA IS A GOOD FRIEND OF REZKO FOR YEARS. WHAT DOES IT SAY ABOUT OBAMA?
Posted by: knowbyfriends | Mar 3, 2008 9:00:33 PM
I will vote for Hillary in the primary. If Obama heads off McCain in the general election, I'll vote McCain. Enough is enough, Obama flip-flop.
Posted by: Enough is enough, Obama | Mar 3, 2008 9:01:34 PM
Why does Obama turn white and has a loss of words when there are questions regarding Resko? The truth will set you free and back to Chicago.
Posted by: james | Mar 3, 2008 9:05:01 PM
So I should vote for Hillary because she has more scandals and dead bodies than Obama???
So who has more to Dig up Her or OBAMA????
Posted by: Nando | Mar 3, 2008 9:05:14 PM
Obama has been saying that he has answered all Rezko questions but he has not. Perhaps if you cannot ask him to come clean on this now during the Democratic primary campaign (as you want to bury the Clintons) you will during the general election campaign.
Posted by: Eric | Mar 3, 2008 9:05:57 PM
Obama better stop running from the press because this is not going to go away, and why is he so shady on the events that Rezko held for him and who was there, I would think that would be a very simple question to answer.
Posted by: SJ | Mar 3, 2008 9:07:32 PM
I don't think most people care about any Resko connection whatsoever with Obama. Lets be honest shall we, the Clinton's seriously out weigh Obama on any shady deals lol. I'm sure Hilary is also checking if she had any connections with Resko too, as probably many politicians are. No big deal!
Posted by: Jim Kiricov | Mar 3, 2008 9:08:25 PM
Obama did not answer all the questions that needed to be answered. He walked away. (I guess if not now then maybe when he's president they might have to impeach him, whichever comes first).
Up until the last debate I was an Obama supporter. Not because he was a phenomenon like a lot of people seem to call him, but because I thought he stood up for the "right" things. But when I heard that his pastor considers Farakan a "great" man, and Obama didn't once denounce that I realized then that Obama can't doesn't stand for what is right. The church that Obama attends teaches racist ideologies against, whites etc. I find this deeply disturbing and unsettling. The pastor and the church and the kinds of teachings that they hold on to show a lot about the character and spiritual values that drive a person's decisions and outlook in the world. Why hasn't Obama denounced his pastor's statement of adulation for Farakn? Why hasn't Obama renounced his membership from that church? You cannot walk together unless you agree and are of the same mind, and I believe that Obama is of the same mind as this church and its pastor.
I have realized that Obama will say and do anything even if his answer goes against his own conscience just to get votes. It is devious and it is outright dishonest! And I hope that more and more people will begin to see that about this man.
Posted by: willpart08 | Mar 3, 2008 9:08:50 PM
Obama should share the specific documents regarding his real estate purchases and paperwork on the Rezko contributions. That will end all the questions. That proof will shut everyone up!
Posted by: terry | Mar 3, 2008 9:09:37 PM
This will hurt Obama more because he came to the public with a message of change, a message where he said he wanted to do thing differently and change politics, but now the public is seeing that all this was just words, all the new way of doing things is sure beginning to look like the old style.
Posted by: SJ | Mar 3, 2008 9:10:32 PM
OBAMA'S ARROGANCE AND CONTEMPT FOR THE AMERICAN PUBLIC IS SO CONSPICUOUS NOW. THE PRESS AND THE STUPID DEMOCRATS HAVE BRED A CULT HERO WHO THINKS HE IS ABOVE ALL THE CANDIDATES AND POLITICIANS. ALL POLITICIANS HAVE TO ANSWER HARD QUESTIONS. OH, NO, NOT HE, HE IS ABOVE IT ALL SINCE THE PRESS AND THE DEMOCRATS HAVE MADE HIM INTO A SUPERHUMAN SAINT WHO CAN'T BE TOUCHED BY ANY OPINION. BUT THE REPUBLICANS WILL NOT LET GO THIS JUICE PIECE OF DIRT AND WILL NOSE AROUND IT UNTIL THE DEMOCRATIC HOPE OF REGAINING THE WHITE HOUSE HAS BECOME ASHES. WHO TO BLAME BUT THE STUPID DEMOCRATS. THEY KNOW HOW TO LOSE AN ELECTION BY CHOOSING THE WRONG CANDIDATE.
Posted by: UNTOUCHABLE | Mar 3, 2008 9:10:45 PM
I'm for change alright. I now realize that Obama is not who he claims to be. The Rezko story and his behind the scenes NAFTA flip flop are enough for me. I made the mistake of voting for Jimmy Carter and will not make that mistake again by voting for Obama.
Posted by: jeff | Mar 3, 2008 9:11:41 PM
Bob, it is about time that Obama was treated under the light as Hillary. I find CNN's portrayal of Hillary is completely biased. CNN praises Obama and continues to do so. You won't read about the Rezko scandal on CNN. That is disgusting.
Posted by: willpart08 | Mar 3, 2008 9:13:24 PM
Of course the public has more questions for Obama and are reluctant to believe that he has leveled with us about his relationship with Rezko. In fact, two weeks ago he released previously unknown, important facts that Rezko was the one who dreamed up the scheme enabling him to buy a house that was too expenseive (subdividing one lot into two) and took a walk through of the property prior to the sale.
If he thinks he can get away simply by calling it a "boneheaded" mistake - rather than the seamy, corrupt scheme that it was, then he is "boneheaded".
Posted by: twinmom48 | Mar 3, 2008 9:15:16 PM
it is so funny seeing the obamaniacs arguing foul play. lol. when angry journalists were saying clinton needed to drop out, when they were saying she is a whiner and is "chilly" or that she "pimped" her daughter...or that people just dont like her or that she is a racist or that she lacks integrity or that she felt entitled to the position....you were not screaming. all that time obama was getting coronated. everyone kept saying it would come to an end. honestly, i thought it would end AFTER they had given him the campaign. thanks to SNL, Maggie Williams, and McCain for cutting through the teflon.
Posted by: tony | Mar 3, 2008 9:15:17 PM
What is it with the people who have been trolling Obama for months now claiming they "used to be Obama supporters?" Nobody is fooled.
Also, Jose, Rezko is a Christian. Why do Clinton supporters insist on pushing racist lies?
Posted by: Klaus | Mar 3, 2008 9:15:28 PM
Obama can't blame 17 years of association with a muslim slumlord, like resko, on Hillary. Watch out - here comes Hillary !!!
Posted by: leon | Mar 3, 2008 9:16:18 PM
I think any one who voted for Jimmy Carter deserves Hilary! LOL Just please, keep her to yourself! If Hilary gets nominated you can bet your sweet Hilary I and many other Independents will vote for McCain! Obama is still the best choice, but I see now Obama may be loosing the uneducated back to Hilary, no big loss ;)
Posted by: Jim Kiricov | Mar 3, 2008 9:16:30 PM
Media bias, media bias, media bias...Obama should have received this kind of grilling months ago...doesn't matter that he is a GREAT speaker that inspires kids...Shoeless Joe Jackson used to inspire kids too.
Posted by: WestCoastMessenger | Mar 3, 2008 9:16:55 PM
After seeing Obama studder while giving evasive answers I have to give McCain credit for how he came out and directly answered the question posed to him.
Posted by: Jim | Mar 3, 2008 9:17:12 PM
twinmom, this information has been out for years and thoroughly analyzed. The lot of you are a bunch of liars. It would be hilarious if it weren't so sad to see this cancerous, right-wing element advocating for a fellow Democrat.
Posted by: Klaus | Mar 3, 2008 9:17:20 PM
Its better if the public sees all now, what will happen if they give this guy a chance and then McCain throws this at him, what is he going to walk away or remind us he beat Clinton.
It will be a sad and humiliating day for all democrats if he happens to win the nomination and this Rezko mess blows up, many of us will end up kicking ourselves for being so dumb but sad to say it would be too late to turn back the clock or even think of making another try with another candidate.
Posted by: SJ | Mar 3, 2008 9:17:25 PM
When Kerry backed Obama don't you think he knew that this would happen this is all over the world you can't blame Clinton all I can say is welcome to Hillarys world the london times has it on the front page of thier blog.
Posted by: Bishop | Mar 3, 2008 9:17:55 PM
Whitewater(hmmmm, that rings a Clinton bell). There has been a time in everyone's life where they have tried to get ahead, that an investment has not producted what it was initially thought. That all the people we trusted made decisions that affected us directly and sometimes indirectly. We have trusted government to protect us. Many are asking who can protect us from the bureacrates that are getting fat while we are losing our homes. I am waiting to taste a piece of the American pie before someone snatches the spoon out of my mouth. And I don't mean a silver spoon. I work for everything I have and and fighting hard with odd jobs not to lose it.
Posted by: myki | Mar 3, 2008 9:18:23 PM
The Obama Show is begining to show its big ugly side. I hope it is not too late.
Hillary is the cool and collect one, she has always been. She is the one with the qualifications to be commander in chief.
Obama just got schooled in real politics. He should have answered the questions today. DELAYING TO ANSWER IS NOT GOING TO MAKE IT GO AWAY, ITS JUST GOING TO MAKE IT STAY IN PEOPLE'S MINDS LONGER. He should have waited 4 years.
Posted by: TheGoodJuan | Mar 3, 2008 9:18:27 PM
So leon pushes the same 'line' as Jose.
As I suspected, many of these anti-Obama comments are coming from some fanatical loon, or at least, one comment for each of his multiple personalities.
Rezko isn't a Muslim. He's part of the Syrian Orthodox Church, one of the oldest Christian churches in the world.
Posted by: Klaus | Mar 3, 2008 9:19:00 PM
People... do you understand that there have been no charges against Obama....they have said with all of that...there are no charges against Obama.
One more time...there are no charges against Obama.
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