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Rezko Played Bigger Role, Obama Says

March 14, 2008 6:53 PM

An indicted Chicago businessman and political operator played a much bigger fundraising role in Barack Obama's political career than the White House hopeful had previously disclosed, the candidate tells the Chicago Tribune for an exclusive story late Friday afternoon.

Antoin "Tony" Rezko, on trial for corruption, raised roughly $250,000 for Obama -- more than $100,000 more than had been previously discovered by enterprising reporters.

Obama also admitted that he made repeated lapses in judgement by involving Rezko in a complex house purchase, the paper reports.

The candidate insisted that despite Rezko's efforts to help him, the politically savvy businessman expected no favors from him, the paper says.  "No, precisely because I'd known him for [many] years and he hadn't asked me for favors," it quotes Obama as saying.

Obama and his campaign have repeatedly insisted they have answered all queries regarding his relationship with Rezko, but "his campaign's piecemeal written statements have left lingering uncertainties about whether the up-and-coming senator exchanged favors with the target of a federal probe," the Tribune notes.

March 14, 2008 | Permalink | User Comments (185)

User Comments

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And this is close to anything the Clintons have done... how??? At least he desn't have an active body count for God's sake!

Posted by: cba | Mar 14, 2008 7:07:29 PM

The Weathermen ... Pastor Wright ... Rezko ... lack of Patriotic attitude ... liberal tax and spend ... change(to what?) ... all from a guy we really do not know anything about ... whats next?

Posted by: Benjamin9 | Mar 14, 2008 7:13:21 PM

Pathetic, truly pathetic. I'm on the CLINTON side, and I've given OBAMA credit for being a tough adversary, but trying to worm his way around the press, stock amateur behavior. I'd be curious if the MSM press starts vetting him more fully, JAKE TAPPER notwithstanding.

Posted by: WestCoastMessenger | Mar 14, 2008 7:21:49 PM

You know Obama's inablility to show judgement with people close to him such as Rezko and the now infamous Rev Wright should give voters pause the next time he asks for their vote based on his "judgement."

Posted by: s.b. | Mar 14, 2008 7:42:06 PM

Please look into why this information was given in an interview today. Did the Tribune have some information they confronted him with, or did this just come out of the blue. Also, look into the state/federal monies Mr. Rezko to "develop" housing in Obama's district when he was a state senator. This housing was subpar. People did not have heat or water, and repeated calls to get things fixed were unheeded. The funding he received for these buildings needs to be investigated, as does why Obama did not look into the problems to get things fixed.

Posted by: Silvia | Mar 14, 2008 7:44:58 PM

"Obama also admitted that he made repeated lapses in judgement by involving Rezko" In Chigago a lapse in judgement got him a quarter million dollars. In the white house one lapse in judgement could get a million Americans killed. Add A twenty year lapse in judgement with the racist church and Revrund Wright? Is anyone sure they want this man and his poor judgement running the country?

Posted by: Scrapiron | Mar 14, 2008 7:45:28 PM

Someone explain the difference in David Duke's past 20 year involvement with the KKK and Obama's 20 year involvement with a racist church and pastor.

Posted by: Scrapiron | Mar 14, 2008 7:48:33 PM

The hits just keep on coming for ole' Obama.

Posted by: knat | Mar 14, 2008 7:51:26 PM

What makes Obama qualified to be president again? The corruption? The racist preacher? America hating spouse?

What a joke. The Democrat front runner is where he is for one reason only. Affirmative Action. Geraldine Ferraro tried to point this out, and she was canned.

Why is Jeremiah Wright still on Obama's campaign?

He talks good, but there is no substance to his speech and it appears it is all based on lie after lie.

Posted by: Jim | Mar 14, 2008 8:36:22 PM

Thank you ABC for finally reporting the FACTS surrounding Barack Obama and his disturbing ties. The MSM is obviously in the tank for the democratic party, but it appears ABC News may have some credibility after all.

The reason so many Americans turn to talk radio and the bloggers now is because they are the only ones keeping us informed. Anyway, I wanted to give credit where credit is due- so thanks.

Posted by: Lisa Brehm | Mar 14, 2008 8:41:20 PM

All of that is true. And fortunately, ABC is pro-Hillary enough that one of the MSM networks will report this stuff.

Posted by: Dan Collins | Mar 14, 2008 8:44:38 PM

As time goes by, more evidence is presented at the trial. This seems to coincide with more disclosures from Obama. Is he only admitting to the things he gets caught at? He is now admitting several cases of poor judgement yet that is the premise of his campaign? What else is he hiding? What happened to him touting himself as the candidate of transparency and ethics? What happened to his image of being above the fray morally? Thank goodness the party has superdelegates who can exercise judgement to account for buyer's remorse in states that have already voted!

Posted by: DCVoter | Mar 14, 2008 9:00:44 PM

Technically speaking, just beccause you are friends with someone does not mean that you engage in such acts. They are people that have close friends that are on drugs and they do not do drugs. A long time friend can be hard to find. I just donot see how Obama could be involved in such. I believe he has kept himself clean of garbage, because he was a senator and had great expectations of running for president. Go Obama

Posted by: Wanda | Mar 14, 2008 9:27:32 PM

Interesting that he is admiting this NOW, which means there is more and more behind his buddy Rezko. And, as far as his pastor being gone from his committee, I didn't know he was on his committee. I was enraged the OBAMA belonged to this church that is a version of the KKK. He is not fit to represent OUR PARTY. Americans.

Posted by: maria | Mar 14, 2008 10:10:14 PM

so this is what "sound judgment" means? being involved in complex house purchases with a slumlord? playing the race card to walk away from real issues?

Posted by: mae | Mar 14, 2008 10:16:50 PM

bye bye Obama

Posted by: emmy | Mar 14, 2008 10:17:04 PM

Barry... I think you might just want to stay home in your big house... you're done

Posted by: kmkmkm | Mar 14, 2008 10:23:44 PM

Oh the haters are out tonight! As a 51 year black man in this country, the pastor is pretty much right on with the experiences of his congregation. It's a hard check for those not familiar with what is said routinely in large urban black churches. To take 30 seconds of clips from 35 years of ministry to define a person is unfair but being a black man in america - it comes with the territory. Now let's trash Rod Parsley, John Hagee and John McCain in the spirit of fairness!!!

Posted by: OhioLiberal | Mar 14, 2008 10:43:55 PM

Michelle Obama said in a tv morning show early in the campaign that she hopes Black America wakes up to Barrack Obama before it is too late. Is this not playing the race card that Obama is now benefiting from Should she apologise?

Posted by: syl | Mar 14, 2008 10:54:15 PM

that VP offer looks pretty good about now!

Posted by: JuanPelotas | Mar 14, 2008 10:55:39 PM

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