Obama woes continue at Rezko trial Update: Judgment?
posted at 7:52 pm on March 14, 2008 by Ed Morrissey
Send to a Friend |
printer-friendly
Barack Obama has already had a tough week, and it’s just about to get worse. With his campaign reeling from the videos of his pastor spewing race-baiting rhetoric, the Tony Rezko trial just produced a new nugget that makes Obama look more dishonest. For the second time, the amount of money Rezko raised for Obama has been significantly increased from Obama’s prior admissions:
Indicted Chicago businessman Antoin “Tony” Rezko was a more significant fundraiser for presidential candidate Barack Obama’s earlier political campaigns than previously known. Rezko raised as much as $250,000 for the first three offices Obama sought, the senator told the Tribune on Friday.
Obama also said for the first time that his private real estate transactions with Rezko involved repeated lapses of judgment. The mistake, Obama said, was not simply that Rezko was under grand jury investigation at the time of their 2005 and 2006 dealings. “The mistake was he had been a contributor and somebody involved in politics,” he said.
Obama said that when he questioned Rezko about news reports of his questionable political dealings, his friend assured him there was nothing wrong. “My instinct was to believe him,” he said.
Are we starting to see a pattern here? When Obama has an associate who proves to be an embarrassment, he says he simply didn’t know anything about their activities. I never heard those sermons. I never asked him about the rumors of his legal troubles.
Well, did he ever think to check it out? After all, the Chicago papers hadn’t exactly shown reticence in covering Rezko’s financial and legal troubles. Before going into business with Rezko, we’re expected to believe that the president of the Harvard Law Review was so naive that he didn’t read the papers or ask around about his business associate, especially when going in on a real estate deal with a man who was also a major contributor.
Let’s also take a look at that. When Obama’s connection to Rezko first came to light, he initially told reporters that Rezko didn’t raise any more than $50,000. Chicago reporters then dug up almost $150,000 in fundraising last summer, and Obama was forced to admit that he underestimated Rezko’s contributions. Now he’s telling us that it’s over $250,000. How many more revisions on this story can he make? Will the figure get closer to a million dollars by the time November gets here?
In both situations, the best Obama can ask us to believe is that he is a benighted idiot. He managed to attend a church with a race-baiting, America-hating pastor for twenty years without noticing it. During that time, he did business with a corrupt politico without ever noticing that, too, and he blithely went from election to election without being able to tell the difference between $50,000 and $250,000.
That’s the best case. And that is supposed to instill confidence in his ability to lead the nation?
These revelations reveal that the best for which we can hope about Barack Obama is that he’s an empty suit. And an empty suit won’t bring any kind of change to the Beltway — not for the better, anyway.
Update: Here’s Obama on why he’s the better candidate:
In a dangerous world, it’s judgment that matters.
And here’s Obama on his Rezko entanglement:
Obama also said for the first time that his private real estate transactions with Rezko involved repeated lapses of judgment.
I feel so much better now.
You must be logged in to post a comment.
Blowback
Note from Hot Air management: This section is for comments from Hot Air's community of registered readers. Please don't assume that Hot Air management agrees with or otherwise endorses any particular comment just because we let it stand. A reminder: Anyone who fails to comply with our terms of use may lose their posting privilege.
Trackbacks/Pings
Trackback URL
Comments
Sucks when all you’re running on is your judgment.
TheBigOldDog on March 14, 2008 at 7:56 PM
This is simply devastating. Assuming, of course, the media gets off its fat backside and actually takes a look at who this guy really is. Fool? Liar? Does it matter which?
Vizzini on March 14, 2008 at 7:58 PM
I don’t remember, I don’t recall
I got no memory of anything at all
I don’t remember, I don’t recall
I got no memory of anything
absolutely anything at all
I don’t remember
- Democrat
talkinglying pointsKini on March 14, 2008 at 7:58 PM
I doubt this man has any judgement.
upinak on March 14, 2008 at 7:58 PM
Wow - Obama seems to be disintigrating before my eyes. When sorrows come they come not single spies but in battalions…
Sleaze, lies, divisive politics, anti-American wife and mentor… This guy is looking like a dream opponent come November.
Pax americana on March 14, 2008 at 7:58 PM
So, the press is finally looking behind the facade of the Potemkin candidate. It’s about time. Pass the popcorn.
iurockhead on March 14, 2008 at 7:59 PM
Never evre beat against a clinton if your a democrat. They will make you bleed.
William Amos on March 14, 2008 at 8:00 PM
Pax americana on March 14, 2008 at 7:58 PM
Now if he can be part of a sex scandal…
upinak on March 14, 2008 at 8:00 PM
Next on Oprah former corrupt politicans and the women that love them
William Amos on March 14, 2008 at 8:05 PM
No wonder he never votes. He doesn’t know what the Hell is being voted on! Thank you, Illinois!
SouthernGent on March 14, 2008 at 8:06 PM
Have you seen the anger his wife displays publicly? I imagine in private she really cuts loose. I don’t think he would DARE mess around, she would kill him, or worse.
iurockhead on March 14, 2008 at 8:06 PM
Just because he associated with Rezko and had financial dealings with the man doesn’t mean that was the reason he funnelled public money to him. And if it was the reason he funnelled public money to Rezko then it isn’t a big deal because that’s how things are done in Chicago. And if it is a big deal then it is only a big deal because America is racist.
I think we can all agree on that provided we begin by bashing our heads into a wall.
Mormon Doc on March 14, 2008 at 8:06 PM
I don’t remember,I can’t recall.
Democrat talking(Lying)points.
Kini on March 14,2008 at 7:58PM.
Kini: Ya,ha ha,I remember,Rose Law Office,Hillary
was too busy making cookies!
During that legal event,Rush’s show did a parity
on Hillary’s testimoney,funny as h!LL!
canopfor on March 14, 2008 at 8:08 PM
iurockhead on March 14, 2008 at 8:06 PM
Come on… everyone can cheat. But wouldn’t it be funny to sit back and watch Mo-bama go off on old B.O. if it did happen? I think I might need pay per view for it!
upinak on March 14, 2008 at 8:10 PM
If I were a Democrat, I’d be irritated with the MSM for not bothering to dig into Obama’s life until the nomination was essentially his. As a Republican, though, I couldn’t be happier. Hopefully, McCain will be facing seriously damaged goods this fall.
TX Mom on March 14, 2008 at 8:12 PM
Obama’s mess with Rezko is going to be the difference
of Obama Manning UP,or the grace of ConHillary’s ability
to sweep it under the rug so to speak!
canopfor on March 14, 2008 at 8:14 PM
LOL Obaminator Judgement day
William Amos on March 14, 2008 at 8:14 PM
I don’t think he is going to disintegrate. His followers are so crazy, zombielike and deluded that they will just ignore this and keep blindly being led by this deception of a messiah. I bet like teflon, it won’t stick…
CCRWM on March 14, 2008 at 8:15 PM
Obama’s supporters are killing him by their defense - basically they agree with Wright completely…
TheBigOldDog on March 14, 2008 at 8:16 PM
Yeah, that’s what I concluded to Ed’s post:
Hillary does the same thing when she gets into trouble
Kini on March 14, 2008 at 8:17 PM
GAWD! They are flaming American hating racists! I hope AP is running tape!
TheBigOldDog on March 14, 2008 at 8:19 PM
Obama’s supporters are killing him by their defense - basically they agree with Wright completely…
TheBigOldDog on March 14, 2008 at 8:16 PM
bill O just had 2 women on that said just that lol
trailortrash on March 14, 2008 at 8:19 PM
“Repeated lapses of Judgement”!
So Obama’s repeated lapses are like Bill’s is is of Judgement!
canopfor on March 14, 2008 at 8:21 PM
Those 2 women…you can’t reason with them or their type. They will never let go. I figured that much out. I still haven’t figured out why they stay in this evil place called America.
SouthernGent on March 14, 2008 at 8:21 PM
That’s who I am talking about. I’ve heard those same things for the last two days on talk radio in Boston but I never thought anybody would be stupid enough to go on national TV and say them.
If this doesn’t sink Obama what will?
TheBigOldDog on March 14, 2008 at 8:21 PM
I think he has judgment; Bad judgment.
amerpundit on March 14, 2008 at 8:22 PM
Problem is, that’s his base. It shows his core message of unity is a complete lie.
Geraldo the moron trying to claim Obama didn’t hear Wright. Like these tapes are the first and only time he gave sermons like that….please!
TheBigOldDog on March 14, 2008 at 8:24 PM
I hope HA recorded that O’Reilly segment…
Vizzini on March 14, 2008 at 8:25 PM
ha bigdog, took me a minute to get my jaw off the floor, i had never seen these 2 lol
trailortrash on March 14, 2008 at 8:26 PM
When is freevillage going to appear to tell us that Obama is such an awful candidate that he’s beneath criticism?
Chuck Schick on March 14, 2008 at 8:28 PM
D@MMIT, will you people SHUT UP!
Let the empty suit get the nomination first!
You forgot: I never asked that woman I sleep with every night about her questionable attitude toward this country. Because I never heard that woman I live with make questionable statements about this country. (Thinking: well, it’s true. The statements weren’t questionable to me; I agreed wholeheartedly.)
Sheesh.
misterpeasea on March 14, 2008 at 8:29 PM
I heard at least 100 people say pretty much the same things the last two days. They’ve been calling into the Boston talk radio shows (Rush’s show too) defending Obama by arguing that everything Wrtight said is true.
TheBigOldDog on March 14, 2008 at 8:29 PM
DIRTY DIRTY DIRTY
Folks this is just the tip of the old iceberg. The fluff stuff like this comes out, likely with the help of H Clinton. Wait till the RNC finds, I’m sure it has a few nuggets already, more on this guy and drops it. MCcain is gonna sit back and play nice and relaxed and let Obama stand and face the music. Come late Sep Obama’s race cards will be played out….check and mate.
TroubledMonkey on March 14, 2008 at 8:30 PM
He/She is waiting on the email talking points. Kind of like those emails all White people get on how to keep on keeping black Americans down. Personally, I liked bulletin point #3 today.
/sarc
SouthernGent on March 14, 2008 at 8:30 PM
And the mask slips further………..
ThePrez on March 14, 2008 at 8:32 PM
I wonder if Obama will go the same way as Ron Paul. Basically, he’s too wet to be caught spewing out any radioactive opinions himself, but he associates with and attracts so much scum that it ends up pulling him down.
If his fanatics continue to defend even the most vile of opinions, the moderate majority will be turning away in droves come November.
Pax americana on March 14, 2008 at 8:33 PM
Will be interesting to see how HRC handles this. She’s already pissed black voters off. She may as well take it all the way, and hopefully the more mainstream black folks will run away from Obama.
SouthernGent on March 14, 2008 at 8:34 PM
I have to believe that’s what will happen. But now, what happens when the Super Delegates walk away from him at the convention and they hand the nomination to Hillary?
TheBigOldDog on March 14, 2008 at 8:38 PM
my guess its gonna involve fire and lots of local peoples stores.
trailortrash on March 14, 2008 at 8:39 PM
Hopefully, with all of these scandals, Obama will tank soon. Will we regret the Rush strategery that saved Hillary?
jgapinoy on March 14, 2008 at 8:40 PM
I think you are right about taking it all the way, what does she have to lose. He is getting the attention to his past that need to be there from the beginning. His slick talking is NOT going to get him out of these kinds of mistakes when it comes to the general. When pressed on issues he is going to fold, just like MCcain would if the charges were against him.
TroubledMonkey on March 14, 2008 at 8:41 PM
Obama is digging his own grave.
j0 on March 14, 2008 at 8:43 PM
I’m positively gleeful. Irrational exuberance.
HRC doesn’t have to do anything more than she has. This stuff is too good for the MSM to ignore now, it seems. It’s reached critical mass. And they have nothing else to do for weeks and weeks.
I just wish it could have waited til he got the nomination. But then it wouldn’t have done her any good. Which tells me she’s responsible for most of the oppo research. Wonder how long she’s been sitting on these bombshells.
I just hope (and change) that Orcah goes down with him.
misterpeasea on March 14, 2008 at 8:46 PM
The Rush startegy is why this even came out. If the race was over nobody would be digging.
Even if he tanks now, the only way Hillary can possibly be the nominee is if the Super Delegates hand it to her at the convention and when they do that all Hell is going to break loose.
TheBigOldDog on March 14, 2008 at 8:48 PM
No, this level of scrutiny was desperately needed, at a time when Obama looked as if he had the race wrapped up with an adoring media fawning over every move. At worst this has prolonged the Democratic contest and at best it means a riotously tight convention and a bitter and divided Democratic party.
Remember that most pundits were saying Hillary was much more beatable in the general than Obama a few weeks ago - she doesn’t gain anything from these revelations. It is a win-win situation for the GOP.
Pax americana on March 14, 2008 at 8:52 PM
if it all backfires and we get thumped by the dream ticket we can blame it on Allah :)
windansea on March 14, 2008 at 8:57 PM
Obama.
The time to get this all out in the open - and to repudiate and denounce and separate and throw under the bus etc. etc. - was BEFORE the primaries, and certainly well before he nearly had the nomination assured while in the process tearing his party into pieces.
I don’t care if he would have been an easier candidate to beat. McCain could have gotten hit by a bus. Candidates like Obama should not be allowed within a thousand miles of the presidency. And it’s better for the Republicans to beat the Democrats fair and square on the most important issues - though I acknowledge that the issues of Democratic incompetence, dishonesty, and interest group politics are all valid.
CK MacLeod on March 14, 2008 at 8:57 PM
Well…since we can’t use his real middle name, how about Barrak “Lapse” Obama.
29Victor on March 14, 2008 at 9:01 PM
Fox has hours of tapes with controversial statements that haven’t been played yet….H&C playing more stuff now.
TheBigOldDog on March 14, 2008 at 9:02 PM
Obama is doing a data dump, he just released his earmarks from 05 and 06
guess his advisors told him might as well blow it all out at once
windansea on March 14, 2008 at 9:06 PM
Hannity: Obama should be forced to resign from the Senate.
TheBigOldDog on March 14, 2008 at 9:09 PM
Smart move or simply the final death blow? time will tell…
TheBigOldDog on March 14, 2008 at 9:11 PM
It’s MUST SEE TV on Fox News tonight. Wow. First O’Reilly and his guests, and now Boortz v. Tanya v. Hannity. My-o-my.
Vizzini on March 14, 2008 at 9:11 PM
Hillary didn’t find these old Wright quotes; ABC & Fox News did.
jgapinoy on March 14, 2008 at 9:12 PM
That Tanya chick is the same one Pat Buchanan told to “SHUT UP”. She does just yap, yap, yap, yap, yap.
SouthernGent on March 14, 2008 at 9:14 PM
“I’m not a crook….”
Hog Wild on March 14, 2008 at 9:14 PM
Wright on H&C: Black liberation theology.
TheBigOldDog on March 14, 2008 at 9:15 PM
Recall, Illinois? I won’t hold my breath.
SouthernGent on March 14, 2008 at 9:15 PM
Barack “Hishame” Obama ;-)
SouthernGent on March 14, 2008 at 9:16 PM
Hannity has been on this trail and talking about Wright and his church for a very long time. He deserves a lot of credit.
TheBigOldDog on March 14, 2008 at 9:16 PM
Imagine if Rush hadn’t resurrected Hillary. Obama might tank because of Rezko, Wright, Michelle’s hatespeech & Michelle’s hospital mess. The Dems might’ve been w/o a candidate come convention time.
jgapinoy on March 14, 2008 at 9:18 PM
No. They would have simply given it to the person in second place. Hillary. Which is probably what they are going to wind up trying to do unless 1) he miraculously survives all this or 2) his supprts threaten to destroy the party forever if he is kept from being the nominee.
TheBigOldDog on March 14, 2008 at 9:20 PM
Algore’s warming up the private jet right now…
SouthernGent on March 14, 2008 at 9:30 PM
Obama has a life pattern of “bad judgments” from his youthful indiscretions with drugs, his affiliations with terrorist/activists like Ayers, his 20-year affiliation with a flaming bigot, hate-mongering pastor, financial connections with Rezko…
That affable Obama charm surely hides a person of poor character, as well as poor judgment.
onlineanalyst on March 14, 2008 at 9:34 PM
BAM. A thorough beatdown. Good work, Captain Ed.
Metro on March 14, 2008 at 9:56 PM
Rezko was just my crazy neighbor.
Hummer53 on March 14, 2008 at 10:31 PM
Just goes to show that you never know what the future holds, either for good or ill (how often we forget the former). A month ago, who would’ve thought that the fight between “the Barackstar” and Old Man McCain would be looking like it is now?
Wayne Clark on March 14, 2008 at 11:08 PM
Obama is not an empty suit.
He is just the typical, corrupt Chicago machine politician.
slp on March 15, 2008 at 12:07 AM
Obama seems to have an issue with mental relapses. I don’t know, I don’t recall, I don’t remember, I never heard that.
What a bumbling idiot. Does it shock anyone that his preacher is Jeremiah another dummy?
jencab on March 15, 2008 at 12:13 AM
Heh. You don’t know the half of it!
Between our retarded Governor, our racist Senator and Dick “Pol Pot” Durbin, Pol Pot turns out to be more ethical and smarter than the other two.
Governor Rod Baloneyvich is squirreling away money for when he goes to jail, courtesy Rezko. Obama gets slugged by Rezko, spins around and gets slugged by Wright, spins around and gets slugged by his idiot wife.
The Tribune suggested, only half in jest, that if Obama actually gets in the White House and the Governor has to appoint someone Senator, he might appoint himself. Or he might appoint the Speaker of the House’s daughter, our socialist Attorney General Lisa Madigan, who is absolutely certain to run against him in the next primary, if he’s not already in prison.
In the meanwhile, our retarded Cook County Board President steered a huge tax increase through the Board, making Cook County and the City of Chicago the highest taxed municipality in the country, at 10.25%. Hooray for the Democrats who run Illinois - crooks, liars, and taxes!
Jaibones on March 15, 2008 at 12:57 AM
Good for Hannity; that’s my position too. This racist, anti-American bile from Wright all spills on that nice empty suit, and disqualifies him from the position he already holds.
And shame on the Chicago-Liberal-Democrat press corps. None of this filth came out in his Senate campaign - none of it.
Jaibones on March 15, 2008 at 1:01 AM
Between Wright’s comments and the Rezko affiliation, Obama couldn’t be more damaged if he turned out to be “Client no. 6. I believe those protective walls that the MSM held up so well are beginning to crumble. The Dem party is in one hell of a mess.
Syd B. on March 15, 2008 at 5:33 AM
Obama has struck a nerve in his followers. They hate America. His wife could only manage to get two PHD’s, and the best she could do is make three or four hundred thou’ a year. All because we’re racist bastards.
All white people hate black people, right? Makes me wonder if that’s not what they really want. Keep telling me I hate you and guess what’s gonna happen?
Squiggy on March 15, 2008 at 6:54 AM
Obama’s cloudy memory indicates a lack of GOOD judgement as well as a disturbing ability to not hear what is being said by the people that are close to him…to do so indicates one of 2 possibilites, he must be STONED or a LIAR!
el Vaquero on March 15, 2008 at 7:25 AM
This is going to be fun, it would be even better if it were covered.
Squid Shark on March 15, 2008 at 7:43 AM
But - but he’s black and he speaks so eloquently. Isn’t that all that matters? /sarc
DannoJyd on March 15, 2008 at 8:26 AM
You know–I DON’T think he’s a “be-knighted idiot”. What I do think is he’s lazy as sin. He won’t take the trouble to bone up on issues and so, sounds foolish. He won’t take the trouble or expend the energy necessary to check on his pastor or his associates. That’s just plain LAZY. He gets other people to do his thinking for him because he’s too lazy to do it himself. Is this the man we want for President? (LOL He’d probably have someone else answer that phone at 3 in the morning.)
jeanie on March 15, 2008 at 9:46 AM
Sex scandal comes next–just before Pennsylvania.
Hope P. Muntz on March 15, 2008 at 10:40 AM