Chicago Tribune: "Barack Obama gives the Tony Rezko story the life it has"

[bidenista]

Barack Obama gives the Tony Rezko story the life it has

Eric Zorn | Change of Subject
January 31, 2008

A big question I have about the Rezko rumpus is this:

Why in the world are there still questions?

It was 15 months ago that the Tribune broke the story about the unusual but evidently quite legal real estate deal between U.S. Sen. Barack Obama and controversial businessman Tony Rezko. The deal, involving the purchase of adjoining properties in Hyde Park, began in mid-2005. Rezko was indicted in October of that year on federal charges that he was part of a state-government kickback scheme.

Obama expressed contrition and regret in the early going: Doing the deal with the radioactive Rezko was "stupid" and "boneheaded," he told the Tribune editorial board in a wide-ranging interview in December 2006. Rezko, a generous contributor to Obama's campaigns, "no doubt believed that by buying the piece of property next to me that he would, if not be doing me a favor, it would help strengthen our relationship," Obama said. But there was no apparent payback, no scam, no skim. And no more to the story.

Pesky reporters kept digging around, as well they should have given that Obama announced in February 2007 that he was running for president and waving the banner of political reform. Local news organizations began exploring all the intricacies of Obama's long-term relationship with the shady moneyman and putting to the test Obama's early claim, " never asked me for anything. I've never done any favors for him."

More: http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/chi-zorn_31jan31,1,1308381.column

[styersc]

1. Obama should not have to apologize for his ties to Rezko ever ...

again. Poor judgement is common in very young, immature people. He will certainly learn from this mistake and go on to gain maturity and wisdom. Just not as the President of the United States. Maybe as the President of the Senate, but not the President of the United States.

[blm]

2. So THIS has life and BCCI report was KILLED for Jackson Stephens and Poppy Bush

completely leading to emergence of Bush2, 9-11, this Iraq war and future war with Iran, and we are supposed to be exercised about a local Chicago player like Rezko?

Rezko has consequences for this nation? Can you tell us what they are and please compare their import to the protection of BCCI thugs throughout the 90s.

[styersc]

5. Judgement, judgement, judgement...

[Blackhatjack]

3. It is a problem Obama will have to deal with throughout his quest for the White House....

... and so far his strategy for dealing with it has not only been ineffective, but it has now created additional problems --the greatest of which is whether Obama's reputation for truthtelling is now open to question.

Remember in politics the appearance of wrongdoing or flaws in character is damaging. Sometimes moreso than if the allegations were simply true.

[sunonmars]

4. The more they dig the worse its going to get

If they so much as tie Obama to Rezko's "friend" and "moneyman" Nadhmi Auchi, Obama is fucked.

Rezko's business partner Auchi whos been giving Rezko millions and was involved with Saddam, Gaddafi, oil deals, pharmaceutical scams and iraqi deals.

I'd be shit worried about that. If it is proved as alleged that the money Rezko had is really Auchi's, Obama is in a bad position because that would mean he would have been compromised by an iraqi who peddles political influence.

I hope for his sakes it is not.

[reality based]

6. Any links?

[maddezmom]

8. no link has been made, but here is a bit about Nadhmi Auchi

Rezko was arrested Monday after FBI agents learned Rezko had secretly received more than $3.5 million in a wire transfer from Beirut, Lebanon, a violation of his bail terms, according to prosecutors who said Rezko may have been preparing to flee the country prior to the trial.

The money to Rezko came from an Iraqi businessman implicated in the oil-for-food scandal, Nadhmi Auchi, the chairman of General Mediterranean Holding.

According to an FBI affidavit filed in the case, Rezko sought to get a visa for Auchi to visit the United States by contacting "certain Illinois government officials."

A spokesman for Sen. Obama, Bill Burton, told ABCNews.com that Obama had not taken any action on behalf of Auchi.

http://www.abcnews.go.com/Blotter/story?id=4211771&page=1

[sunonmars]

11. It has also been stated in court filings that Auchi is Rezko's real estate partner

Oh dear

[sunonmars]

9. here you go - Guardian and ABC links here

Great company to keep

http://www.abcnews.go.com/Blotter/story?id=4211771&page=1

Rezko was arrested Monday after FBI agents learned Rezko had secretly received more than $3.5 million in a wire transfer from Beirut, Lebanon, a violation of his bail terms, according to prosecutors who said Rezko may have been preparing to flee the country prior to the trial.

The money to Rezko came from an Iraqi businessman implicated in the oil-for-food scandal, Nadhmi Auchi, the chairman of General Mediterranean Holding.

According to an FBI affidavit filed in the case, Rezko sought to get a visa for Auchi to visit the United States by contacting "certain Illinois government officials."

http://www.guardian.co.uk/Iraq/Story/0,2763,1086487,00.html

Allow me to introduce you to Nadhmi Auchi. He was charged in the 1950s with being an accomplice of Saddam Hussein, when the future tyrant was acquiring his taste for blood. He was investigated in the 1980s for his part in alleged bribes to the fabulously corrupt leaders of post-war Italy. In the 1990s, the Belgium Ambassador to Luxembourg claimed that Auchi's bank held money Saddam and Colonel Gadaffi had stolen from their luckless peoples. In 2002, officers from the Serious Fraud Squad raided the offices of one of Auchi's drug companies as part of an investigation of what is alleged to be the biggest swindle ever of the NHS. With allegations, albeit unproven, like these hanging over him, wouldn't you think that British MPs would have the sense to stay away?

[beachmom]

10. No, it hasn't gotten worse at all for Obama. Just for Rezko who is in trouble.

Obama continues to come out clean, much to the disappointment of bored journalists and rival campaigns.

[beachmom]

7. Ch Tribune to Obama: Continue to prove to us EVERY DAY you did nothing wrong!

This actually reminds me of Swiftboater logic. The media and oppo researchers have found NOTHING, and yet Obama has something to hide? Must he provide all his diaries, journals, bank records, 8 track tapes, and for the hell of it just in case sign his 180, too?

Frankly, there is a bit of "pay attention to us, Dear Obama! We're being neglected, Dear Obama!" to this column.

Yet this is the most important part of the op-ed:

Local news organizations began exploring all the intricacies of Obama's long-term relationship with the shady moneyman and putting to the test Obama's early claim, "(Rezko) never asked me for anything. I've never done any favors for him."

Nothing significant has surfaced to contradict the essence of that claim or prove Obama acted unethically. But journalists are still looking because they're not satisfied that they have the full story.

And that's Obama's fault.

What bizarre logic!!!! Obama did nothing wrong, and that is so BORING!! Why can't Obama provide us with something more INTERESTING? Ugh, maybe Obama ought to have the journalists at the Chicago Tribune over for dinner, and they won't feel so neglected.

[zbdent]

12. no matter what it is that Dems do, Repukes have probably done far worse

and are getting nary a glance from the media ...

Tell people ... whatever you hear Repukes accusing Dems of ... the Repukes have done ... and they'll justify their actions for it ...

[bidenista]

13. true enough. nt