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While the talk around town has focused on the implications of Tony Rezko's indictment for Blagojevich, the national story has been how close he was to Obama.
Although they first met in 1990, when Rezko offered Obama a job, it wasn't until 1995 that Obama worked with the developer. Obama was working for Davis Miner Barnhill, a Chicago law firm that represents developers who build low-income housing with government funds. In 1995, Obama worked on a project at the law firm to help Woodlawn Preservation and Investment Co, an affordable housing community group, strike the deal with Rezko. Later that year, Rezmar gave Obama's state senate campaign $2,000. In 2003, when Obama ran for US Senate, Rezko held a fundraiser at his Wilmette home. And Rezko has even helped raise money for Obama's presidential run. There is no firm dollar amount of how much Rezko and his circle have given the Illinois senator over the years, but Obama has already given almost $160,000 to charity from his campaign. That number includes "contributions made by Mr. Rezko's family members, employees of his companies and those whose contributions may be connected to" a 2003, fund-raiser at Rezko's Wilmette mansion, according to the Sun-Times.
Giving away campaign funds won't mitigate what is probably the most famous connection Obama has to Tony Rezko: the real estate deal involving Obama's South Side home. In June 2005, Obama bought a $1.65 million home, paying $300,000 less than the asking price, while Rezko's wife paid the full price of $625,000 for the adjacent vacant lot. Both closed on the same day. In January of that year, Obama bought part of that lot from Rezko's wife for $104,500. The purchases came at a time when Rezko's legal problems were becoming public.
How much any of this will matter on the national stage remains to be seen. Rezko is so deeply connected to so many people in Illinois politics that whatever the outcome of his up coming trial, the fallout from the revelations will be felt in political circles in the state for years to come.
For an obsessive look at Tony Rezko and his relationship with Barack Obama, check out Rezko Watch.
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Who cares when McCain is apparently banging lobbyists?
I am not an Obama supporter but I doubt this is anything worth wasting time over.
After watching the debate last night, I’m more concerned with this: Why does have the speech pattern of Captain Kirk?
"...Who cares when McCain is apparently banging lobbyists?...."
I am not surprised, Chicagoist, that you have more Obama stuff but a day-and-a-half after the big McCain story broke, you have nothing about it.
By the way, Spav1, you may not be aware that by publishing the proof-deficient smear-story on McCain, The New York Times has goofed yet again. The agenda of the The New York Times is very clear.
In a Rather-esque bit of bad journalism, they couldn't let a lack of evidence stop their smear. And I am not even that fond of McCain's positions.
Jason Blair, Judith Miller, and a host of biased reporters and editors. That's The New York Times. Their current editor should be bounced. Maybe he could just trade positions with the Dean of Medill, since their standards are similar.
@Ward Up:
I completely agree with your assessment of the NYT story on McCain, although not your feelings about the paper at large. The allegations are obviously politically motivated etc. It is a gross smear job.
My comment was more to why Chicagoist had posted nothing about it.
Can someone explain, as straightforward and objectively as they can, what exactly is wrong with the real estate deal with Rezko? Was something illegal done, something unethical or is it just that it's a business deal with Rezko, a guy indicted by the Feds? Also, how this the Rezko thing any different than Whitewater all those years ago?
Last time I checked there's really no Chicago connection to the McCain story. That's why we haven't written about it.
Lst time I checked Chicagoist covers inane shit far and wide with no connection to Chicago. I am callign shenanigans on that comment.
his opponents both have more skeletons than him. i wouldn't expect this to be a big issue
I think its pretty clear that Rezko wanted to be a player in the local political scene, and showered money upon Obama (and others) in hopes of getting a return someday.
You won't read this in the New York Times, but I'd bet that the Rezko deal was put together to allow Obama to purchase the house at a price he could afford, or at least at a discount; Rezko's "wife" threw in the extra money for the lot so the owner got what he wanted for both properties. Is it illegal? Probably not...unless Obama promised him something in return. But would Obama have done favors for Rezko if Rezko had not been caught? Just asking....
If you can write article after article about some lame fucking reality show like that "Top Model" crap, I think you can see to it to squeeze in something that's actually politically relevant, right?
Probably not, but then again, I don't read this site to actually get news. I'm just here to annoy.
Magilla
Obama is a made member of the crook co hack political machine for you to believe he has less skelatons in his closet than anyone is silly. Hillary can only attack him so much because if she is seen as destroying the messiah that obama has become his cult like supporters will turn on her in Nov. Her vast left wing conspiracy will be to feed the McCain camp enough to beat obama Knowing 2012 will then be hers for the taking since McCain will be drooling on himself by then.
Magilla
Obama is a made member of the crook co hack political machine for you to believe he has less skelatons in his closet than anyone is silly. Hillary can only attack him so much because if she is seen as destroying the messiah that obama has become his cult like supporters will turn on her in Nov. Her vast left wing conspiracy will be to feed the McCain camp enough to beat obama Knowing 2012 will then be hers for the taking since McCain will be drooling on himself by then.