Q: Why is Rezko on trial?I guess they just don't make presidential scandals like they used to.
A: Prosecutors allege he tried to shake down companies seeking contracts from Illinois regulatory boards for campaign contributions and payoffs. They say he used his influence with Gov. Rod Blagojevich to get people appointed to the boards and then threatened to have them block contracts unless the companies paid millions of dollars in kickbacks.
Q: What does that have to do with Obama?
A: Nothing. No one has alleged that Obama has anything to do with the charges against Rezko, nor has Obama been charged with any wrongdoing. Obama has donated to charity the money that Rezko donated to his campaigns, as well as money from other Rezko friends and partners, a total of $150,000. ***
Q: Does Clinton accuse Obama of any specific misconduct?
A: No. Her campaign suggests there must be something improper in Rezko's involvement but doesn't say what. "If the relationship was aboveboard, why won't Sen. Obama address basic inquiries about it? What is it that he is hiding?" said a spokesman.
Q: Has Obama refused to answer "basic inquiries"?
A: No, but he hasn't been completely open either. For instance, he did not disclose until last month that Rezko actually toured the home with him before the purchase. He also has released the e-mail from the home's seller to only one news organization.
Obama hasn't provided details of the fundraisers Rezko held for him, nor has he released documents related to the property, such as the appraisal of the strip of land he bought from Rezko.
Monday, March 10, 2008
Presidential Scandal Controversy Trivia
Here is the nut of the AP's nutshell version of the relationship of Tony Rezko and Barack Obama:
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2 comments:
Two questions...
With the recent stuff about Obama and the health facilities board is that going to be enough guilt by association to be an issue?
Do you think that America will just see (via ads) the ties between Tony and Obama and think Chicago politics, Illinois politics and go ugh?
Again we are talking appearance, not reality per-se.
Oneman,
I think that either of the two issues you raise might become a problem -- in tandem they will become a problem.
As you note, it may just be an appearance problem, but appearance problems undermine Obama's "new kind of politics" brand.
The best advice for Sen. Obama is that of noted political philosopher, Dept. Barney Fife -- "You've gotta nip it in the bud. Nip it!"
-- SCAM
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