Posted on 12/24/2006 7:59:18 AM PST by Founding Father
Political fundraiser Antoin "Tony" Rezko made a modest pitch to U.S. Sen. Barack Obama last year.
Rezko recommended a 20-year-old student from Glenview for one of the coveted summer internships in Obama's Capitol Hill office.
Now, that otherwise unremarkable internship--one of nearly 100 Obama's office awarded in 2005--raises new questions for the senator, who says he has never done any favors for Rezko.
In October, Rezko was indicted on influence-peddling charges and for alleged business fraud.
Rezko, a real-estate and fast-food entrepreneur, has emerged as a central figure in a series of state government corruption scandals. He began cultivating a friendship with Obama around 1990, becoming a key fundraiser.
As the internship drew to a close in August 2005, the intern's father was cited in court records as an unnamed, unindicted co-conspirator in an alleged state government bribery scheme linked to Rezko.
The intern's father, Glenview businessman Joseph Aramanda, has not been charged with any crime. He said ... Saturday that there was nothing untoward about Rezko recommending his son for an internship. "That's done every day."
In 2004, about a year before his son got the internship, Aramanda donated $10,000 to Obama. Obama spokesman Gibbs said he was unable to locate records about that donation but said he presumed the money was raised by Rezko.
About a month before the internship began, in June 2005, Obama bought a $1.65 million South Side home on the same day that Rezko's wife purchased the adjoining garden lot for $625,000.
Obama and Rezko then engaged in a series of private transactions to redivide and improve their adjoining parcels, the Tribune disclosed in November.
These arrangements came after Rezko was widely reported to be under a federal grand jury investigation.
Obama added that he had never "done favors for [Rezko] of any sort.
(Excerpt) Read more at chicagotribune.com ...
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1757974/posts
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Vote against Osama Obama! One Hussein is ENOUGH!
klinton digging up dirt???????
He's a Democrat, thus he is as pure as the falling rain.
This is just a ploy to fell the poor guy who only wants to do what is best for our country.
How could any thoughtful person believe otherwise?
Democrat politician=sincere
Republican politician=corrupt
If he were a Republican I may believe it...
/Major Sarcasm
Ms. Clinton could be the reason for the Grand Canyon....
Of course there was no favoritism involved. We all know the the great and exalted Barack Hussein Obama Jr. came to Washington with no expectations, nothing but the humble faith in the goodness of his fellow man, and only wishing the greatest of blessings upon the world.
When we finally stop worshiping the "Miss America" aspect of politics, and get down to the actual mechanics of providing for the country according to the Great Writ of the Constitution passed down from the founding years of this nation, maybe, then MAYBE, something of value will come out of all these "treasured friendships" across the partisan divide in this country. And the chiselers are finally revealed for the popinjays and montebanks thaey are.
About a month before the internship began, in June 2005, Obama bought a $1.65 million South Side home on the same day that Rezko's wife purchased the adjoining garden lot for $625,000.What's not mentioned, but has been in previous Trib articles on this land deal, is that the $1.65 mill Obama paid was $300,000 UNDER the listed asking price, but that $625,000 Rezko paid was the listed price, and to the same owner. So as we used to say on the 'Sout' side: 'Sumtin's up wit dat'.
And just for general information, the 'house' is a MANSION and that wasn't no 'garden lot' Rezko bought. It was a full size lot - or two. Chicago lot sizes are weird, and it would have been perfect for building a nice 'Mansion' on it. But that would not have pleased 'St Obama', possibly having a neighbor's house 42" away from his bathroom window (lot size again).
Additionally this is the first time Rezko's wife was/is mentioned as the buyer. It's always been the creep Tony Rezko named as the purchaser. So that too is 'odd'.
.
A Washington Times Political Expert stated on C-Span's 'Washington Journal' today that OBAMA:
1) Was a one-term Illinois Senator because Polls showed he would LOSE a run for a 2nd Term.
2) Is already as Far Left as they come, would have voted against the Iraq & Afghan Wars years ago.
I would really like to believe this, but I don't believe a word. I have family in Illinois and even though they don't like osama obama everything they tell me implies he would win re-election today in a 60+% blowout.
The Trib has been doing a good job of covering this. From the Trib archive:
625,000 06/20/2005
5050 S Greenwood Ave, Kenwood, 60615
to Rita M Rezko, from Fredric E Wondisford
$1,650,000 06/21/2005
5046 S Greenwood Ave, Kenwood, 60615
to Northern Trust Co Trustee, from Fredric Wondisford
$104,500 02/16/2006
5050 S Greenwood Ave, Kenwood, 60615
to Northern Trust Co Trustee, from Rita M Rezko
Obama is hiding behind the "Northern Trust Co Trustee" ownership.
.
See 'Washington Journal' on:
http://www.C-Span.org
The Washington Times Political Journalist I quoted when guesting on today's C-SPAN TV Program should be able to be seen online.
MERRY CHRISTMAS to you & yours, Founding Father
http://www.lzxray.com/Ronnie3.jpg
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P.S. The obama house at 5046 S. Greenwood (between E 50th and E 51st) is a mansion on a huge lot. Type in the address on google maps and see the updated satellite picture (the Ratner Athletic Center at U of C is completed in the updated picture---on 55th and S Ellis).
He is an empty suit with no experience and no track record.
Voting for him is like pis*ing in the wind.
In that case, can we throw her in and fill it back up?
That's because Judy Barr Topinka and her idiot friends at the IL Repub Central Committe would most likely renominate Alan Keyes.
If Keyes wouldn't do it, not bloody likely btw-if you drag a hundred dollar bill through his staff he'd run for dogcatcher, the IL RCC would find a Klan member and run him for the Senate.
I frigging hate the IL GOP.....
L
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