On First Day of Trial, Obama Grilled About Rezko

(CBS)
SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS -- Barack Obama answered a number of questions from reporters today, only one of which actually dealt with the Tuesday contests.
Unresolved questions about Obama’s relationship with Tony Rezko and a question about a campaign adviser's meeting with the Canadian consulate were the focus of Obama's press conference here.
Local Chicago reporters grilled Obama on his relationship with Rezko, whose trial begins in Chicago today, and suggested that he was not transparent about their business dealings when the story first broke. Obama disputed this notion, arguing that he held a press conference in Chicago to discuss the issue. He called Rezko a friend and a supporter, but argued that charges against Rezko are unrelated to him.
“What is true is that I entered into a real estate transaction with him, I bought a strip of land at an adjacent property that he had purchased and I said that that was a mistake because at that point there was already a cloud over Tony Rezko’s head,” Obama explained.
“And I’ve been very open that I called it a boneheaded move. On the other hand there have been no allegations that I did anything wrong, there have been no allegations that I betrayed the public trust.”
Obama was also questioned on whether one of his economic advisers, Austan Goolsbee, met privately with the Canadian consulate in Chicago and assured them that if Obama were president, he would not withdraw from NAFTA. Although Obama and his campaign have repeatedly said that a formal meeting never occurred, he admitted to a casual meeting between Goolsbee and the consulate.
“First of all when I gave you that information, that was the information that I had at the time,” Obama said referring to his denial of the story just days before.
“It turned out that the Canadian consulate in Chicago contacted one of my advisers, Austen Goldsbee, on their own initiative, invited him down to meet with them. He went down there as a courtesy and at some point they started talking about trade and NAFTA.”
Obama reiterated his support of NAFTA but said that that he would modify portions of the agreement. He said that Goldsbee explained this position to the Canadian consulate and made no promises. Obama accused Clinton of using the story for political means.
“I know that the Clinton campaign has been true to its word in employing a kitchen sink strategy, we've seen what three, four things a day - this is one for them, it doesn't, I think, change the facts.”
The fact that Obama is the first Democrat you don''t seem obligated to malign is part of his appeal. If you can''t refrain, then you need to start asking questions about McCain''s "collusion" with his captors and other rightwing nonsense used against McCain in the primaries.
Barack vs Hillary Analysis
The Home Stretch-
http://newsusa.myfeedportal.com/viewarticle.php?articleid=53
Rezko has raised funds for many politicians, both Democrats and Republicans. These include prominent Democrats [6], such as Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich,[7] Lt. Gov. Pat Quinn, Attorney General Lisa Madigan, U.S. Senator and Presidential Candidate Barack Obama, former President Bill Clinton, Comptroller Dan Hynes, former Cook County Board President John Stroger, and Cook County Board President Todd Stroger.[citation needed] Rezko has also raised money for former Illinois Governor Jim Edgar, a Republican, and he co-chaired a megamillion-dollar fund-raiser for President George W. Bush in 2003.[
How does Rezko affect the quality of my kid''s public schooleducation?
How does Rezko affect the value of the dollar?What does Rezko have to do with ending the occupation of the Middle East?How does it affect gas and food prices that I pay?
In short, how does this "Rezko" thing affect ME and MY FAMILY in such a relevent way that I should change my preference from the status quo politics (Clinton and McCain) to wanting something different than we''ve already had for the past 8 years?
If it doesn''t affect these reasons why I would vote for someone, then frankly, as an independent voter, I really don''t see why this would make anyone like myself think any more favorably of Sen. Clinton or her counterparts in the conservative movement.
If anything, if it ISN''T relevent out here in the real world, then it makes me think that the Clinton campaign has nothing to offer but beating up on a competitor over nonsense. If THAT''S the case, then I have no interest in voting for her. She''s wasting my time with piffle rather than actual, relevent issues.if some Hillary backers would care to respond, I''d be more than happy to listen.
We need your competence in the White House!
Seven years of incompetent bufoonery is enough!
Judge setting date, testimony to include ex-president, senator
Posted: February 19, 2008
11:27 pm Eastern
) 2008 WorldNetDaily
While Hillary Clinton battles Barack Obama on the campaign trail, a judge in Los Angeles is quietly preparing to set a trial date in a $17 million fraud suit that aims to expose an alleged culture of widespread corruption by the Clintons.
At the conclusion of a hearing tomorrow morning before California Superior Court Judge Aurelio N. Munoz, lawyers for Hollywood mogul Peter F. Paul will begin seeking sworn testimony from all three Clintons %u2013 Bill, Hillary and Chelsea %u2013 along with top Democratic Party leaders and A-list celebrities, including Barbra Streisand, John Travolta, Brad Pitt and Cher.
Paul''s team hopes for a trial in October. The Clintons'' longtime lawyer David Kendall, who will attend the hearing, has declined comment on the suit.
The Clintons have tried to dismiss the case, but the California Supreme Court, in 2004, upheld a lower-court decision to deny the motion.
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Posted by girlinvt at 01:10 AM : Mar 04, 2008
Who I support have nothing to do with my actions, so take your collective punishment to Gaza, or to Warsaw, even. Besides, she is many Israeli and American jew''s great hope in this campaign, racism? No, that''s just the facts you know, like Barack HUSSEIN Obama, as some jews try to link him to Saddam Hussein, or something else of a bad connotation. And another thing, sticks and stones...okay?
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Posted by l00ker at 12:00 PM : Mar 04, 2008
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by elsylee28
March 4, 2008 3:32 PM PST
- BTW guys I found some brilliant/awesome analysis on Obama%u2019s Fundraising and other current happenings on the campaign. I haven%u2019t seen anything like this mentioned anywhere in the MSM.
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Reply to this comment
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See all 25 CommentsCheck out the article %u201CFollow the Money%u201D on http://savagepolitics.com/?p=165, %u201CBush%u2019s Twin and the G.O.P.%u201D http://savagepolitics.com/?p=172 and %u201CBarack Obama%u2019s Apotasy%u201D http://savagepolitics.com/?p=101
Check their %u201CPolitical Analysis%u201D and "Humor" sections for other striking perspectives and comedic analysis on both parties.