Obama 'regrets' land deal with crooked fundraiser

[MOB]

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/12/16/AR2006121600729.html

Im posting because a few years from now Bleachers7 will probably want "supporting documentation" for Obama's apology


Obama Says He Regrets Land Deal With Fundraiser
Senator Bought a Parcel From His Neighbor, a Now-Indicted Political Operative

By Peter Slevin
Washington Post Staff Writer
Sunday, December 17, 2006; Page A06

CHICAGO. Dec. 16 -- Antoin "Tony" Rezko is a political insider, an energetic Chicago dealmaker and campaign fundraiser often in the headlines for being on the wrong side of good government. Indicted in October on influence-peddling charges, he also has a habit of befriending prospective political stars.

One of them was Sen. Barack Obama (D-Ill.), who was offered a job by Rezko in the early 1990s while a top student at Harvard Law School. Obama did not take it, but over the years, the two men stayed in touch, and Rezko backed Obama's successful 2004 U.S. Senate campaign, raising money and contributing his own.



After Antoin "Tony" Rezko, right, leaves the Chicago federal building with his attorney in October after pleading not guilty to influence-peddling. (By Nam Y. Huh -- Associated Press)

In June 2005, in what Obama now describes as a "boneheaded" mistake, Obama and Rezko's wife bought adjacent properties on Chicago's South Side, closing the deals on the same day. Seven months later, wanting a bigger yard for his $1.65 million house, Obama bought a slice of the Rezko property for $104,500.

After news of the deal broke last month in the Chicago Tribune, Obama said he had erred by creating the appearance that Rezko had done him a favor by selling him a portion of the lot. For the first time since he entered the national spotlight, the 45-year-old freshman senator found himself on the defensive, discussing a personal decision he had come to regret.

"There's no doubt that this was a mistake on my part. 'Boneheaded' would be accurate," Obama said in a telephone interview Friday. "There's no doubt I should have seen some red flags in terms of me purchasing a piece of property from him."

Obama recently donated to charity $11,500 that Rezko had contributed to his federal campaign account.

There have been no allegations that Obama, whose political fortunes are soaring as he mulls a run for president, broke the law or committed any ethics violations. He said he has done no government business with Rezko, who is facing charges in two unrelated criminal cases.

But leaders of Chicago watchdog organizations describe Obama's behavior as a surprising error in judgment, particularly for a politician noted for his tactical skills, his ambition and his support of state and federal ethics legislation.

"It's disappointing because there has been speculation about Tony Rezko, and whether he was crossing ethical lines, for a number of years," said Cynthia Canary, director of the Illinois Campaign for Political Reform.

Jay Stewart, executive director of Chicago's Better Government Association, said, "Being a lawyer, he did everything by the book, but there's a higher expectation of him."

To Chicago political observers, it made sense that Rezko tried to get close to Obama. A Syrian-born businessman whose fortunes seemed to rise and fall with his latest deal, Rezko was known for cultivating politicians, including Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich (D) and Rep. Luis V. Gutierrez (D-Ill.).

Rezko created a real estate development company and operated dozens of Chinese eateries and pizza restaurants. After Blagojevich rode into office in 2002, Rezko emerged as a friend and close adviser. He recommended people for significant state jobs and, a federal grand jury charged, soon tried to shake down investment firms that wanted to do business with Illinois.

[itsmesgd]

1. is this his "whitewater"?

Somebody go dig up Ken Starr for the repuke's "independent" investigator...

[Fridays Child]

2. This is a non-issue. The transaction was legal. We won't let the RW "Whitewater" Obama.

Fuck 'em.

[Bitwit1234]

3. Let me ask someone this

How come the newspapers and TV have ALL this information about the democrats. That they did this, they did that, they bought land etc etc...With all the corruption attributed to the republicans why don't the MSM dig - or should I say scratch the surface - on some of the republicans, I am sure they would find lots and lots of dirt.

[Name removed]

4. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[blm]

9. It's been like this since mid90s - ANY Democrat can get promoted or destroyed at a

whim by the GOP paymasters controlling the corporate media.

Does anyone think GOP friendly corporations bought up all available newsmedia in the 80s and 90s to give fair and balanced information to the American people?

[Renew Deal]

5. Good to see Edwards operatives at work.

I must have got Chris Lehane's attention. :hi:

[Double T]

6. Business deals with an 'Axis of Evil' businessman............

time to scratch 'Obama' OFF the SHORT LIST!!!!

[longship]

7. This is sad. Too bad Obama is getting bad advice.

Senator Obama: If you were really serious about running in 2008 you would have considered whether it is wise to expose yourself to the inevitable attacks. You might consider that a later time might be better to start acting like a candidate. After all, you have great name recognition, bountiful charisma, are very well liked by many people who matter most, and could win the nomination. Those facts are not likely to change over the next year. In fact, with a very important 110th Congress about to convene, with your party in the majority for the first time in a dozen years, you can really do some good things to help prop up your chances in 2008, and still have plenty of time to conider making a run.

So, what's the damned hurry? Why start acting like a 2008 candidate now?

I just don't understand it.

If I were you, I would be acting like a Senator, biding my time, building my image, and answering all speculations with a simple response, "I am a Senator, not a Presidential candidate. We have work to do in the upcoming Congress. Right now I'm focussed on that."

When asked outright if you will run, answer with something like this, "Who knows? I haven't decided. Thank you for asking, though. I'm flattered by your question."

[carpe diem]

8. i agree with the poster above...

better to deal with stuff like this now and have it be old new closer to the primaries rather than fresh revelations in the voters minds...he probably wants to get a feel of what it will be like to be in the crosshairs for himself and his family BEFORE he formally commits to run...he could still take a pass on 2008 saying what you said about having a majority in the senate and trying to do some things there and also his family is very young, the impact on them...there's something to be said for getting an early start and making sure you have the time to explore your options...

[longship]

10. Well, you may have a point there, however...

... it ignores the most important fact.

It's over a year before the campaign gets into gear. What's the damned hurry?

I don't give a damn who is running in 2008 since the situation will be entirely different by January, 2008. Those running, or acting like they're running are the darkhorses. That includes Obama, Hillary, Vilsack, Biden, and even Edwards. The real candidates for 2008 are doing other things right now.

In fact, I'll go further. I've decided that I'm automatically going to place *any* candidate who declares his candidacy prior to Labor Day, 2007, at the bottom of my list. They deserve no consideration. Especially Senators who have a very important job to be doing instead of running for President for two freaking years. Granted, Obama and Clinton have not declared. However, I'm not going to be very happy with either of them if they abandon their Senatorial duties to this stupid business of running for President a full year before the campaign begins.