Rezko trial is heating up, Obama pal becoming a target

[OzarkDem]

CHICAGO — Richard Mell is a 69-year-old, backslapping Chicago politician with a long history of getting his way and clearing the decks for friends and family looking for a leg up. He also happens to be the father-in-law of Gov. Rod Blagojevich, and the two don't get along.

The squabble, which has simmered for years, has gone from barstool tale to the front page, thanks to the ongoing federal fraud trial of Antoin "Tony" Rezko - the fundraiser best known for his history with presidential candidate Sen. Barack Obama and ties to the governor.

...

And now Mell's name has surfaced at Rezko's trial.

Money manager Sheldon Pekin testified that after arranging a $50 million deal involving a teachers' pension fund, he agreed to split a finder's fee with Mell. He said Mell never got paid.

Mell, a successful businessman, has denied any role in the scheme, or even meeting Pekin.




http://www.fortmilltimes.com/124/story/123000.html

[loveangelc]

1. no one cares ....:)

[goldcanyonaz]

4. Not on the Obama Underground, but somewhere out in the real world, they may.

[Unsane]

I have yet to see it.

[azmouse]

Obama is not accused of wrongdoing in connection with the case.

[Tellurian]

77. not yet he hasn't...

you know what they say about canary's, don't you. "Once they start singing, it's hard to shut them up."

[Forkboy]

105. Can you help us understand why you quoted a blatant RW site below?

[JayFredMuggs]

24. Obama cares, and his supporters care.

Let's make sure the facts come out.

That's what we care about.

It's not like the Clintons never knew a crook! Nor like McSame wasn't involved with the Keating Five, and actually knew so many others.

Facts of life, politicians know crooks.

[barb162]

59. I care and so do many others.

[ElsewheresDaughter]

134. American citizens outside of your fantasy self-importance O GD-P DU world care

[anonymous171]

2. lol rezko

:rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl:

[OzarkDem]

3. Obama may have gotten funds embezzled from state teacher's retirement fund

Rezko, 52, is charged with scheming with Levine to pressure kickbacks out of money management firms hoping to invest some of the assets of the State Teachers Retirement Plan. He also is charged with joining Levine in a scheme to split a $1 million bribe from a contractor hoping for state permission to build a hospital in Crystal Lake in McHenry County.



Levine sat on the state boards that determined who got to invest the pension money and which hospital would be built and which would not.

But prosecutors say Rezko, who raised enormous sums for Blagojevich’s campaign fund, was the real power behind the two boards.

Rezko, who also was a major fundraiser for Sen. Barack Obama, denies that he ever took part in such schemes. Obama is not accused of wrongdoing in connection with the case.

http://www.dailyamericannews.com/articles/2008/04/02/news/news11.txt

Of course he got them from Rezko and apparently didn't bother to question where Rezko was getting so much money for his political donations....

[anonymous171]

7. Doesn't matter, Obama washed his hands of Rezko long ago.

It's only HRC supporters and RWers that obsess over it now.

[OzarkDem]

16. The judge will make that decision

not the Obama campaign.

[anonymous171]

18. He gave money to the Obama campaign, he got rid of it.

End of fucking story.

[OzarkDem]

28. May not be enough

what did Obama know and when did he know it?

[azmouse]

41. Obama is not accused of wrongdoing in connection with the case.

[Moochy]

137. And so ends that subthread.

[barb162]

68. Obama SAID he gave the money to charity.

Does anyone know if that was really done?

[anonymous171]

70. HE DID GIVE THE MONEY! It's on record.

You're one of those people who just "doesn't trust him" aren't you?

[JBoy]

91. Does anyone know that it WASN'T done?

[OzarkDem]

108. The question may be whether he was aware

of what was going on at the time. He was working closely with the people involved who are under investigation and possibly facing charges.

[Hepburn]

152. Get a clue, OK?

This case is a FEDERAL case...the feddies charge via a Grand Jury. A federal fucking Grand Jury would indict a fucking ham sandwich. If there was even the slightest hint that Obama was involved in something criminal, he would be on trial.

Get it yet?

[Hepburn]

151. You are tooooooooooo stupid for words.

It's a fucking JURY trial!

The JURY and NOT the judge is the trier of fact...duh...:eyes:

[Andy823]

19. I am curious

Do you know how many "questionable" people the Clintons have done business with over the years, and how much "questionable" money Hillary has received from these people?

Don't get me wrong, if Obama has been involved in something questionable with Rezko, it needs to come out, but on the same hand I believe that Hillary has a "lot more" of these kind of "questionable" dealings that need to come out also, don't you agree?

[TheDoorbellRang]

29. Hello? Hello? Hello?

From your own article:

"Obama is not accused of wrongdoing in connection with the case."

You can sit and mutter "Obama...Rezko...Obama...Rezko" ad nauseam, trying to make a connection, but the fact remains:


"Obama is not accused of wrongdoing in connection with the case."

[anonymous171]

32. ****^^^^LOOK HERE^^^^****

[OzarkDem]

33. Yet, its just beginning

The trial is just getting started and many new characters and connections are being uncovered.

[Hepburn]

153. The trial is on-going at this time....matter of fact, well into the trial.

Just a hint, but the USAtty has given the opening statement. Think real hard now....do you know what a fucking opening statement is? That is the road map for the jury in a criminal case. They lay out the theory of the case, the witnesses and what crimes are charged and who is involved in them. They tell the jury what they are gonna prove in the trial.

Now here is the biggie question for you: Did the USAtty mention Obama as being culpable or involved in any manner in the opening statement?

If you think for one second that a case is prepared during trial and "new connections and characters" come about, the only thing I can say to you is that you need to take your head out of your ass and figure out how the real world works. I have tried hundreds of cases and done literally thousands of hearings. Trust me...the evidence and witness list is set and in place well before anyone walks up the court house steps on the fist day of trial.

Your post it total, unmitigated bullshit...and that is being kind about it.

:eyes:

[WonderGrunion]

155. Well, if we're pulling stuff out of our ass

I can't wait for the connection Hillary has to Rezko's illegal activities. After all she has old ties to the Illinois power structure and, like Obama, she too has not been implicated of any wrongdoing in this case.

So by your reasoning, she must be linked inextricably to Rezko too.

And she had her picture taken with Rezko.

[MADem]

50. Al Gore didn't invent the internet, and he never claimed to have so done.

John Kerry wasn't a Vietnam coward or shirker.

Chicago is one of the most politically-dirty cities, and IL one of the most corrupt states, in the union.

Since Obama wasn’t involved in the serious wrongdoings for which Rezko is on trial, his name will continue to play only a minimal role in the proceedings. But he might suffer collateral damage if the trial continues to expose the grimy underpinnings of the corrupt political structure from which he came.

Obama has spoken often about the need to clean up Washington. But he hails from one of the country’s dirtiest governments, where at times he either endorsed for high office or did business with some of its dirtiest players. To the extent that this trial reminds people of that fact, every news story it generates will be bad news for Obama.


http://article.nationalreview.com/?q=MTllMGI1MWJiODc1MzZkODBmNzhkMmQ2MzkyOWM2N2U=

[anonymous171]

53. This Rezko person sounds bad. I've decided not to vote for him.

[TheDoorbellRang]

87. That's true, of course.

The RW will attack Obama with Rezko and Wright and whatever else they can string together, but he's done the best counterattacks to the attacks on him of any dem candidate we've had in a long time.

OTOH, the lists of garbage they'll pull out to go after Hillary is almost boundless. :shrug:

[MADem]

89. Well, I disagree. Clinton has been vetted. Obama is like an iceberg.

The GOP are quite happy with Barack; here's what one of their number is saying, and he's probably right about the approach that will be taken: http://www.kxmc.com/News/Nation/225210.asp

[TheDoorbellRang]

95. Clinton's been vetted for everything pre-2000

But they'll pull out the stops on everything post-2000, campaign gaffes (snipergate), and then mix it up with old crapola from her past. (Heck, probably bookbaggate will figure into it).

Nothing in that article was anything Obama hasn't dealt with in some way, and I do think his teflon track record is a lot better than Hillary's.

Besides all that, I refuse to let the RW determine my candidate. :-)

[MADem]

102. Rezko is a problem. And not a small one, either. Hell, Obama is

on the witness list, for starters, and if Rezko doesn't walk, a hope that looks less likely by the day, he just might SING. And sing loudly. In MAY or JUNE. Just in time to really fuck up the watchworks.

It'll be harder for McCain to get shitty with Clinton. McCain won't feel comfortable doing it, and he'd look like a bully if he doesn't disavow.

If you think the bookbag speech is going to figure into the general election, you're delusional. That's beyond stretching, beyond grasping. Which candidate couldn't even BOTHER to show up in Memphis on the anniversary, that's what that conjures up....and the answer isn't McCain.

Choose your own candidate. Fair warning, though. Don't act all surprised and shocked if what I've said comes to pass.

[anonymous171]

103. lol. Forgetting that 50% of the entire country hates Clinton.

And it will only go up if she steals this. The GOP is scattered and disunited. The only thing they have in common is Hillaryhate. She would unite them and they would defeat her.

[TheDoorbellRang]

111. The bookbaggate was a joke

albeit a weak one. But then again, I wouldn't put much past the RW smear machine.

I'm willing to take my chances with the Rezko thing -- Obama is not currently on the list of witnesses.

Hillary has a loooong list of so-called shady dealings with donors that I'd bet the RW can hardly wait to spring on her. Peter Paul is one they seem to be especially all het up about. There may not be anything to that one, but that's never stopped the smearmeisters before.

Either way, there's going to be a smear campaign -- I just have more confidence in Obama's ability to shake it than Hillary's.

[roguevalley]

120. when does hillary's guy go to trial?

[Hepburn]

150. OMFG........

.........:rofl:

And if I had a dick I would be a guy. Your point?

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

5. Whatever.

[OzarkDem]

Ok for Obama to get donations from funds stolen from teacher's pension plans?

Ok.

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

17. If that's true, did he know that's where they came from?

No? All righty, then.

Say, whatever happened to Clinton mega-donor Norman Hsu? :rofl:

[NYCGirl]

34. You mean this guy?

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

39. That would be the one.

Why is he wearing that funny orange suit? I thought he had a whole lot of money; you'd think he could afford something a bit more fashionable.

:rofl:

[NYCGirl]

42. And dig those crazy bracelets!

:rofl:

[azmouse]

6. Obama is not accused of wrongdoing in connection with the case.

[OzarkDem]

10. Not yet

but it looks as though the connections are getting uncomfortably close. How much longer before Obama gets called to the witness stand? Not long, it appears.

[azmouse]

12. Obama is not accused of wrongdoing in connection with the case.

[OzarkDem]

20. Not yet, but its looking more likely

that he will get called to testify about what he knew.

[anonymous171]

22. Obama is not accused of wrongdoing in connection with the case.

[OzarkDem]

37. Yet

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

45. And Hillary hasn't been accused of election fraud. Yet.

She hasn't been accused of selling nuclear secrets to Al Qaeda, either. Yet.

See, anybody can make up or just imply stupid shit that they hope will make somebody else look bad. But it's stupid, made-up shit just the same. Recently a phrase was coined to define this practice. It's called "swiftboating." Most Democrats have come to find it offensive and inappropriate, but evidently not all.

[barb162]

63. Yes, he's on the witness list for that trial I believe.

[rox63]

74. No he is not - That's a lie

Obama is not on any witness list. Read the damn article.

[JBoy]

I think Hillary may be on the witness list. Not positive of that, thought.

[OzarkDem]

109. When will he be called?

This will be unfolding all spring and summer. Not an opportune time.

[Moochy]

130. It said hopefully, licking it slavering chops

[UALRBSofL]

8. OzarkDem I have read a few things about that

And today someone mentioned Obama's Camp trying to pressure Clinton out of the race. It makes since now because the Rezko Trial could possibly blow up Obama's campaign. You know, I think Obama should drop out, the Rezko trial will damage Obama very badly.

[MethuenProgressive]

9. If you had put "FUCKING HILLBOTS ARE ALL WHORES!" in the title, you'd have 60 recs by now.

Obama gets a pass on his mob connected slum lord bag man.
Obama followers care more about Hillary's bookbag.

[OzarkDem]

13. Yeah, stealing money from retired teachers is no big deal

Up is down, night is day in Obamaland.

[anonymous171]

15. I won't be voting for Tony Rezko anytime soon.

:rofl:

[OzarkDem]

36. But you'll be voting for the politician he bought

and who may have known much more about his activities than he claims.

[anonymous171]

49. Guilt by association is all you have. Come back when you have actual proof.

kthxbai

[MADem]

56. Guilt by association sank Kerry's ship. NT

[anonymous171]

60. ACTUALLY lies sank Kerry's ship.

[MADem]

69. The GOP are good at that. And when they've got actual material, like this, they're even better.

http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2008/04/04/opinion/main3994002.shtml

[Tellurian]

86. Heres some more news coming from the trial ...that will be mainstream next week...

now if you still want to use clever retorts in a lame attempt to deflect the notion there isn't the slightest chance Obama is involved in any wrong doing.. continue making yourself look foolish.

"A house apparently is just one thing Rekzo helped Obama with. It turns out that Edwin J. Gray the head of the Federal Home Loan Bank Board was coerced into calling off an investigation of Rezko by Obama and 4 other US Senators who had received campaign contributions from Rezko."

"In addition to campaign contributions, Michelle Obama and her father had invested $359,100 in a Rezko shopping center in April 2006, a year before Obama met with the regulators. The Obamas sometimes accompanied by their daughters and baby-sitter, had made at least nine trips at Rezko’s expense, sometimes aboard his private jet. Three of the trips were made during vacations to Rezko’s opulent Bahamas retreat at Cat Cay. Obama also did not pay Rezko for some of the trips. It seems there is more to this Rezko thing than first appeared. Any politician who would attempt to cheat the system in this way does not deserve to be President."

[Forkboy]

88. Link?

[Forkboy]

99. The site you're quoting calls Democrats "Dumocrats". Now we know why you didn't include it.

I’m still trying to get more concrete on the Rezko Obama connection. My friend still swears this will blow up in a big way by Tuesday. He did say his friend told him that Obama wasn’t the only well known name involved in the savings and loan scandal

The other 4 senators are all dumocrats and one of the others has run for President. My friend asked, “Clinton?” and his friend said “no”. Could it be that Kerry or even Edwards were in on this too? By Tuesday we should know.

http://thatsrightnate.wordpress.com/

Some other choice cuts from this site that you obviously like.

One of the great joys of starting this blog has been my communications and friendship with TJ Baker-Holm whose candidate for Republican nominee in the 18th District of Texas House of Representatives I highlighted before. I can’t say enough about Ms. Baker-Holm and the fact that her own biography reads like everything the Republican party says it wants to see from people–selfmade, responsible, community involved.

http://thatsrightnate.wordpress.com/2008/03/30/i-endorse-mike-taylor-for-congress/

Or this fine example of Democratic thinking...

Leave George Bush Alone

I am really getting tired of this constant president bashing that I’ve been seeing lately. Sure the economy is down and the war is dragging on, but some things are worth fighting for. If you want to blame somebody, blame the dumocrats that control congress. What really annoys me are people like Colbert, Stewart, and the late night shows who are ripping on the President in some vague attempt for humor.

It links to this cool site...

Stuff White People Like

In spite of having access to the best health insurance and fanciest hospitals, white people are passionate about the idea of socialized medicine. So much so that they have memorized statistics and examples of how for-profit medicine has destroyed the United States.

But before you can exploit this information for personal gain, it’s important that you understand why white people are so in love with free health care.

The first and most obvious reason is “they have it Europe.” White people love all things European, this especially true of things that are unavailable in the United States (Rare Beers, Absinthe, legal marijuana, prostitution, soccer). The fact that it’s available in Canada isn’t really that impressive, but it does contribute to their willingness to threaten to move there.

These desires were only heightened in 2007 when Michael Moore released “Sicko,” a documentary that contrasts the health care industry in the United States with that of Canada, France and Cuba. As a general rule of thumb, white people are always extra passionate about issues that have been the subject of a Moore documentary. As a test, ask them about 9/11, Gun Control, or Health Care and then say “where did you get that information?” You will not be surprised at the results.

But the secret reason why all white people love socialized medicine is that they all love the idea of receiving health care without having a full-time job.

[Forkboy]

104. Kick to see if Tellurian has the guts to respond.

And to see if it will be more RW defending garbage like she tried last week.

[anonymous171]

106. Don't hold your breath.

Tellurian has become corrupted by hillaryis44. There is no hope for them now.

[Forkboy]

107. Tellurian is a chronic RW spouting poster.

I'll keep kicking to remind both her that I know, and to let others see her for what she is.

[americanstranger]

145. Tellurian is a female?

I didn't know thay made women that bitter. I figured it had to be a guy.

Go figure.

- as

[Forkboy]

146. Actually I don't know, but someone called her a she one day, so I going with that.

Besides, no matter which gender it is it can't hide the ugliness and lack of any integrity inside.

[Forkboy]

128. kick for our RW loving buddy!

[OzarkDem]

110. Ruh roh

No wonder the news has been full of Hillary faux scandals.

This could have an impact on the PA primary.

[Forkboy]

115. The site that's from calls Democrats "Dumocrats". You would be excited.

I’m still trying to get more concrete on the Rezko Obama connection. My friend still swears this will blow up in a big way by Tuesday. He did say his friend told him that Obama wasn’t the only well known name involved in the savings and loan scandal

The other 4 senators are all dumocrats and one of the others has run for President. My friend asked, “Clinton?” and his friend said “no”. Could it be that Kerry or even Edwards were in on this too? By Tuesday we should know.

http://thatsrightnate.wordpress.com /

Some other choice cuts from this site that you obviously like.

One of the great joys of starting this blog has been my communications and friendship with TJ Baker-Holm whose candidate for Republican nominee in the 18th District of Texas House of Representatives I highlighted before. I can’t say enough about Ms. Baker-Holm and the fact that her own biography reads like everything the Republican party says it wants to see from people–selfmade, responsible, community involved.

http://thatsrightnate.wordpress.com/2008/03/30/i-endors... /

Or this fine example of Democratic thinking...

Leave George Bush Alone

I am really getting tired of this constant president bashing that I’ve been seeing lately. Sure the economy is down and the war is dragging on, but some things are worth fighting for. If you want to blame somebody, blame the dumocrats that control congress. What really annoys me are people like Colbert, Stewart, and the late night shows who are ripping on the President in some vague attempt for humor.

[OzarkDem]

117. There are other sources

Pretty ugly things revealed about Obama's cohorts in this trial are coming out in mainstream news media also.

[Forkboy]

118. Not to the post that you were excited about. Nice try.

[Moochy]

131. Go figure

you should know a thing or two about pretty ugly things.

[Forkboy]

129. Yooohooo! Don't be a coward Tellurian.

[azmouse]

21. Obama is not accused of wrongdoing in connection with the case.

[TheDoorbellRang]

31. I think they didn't catch that line, azmouse

It was buried pretty deep for them to notice. :rofl:

[azmouse]

38. The ARE kinda slow to catch on.... Maybe this will help.

Obama is not accused of wrongdoing in connection with the case.
Obama is not accused of wrongdoing in connection with the case.
Obama is not accused of wrongdoing in connection with the case.
Obama is not accused of wrongdoing in connection with the case.
Obama is not accused of wrongdoing in connection with the case.

[OzarkDem]

44. Drip, drip, drip

this trial will be going on all summer long, with more and more evidence revealed. Who knows where it will lead?

Obama sure has some scuzzy, unprincipled friends. Imagine, stealing from the teacher's pension fund to buy politicians.

[azmouse]

51. Did you happen to notice this sentence in the story?

Obama is not accused of wrongdoing in connection with the case.

[OzarkDem]

64. More for you

Allison Davis, close friend and defender of Obama's acted as the go-between to set up the deal on the teacher's retirement fund "investment".

Rezko Controversy: Headache For Obama

...

Obama’s relationship with Allison Davis -- the alleged go-between in Rezko’s scheme to shake down Tom Rosenberg -- could pose another problem for him. Obama worked for Davis at the law firm of Davis Miner Barnhill. Later, when Obama sat on the board of a charity called the Woods Fund, he voted to invest $1 million in a partnership operated by Davis, according to the Chicago Sun-Times.


http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2008/04/04/opinion/main3994002.shtml

[MADem]

67. Get a load of THIS--it is bad news for Obama

This corruption, should it become an issue in the campaign, could cause problems for Obama when people start to wonder how he could have made it through “the combine” without getting involved in the overlapping networks of patronage and influence. Peraica, for one, argues that he didn’t.

“Senator Barack Obama is an integral part and a product of this corrupt system,” Peraica says. “Senator Obama has endorsed Todd Stroger for Cook County board president, Mayor Daley for mayor of Chicago, Dorothy Tillman for re-election as an alderman, and other epitomes of bad government throughout his career in order to promote himself politically, at the expense of, I would argue, principles and morals and good government.”

Obama’s relationship with Allison Davis -- the alleged go-between in Rezko’s scheme to shake down Tom Rosenberg -- could pose another problem for him. Obama worked for Davis at the law firm of Davis Miner Barnhill. Later, when Obama sat on the board of a charity called the Woods Fund, he voted to invest $1 million in a partnership operated by Davis, according to the Chicago Sun-Times.

Levine’s testimony in the Rezko trial puts Davis in the middle of an attempted quid pro quo, making him yet another associate Obama might be pressured to disown. And the trial could stretch well into May, at which point a Rezko conviction could lead to even more headaches for the candidate. If Rezko is looking at a long prison sentence and decides to start talking, who knows what he might say?

All the more reason that Obama might be tempted to try to address this metastasizing problem with a single bold gesture. Obama made a big speech about race to distract from his ties to one unsavory Chicago character, but distancing himself from an entire network of them might prove to be a tougher task. After all, Obama was able to claim the middle ground in his defense of Wright, denouncing Wright’s most radical views while excusing his run-of-the-mill resentments as being a not-atypical part of the black experience.

But America will have a harder time swallowing excuses for corruption as being a run-of-the-mill aspect of the Illinois political experience -- particularly not from a candidate that has promised a new kind of politics. To succeed, Obama would have to denounce the behavior of some of his closest allies and demonstrate a candor about his own experience in state government that’s been missing from his campaign thus far. In the Rezko trial, Obama might have finally encountered a problem that a speech alone won’t solve.

http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2008/04/04/opinion/main3994002.shtml

[JBoy]

93. HOLY SHIT, I just noticed this:

Obama is not accused of wrongdoing in connection with the case.

[azmouse]

101. Amazing, isn't it?

Let me repeat that slowly for the hard of understanding on this thread.



Obama. Is. Not. Accused. Of. Wrongdoing. In. Connection. With. The. Case.

[Moochy]

133. The power of Prophecy!

Ranting, in a fevered bout of lockjaw, Ozark Dem has predicted the downfall of Obama by one of several scandals. The date of Obama's imminent destruction is uncertain. Try again later.

[Yael]

23. Her pantsuits don't bother me in the least

Now her lies and mismanaged campaign, on the other hand. Those things bother me lots.

:hi:

[azmouse]

26. I'm sure it was a very nice bookbag.

[barb162]

61. Sad to say, that's probably the case.

[shadowknows69]

11. Your desperation is just getting sadder and sadder

[OzarkDem]

40. Pardon me for objecting to corrupt politicians

who are bought and paid for by criminals.

[ima_sinnic]

119. speaking of corrupt politicians and criminals ... what's up with Mark Penn

buying off members of Congress to do business with a fascist death-squad president of Colombia? eh?

better make sure your own house in order before you go stumbling around in Obama's desperately trying to dig up dirt.

[barb162]

66. What desperation? There's no desperation there.

A story about a federal trial where Obama is on a witness list ....

[rox63]

76. No he is not

Stop spreading baseless lies. Obama IS NOT on the witness list for the trial.

[bunnies]

14. When you stop posting baseless lies...

Maybe I'll take you seriously. Until then, keep pissing in the wind. Once again... this has NOTHING to do with Obama.

[Yael]

25. Thanks OzarkDem. We haven't had a Rezko thread in AGES!

:rofl:

[goletian]

27. hillary supporters move further to the right everyday.

its pretty sad to watch. hrc supporters = hillary republican conservative supporters

[anonymous171]

30. Well, she is the GOP

Goddess Of Peace :rofl:

[Moochy]

135. The OP has always been a right wing talking point

spouting jerk.

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

35. Whatver happened to Clinton mega-donor Norman Hsu?

Just curious.

[MADem]

43. The connection this past week was in Tuesday's testimony

I do agree with this take on the situation: http://article.nationalreview.com/?q=MTllMGI1MWJiODc1MzZkODBmNzhkMmQ2MzkyOWM2N2U=


Tuesday: Levine testified about a scheme to split a $500,000 kickback with Rezko. Levine arranged for Rezko’s $250,000 to be paid to one of Rezko’s associates, a businessman named Joseph Aramanda. Prosecutors say Aramanda used the money at Rezko’s command. Just days after the money was deposited into Aramanda’s bank account, Aramanda wrote a $10,000 check to Barack Obama’s 2004 Senate campaign. Obama, who has denied any knowledge of the scheme, donated these and other Rezko-related funds to charity....Since Obama wasn’t involved in the serious wrongdoings for which Rezko is on trial, his name will continue to play only a minimal role in the proceedings. But he might suffer collateral damage if the trial continues to expose the grimy underpinnings of the corrupt political structure from which he came.

Obama has spoken often about the need to clean up Washington. But he hails from one of the country’s dirtiest governments, where at times he either endorsed for high office or did business with some of its dirtiest players. To the extent that this trial reminds people of that fact, every news story it generates will be bad news for Obama.

[OzarkDem]

47. Oh my, Obama's probably going to get called on that one

This is the political environment Obama has made his career in. I don't think anyone schooled in crooked politics ever learns to operate honestly.

[MADem]

71. I posted this article upthread--it's pretty stark.

http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2008/04/04/opinion/main3994002.shtml

[Tellurian]

98. Yes, here are (imo) the most salient graphs in the story:

"This corruption, should it become an issue in the campaign, could cause problems for Obama when people start to wonder how he could have made it through “the combine” without getting involved in the overlapping networks of patronage and influence. Peraica, for one, argues that he didn’t."

“Senator Barack Obama is an integral part and a product of this corrupt system,” Peraica says. “Senator Obama has endorsed Todd Stroger for Cook County board president, Mayor Daley for mayor of Chicago, Dorothy Tillman for re-election as an alderman, and other epitomes of bad government throughout his career in order to promote himself politically, at the expense of, I would argue, principles and morals and good government.”

[OzarkDem]

113. Rezko Friend's Marathon Drug Parties

Yikes, this really is heating up

April 5, 2008

BY MIKE ROBINSON The Associated Press

Political fundraiser Antoin "Tony" Rezko's attorney produced a fresh batch of bills from a suburban rendezvous for marathon drug parties Friday, suggesting they show the memory of the government's star witness has been wrecked by decades of snorting powerful narcotics.

In his second day of cross-examination, attorney Stuart P. Levine also confirmed he agreed to wear a hidden recording device when talking with two former Chicago aldermen to help gather evidence in a federal investigation of a real estate deal.

Levine now is in his ninth day as the government's star witness against Rezko, the 52-year-old real estate developer and political fundraiser for Gov. Rod Blagojevich and Sen. Barack Obama.



http://www.southtownstar.com/news/879137,040508fundraiser.article

These guys don't belong in the Democratic Party

[Moochy]

136. "yikes this is really heating up"

Obnoxious, Disingenuous, Lying.
It flows from the top down to the dregs of her supporters here at DU.

[UALRBSofL]

65. MADem I will defenitely keep this post on my hard drive

It's worth saving for future reference. I am seeing a pattern as the weeks go by about Obama's involvement with Rezko. Thanks for posting.

[rox63]

78. You're using National Review as your source?

That says a lot. :puke:

[GarbagemanLB]

79. It's all the Hillbots have. They have to use the Weekly Standard, National Review, and Newsmax. Pret

ty sad.

[MADem]

96. Keep telling yourself that.

Keep ignoring the facts. It won't make them go away, but it might make you feel better.

[GarbagemanLB]

112. There is a reason only right-wing rags are harping on Rezko...because NOTHING IS THERE.

[MADem]

92. Oh, you think they make up the accounts of the testimony, do you?

How pathetic.

And your team is hardly one to quibble about sources, now, are you, considering the crap I've seen flung hereabouts.

And let's not forget who the prosecutor is in that endeavor, shall we?

[anonymous171]

46. You just can't believe that Obama rose to this level on his own, can you?

[OzarkDem]

48. In Chicago? No.

Short answer.

[anonymous171]

52. Meanwhile, people from Washington send 4,000 troops to die

so they can look "tough on terror." There's Washington Politics for you.

[OzarkDem]

55. Talk to Bush and the GOP about that

[anonymous171]

58. I can only do that once all the GOP's enablers are out of the Dem. Party.

[ProSense]

54. Another Clinton fundraiser has a suspect past (quick post something about Rezko)

Another Clinton fundraiser has a suspect past

By Greg Gordon and Will Connors | McClatchy Newspapers

Posted on Thursday, April 3, 2008

HOUSTON — A Texas oilman who's accused of defrauding the Nigerian government by illegally pumping and exporting 10 million barrels of oil is a major fundraiser for Hillary Clinton's presidential campaign.

Kase Lawal of Houston is at least the fourth person accused or convicted of criminal wrongdoing to help finance Clinton's political ambitions since 2000 and the second in her quest for the White House. The list also includes Chinese and Pakistani fugitives and a former Miami lawyer who was convicted of defrauding Cuba.

There's no indication that Clinton's campaign was aware of Lawal's legal problems when it accepted his help in raising more than $100,000, but a McClatchy investigation in the U.S. and Nigeria suggests that her campaign did little to scrutinize the background of one of its top fundraisers.

<...>

However, a simple Google search by McClatchy produced reports of serious allegations about some of Lawal's business dealings in Nigeria and South Africa.

Clinton's campaign lists Lawal among about 250 "Hillraisers" who pledged to collect at least $100,000 in donations. Clinton attended a fundraising luncheon at Lawal's home in Houston last Aug. 11 that generated more than $100,000, and she spoke to about 250 guests gathered around Lawal's indoor swimming pool, including two former Houston mayors and Shell Oil President John Hofmeister.

link

[stillcool]

82. Oh dear. Funny how often Rezko....

gets recycled...in spite of the plethora of articles that claim there is no there there. It seems Senator Obama is guilty of being a State Senator in Illinois.

[madrchsod]

97. she`s not from chicago so it`s ok!

[Tarheel_Dem]

156. WOW! Prosense...I see you got no response from the o.p. or the

others in this thread who are pushing the Rezko thingie. But I'm gonna save this one. OUCH! I guess there's enough "guilt by association" to go around.

Hey Ozark! Come back and defend this.

[Tarheel_Dem]

158. I wish I could recommend your post. It really deserves its own thread...nt

[Duder]

57. Ah yes, Rezko again...

The sky will open, the super delegates will all come floating down, and celestial choirs will be singing for “Hillary”.

[InsultComicDog]

85. Amazing

But it's the only shot Hillary has left: to come up with a way to assassinate Obama's character and convince superdelegates to overturn the will of the people as stated by their votes.

A disregard for democracy which would almost certainly cost her the general election in November, should she manage to pull it off.

[mckeown1128]

62. I think you have the wrong website...

go back and post this in the "DUmp" forum on that "other" website that you like to post at... you guys like anti-democratic trash over there.

[BlooInBloo]

73. No he doesn't. This really is how DUers are.

[barb162]

75. This is the right site: "Rezko Controversy: Headache For Obama"

Rezko Controversy: Headache For Obama

CHICAGO, April 4, 2008
snip

This corruption, should it become an issue in the campaign, could cause problems for Obama when people start to wonder how he could have made it through “the combine” without getting involved in the overlapping networks of patronage and influence. Peraica, for one, argues that he didn’t.

“Senator Barack Obama is an integral part and a product of this corrupt system,” Peraica says. “Senator Obama has endorsed Todd Stroger for Cook County board president, Mayor Daley for mayor of Chicago, Dorothy Tillman for re-election as an alderman, and other epitomes of bad government throughout his career in order to promote himself politically, at the expense of, I would argue, principles and morals and good government.”

Obama’s relationship with Allison Davis -- the alleged go-between in Rezko’s scheme to shake down Tom Rosenberg -- could pose another problem for him. Obama worked for Davis at the law firm of Davis Miner Barnhill. Later, when Obama sat on the board of a charity called the Woods Fund, he voted to invest $1 million in a partnership operated by Davis, according to the Chicago Sun-Times.
snip
http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2008/04/04/opinion/main3994002.shtml

[rox63]

80. And CBS News is getting that story from National Review Online

Which is a right-wing shithole. Go to the link and see it for yourself. Anyone who uses NRO as a source of info about Democrats must have rocks in their heads. :crazy:

[GarbagemanLB]

81. THAT'S FROM THE NATIONAL REVIEW. More Repuke trash. Disgusting. Are you really a Democrat?

[Tarheel_Dem]

157. Also from the article:

"Cook County Commissioner Tony Peraica, a Republican who is running for Cook County state’s attorney, calls an indictment of Governor Blagojevich “inevitable.”

And NRO as a source? Nuff said..... :eyes:

[FrenchieCat]

72. You are looking mighty obvious......

TOO BAD FOR YOU THAT THERE IS SO MUCH NEW DIRT COMING OUT ON CLINTON!
IF I WERE YOU, I'D BE PREPARING FOR A DEFENSE ON THESE ITEMS:
1. Penn & Columbia & Trade Deals & Pennsylvania/West Virginia unions
2. Charitable contributions to Clinton Foundation
3. Burkle link to partnership income of $15,000,000
4. Dubai port Deal, behind the scenes Bill Clinton Dealings
5. Speaking fees of $52,000,000 and possible money laundering/deals inflating speaker fees
6. Clinton library list of donors
7. Unvetted stories told by Hillary on the Campaign trail

[Cooley Hurd]

83. I heard Rezko was late for his last court appearance...

...pinned down by sniper fire!:D

Then he threw his book bag at the judge.:D:D

[azmouse]

84. I hope he had $100 for a hospital fee or he'd be in even deeper trouble.

People have died because of this. I heard Hillary say this, so it must be true. ;)

[OzarkDem]

114. I can't believe you're making fun of a dead woman

to attack Clinton. Unbelievable.

[Forkboy]

116. I can't believe you baught into Tellurian's post above from a RW site.

to attack a Democrat. Unbelievable.

"Ruh roh"

[madrchsod]

123. a completely fabricated story

next week he`s going to reveal the names of 4 senators involved in a savings and loan scandal! rezko and michelle and her dad`s deal with the "fountainhead mall" sale to westwood financial corp...but according to their site they never purchased any mall by that name....

opps the only one who is pushing this is one right wing nut job...


breaking news!! another hillary supporter using right wing nut jobs to smear obama!!!!

by the way the transcript of the trial are posted each day the trial is in session on the suntimes and chicago tribune website...funny no mention of obama for days...but some really interesting cross of the feds key witness..the guy was stoned out of his mind during the wire taps...

[indimuse]

90. yep!

His association with Tony Rezko's revelation is going to disillusion a lot of "new to politics" MSM is just beginning as well. I read somewhere the rw has an army of Rezko trial ammo collectors.....





K&R!

[madrchsod]

94. another bull shit subject line

nothing in the article to links obama directly to rezko`s trial or to mell...nice try but i live in this state and know the cast of characters...

[leftofcool]

100. Wait until "Gray's" name surfaces!

[intaglio]

121. Well Tellurian has again sourced information from a RW site

Strange how often RW info shows up with Tellurian but that has nothing to do with Tellurian's RW screen name. After all Tellurian is a word in the dictionary like ubermensch and purity.

[Forkboy]

122. American Thinker, Mary Matalin, WorldNetDaily, Cliff Kincaid, now this one.

And we're supposed to take Tellurian seriously on anything regarding a Democrat? :rofl:

[madrchsod]

125. tellurian`s posts are becoming surreal......

[Forkboy]

127. Endless blatant RW garbage.

I wonder why they need to troll RW sites for news on Obama?

[madrchsod]

124. a completely fabricated story

not one shred of truth in this guys story...

[Moochy]

138. Funny that

Hillary is 44.org is even being called out by Donna Brazile.

Tellurian is associated with that vicious, lying, right wing, racist, banner-ad scamming site.

[Political Heretic]

126. I know its a tragic disappointment for you, but no one gives a shit about this. :)

Not the public, not the media, no one. There's nothing there. No compelling story that sticks to Obama - the biggest pile of nothing we've seen in a while.

But hey, but all means keep hyping it - at this point I enjoy it for its comedic value. :)

[TTUBatfan2008]

132. Ozark...

can you defend Hillary's claim that she spoke out against the war before Obama? Because I've got video evidence of both that suggests the exact opposite.

[Moochy]

139. Count the abandoned subthreads

Where the OP is called out on every last pile of bullshit.

[Forkboy]

140. Same thing in another thread where he lied. Liars tend to be cowards as well.

[Moochy]

144. Maybe OzarkDem is sleep deprived

:shrug:

[tabasco]

141. The dying gasp of the Clinton campaign.

[zulchzulu]

142. Last I checked, Rod Blagojevich isn't running for President

This case is about Rezko and Rod Blagojevich. Obama is not linked to the case investigation and has done no wrongdoing... but since Obama is not part of the case, why don't you try to link him to shoplifters at the Neiman Marcus on Michigan Avenue... what the hell...

:crazy:

[kwenu]

143. Yeah. Still no mention of Obama at all in that trial. You must be so disappointed.

[Hawkeye-X]

147. Time to give it cryingshame's patented Moar Rezko lolcat pic.

[Nailzberg]

148. Where does it say Dick Mell and Obama are pals?

[Hepburn]

149. Desperate much?

:rofl:

[AmericanUnity]

154. SHALL WE LIST THE LOOOOOOOOOOOONG LIST OF CLINTON BACKERS IN PRISON?