The thing about the Clinton pic with Rezko, it shows he is not Obama's problem alone. . .

[wndycty]

. . .folks Tony Rezko is a big time Democratic contributor who has given literally thousands of $$$ to Democrats across Illinois and throughout the US. There is no denying that Obama has a stronger connection to him than the Clintons do, however it should be pointed out that many politicians (especially the Clintons) have connections with donors/supporters who are unsavory (can you say Jim McDougal?).

The longer Hillary and her supporters want to bring up Rezko the better it might turn out for Obama because it give her opponents and the media an opportunity to look into her connections and relationships with donors/supporters. One does not have to be a rocket scientist to know that the longer a person (or persons) hold various public offices and seek donations the greater the chance that they have folks like Rezko in their background.

So I say to the Clintons keep playing the Rezko card, play it hard but remember it might cause people to take a look at you and your relationships as well.

[floridablue]

1. This photo looks fake to me.

[wndycty]

2. Well obviously that can be easily vetted. I'm sure there are tons of ways to vet whether or not. .

. . .Rezko met the Clintons, fundraising records, guest lists, White House logs, etc.

Rezko is a big time Democratic donor, the likelyhood that the picture is authentic is very good. But if you want to play the conspiracy theory game go right ahead a feel foolish if its proven to be true.

[bluedawg12]

33. Looks photoshopped to me too.

The pics proves nothing- these photo-ops are common in politics.

[Alexander]

34. When the Clinton campaign admits it's real, will you still whine about it being fake?

[floridablue]

37. Comment does not make it an automatic whine just because

someone disagrees does it?

[CookCountyResident]

36. It's well known in Chicago circles that

that picture has been hanging on Rezko's office wall for years.

[mondo joe]

3. Is having a photo taken with someone the same as a personal relationship

extending almost 2 decades?

[Zueda]

5. A picture like that of Bush and Abramoff was enough to set this board ablaze.

[mondo joe]

9. If it was ablaze because of only a photo it would be idiotic. It took more than that.

[wndycty]

6. No not at all but what it does demonstrate is. . .

. . .elected officials have relationships with a ton of folks and some of those folks have unsavory backgrounds. You don't think after all those years in the Governor's Mansion, the White House and the Senate that the Clinton's have a few Rezko's in their backgrounds

[mondo joe]

11. Sure - and that shouldn't surprise anyone.

I don't know that it's the same as having a nearly 2 decade relationship.

[wndycty]

16. Like I say it will be interesting to examine some Hillary's connections. . .

. . .its fair game now.

[mondo joe]

17. It was always fair game. But I don't see how getting a photo taken with a donor

in and of itself is a "connection" or is damning.

[wndycty]

19. Its not but it points out that the very tactics the Clinton's use against Obama can be used . . .

. . .against them. This should be fun to watch.

[mondo joe]

21. I think it will be fun to watch. But possibly for different reasons.

[wndycty]

22. It will show Hillary's hypocrisy. . .

. . .:kick:

[mondo joe]

23. I think...

it actually shows the amateurish nature of the Obama campaign.

"Oh yeah? Well you had a picture with the guy I've had a 17 year relationship with" is not a winning campaign, IMO.

But by all means - let's see where it gets Obama's vote margin. :-)

[magatte]

30. stop repeating that 17 year realtionship meme. It is a LIE

8 things you need to know about Obama and Rezko.

http://www.suntimes.com/news/watchdogs/757340,CST-NWS-watchdog24.article

[rodeodance]

26. well, we know the Obama fans have a new toy today and they will play with it.

[rox63]

8. Isn't Hillary originally from the Chicago area?

Maybe her family knows the Rezko family, especially since they were both prominent families.

[Zueda]

4. Exactly....

The Clintons may have just played a role in uncovering a "Democratic Abramoff". They will destroy the Democratic party.

[wndycty]

10. To be fair the Clinton's did not uncover this, the Chicago press did. . .

. . .however for the Clinton's to focus on it may backfire because it gives her opponents and the media the greenlight to put previous relationships into play.

[FrenchieCat]

12. Yeah......What about

This guy? How come that was ok? :shrug:

[wndycty]

14. But, but, but. . .

LOL

[Zueda]

15. That was my point...

By her injecting him into the debate the media will scrutinize Rezko and his relationships with other Dems. Thus the Clintons played a role.

[JohnnyLib2]

7. When will we learn? All the wheeler dealers intermingle!

Always have, always will. It's beside the point in this context, IMO.

[flpoljunkie]

13. A picture postcard of why we need public financing of campaigns now!

Senator Feingold introduced such a bill, S. 2412, on December 5, 2007--The Presidential Funding Act of 2007. It was referred to the finance committee where it sits--unacted upon.

[Yurovsky]

25. Agree 100% ...

If you can end the need of politicians to endlessly raise funds, you eliminate a significant source for potential corruption, as well as free up said public officials to ACTUALLY DO THEIR JOBS!!! (like moving this bill out of committee!).

One thing that would be absolutely critical if Federal funding replaced the current system would be to address media ownership/influence by the right wing. Between talk radio, most major news, and most major newspapers, Progressives would find themselves at a real disadvantage in terms of "share of voice". Reinstating the Fairness Doctrine would help, and perhaps broadcasters could be encouraged to follow the example of NPR in terms of balancing their programming.

just my $0.02

[flpoljunkie]

28. And, a well thought out $.02 it is! I agree totally about reinstating the Fairness Doctrine.

[FunkyLeprechaun]

18. This is up there with

The pictures of Donnie McClurkin with Clinton at a fundraiser.

I don't know why people are slamming Obama when the Clintons are related to these people as well!

[Maribelle]

20. I would hope you don't believe your own words. Obama's problem with Rezko is deep and current.

Even his home-town paper is troubled over Obama's attempted dismissal of the importance in his connection with Rezko.

Time for Obama to come clean

To dismiss Rezko as 'somebody who I knew' just isn't going to cut it

Barack Obama just keeps bobbling the Tony Rezko hot potato, and if he doesn't get a handle on it soon, his campaign for the presidency is going to be badly burned.

On Wednesday, the Illinois senator fumbled again as he continued to try to minimize his relationship with Rezko while making the rounds of the morning news shows.


...

The details of his indictment show just how far Rezko would allegedly go to take advantage of his ties to an Illinois governor. Imagine what he had in mind if his other buddy became president.


http://www.suntimes.com/news/brown/757286,CST-NWS-brown24.article

[DrFunkenstein]

24. Reminds Me of These Pictures With The Clintons

"We like your president very much. We would like to see him reelect (sic). I will give you 300,000 U.S. dollars. You can give it to the president and the Democrat Party." - Gen. Ji Shengde, then the head of Chinese military intelligence.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1996_United_States_campaign_finance_controversy



http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Norman_Hsu

[maddezmom]

27. He plays both sides...also a big donor to repubs

http://www.newsmeat.com/ceo_political_donations/Tony_Rezko.php

Daniel Mahru was Rezko's partner in Rezmar for 16 years until the two men had, according to Mahru, "a difference of opinion" in 2005. He says they developed more than $600 million in properties, not counting a billion-dollar deal for 62 acres in the South Loop that has been stalled for years. By Mahru's account, Rezko initially showed little interest in the trappings of power. "Back in the eighties, Tony had an opportunity to go to the White House with Muhammad Ali," Mahru says. (The occasion was a dinner during the December 1987 summit of Ronald Reagan and Mikhail Gorbachev, the Soviet leader; Ali had been invited as a guest.) "I commented to Tony, ‘Wow, that is something I would love to do, see history in the making!' He said, ‘Dan, that doesn't make me any money. I'm not interested.'

"That changed. I think everything went to his head. After the late nineties he was more interested in being around powerful people. He went to a Christmas party at the Bush White House." Rezko cochaired a major fundraiser for President Bush's campaign in 2003.

Rezko declined to comment about Mahru, likening their breakup to a divorce. "You would hear my story; you would hear his story. I wish him no harm."

more:http://www.chicagomag.com/Chicago-Magazine/November-2007/Mr-Inside-Out/index.php?cp=2&si=1

[joeybee12]

29. Come up with a house he helped them buy, come up with $200,000

he bundled for their first campaign, come up with them being friends in college, come up with him supporting them every step of the way INSTEAD of one photo.

Then try and make a case.

[magatte]

31. that again is a total lie...

http://www.suntimes.com/news/watchdogs/757340,CST-NWS-watchdog24.article

this recapitulates the nature and extent of the matter.

[Jed Dilligan]

32. Is Rezko worse than any other big businessman?

Every politician has dealt with the likes of him. There's a darker, more worrisome side to this "scandal." I am starting to believe that the Clintons are using his Semitic name and features to play into deep-seated fears of voters both black and white.

I also think it's even odds that, guilty or not, he will walk on the current beefs. That shit is too hard to tie to one man if he's wealthy and smart enough.

[elixir]

35. A photo does not mean the same as a 17 year relationship.