Rezko found guilty

Posted: Wednesday, June 04, 2008 5:33 PM by Mark Murray
Filed Under: Courts

From NBC's Mark Murray
If you're Obama, you're probably glad this news came out today rather than in, say, October. But it does rain on his parade just a bit.

Per the AP, a federal jury found Chicago political fundraiser Tony Rezko guilty of 16 of 24 counts in his corruption trial. Rezko "was accused of scheming to get bribes from businesses seeking state contracts."

Rezko is well known to Obama and even raised money for the Illinois senator. However, in no way was Obama accused of any wrongdoing relating to Rezko's trial.

EMAIL THIS

Comments

And let the blame by association game begin...

RLouden (Sent Wednesday, June 04, 2008 5:36 PM)

Another blind alley for Hannity and Rush to run down.

Jim, Santa Cruz (Sent Wednesday, June 04, 2008 5:38 PM)

is hrc planning to do something with this?

wouldn't put it past her (Sent Wednesday, June 04, 2008 5:39 PM)

Oh, oh. You just wound-up the mindless little mechanical crickets that just keep repeating Rezko, Rezko, Rezko, Rezko ...

It will take weeks for them to wind down.

nuanced (Sent Wednesday, June 04, 2008 5:39 PM)

Rezko deserves to be punished for breaking the law. But this does not mean that Barack Obama should likewise be considered guilty of Rezko's crimes because that's false guilt by association.

Go Obama 08/12!

Eric, Salinas, CA (Sent Wednesday, June 04, 2008 5:39 PM)

The Michelle Obama Rant Tape was filmed between June 26th - July 1st 2004 in Chicago, IL at the Rainbow/PUSH Coalition Conference at Trinity United Church: specifically the Women’s Event.

Michelle Obama appeared as a panelist alongside Mrs. Khadijah Farrakhan and Mrs. James Meeks.

Bill Clinton spoke during the Conference, as did Bill Cosby and other speakers, but not at the panel Michelle attended.

Michelle Obama spoke at the Women’s Event, but referenced Bill Clinton in her rant — his presence at the conference was the impetus for her raving, it seems.

For about 30 minutes, Michelle Obama launched into a rant about the evils of America, and how America is to blame for the problems of Africa. Michelle personally blamed President Clinton for the deaths of millions of Africans and said America is responsible for the genocide of the Tutsis and other ethnic groups. She then launched into an attack on “whitey”, and talked about solutions to black on black crime in the realm of diverting those actions onto white America. Her rant was fueled by the crowd: they reacted strongly to what she said, so she got more passionate and enraged, and that’s when she completely loses it and says things that have made the mouths drop of everyone who’s seen this.

john doe (Sent Wednesday, June 04, 2008 5:39 PM)

Those of you that said Obama is not hard!

Using forceful, but not angry, hand gestures, Obama literally backed up Lieberman against the wall, leaned in very close at times, and appeared to be trying to dominate the conversation, as the two talked over each other in a few instances.

Still, Obama and Lieberman seemed to be trying to keep the back-and-forth congenial as they both patted each other on the back during and after the exchange.

Afterwards, Obama smiled and pointed up at reporters peering over the edge of the press gallery for a better glimpse of their interaction.

Obama loyalists were quick to express their frustration with Lieberman's decision and warned that if he continues to take a lead role in attacking Obama it could complicate his professional relationship with the Caucus.

From: Huffington Post

Capt. Smash, Salt Lake City, Utah (Sent Wednesday, June 04, 2008 5:40 PM)

compare this with mccain's keating 5 involvement. what mccain did was far, far worse.

phil, philly (Sent Wednesday, June 04, 2008 5:40 PM)

Has Karl Rove, Channey and Bush been charges with a crime yet!

Come on MSNBC we already have been thru this one.

Capt. Smash, Salt Lake City, Utah (Sent Wednesday, June 04, 2008 5:41 PM)

Mark & Chuck

You know I live in Chicago and I can tell you that on day one, the judge felt there was no connection of Obama to Rezko. This was a non-issue for Obama and continues to be the case. This is why the repubs and Hillary didn't even bring this up.

It's time for the general and for Barack to kick McCain's ass.

Obama 08

Richard, Chicago (Sent Wednesday, June 04, 2008 5:43 PM)

If Obama had nothing to do with RZ"s troubles, why then are you reporting that the story rains on his parade "...a bit"?

Jeannette DC (Sent Wednesday, June 04, 2008 5:44 PM)

Wow...was he running too? And I care why?

WD NJ (Sent Wednesday, June 04, 2008 5:45 PM)

Obama is showing his true colors: he is a typical Chicago political hack.

The Truth (Sent Wednesday, June 04, 2008 5:45 PM)

Vote for security.
Vote for fiscal restraint.
Vote for experience.
Vote for bipartisanship.
Vote for John McCain.

John Doe, Seattle, Wash (Sent Wednesday, June 04, 2008 5:45 PM)

President Obama will pardon Mr. Rezko within his firt 100 days in office.

The Truth (Sent Wednesday, June 04, 2008 5:46 PM)

Perfect timing. Get this Rezko B.S. out of the way immediately after he clinches the nomination but before the general campaign starts in earnest.

Barack Obama embodies Ronald Reagan as much as he embodies Robert Kennedy -- he's not a traditional liberal, despite what John McCain might try to promulgate; and no scandal seems to stick to him.

Brendan D, Niles, IL (Sent Wednesday, June 04, 2008 5:46 PM)

Go ahead and try to take some of his glory away from him MSNBC, but I'm sure you won't air this all day and night like FIxed Noise will.

Female for Obama 2008 (Sent Wednesday, June 04, 2008 5:47 PM)

Before you Obama-haters get going, consider this: if you choose to bring up guilt by association, look at your own friends first. Do you really surround yourself entirely with people of quality? Alright, fair enough. But then... do THEY all surround themselves with people of quality. Do you have a criminal in your family?

If you let your suspicions and mistrust run rampant, then you've effectively made YOURSELF a problem, nevermind who your friends are. And at that point, are you going to hate your friends for hanging out with you?

I say this has no bearing on Obama as a person. I'm sure that, at the time, Rezko appeared to be just another person to him, and you won't be running background checks on every last person that you purchase things from or receive money from.

Try to tie this to Obama in some way that makes sense to you, but I still trust him, and if you want to call me a kool-aid drinker, that's fine, but I've made informed decisions my whole life. I don't need to prove anything to you. You'll just let that distrust ruin your life, and I'll still be living happily with my values intact.

P, CA (Sent Wednesday, June 04, 2008 5:47 PM)

I'm not sure how this rains on Obama's parade, especically when you concede Obama isn't involved, but oh well. Maybe it's a brief sprinkle?

Joe Justice (Sent Wednesday, June 04, 2008 5:48 PM)

However MSNBC Obama did take dirty money from Rezko for his House and other "Favors" Only a matter of time before this trickles down to Obama. The Repubs will use this against him in the GE now. Now you wonder why Hillary didn't concede. She saw this, The Larry Sinclair/Donald Moore deal & Michelle Obama's "Whitey" Tape all coming down the pipeline. Obama will be further vetted and unelectable by November, and at least if Hillary doesn't concede, when Obama is destroyed, she can get a mass exodus of the "Messiah's" Super Delegates.

Jay Link, Chicago, IL (Sent Wednesday, June 04, 2008 5:48 PM)

When you move in political circles you will eventually come across someone who is less than scrupulous. The operative sentence here is
"However, in no way was Obama accused of any wrongdoing relating to Rezko's trial."

It's impressive that there haven't been more of these questionable people to pop up throughout the primary. To me, it speaks well of Sen. Obama's judgement and integrity.

Obama '08/I trust him to make the best VP choice!

Gail, TN (Sent Wednesday, June 04, 2008 5:48 PM)

Just another brick in the wall for this corrupt Obama from Chicago. There are hundreds of "Rezcos" in Chicago, all tied into the Democratic party, and all corrupt as heck. But I guess this will be one more thing that Obama doesn't want anyone to talk about, just like his hateful pastors. Just so you left wingnut liberals know, Obama won't change anything, he gets his payoffs just like everyone else does in Washington.

Coulter Stevens, Springfield IL (Sent Wednesday, June 04, 2008 5:48 PM)

http://twocanpete.blogspot.com/
Just wait until the Governor of IL is indicted. This is going to be so much fun. By the way, anyone heard from HRC? I think she may have 'lost it' in more then one way.

twocanpete (Sent Wednesday, June 04, 2008 5:49 PM)

Yeesh.

Forgot about this guy, what with him not having anything to do with Barack Obama and all.

Obama '08

Jay, The Batcave (Sent Wednesday, June 04, 2008 5:50 PM)

The last outstanding issue that might mess with Obama's run for President is finished. Between Hillary and this, he has now been fully vetted for the job. There's not a lot there for the GOP to go after.

cmac (Sent Wednesday, June 04, 2008 5:51 PM)

Hey, his name isn't Charles Keating. And, as you say, Obama isn't in any way connected to any of the wrong-doing.

Liberal Means Open, Seattle (Sent Wednesday, June 04, 2008 5:52 PM)

First Read, you forgot add that Rezko is Obama's next door neighbor, the one that got Barack and Michelle such a good deal on their mansion. It's the old Chicago Hustle where the power players like Obama get the payoff while the taxpayers foot the bill for all the corruption. Barack and Michelle will need to block off one night of their busy schedule so they can go to Rezko's "Going Away Party" in a few months.

Larry Stewart, Jonesberg, Ohio (Sent Wednesday, June 04, 2008 5:52 PM)

But wait, wasn't this supposed to be one of those major skeletons lurking in Obama's closet that would cost him the election? He was hardly even mentioned in the trial. Just more guilt by association BS.

jaycee, Ventura, CA (Sent Wednesday, June 04, 2008 5:52 PM)

Roll out the Repub red carpet on this one. Obama's connection is going to hurt our fight for the White House.

WOW WHAT CHANGE!!!!!!!

Jill, Los Angeles (Sent Wednesday, June 04, 2008 5:53 PM)

And so...? Obama's contacts with corrupt individuals just doesn't hold a candle to those of Clinton and McCain (the latter of whom was investigated for involvement with the Lincoln S & L scandal as part of the Keating Five). Obama was not involved in any wrong doing and I'm sure that if he had a crystal ball and was able to see that Tony Rezko was to become involved in illicit activities he would never been associated with him.
Obama '08

Mitchell Feldman, Vestal, NY (Sent Wednesday, June 04, 2008 5:54 PM)

"In no way was Obama accused of any wrongdoing relating to Rezko's trial."

Just as, in no way does Obama tailor his speeches to play with the emotions of his particular audience? Yeah, not buying it. He is a disgusting person.

Obama ... the Future of Business as Usual (Sent Wednesday, June 04, 2008 5:54 PM)

The Republicans will jump on this and they are very good at making their point.

Guilt by association.

That is what they would do to Hillary.

Donna, Albany New york (Sent Wednesday, June 04, 2008 5:54 PM)

To find someone guilty because of an association with someone who has been accused of and/or convicted of a crime is wrong.

Maxine, Mo (Sent Wednesday, June 04, 2008 5:55 PM)

I'm sure the Republicans are going to make it sound like a Jeremiah Wright rebirth but this time around the voters have shown they know the difference.

Of course the friends accumulated by John McCain over the past 20 years will likely keep him quiet. Memo to Repubs: Don't open that closet door unless you're prepared for the fallout.

KH, HI (Sent Wednesday, June 04, 2008 5:57 PM)

"However, in no way was Obama accused of any wrongdoing relating to Rezko's trial."

If Obama wasn't accused of any wrongdoing, how does this "rain on his parade"?

David W, Irvine, CA (Sent Wednesday, June 04, 2008 5:58 PM)

To All The Spewers of Slander,

Just save it.

It is unAmerican to lie about an innocent person, and falsely accuse them with innuendo, and out, and out lies.

You'll bring more punishment on yourselves if you besmirch Senator Obama's good character with your hate speech.

donna (Sent Wednesday, June 04, 2008 5:58 PM)

Sen. Obama is not accussed but you just wanted to make sure we didn't miss being well informed as to Mr. Rezko's fate ala the verdict eh Mark? Funny how we can't get these kinds of updates when news on THAT front?

Media Madness (Sent Wednesday, June 04, 2008 5:59 PM)

Need not worry about another conviction coming any time soon out of Chicago. When Obama gets into office, he'll be sure to appoint a lapdog investigator for Chicago and Illinois. The one they have there now is just too good at cleaning up the corruption in Chicago. And who recommended the current Federal DA get appointed to clean up the Democrat party corruption in Chicago? Why, none other then ex-Illinois Senator Peter Fitzgerald, whose seat was filled by . . . wait for it, Barack Obama. That way there, the new DA won't follow the corruption trail leading to Obama.

LT Taylor, NY (Sent Wednesday, June 04, 2008 5:59 PM)

Why bring the fact that Obama has never been accused of any wrong doing into this discussion. The fact is that Obama knew this guy, they both lived in the same city in the same state. What more evidence do you need?

Its clear that Obama showed poor judgment by deciding to help out of work steel workers in Chicago, where Rezko lived, as opposed to going to work for a big law firm where he could fight for the powerful and stay squeeky clean.

Guilt by association is best way to evaluate our political candidates and interacting with people who don't necessarily share your view or morals is absolutely not OK.

AC, Carpinteria CA (Sent Wednesday, June 04, 2008 6:00 PM)

Dont really care...

Single mother with college student supporting Obama

Better America, Seattle, Washington (Sent Wednesday, June 04, 2008 6:01 PM)

Non-Story. Obama can't vet all the political fundraisers and look at a looking glass and determine what they are going to do in the future..

Joe Reed, Miami, FL (Sent Wednesday, June 04, 2008 6:02 PM)

If we're going to dig into this, that's fine. But lets get all the Keating 5 dirt out in the open as well...

Bobby H., Miami, FL (Sent Wednesday, June 04, 2008 6:02 PM)

And now Rezko will sing like a canary. You think he doesn't know who the "higher-ups" are? You think he doesn't want to spend the rest of his life in jail? Chicago Mayor Daley will have trouble sleeping tonight, he's real tight with Rezko. The Governor of Illinois, who like Obama took payoffs from Rezko, is on the short list of next to be tried. And of course, Mr. Change himself, Barack Obama, is in the same boat. The media will try to cover this all up, but it is real.

Dred Scott (Sent Wednesday, June 04, 2008 6:04 PM)

Hey, let all the HRC people scream for his head and then we can all remind them of her pending case in CA with Paul vs. Clinton, where she may end up in jail before the end of the year.

Jon, Pittsburgh, PA (Sent Wednesday, June 04, 2008 6:05 PM)

FR --> Rezko is well known to Obama and even raised money for the Illinois senator. However, in no way was Obama accused of any wrongdoing relating to Rezko's trial. <--

The operative words here are "Obama hasn't been accused, . . . . yet.".

Patrick Fitzgerald, DA, Washington, DC (Sent Wednesday, June 04, 2008 6:07 PM)

Obama sure has a lot of corrupt and hateful friends.

Suzie Richardson-Marsh, Murdo SD (Sent Wednesday, June 04, 2008 6:08 PM)

This does not have anything to do with Obama. Let's get on issues and leave this alone people. What about health care and the economy and the war in Iraq?

karen bourland leawood ks (Sent Wednesday, June 04, 2008 6:09 PM)

Fox News will be coming all over themselves with this until they find out this has nothing to do with Obama.

MSNBC I saw the head line for a few minutes you guys got a little excited.

Capt. Smash, Salt Lake City, Utah (Sent Wednesday, June 04, 2008 6:09 PM)

"However, in no way was Obama accused of any wrongdoing relating to Rezko's trial."

That last sentence says it all. Can well all move on from this?

BTW, I saw an ad put out by the Republicans today. I was Hillary Clinton standing in front of a microphone, stating, "I have the experience, John McCain has the experience, and Sen Obama has a speech he gave in 2002". We all knew those comments Hillary gave would be used by the GOP. And people are speculating that she wants to unite the party. Well, during her campaign, the above example shows why the party is divided in the first place and Hillary is the cause of this. Well done, Hillary!

Heidi in Houston (Sent Wednesday, June 04, 2008 6:09 PM)

Guilt by association? Here we go again with media BS to try and stop Obama. This is old news as far as Obama is concerned. However this brings up something far more of importance. The person that wants on the VP seems to have to go to court for fraud of $2 Million for her senate campaign. "Paul vs. Clinton" but we won't hear a thing about this beings she does not have to testify until November. BS!
Be strong Obama, this has nothing to do with you.

Obama 08 / 012

Sick & Tired (Sent Wednesday, June 04, 2008 6:12 PM)

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