BREAKING: Huge New Disclosure in Obama/Rezko Land Swap
by Greuben, Mon Feb 18, 2008 at 06:53:37 AM EST
Cross-posted at DailyObama
This is for all those who have not yet been infected with the PLAGUE that is Obamamania... Yes, for those REAL DEMOCRATS out there who want the real news.
I fully expect to be flamed, drawn, and quartered for this, but there's been a brand new disclosure in the Rezko/Obama front that demands attention.
We all remember Tony Rezko, right? The indicted former "Friend of Barack" who, while under indictment, just so happened to go splitsies on a land purchase with the Obamas in 2005. Rezko (through his wife, Rita), bought a vacant parcel of land for full price - $625,000 - while the Obamas bought the adjacent house for $1.65 million - a full $300,000 off of the asking price!!!
We also remember how quickly Obamabots POUNCE on any mention of Rezko's name or any suggestion of any impropriety in this deal... How quickly they suggest that Obama's huge discount simply reflected real estate economics.
Well, well, well... Guess who decided to show up late to the party with a story to tell? The Sellers
That's right, America is about to become intimately acquainted with the names, Frederic Wondisford and Sally Radovick. An intrepid journalist tracked them down and asked them whether Obama received a favorable price because of the involvement of Rezko and his wife in the purchase of the vacant, adjacent parcel for full price. They were also asked whether Obama paid less than the next highest offer for the house.
What did they say?
The couple who sold Barack Obama his Chicago home said the Illinois senator's $1.65 million bid ``was the best offer'' and they didn't cut their asking price because a campaign donor bought their adjacent land, according to e- mails between Obama's presidential campaign and the seller.
That's right - read it and weep. Becasue of Rezko's involvement, the Obamas received a ZERO dollar discount from the price they would have paid from the market. Because of the Rezko's purchase of the adjoining plot, the Obamas beat out ZERO other bidders on the same property!
This is HUGE! Why did the Sellers come forward?
The sellers hadn't previously made their side of the story public out of concern for their privacy, according to Bill Burton, a spokesman for Obama's campaign. They approached Obama's Senate office 15 months ago and agreed to break their silence now through the campaign out of concern that the story was being distorted in the media, Burton said.
And check this out: how did they reach the sales price?
It also says that ``in the course of the negotiation over the sales price,'' Obama and his wife, Michelle, ``made several offers until the one accepted at $1.65 million, and that this was the best offer you received on the house.''Wondisford has declined to talk directly about the matter.
The Obamas submitted three bids: $1.3 million on Jan. 15, 2005; $1.5 million on Jan. 21; and $1.65 million on Jan. 23, according to a copy of the sale contract shown to Bloomberg News. Obama received more than $1.2 million in book royalties and a book advance in 2005, the year he was sworn in to the U.S. Senate, his financial disclosure statement shows.
I think this is very telling about how the Obamas do business in general: they are clearly NEGOTIATORS who will COMPROMISE on price points in order to close a deal. Why didn't they stick to their demand of $1.3 million? Where is their backbone? And do we really want to elect a President who is able to negotiate a good deal on a piece of real estate without receiving financial favors?
Finally, check out this damning admission of how Rezko DIRECTLY helped Obama purchase the property:
Burton said Obama toured the property with Rezko for 15 to 30 minutes at some point before the purchase. Burton said Obama wanted Rezko's opinion of the property because Rezko was a real- estate developer in the area. Burton said he didn't know when the pre-sale tour occurred.
Wow. Just shocking. An admission that Rezko directly assisted Obama in purchasing the property with 15 to up to 30 minutes of assistance and "free," undisclosed, professional advice as to whether the Obamas should buy the property or not, and whether the Rezkos were going to purchase the adjacent parcel.
Imagine that: a politician with a friend in the real estate business asks his friend for advice as to a real estate purchase. And the friend gives that advice without receiving anything in return.
Is this the man we want to elect as President? Someone who asks questions before taking decisive action? Someone who negotiates to a more favorable price and backs down from an initial demand?
I think not. I rest my case.
Tags: Barack Obama; Tony Rezko; Land Deal; Snark, obama supporters are so many easily duped drones, Obamabot, Recommended, Troll Diary (all tags)
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