Obama's Rezko Entanglements Exposed on Front Pages of Chicago Newspapers

by truthteller2007, Sun Jan 20, 2008 at 04:16:49 PM EST

Obama's entanglements with indicted political fundraiser Antoin "Tony" Rezko are exposed on today's front pages of Chicago's two major newspapers: a box embedded in the Chicago Tribune's coverage of Clinton's Nevada victory alerts readers to the location of the account they publish in their Metro section, while a spread occupying half of the Chicago Sun-Times' front page lends poignancy to this sordid tale of political patronage and corruption.  

Here is a reproduction of the front page of today's edition of the Chicago Tribune, a newspaper with a decided Republican leaning:

The text in this box on the front page directs readers to the section in which the Chicago Tribune printed their article on Obama's checkered history with Rezko:

This is the front page of today's edition of the Chicago Sun-Times, the Chicago Tribune's Democratic counterpart:

That two major newspapers in Obama's hometown would devote valuable space on the front pages of their respective Sunday editions to Obama's political and financial ties to Antoin "Tony" Rezko underscores the importance and veracity of this story, a story news organizations in other 5 FEB states are now obligated to cover.  




Tags: Obama, Chicago Tribune, Chicago Sun-Times, Rezko, corruption, primaries, Illinois, Democrats (all tags)

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Re: Obama's Rezko Entaglements Exposed on Front Pa (none / 0)

Whatever happened to Whitewater?


What would LBJ do?
by Socks The Cat on Sun Jan 20, 2008 at 04:23:19 PM EST

It was subject of $60million investigation (2.00 / 1)

That turned up zippo. Why do you Naderite  Clinton haters keep replaying the Republican meme's. What's wrong with you. Can't you see the wood for the trees.


by ottovbvs on Sun Jan 20, 2008 at 04:29:12 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Obama's Rezko Entaglements Exposed on Front Pa (2.00 / 1)

After a 70 million dollar investigation nothing came up.


by world dictator on Sun Jan 20, 2008 at 04:54:41 PM EST
[ Parent ]

A longstanding relationship (2.00 / 1)

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.


Offend the Media - Vote for Hillary!
by Seymour Glass on Sun Jan 20, 2008 at 04:57:48 PM EST
[ Parent ]

This is all Rove would need . . . (2.00 / 1)

Karl Rove or one of his proteges in the Republican Dirty Tricks Crowd would need no more information than is in the preceding comment to absolutely devastate Obama in the general election.  Doing legal work to help a shady, Syrian-born slumlord, who happens to be his longtime political moneyman, to the detriment of public housing residents.  

I like Obama.  But the guy needs to be vetted.  Seriously.

   


by Dooley on Sun Jan 20, 2008 at 07:27:53 PM EST
[ Parent ]

This is all would take . (2.00 / 1)

the Chicago Daily Herald's Eric Krol, explained in a very easy way Obama's connection to slumlord and Co-Finance Chair Rezko.  He imagined and previewed  what a GOP ad campaign against Democrat nominee Obama would look like:

http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_hb

5273/is_200612/ai_n20759855

 

"Meet Barack Obama. He bought a $1.65 million mansion. Meet his neighbor, Tony Rezko, indicted on major federal corruption charges that he traded his influence with a politician for kickbacks."

   "Senator Obama couldn't quite afford both that house and the well-groomed vacant lot next door, so he persuaded the seller to give him a $300,000 discount on the house. But his savvy and sleazy real estate developer friend, Rezko, cheerily offered to pay full price for that empty lot. Now they're neighbors."

   "Music turns dramatic, as does announcer's tone. "Indicted pals. Insider real estate deals. Is this the type of politician you want to elect president?"

   "Ethics is an evergreen issue, and it's not much of a stretch to assume that the Clinton team, accustomed to throwing sharp political elbows, would point out that Obama, the Senate Democrats' point person on ethics reform, has this little, um, issue with his magnificent new house."

   "The revelation of Obama's unique home purchase and cozy business relationship with the indicted Rezko, broken by the Chicago Tribune just before last month's election, was a huge disappointment to many opinion leaders in Illinois. They thought Obama was different, was above that kind of maneuvering with political insiders to reap a personal benefit."

   "To the average observer, it sure looks like Obama got a house he couldn't afford had the owner listed it jointly with the adjacent vacant lot. That's the kind of move that rankles your average voter, the ones Obama says are being forgotten -- folks trying to juggle a mortgage, credit card debt and college as good-paying jobs are shipped overseas."

   "Obama has done his mea culpa, even as the echo of the year's defining political question in Illinois -- what's (s)he thinking? --reverberates."

 


Offend the Media - Vote for Hillary!
by Seymour Glass on Sun Jan 20, 2008 at 07:36:00 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: This is all would take . (2.00 / 1)

I'm not so much worried about the personal gain angle.  I don't believe Obama's in politics for personal financial gain, and I don't think many voters are going to think that either.  

No, what bothers me about this Rezko story is that it will be used to show that Obama is NOT a "different kind" of politician (whatever that means), and that he is instead a major schemer and suck-up to the rich who has plotted his political rise for years and is just as willing as most other politicians to cozy up to sleazebags if he thinks it will help him advance himself.  

Obama almost had it all -- brains, looks, education, passion, etc.  The one thing he didn't have, but desperately needed, was some serious connections to money.  So he studiously cozied up to rich people like Rezko who could help push him along.

Too bad for the folks who actually lived in the high-rises that Rezko owned.

     


by Dooley on Sun Jan 20, 2008 at 08:18:01 PM EST
[ Parent ]

This is a ticking time bomb. (2.00 / 1)

If it gets traction and in any case will have some in state primary effect. All the Obama fans who keep chanting Hsu are just not taking in the ramifications of this. Hsu was a common or garden fund raiser who played games, it's happening all the time. The myriad of connections between this guy and Obama do elevate this story to a different plane however unwilling some folks are to recognize this. Whether it gets traction out of IL is what matters in wider sense. If it does it's going to hurt him.


by ottovbvs on Sun Jan 20, 2008 at 04:27:03 PM EST

Re: This is a ticking time bomb. (none / 0)

This ticking time bomb would explain why John Edwards is hanging in there - he is just waiting for one of the front runners to trip up.


Enough is enough!
by Bear83 on Sun Jan 20, 2008 at 11:33:46 PM EST
[ Parent ]

If there's (1.00 / 1)

nothing there, why does his name continue to pop up. Something is fishy.


by lonnette33 on Sun Jan 20, 2008 at 04:31:14 PM EST

Re: If there's (none / 0)

Just like Bill and Hillary Clinton's name popping up with Whitewater, right?


Go back to Hussein Texas
by gobacktotexas on Sun Jan 20, 2008 at 04:37:03 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: If there's (2.00 / 1)

You guys really are pathetic.

Whitewater is not front page news, because it was investigated to the hilt,  for years, with scores and scores of federal prosecutors and millions spent, to turn up.....ZIPPO.

Now, this Rezko thing may turn up zippo as well.  But getting there is not going to be pretty, and will take awhile.


by WMCB on Sun Jan 20, 2008 at 04:40:37 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: If there's (none / 0)

I was referring to this comment:


nothing there, why does his name continue to pop up. Something is fishy.

That's exactly the kind of "logic" that many applied to Whitewater and contributed to the Clintons having a pseudo-scandal for 8 years.  I find it highly-ironic that the Clinton defenders are now applying this flawed kind of reasoning to Obama.  


Go back to Hussein Texas
by gobacktotexas on Sun Jan 20, 2008 at 04:45:46 PM EST
[ Parent ]

I've never done that. There are a lot of (none / 0)

connections though. Let's face it politics is a murky business at times and there's a fair chance old Obama has had dealings with shady characters at time. Actually I don't blame him unless he's done something particularly egregious which he probably hasn't. Obama's problem is the Saint Obama tag in this context. Once you start down the holy route if they ever get anything on you then you are in deep trouble.


by ottovbvs on Sun Jan 20, 2008 at 04:58:49 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: If there's (2.00 / 1)

It's amazing the hatred for the only Dem twice-elected President in a generation. I know some are repugs that post this type of vile hatred, but unfortunately, it's picked up by those who are intellectually-challenged, like kos, and spread through the internet(s) and then the MSM. It's a Karl Rove tactic. The Rush Limbaughs and Sean Hannities then come onto the Dem sites and use these hateful quotes to support their hate agenda. Saps soooo much energy.

Time to ignore the trolls.


by India on Sun Jan 20, 2008 at 05:16:00 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: If there's (none / 0)

It's more profound disappointment than hatred.  


Go back to Hussein Texas
by gobacktotexas on Sun Jan 20, 2008 at 05:18:26 PM EST
[ Parent ]

profouund stupidty too (none / 0)

directly led to nader 2000


Offend the Media - Vote for Hillary!
by Seymour Glass on Sun Jan 20, 2008 at 07:38:14 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: If there's (none / 0)

I believe we have term limits. and Bill Clinton is acting more like a hired thug then a former president.
If Hillary wants to be 1st woman president she should get there on her own with grace, dignity, and the respect of the people.
I want a woman president but I am not liking how this election is shaking out pitting one democrat against another does not seem democratic at all.
by antimud2008 on Sun Jan 20, 2008 at 09:09:42 PM EST
[ Parent ]

hired thug? (none / 0)

ass


Offend the Media - Vote for Hillary!
by Seymour Glass on Sun Jan 20, 2008 at 09:35:59 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: hired thug? (none / 0)

Part of the Hillary is running on Bill's coattails campaign per Obama.

Expect to see more of this around...


by Marsha1 on Sun Jan 20, 2008 at 09:42:00 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: hired thug? (none / 0)

oh yeah ...with  "he's disgracing his position" bit.

whatever will make the media happy.


Offend the Media - Vote for Hillary!
by Seymour Glass on Sun Jan 20, 2008 at 10:38:58 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Obama's Rezko Entaglements Exposed (2.00 / 1)

Grew up in Illinois and can remember these type of scandals. The story goes on forever. There are always new discoveries. Usually ends up by dragging in everyone remotely connected to the issue. It is a gift that keeps giving.


by DaleA on Sun Jan 20, 2008 at 04:34:11 PM EST

Re: Obama's Rezko on Chicago Newspapers (2.00 / 2)

LOL.

Has this hit the MSM talking heads yet? I was flabergasted (NOT) that noone was talking about it yesterday.

Actually giving this a pass. Unbelieveable. Oh that's right, they're afraid to be called the "r" word.


by India on Sun Jan 20, 2008 at 05:06:28 PM EST

HEY! you Get "IT"! (none / 0)

 Stick around will ya?!


Offend the Media - Vote for Hillary!
by Seymour Glass on Sun Jan 20, 2008 at 07:41:25 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Obama's Rezko on Chicago Newspapers (none / 0)

CAN YOU SAY PETER PAUL?


by antimud2008 on Sun Jan 20, 2008 at 09:04:14 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Obama's Rezko on Chicago Newspapers (none / 0)

This is not new news. Obama answered the Rezko question months ago. Do a search and you will find his answers


by antimud2008 on Sun Jan 20, 2008 at 09:10:33 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Obama's Rezko on Chicago Newspapers (none / 0)

Obama has not "answered" questions regarding Rezko: hence the recent spate of articles on the subject.


by truthteller2007 on Sun Jan 20, 2008 at 09:21:07 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Obama's Rezko on Chicago Newspapers (none / 0)

According to ABC, Obama did answer some questions, but in interviews with different media outlets he contradicted himself and gave differing answers.  There is plenty of info available in the Chicago papers about this if people take the time to investigate.


by AnnC on Sun Jan 20, 2008 at 09:38:09 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Obama's Rezko on Chicago Newspapers (none / 0)

I read the answers he submitted to the Chicago Sun-Times, and they were contradictory and evasive.  This explains why the Chicago Sun-Times continues to investigate.


by truthteller2007 on Sun Jan 20, 2008 at 09:42:21 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Obama's Rezko on Chicago Newspapers (none / 0)

ABC has done a few stories on this and it was profiled on Good Morning America - the ABC story is worth googling.  CNN picked it up briefly, but I'm sure the sh** will hit the fan at the end of Feb, when Rezko's federal trial begins.  Of course, by then, we may already have chosen our nominee.


by AnnC on Sun Jan 20, 2008 at 09:35:52 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Repubs want to save this for themselves (2.00 / 1)

They have BARACK HUSSEIN OBAMA involved with a Syrian immigrant ANTOIN REZKO, an Algerian immigrant ABDULMUHAMID CHAIB, and a Serbian American of Chechnyan descent, MILORAD BLAJEVOJICH. Hope I spelled all of the names correctly.......:)


by robert ethan on Sun Jan 20, 2008 at 05:24:06 PM EST

KILL THE TURK!! (none / 0)

note - literary reference, not advice.


Offend the Media - Vote for Hillary!
by Seymour Glass on Sun Jan 20, 2008 at 07:43:46 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Repubs want to save this for themselves (none / 0)

CAN YOU SAY RACIST?


by antimud2008 on Sun Jan 20, 2008 at 09:04:33 PM EST
[ Parent ]

can you not? (none / 0)


Offend the Media - Vote for Hillary!
by Seymour Glass on Sun Jan 20, 2008 at 09:37:26 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Obama's Rezko Entaglements (none / 0)

I just don't think it's that big a deal myself.  I don't even think people would have cared that much about Rudy's shenanigans if it hadn't involved his MISTRESS.  Then they were all OVER IT.  I don't know- we'll see.  Most people don't seem to even read their candidate's policies, much less try to figure out their money entanglements.


by reasonwarrior on Sun Jan 20, 2008 at 06:17:09 PM EST

Re: Obama's Rezko Entaglements (none / 0)

Chicagoans believe it is important, and those who desire ethics in government will consider these reports important when they cast their votes.  Did you read the articles cited in my diary?


by truthteller2007 on Sun Jan 20, 2008 at 06:29:10 PM EST
[ Parent ]

dude.... (none / 0)

thats what killed rudy.

wish the media had held back on that one.  

but the dc media are fearful of going first on this due to the "r" word.

if obama was our nominee, the gop would destroy him with this.  utterly.


Offend the Media - Vote for Hillary!
by Seymour Glass on Sun Jan 20, 2008 at 07:48:12 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Obama's Rezko Entaglements (none / 0)

YES...I THINK READING IS HIGHLY RECCOMENDED. READ ABOUT THE CANDIDATES, THEIR POLICIES, THEIR POSITIONS, AND ALSO THEIR ENDORSEMENTS.


by antimud2008 on Sun Jan 20, 2008 at 09:05:39 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Obama's Rezko Entaglements Exposed on Front Pa (none / 0)

The Chicago papers have been at this for months, with little to show for it. I mean it's not like these are the first front-page covers.

If the Rezko trial actually turns up something of import, which I highly doubt, then there will certainly be a big scandal that would probably torpedo the Obama campaign. Until then all that's been shown is that one of Obama's financial backers was a shady guy--no quid pro quo favors, no allegation of any wrongdoing on Obama's part. This is not exactly the most potent stuff. Hillary Clinton herself has had similar problems just in the current election cycle (i.e. Norman Hsu), which is not even to mention past election cycles, and that hasn't done much to her campaign.

P.S. It's becoming apparent to me that truthteller2007 has little interest in truth telling and conversely a lot of interest in spinning things to the advantage of the Clinton campaign.


by Korha on Sun Jan 20, 2008 at 07:26:48 PM EST

Re: Obama's Rezko Entaglements Exposed on Front Pa (2.00 / 1)

You are incorrect.  I quote:

As a state senator, Barack Obama wrote letters to city and state officials supporting his political patron Tony Rezko's successful bid to get more than $14 million from taxpayers to build apartments for senior citizens.

The deal included $855,000 in development fees for Rezko and his partner, Allison S. Davis, Obama's former boss, according to records from the project, which was four blocks outside Obama's state Senate district.


by truthteller2007 on Sun Jan 20, 2008 at 07:29:25 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Obama's Rezko Entaglements Exposed on Front Pa (none / 0)

I also direct your attention to a CNN video.


by truthteller2007 on Sun Jan 20, 2008 at 07:32:41 PM EST
[ Parent ]

truly amazing (none / 0)

such denial


Offend the Media - Vote for Hillary!
by Seymour Glass on Sun Jan 20, 2008 at 07:51:00 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Obama's Rezko Entaglements Exposed on Front Pa (none / 0)

Can you say PETER PAUL? and another name coming to a big front page headline soon.  Do you not see that while Hillary and Bill are spending all their time fighting someone in their own party the republican machine is building a war chest to do them in in the general election.
My goodness they have produced a feature length documentary that implicates them both in all kinds of scandelous behavior. Perhaps they should stop the infighting and start thinking about how they would possibly win a general election if Obama is proving to be such a problem for the dynamic proving to be not so nice duo.
by antimud2008 on Sun Jan 20, 2008 at 09:14:35 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Obama's Rezko Entaglements Exposed on Front Pa (none / 0)

Obama is circling the drain.


No longer a Democrat, now proudly an independent voter!
by Ga6thDem on Sun Jan 20, 2008 at 09:19:18 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Paul did q event for the clntons (none / 0)

he didnt finance half their house for them thru a sham purchase, saving them close to a cool mill.

th clintons never called him "their political godfather", as Obama called rezko.

that Paul stuff is only believed  at the wackiest hill hater sites...where have you been?


Offend the Media - Vote for Hillary!
by Seymour Glass on Sun Jan 20, 2008 at 09:43:46 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Obama's Rezko Entaglements Exposed on Front Pa (none / 0)

And yes, there is more quid pro quo:

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.
John Aramanda served as an intern for Obama for about a month in 2005, said Obama spokesman Robert Gibbs. His father is Joseph Aramanda, a Rezko business associate who was named as an unindicted co-conspirator in a federal corruption case against Rezko. Aramanda has contributed $11,500 to Obama since 2000, Gibbs said.


by truthteller2007 on Sun Jan 20, 2008 at 09:19:13 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Obama's Rezko Entaglements (none / 0)

I am deeply concerned about all of this negative campaigning.
I went to Hillary Blog www.hillaryis44.com and my comments were not posted.

Do we still live in a democracy?

Here are the comments that I tried to post on the www.hillaryis44.com website.

I realize I am in uncharted waters here. I am just a person who is trying to understand why this election has gotten so ugly. I do have to say that these two endorsements clearly state case for why those who support Senator Clinton may want to learn a little more about Senator Obama prior to being so hurtful and mean.  I did not expect to come to this site to see a whole bunch of mudslinging. I thought I would come to find Hillary supporters who were talking about issues in her campaign.

Please read the following from two well respected newspapers.

http://www.sptimes.com/2008/01/20/Opinio n/Obama_for_Democrats.shtml

http://www.palmbeachpost.com/opinion/con tent/opinion/epaper/2008/01/20/a2e_obama _endorse_0120.html

I guess this site is not at all about supporting Hillary Clinton. I guess it is more about attacking Senator Obama.  How disappointing for me and for others who stumble across this site who are undecided.

Now if I am deciding between well respected newspapers and coming to your site for information. I guess because this site is so filled with hatefulness I will air on the side of the newspaper endorsements.

I am surprised that this group of women are spending so much time preaching to their own choir instead of going out and volunteering for their candidate.
And why is the Hillary website blog so quiet?

Where are all the supporters?

And why does Hillary need to pay people to canvass for her in NV?

Paid Canvasser for the Hillary Clinton Campaign -3 visits - 10:50amPaid Canvasser for the Hillary Clinton Campaign ... Take a role in the first ever early caucus in Nevada! Be a part of electing the first woman president. ...
reno.craigslist.org/lab/538009180.html -  


by antimud2008 on Sun Jan 20, 2008 at 09:02:52 PM EST

Re: Obama's Rezko Entaglements (none / 0)

This comment does not address the topic of my diary.  Someone please delete this spam.


by truthteller2007 on Sun Jan 20, 2008 at 09:28:58 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Obama's Rezko Entaglements Exposed (none / 0)

I do not understand.   But now that the Obama campaign tacitly admitting guilt by donating a second round of funds to charity on Saturday, I believe it is incumbent upon the media to cover this story.


by truthteller2007 on Sun Jan 20, 2008 at 09:44:40 PM EST


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