Rezko arrested

Sharon, New Hampshire — Mon, 28 Jan 2008 15:11:38 GMT

hee hee hee

Rezko arrested

Dante — Mon, 28 Jan 2008 15:11:57 GMT

How is that a drop of rain? The media is crazy, please take some time to update us on Norman Hsu as well?

Rezko arrested

DJ, Philadelphia — Mon, 28 Jan 2008 15:13:31 GMT

More like a a thunderstorm!

Rezko arrested

Kathy, Wilmington, NC — Mon, 28 Jan 2008 15:13:32 GMT

Amazing, one line about Rezko. If he was in anyone else's pocket it would be a full page report. Your bias is really showing. You are as bad as Fox News with their coverage of Democrats.

Rezko arrested

Gary Schear, Bozeman Montana — Mon, 28 Jan 2008 15:17:59 GMT

I'm sure he deserved it but curious timing none the less.
Things that make you go...hmmm.

Rezko arrested

D Andrews, Charlotte, NC — Mon, 28 Jan 2008 15:18:02 GMT

Meet the second skeleton in Obama's closet. Alexi Giannoulias. Obama endorsed and helped Giannoulias win election despite Giannoulias many ties to organized crime.

This well sourced litte ditty has the low down and Obama and his mobster friend Alexi:

http://www.mydd.com/story/2008/1/27/161410/392

Rezko arrested

DA — Mon, 28 Jan 2008 15:18:36 GMT

ALLYOU DEMS ARE GUILITY SORRY SORRY

Rezko arrested

J. Merle Stanley, Westchester, NY — Mon, 28 Jan 2008 15:20:11 GMT

Oh gee....one small snippet from First Read about Rezko getting arrested....but you did three weeks on Norman Hsu.
How about a little fairness here?
Rezko is Obama's lifelong buddy. It's time someone started investigating this!

Rezko arrested

Michael, MN — Mon, 28 Jan 2008 15:22:14 GMT

How is Norman Hsu doing again?

And what does this arrest have to do with Obama exactly?

Rezko arrested

Gary Schear, Bozeman Montana — Mon, 28 Jan 2008 15:23:10 GMT

Hey FirstRead:
I gotta commend you for hanging in there. It is amazing how the meaning of 25 words can be interpreted so differently by readers belonging to the same party.

Rezko arrested

StopwatchingMSNBC, Rochester, NY — Mon, 28 Jan 2008 15:23:34 GMT

You know if Resko was linked to Hillary, this article would have been a full page. Two small lines. Careful MSNBC, those two small lines refering to Resko is going a little too far. It's not like Norman Hsu and the the 50 different articles you wrote about him and Hillary, eventhough, he gave money to Obama also. Clearly bias coverage of this man compared to Norman Hsu on this website can be clearly documented. The fact that Hsu did an illegal scam to raise money compared to Resko extorting money from companies,the ties to mob figures,illegal housing deals,etc, seems a bit one sided on this website and the rest of the media. Just saying. The bias against Hillary on MSNBC is amazing.

Rezko arrested

J. Merle Stanley, Westchester, NY — Mon, 28 Jan 2008 15:26:45 GMT

"...How is that a drop of rain? The media is crazy, please take some time to update us on Norman Hsu as well? ..."
Dante (Sent Monday, January 28, 2008 10:11 AM)

Okay here is your Norman Hsu update;
He gave money, and arranged for donations to Obama's campaign, as well as Hillary's.
But the media didn't report that part of the story fairly.
Furthermore, Hsu introduced Obama to people who currently work on his campaign in the financing area.
But, the media didn't report that part of it either.
So there's your Hsu update.
Now, back to Rezko, and the news of TODAY!

Rezko arrested

Myke - Nashville — Mon, 28 Jan 2008 15:29:31 GMT

Maybe Barack put his house title up for bail? After all he only worked on a brief for several hours but has known him for 20 years, had parties thrown for him, hired his cronies children.Oh, and accepted $168,000. in campaign contributions, reimbursed other donors to Baracks campaign, built in $250,000. fees for a Teachers Union fee. His wife goes shopping with Michelle Obama. I wish him well.The timing should have been before South Carolina so the voters knew what a crook Obama is aligned with.Are we going to call this playing the "crook card"? Or are we just going to refer to it as the truth this time without the inflamatory title. Maybe Tim Russert can hold up a picture of him and Barack.

Rezko arrested

Ben Steele, Texas — Mon, 28 Jan 2008 15:30:19 GMT

And in Clinton fund raiser news, Norman Hsu became a new best friend to someone with the name "Hammer" last night.

If it's raining on Obama, then it is a flood of biblical proportions for Clinton.

Rezko arrested

Frankie Crosby, Columbus Georgia. — Mon, 28 Jan 2008 15:31:48 GMT

Why don't you show the "full letter" please...

Where's the full letter we would like to read it too...

MSNBC.. "will say anything," to get Obama the nomination...

Rezko arrested

Linda Middaugh — Mon, 28 Jan 2008 15:33:27 GMT

An Arab from Syria, who is a member of the Nation of Islam religion, Tony Rezko has been in Obama's back pocket for years right along with his wife, Michelle. Fitzgerald is prosecuting the case and he doesn't mess around. Word has it that the lawyer mentioned in the legal work filed refers to Obama. Hell, this is Obama's hurricane. He wanted to stop government corruption; guess it is starting with him.

Rezko arrested

MAC, st. louis, Mo — Mon, 28 Jan 2008 15:36:41 GMT

In your investigative mode, please give us the 411 on HRC and bill's pic with the "famous" Mr. Rezko

Rezko arrested

Bill, NYC — Mon, 28 Jan 2008 15:36:59 GMT

how come the media has avoided this tar baby for so long? NBC won't touch rezko since it would tarnish the reputation of saint obama.

Rezko arrested

Joe, Boston, MA — Mon, 28 Jan 2008 15:39:36 GMT

Kathy, Obama has done nothing wrong with regards to Rezko, this is a non-story. Every newspaper that has reported on it has stated Obama has done nothing wrong. The corruption charges against Rezko relate to the Governor.

Rezko arrested

Steve, Hartford, CT — Mon, 28 Jan 2008 15:39:42 GMT

So, arrested on a bond violation eh? Did he jump bail to grab another photo-op with the Clintons?

Rezko arrested

Sierra, SF — Mon, 28 Jan 2008 15:40:39 GMT

Was Rezko a 'HillRaiser' ?

Does this mean he won't help Billary in their new Whitewater swindle ?

Maybe the feds can use that Billary picture as a mugh shot for ALL THREE of them

Rezko arrested

Loretta Grebek, Gillette WY — Mon, 28 Jan 2008 15:41:18 GMT

>> Things that make you go...hmmm.

Maybe for liberals. But then again, liberals are perplexed by shiny things.

Rezko arrested

J, IA — Mon, 28 Jan 2008 15:41:50 GMT

The newspapers in Chicago went into great detail investigating the very allegation you refer to and found that Barack Obama is NOT connected to any wrong-doing. Sounds to me like the Clinton camp is having trouble finding dirt...

Rezko arrested

Carol, Columbia, SC — Mon, 28 Jan 2008 15:43:08 GMT

So much for Obama's good judgement....I'm sure there is more out there the biased media hasn't bothered to look in to! I am quickly losing respect for the media's bias against Hillary Clinton and closing the eyes to the "slick" tricks of Obama and people like Rezko he's not only given money to, but time. This is probably the tip of the iceburg...and if we want more slumlords rising to power with Obama, then look the other way and vote for Obama!!! What a joke this is becoming, but the real joke will sadly be on the American people for failing to look as deeply into Obama's past and associations as they have Hillary Clinton! Hillary gets my vote!

Rezko arrested

jaycee, Ventura, California — Mon, 28 Jan 2008 15:45:03 GMT

Sorry folks, but the "slumlord" story is a molehill. Yeah, if you really dig into it you will find a single instance of questionable judgment on Barack's part, really the only one I've seen. Nobody claims there is a perfect candidate in the race and he freely admits he made a mistake in this case. It involved buying a strip of land next to the family home to increase the size of his yard, and not, say, getting us into a war that has utterly destroyed the lives of tens of thousands and robbed us of resources desperately needed here at home. Throw those two instances of bad judgment on the scales for me and see which way they tip, will you?

What this really points to is the fact that in a general election, the lack of an extensive political history can be a big asset. The baggage Barack brings to the campaign will fit in a small backpack while the Clintons will need a freight train. The Republican attack dogs will quickly starve during the course of the general election campaign if all we throw them are meager scraps like Rezko. With the Clintons it would be a daily feast of red meat.

Rezko arrested

HMT-MI — Mon, 28 Jan 2008 15:46:00 GMT

what will happen if BO is tied to Rezko?We will just blame it on the Clintons--right?For sure we will have msnbc leading the parade.

Rezko arrested

Steve, Philadelphia, PA — Mon, 28 Jan 2008 15:46:57 GMT

Sick and tired of the media giving a pass on Obama. First he cashed in on drug use by writing a book about it, then used his crooked Rezko connections to and the advance from the book to buy a choice piece of land.

Give me a break.

Rezko arrested

J. Merle Stanley, Westchester, NY — Mon, 28 Jan 2008 15:52:15 GMT

Kathy....yep, exactly.
If this was a story about Norman Hsu and it involved Hillary, First Read would have run at least three paragraphs worth, and the comments section would be udated every 5 minutes.
But then again, you do understand what MSNBC stands for, right?
*M*ust
*S*lander
*N*it-Pick &
*B*elittle the
*C*lintons

Rezko arrested

squintz, philly, pa — Mon, 28 Jan 2008 15:52:18 GMT

Um, right, Rezko's a sleazebag. Obama fully divulged his relationship with Tony Rezko on This Week yesterday, and, once again, repeated the fact that he has NOTHING TO DO with Rezko's criminal charges. This is such small potatoes stuff, and it is HILARIOUS that this mini-scandal is the best they can get on Obama. Newsflash, most people in this country have no idea what this is about. And they don't care. Methinks the parade will go on as planned...
Kathy - there aren't more than three lines about this nonstory on any network, since, gasp, there's nothing to report other than the fact that the man got arrested. I'm sure you would prefer for them to have the headline say "Obama's BFF Slumlord Gets Arrested and Puts Clinton's Inevitability Train Back On Track," - better luck next time.

Rezko arrested

Joe Einloth — Mon, 28 Jan 2008 15:52:32 GMT

Big freakin' deal!!!!

Rezko arrested

Sis South Carolina — Mon, 28 Jan 2008 15:53:30 GMT

Hmmm is right. Come on Chuck Todd; we and he Clinton's deserve more than "one line". Amazing how right wing MSNBC has become.

Rezko arrested

Sierra, SF — Mon, 28 Jan 2008 15:54:05 GMT

From Salon.com:

'...Clinton is sullying his reputation, harming the
Democratic coalition, and setting back race relations
in this country, and he's doing all of this solely to
advance his wife's near-term political prospects. It's
as if he's become so focused on winning this primary
battle that he's completely lost sight of all larger
considerations....'

'...That's well-deserved and good to see. Presidential
campaign tactics are often dishonest, deceitful and
ugly. That's true of every successful campaign. But
that doesn't mean there are no lines, and this last
week, Bill Clinton (and thus, by effect, Hillary) has
been (at least) flirting with that line and has now
clearly crossed it...'

Racial Politics, in all its ugliness ....
Brought to you by the Clitnons......

Glenn Greenwald
Sunday January 27, 2008 07:31 EST
Bill Clinton: The Chris Matthews of South Carolina
(updated below - Update II)

I've thought most of the criticisms of the Clintons'
campaign, including the role played by Bill, have been
overblown. Given the standard level of campaign
rhetoric, and particularly considering the bile that
will be launched towards Obama from the currently
pro-Obama right-wing noise machine if he's the
nominee, most of the "controversial" comments have
been rather mild, standard election fare, generating
interest primarily because it was coming from the
Clintons.

Beyond that, it seemed most of the efforts to inject
dramatic racial conflict into the contest were
media-driven rather than an intentional Clinton
strategy. And all of the grave concern over how Bill
Clinton is sullying the majestic glory of his status
as an ex-president -- all because he is, as anyone
would, actively and aggressively campaigning for his
spouse -- has struck me as silly and slightly pompous.

But the last few days have changed my view on those
matters substantially. The Clintons' strategy has
become increasingly trashy, even ugly, and yesterday's
remarks by Bill Clinton -- in which he pointedly
compared Obama's candidacy to Jesse Jackson's and thus
implicitly (though clearly) dismissed South Carolina
as a state where the "black candidate" wins, followed
up by the Clinton campaign's anonymous branding of
Obama as "the black candidate" -- reeked of
desperation. Here's how Clinton fan and loyal Democrat
Anonymous Liberal put it:

It pains me greatly to write this post because --
despite his many faults -- I have long been an admirer
of Bill Clinton. He's a man with enormous political
talents, and I think he has used those talents over
the years to advance progressive notions of justice
and equality in a significant way. And I think his
commitment to these ideals is genuine and deeply held.

Which is why it is so disillusioning to see him
engaged in what is obviously an attempt to marginalize
his wife's chief rival as "the black candidate." Just
today, he was trying to spin away Obama's overwhelming
victory in South Carolina by going out of his way to
compare Obama to Jesse Jackson. There has clearly been
an attempt by the Clinton campaign over the last week
or so, led chiefly by Bill Clinton, to dismiss Obama's
success in South Carolina as being all about race. The
goal has been to transport us back in time 20 years,
to turn what had begun as an almost post-racial
election into a replay of 1988. As Clinton knows, if
Americans come to see Obama as the candidate of
African-Americans -- like Al Sharpton or Jesse Jackson
in prior presidential races -- his support among
whites, hispanics, and other ethnic groups will
plummet. . . .

Clinton is sullying his reputation, harming the
Democratic coalition, and setting back race relations
in this country, and he's doing all of this solely to
advance his wife's near-term political prospects. It's
as if he's become so focused on winning this primary
battle that he's completely lost sight of all larger
considerations.

It's hard to argue with any of that. As it turns out,
the South Carolina polls were even more inaccurate
than the New Hampshire polls were, though that fact
hasn't received much attention because predicting the
wrong winner (as the New Hampshire polls did) is a far
more dramatic error than under-predicting the winner's
ultimate margin of victory (as the South Carolina
polls did). But, mathematically speaking, the
magnitude of the polling error is actually greater in
South Carolina.

The average of the pre-New Hampshire polls showed
Obama with an 8 point lead, and Clinton won by almost
3 points -- a difference of 11 points. By contrast,
the average of the pre-South Carolina polls showed
Obama with an 11 point lead, and he won by 28 points
-- a difference of 17 points.

One highly likely explanation for this huge disparity
is that so many voters decided to vote for Obama in
the last several days as a result of their revulsion
towards Obama's treatment by the Clinton campaign --
and Bill particularly -- just as New Hampshire voters
decided in the last several days to vote for Hillary
as a backlash against her ugly, patently unfair
treatment by the press:

Bill Clinton's aggressive campaigning in South
Carolina in the days leading up to the state's primary
may have had a net negative effect among South
Carolina's Democratic primary voters, CNN exit polls
indicate.

Roughly 6 in 10 South Carolina Democratic primary
voters said Bill Clinton's campaigning was important
in how they ultimately decided to vote, and of those
voters, 48 percent went for Barack Obama while only 37
percent went for Hillary Clinton. Fourteen percent of
those voters voted for John Edwards.

Meanwhile, the exit polls also indicate Obama easily
beat Clinton among those voters who decided in the
last three days -- when news reports heavily covered
the former president's heightened criticisms of Obama.
Twenty percent of South Carolina Democrats made their
decision in the last three days and 51 percent of them
chose Obama, while only 21 percent picked Clinton.

That's well-deserved and good to see. Presidential
campaign tactics are often dishonest, deceitful and
ugly. That's true of every successful campaign. But
that doesn't mean there are no lines, and this last
week, Bill Clinton (and thus, by effect, Hillary) has
been (at least) flirting with that line and has now
clearly crossed it -- nowhere near what the
Republicans will do if Obama is the nominee, but he's
nonetheless unquestionably on the wrong side of it.

Many Democrats -- including progressives -- have an
ambivalent attitude towards the Clintons despite
Hillary's relatively conservative record since she's
been in the Senate. They distrust their
"triangulation" and soul-less political tactics, as
expressed most vividly in Hillary's case by her
years-long support of the Iraq War and general support
for war-loving policies.

But they also respect the Clintons for being among the
very few Democrats of any significance with the
willingness and ability to stand up to and defeat the
right-wing monster and, most importantly, to recognize
its true character. The Clintons' behavior over this
last week does nothing but highlight the absolute
worst parts of their character and make any rational
person dread the return of the whole Clinton show to
the White House -- not because of how their political
enemies react to them but because of how they, almost
addictively, conduct themselves.

This behavior may be shrewd because dividing the
Democratic electorate along racial lines may be their
best chance for success. It may not matter, because
the huge number of large states being contested on
February 5 places a premimum on party establishment
support more than anything else, and Clinton has a
significant advantage there. But regardless of their
strategic value, comments such as the ones coming from
the Clinton campaign about Obama over the last couple
days are ones that would (rightfully) provoke angry
protests and probably accusations of "racism" if they
came from the Right, and there's no reason those
comments ought to be treated any differently because
they're coming instead from the Clinton campaign.

UPDATE: Josh Marshall, who -- by his own reckoning --
has long been one of the most loyal and admiring Bill
Clinton fans around, has been increasingly critical of
the ex-President's behavior over the last couple of
weeks and, specifically, his "Jackson/Obama"
comparison yesterday. In a post this morning, Josh
points out the numerous differences between
yesterday's primary and the 1984 and 1988 primaries
won by Jackson and concludes:

Bill Clinton's reference to Jesse Jackson's wins in
South Carolina pretty much speaks for itself. But
there's a further part of the story that's well worth
pointing out. . . .

[I]n addition to whatever else he was trying to
convey, Bill Clinton's statement about Jackson's
victories was, while accurate, highly misleading on
something like three or four different counts.

I must say I'm surprised by the number of people
willing to defend Bill Clinton's comments here. Had
the Obama campaign dismissed his loss in New Hampshire
by casually suggesting that it's unsurprising that he
lost given that the state is predominantly white,
would that have been an appropriate comment to make?
Most of these elections are complex and most voters --
including black voters in South Carolina -- are
influenced by numerous factors.

Blithely suggesting that Obama won South Carolina
because he's the "black candidate" is, at best, a
sloppy and destructive way of trying to divide the
electorate on racial lines in favor of the Clinton
campaign. Why is that defensible?

UPDATE II: Several other commentators who are
generally fans of the Clintons have similar reactions
to Bill Clinton's comments and offer additional
thoughts, including Scott Lemieux and Steve Benen.

There seem to be two strains of argument in defense of
Bill Clinton: (1) the Jackson comparision wasn't
racial and (2) it was racial, but not malicious, and
anyone objecting is being "overly-sensitive" and is
failing to appreciate that politics is a "contact
sport." The first objection seems to require little
effort to refute. Here, after all, is what the Clinton
campaign itself is saying:

Clinton campaign strategists denied any intentional
effort to stir the racial debate. But they said they
believe the fallout has had the effect of branding
Obama as "the black candidate," a tag that could hurt
him outside the South.
Is there something ambiguous about that?

As for the "suck-it-up" defense that politics entails
rough tactics and one can't whine about it, that is
true as far as it goes. As I said, I think many of the
controversies about past Clinton comments have been
manufactured and the Obama campaign has, at times,
been somewhat whiny and overly delicate in their
objections. But that doesn't mean that there are no
limits.

For those who are arguing that we need tough tactics
in politics, does anything go? If it's the case -- as
it certainly seems to be -- that part of the Clinton
strategy is to depict Obama as the "black candidate"
comparable to Jackson's candidacy in the 1980s --
meaning a candidacy perceived as representative of
racial minorites and unable to attract white voters --
all in order to encourage racial tribalism in voting
and to attempt to win by making it a "black v. white"
primary (knowing there are more white voters than
black voters), is that all acceptable, all part of the
"politics-is-a-tough-game" justification?

And for all the people who are labelling these
concerns "whining" and insisting on the need for tough
tactics: were you saying the same in response to
complaints about, say, the 1988 Willie Horton campaign
or the 2000 "McCain-had-an-out-of-wedlock black baby"
slurs or 2004 Swift Boat attacks or this year's
"Obama-is-a-Muslim" emails? The point isn't to suggest
an equivalence between those attacks but to underscore
the fact that complaints about unfair or divisive
campaign tactics aren't inherently "whiny" or
unrealistic. Sometimes those complaints are valid
because the tactics in question are way over the line
-- for those who recognize that such lines exist.

Rezko arrested

Javier Amador, Hillsborough, NC — Mon, 28 Jan 2008 15:57:33 GMT

Come on, dig in on this, send out hte investigators and get it all out.....Oh... wait a minute, you will not report on that because will blast your Obama bubble.I see, MSNBC is just another spin room just like fox noise. Shame on you.

Rezko arrested

Watching the Pots Call the Kettle Black — Mon, 28 Jan 2008 16:00:23 GMT

Two words: Mark Rich. All of you who are complicit in trying to tar and feather Senator Obama because of an association with Rezko, I remind you of Mark Rich.

Ah, why not, here's the rest of their list:
Charlie Trie, John Huang, John Chung, Norman Hsu, Peter Paul, Terry McAuliffe, Hassan Nemazee, Alan Quasha, Whitewater, Castel Grande, Madison Guaranty, Tyson Foods, cattle futures, Webb Hubbell, Jim and Susan McDougal, Jim Guy Tucker, Seth Ward, Paula Jones, Gennifer Flowers, Juanita, Kathleen, Dolly, Monica, File-gate, Travel-gate, Vince Foster, Trooper-gate

Rezko arrested

Obama08 NYC — Mon, 28 Jan 2008 16:01:00 GMT

Will we hear about all the Clinton contributors problems or is there not enough space?

Rezko arrested

BRockNYLA, New York, NY — Mon, 28 Jan 2008 16:05:46 GMT

I'm sure that if Rezko had any connections to the Clintons this would be flashed across the top banner. I hope you folks are getting paid to do Obama's bidding.

Rezko arrested

Bill Johnson, Anaconda, Montana — Mon, 28 Jan 2008 16:10:14 GMT

How about running a photo of him with his good friend Hillary Clinton? Another Clinton croney bites the dust. Oh yeah, this bum also knew Obama.

Rezko arrested

JohnnyU, WA State — Mon, 28 Jan 2008 16:10:42 GMT

College educated native of Washington State here, I wholeheartedly support Senator Obama. This issue does not reflect upon Barack. Efforts to make it appear so are just more of the typical smear & fear dirty politics that I'm sick of.

Rezko arrested

Fit to be tired... — Mon, 28 Jan 2008 16:21:31 GMT

Rezko was arrested and so was many republicans within the last year. What does this mean? Absolutely nothing. Come on MSNBC! This is ridiculous.
Well at least for the Clintons, they pardoned most their shady buddies, so this means nothing.

Rezko arrested

Jeff Rathdrum ID — Mon, 28 Jan 2008 16:21:33 GMT

I'm sorry I don't see it, everyone knows someone shady. Yes Obama knew him, but I don't see any wrong doing by Obama. Maybe I am missing something, but it seems Obama has already commented on this and the connection doesn't seem that big of a deal.
Rezko to me is just Clintons trying to find something to stick on Obama, and if this is the best they got it's a joke. I mean how many shady people do the Clintons know, and in alot of cases I bet there connection is even stronger.
I sure don't think Obama is a saint, but if this is the only thing you can find on him, you make me think as far as politics go he might be as close to a saint as we will get LOL!!!

Rezko arrested

Vickie C Blaine MN — Mon, 28 Jan 2008 16:23:04 GMT

I agree, you sicken me with your double standard and I think you should go work for the fix it station. Double standards turn people away. I will not watch NBC any longer........

signed

disgusted with your double standard coverage....

Rezko arrested

Vickie C Blaine MN — Mon, 28 Jan 2008 16:23:44 GMT

Rezko arrested

itstir — Mon, 28 Jan 2008 16:24:54 GMT

I love to buy Obama's house for 300K. Will he sell it?

Rezko arrested

itstir — Mon, 28 Jan 2008 16:25:48 GMT

I love to buy Obama's house for 300K. Will he sell it?

Rezko arrested

chuck — Mon, 28 Jan 2008 16:27:30 GMT

Interestingly enough, Marc Rich is still free and Vince Foster is still dead.

Rezko arrested

Ron, TX — Mon, 28 Jan 2008 16:28:06 GMT

I haven't ever seen a single report that shows Obama passed a single bit of legislation that favored or benefitted Rezko in any way...

Maybe MSNBC can give us an update on Alan Gerry, the guy who got Clinton to stick the "hippy museum" to the appropriations bill... you know, the guy that donated $29,200 to her a few days after she inserted it into the bill?

Or maybe we can get an update on Norman Hsu, Peter Paul, the Paw family, the Chinese dishwashers that gave her $2,300 (did they get a pay raise? still working hard I hope?)? How's Monica, Linda, and Jennifer doing?

Maybe we can get the report of the picture of Rezko standing next to Billary? Or some investigative digging into how much Rezko gave other democrats?

Rezko arrested

Patrick Casey. Salt Lake City,Ut — Mon, 28 Jan 2008 16:30:37 GMT

More like a little bird dropping on the NBC/MSNBC parade.

Rezko arrested

DJ, Lemoore, Ca — Mon, 28 Jan 2008 16:30:47 GMT

He probably should have been arrested? Heard he was slum landlord? It just says one thing about the media and how much it controls our lives... There are plenty of bad people out there and there are just as many good? Why don't we report that as much as the bad? Because it's not news some people? This is all politics and we have endure the pain of advertisements and certain views and beliefs of the press.

Rezko arrested

hknight, MS — Mon, 28 Jan 2008 16:34:55 GMT

Someone please show me where Obama has actually done anything illegal? Some Whitewater type stuff, lying to grand jury, etc.? Anything??? No?? With the ton of filth in the Clinton's past, they are the last to try to throw stones.

Rezko arrested

Rob C, Long Island, NY — Mon, 28 Jan 2008 16:36:28 GMT

Tony Rezko apparently knows, PA, Gov Ed Rendell; Rendell endorses Clinton; Clinton takes early pics with Rezko; Rezko happens to find an up-and-coming Obama; Rezko entangles Obama via engratiating support and contributions. Rezko arrest and prosecution seems too politically convenient.
Are we to presume that a candidate is knowledgeable of the unlawful conduct of it's supporters and contributors? Or, just Sen. Obama?
We should be mindful that Rezko seems to be the only focus of Sen. Obama, blemishes...hmm.

Rezko arrested

Eric, SI, NY — Mon, 28 Jan 2008 16:37:28 GMT

If this had been a Clinton supporter it would have been several more lines and the lead story on MSNBC and other stations. The fact that Obama is not being forthcoming about his 20 year friendship with Rezko and that he still has tens of thousands of dolars that Rezko raised (according to ABCNews) for his US Senate race is something that the press does not seem to be really that interested in.

Rezko arrested

Chaunda — Mon, 28 Jan 2008 16:38:34 GMT

Sierra SF

You cannot get your point across thru cut and paste and thru word count you cannot be taken seriously that way.

Rezko arrested

J of ARK — Mon, 28 Jan 2008 16:39:08 GMT

This is absurd - where is the media on this????? Have you all drunk the Obama kool-aide? He is skating through the primaries (while Hillary gets beat up on a daily basis) only to find that all this "dark-side" stuff will eat his lunch in the general election.

Rezko arrested

Dave, Boston, MA — Mon, 28 Jan 2008 16:39:43 GMT

If you read the article in the Tribune, this seems to me like a nonissue. The house Obama bought and the property next to it were being advertised separately. There was no deal with the sellers to split the lot. Yes, the house was bought below asking price, but that's pretty common(I've done it myself).
The amount below asking price (300K) reflects the price of the property (1.7 million). The fact that Rezco paid full price is indicative of nothing, he was buying land for development, not a house. Land prices are much more predictable, than houses which need upkeep, renovation, etc. and are subject to inspections.

As far as I can see, the Obamas haven't even overtly benefited from Rezko's transaction.

Rezko arrested

kristoph, wa — Mon, 28 Jan 2008 16:42:18 GMT

The buzz is Rezko will turn states evidence and pleased guilty in exchange for a guilty plea.

I guess in depends who he names but it could be the news of the year.

Rezko arrested

cc, boston, ma — Mon, 28 Jan 2008 16:42:52 GMT

To all that did not see the Photo of the Clinton's and Tony Rezko last week. They have an history.

Rezko arrested

Henrichin, Kansas City, MO — Mon, 28 Jan 2008 16:46:14 GMT

I think maybe everyone should stop the nonsense and actually get the facts. http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/chi-rezko-arrested_webjan29,0,2320595.story

Rezko arrested

craighennin@aol.com — Mon, 28 Jan 2008 16:48:21 GMT

Why hasn’t the media investigated the property Obama bought at well below the market value thanks to his ties to Rezko? AND the property sale took place while Rezko was known to be under indictment.

Or why haven’t they asked Obama about the several times he pushed the wrong button on his votes in the IL state legislature? At least two of these “OOPS, I pushed the wrong button” incidents were on controversial votes.

If either of these issues involved Hillary Clinton, the media would have been all over them (and her) from Day 1.

Give me a break…….

Rezko arrested

benvictor — Mon, 28 Jan 2008 16:51:21 GMT

A little rain on Teddy's parade today. Does this guy have bad timing, or does this guy have bad timing? I am so ready for Al Gore to save this party before total disaster ensues. Help us, please.

Rezko arrested

LMeyer, Seattle, Wash — Mon, 28 Jan 2008 16:51:52 GMT

Vote for John Edwards. Do we really need Obama and Clinton?

Rezko arrested

Shelly,Aberdeen,Wash — Mon, 28 Jan 2008 17:32:03 GMT

This I grant you will turn into a Tsunami and both Senators Clinton and Obama will be implicated they will have to drop out!
John Edwards is not staying in the race for folly he knows where the bodies are buried and he will be THE
UNITING Force and will give US our nation back!

Rezko arrested

kenn — Mon, 28 Jan 2008 17:32:50 GMT

I guess its just which 3 million dollar house that OBAMA got for under market price that make smart people not you who are so easily swayed by tv think is underhanded ,for a housing project deal OBAMA ever live in the projects how are the projects SLUMS in OBAMAS old district I m sure uits filled with hope to this day hoping someone remembers they exsist because barack has moved on hes fired up hes changing so dont try looking for him at the housing project until it will make a good photo op

Rezko arrested

Wendy PA — Mon, 28 Jan 2008 17:33:22 GMT

We need for John Edwards to stay in this race and to keep the focus on the issues. If he drops out, the Clinton-Obama circus will get much worse.

Rezko arrested

ObamaRama — Mon, 28 Jan 2008 17:42:47 GMT

Obama cultists reduced to using moral equivalence as a defense of their supposedly morally superior candidate.

Patrick Fitzgerald hasn't even begun to peel the onion of corruption yet and despite the Obama-nation's insistence that, "There's nothing there", and "It's ALREADY been covered", even they can sense that this is just the beginning.

Barry was never going to win the nomination, the question now is, how deeply he's involved with Rezko, his circle (Michael “Jaws” Giorango" and their dirty dealings and whether his once promising political career can be salvaged.

The totally predictable reaction of the members of the cult of, the one", is further evidence that their support is more blind faith than rational thought.
The Rezko trial begins at the end of February and will probably drag on through the summer months, at least.

We can't have a candidate whose oldest and closest associate and BIGGEST financial contributor is on TRIAL.

Rezko arrested

ObamaRama — Mon, 28 Jan 2008 17:42:59 GMT

Rezko arrested

ObamaRama — Mon, 28 Jan 2008 17:43:19 GMT

Rezko arrested

OneCommonMan, Seattle WA — Mon, 28 Jan 2008 17:44:54 GMT

How did Barack manage to purchase a home for 300K under asking? Why did Rezko purchase the lot next to his new home the next day? What did Barack pay Rezko for a 1/3 of the Rezko lot for the expansion of his home? Why did Obama accept 85K (now I'm hearing 140K) in contributions from an "influence peddler" who the Chicago papers and DA were investigating? How much legal work did Obama really do in defending Rezko. Are we going to have a RezkoGate with Obama? Why would Obama even associate himself with a prominent member of the Nation of Islam? How long did this relationship last? Were the Obama's social with the Rezko's? How much did Rezko pay for the Obama family home - fair market value or more? Precisely which legislation did Obama vote "Present" on to help Rezko with his real estate dealings? Why is Obama noted as the "unnamed politician" in the indictment against Rezko?

Rezko arrested

Indygirl, Piketon, Ohio — Mon, 28 Jan 2008 17:55:03 GMT

No, LMeyer in Seattle we DO NOT need Obama or Clinton. This country needs John Edwards. Let's put the nastiness aside and put John up as our nominee.

JOHN EDWARDS in 08!!!!

Rezko arrested

Tom, st. cloud, MN — Mon, 28 Jan 2008 18:05:29 GMT

MSNBC is to Obama as FOX was to Bush. The bias is unbeleivable. Is Joe Scarbourgh, Tucker Carlson, Tim Russert, and Keith Oberman on the Obama payroll? The only one who speaks factually on those shows is Pat Buchanan. MSNBC, you have lost a listener. Buchanan for President.

Rezko arrested

Vote for John Edwards — Mon, 28 Jan 2008 18:11:34 GMT

We can't have a candidate whose oldest and closest associate and BIGGEST financial contributor is on TRIAL.
ObamaRama (Sent Monday, January 28, 2008 12:43 PM)

---------------------------------------------------
I hear BO wants Rezko as VP. The repukes are working on all this and the drug history for their campaign against BO. It will be a bloodbath, BO will be annihilated. WE are doomed, the Dem's and repukes have wanted Hillary dead and they are ready to vanquished BO, he will be easy to wipe out.

Rezko arrested

SP Lewis — Mon, 28 Jan 2008 18:15:20 GMT

{How did Barack manage to purchase a home for 300K under asking?}

Good question.

While we are at it, lets ask Hillary how she made $100000 in a half day of trading cows.

Rezko arrested

Myke, Nashville — Mon, 28 Jan 2008 18:19:04 GMT

Do any of you read? There are all kinds of misgivings about Rezko and his ties to Barack. How would Baracks black constituents feel if they knew Tony Rezko stole "set asides" that were to be offered to African American, Hispanic, and female small business owners. In Obama's District. I see all this retread of Clinton things and this is about Obama, not them. You all can hook anything on a Clinton without much effort. Do you not find it odd that Barack hired an associate of Rezko's child as an intern but has no idea who this "doner" is? Do you not know that Rezko had people donate to Barack's campaign and then re-imbursed them? That's a Federal Election Law violation. We are having a Federal Election!!!!! He did it for many other politicos and we will see how it connects to Barack. Oh, and this has been going on for at least two years. The Clintons didn't come up with this one you idiots. When Rezko threw Obama a huge, lavish, expensive victory celebration it was not because he was a stranger.It was at Rezko's house. He sat on his campaign finance commitee. MSNBC, you are really just getting a taste of how people feel about your coverage of the election. Sometimes the guest pundits on several of your shows shake their heads and ask themselves "Why does this person have a show"? Ask yourselves that and then try to figure out how you are going to fill your air time after the election passes.
The racial issue was by far some of your worst work ever. When 80 percent of the black vote goes to the black candidate it is a routing. Not racial bias in favor of a black candidate. Is that not racism also?
Oh, and ted kennedy has run for "National Office" and barely made it out of the gate. He represents his Senate District in Mass. His endorsement is one of his reputation? So if Bill did what he wanted he would have supported Hillary? Teddy needs to start drinking again. John Kerry? WTF? He picks John Edwards as his second in command and yet 3.5 years later his own choice isn't qualified to be President. More good judgement. How sorry I am that I voted for that jerk. I did so because JE was his running mate. So drag out all the dead horses and parade them around as if any of us care. Hillary has the endorsement of a two time "good" President. That says so much more than these stoic Yankees and their bloated egos.

Rezko arrested

Vote for John Edwards — Mon, 28 Jan 2008 18:31:03 GMT

Rezko arrested

S.P. Wiliams, Lakewood, CO — Mon, 28 Jan 2008 18:40:37 GMT

Let's see, what does a crooked real estate developer need with an up-and-coming civil rights lawyer whose forte is pursuing fair housing cases? The allegation that Rezko is a Nation of Islam member connects to the allegation that Obama's spiritual confidante, Rev. J. Wright, also endorsed Louis Farrakhan's anti-semitic views. Last question: do we really believe Obama, the child of two atheists (which is good) suddenly "found Jesus" at the same time his political ambitions informed him you don't go anywhere in black America unless you enter by the door to a church. None of this is exceptional for a Chicago politician, but I'm tired of "Saint" Obama, aren't you? It's possible to be all things to all people when you're campaigning, but when you're president, you've got to commit yourself one way or another. The voting public just wants to know who the heck he is and what he'll do if elected. I will grind my teeth on the media's shin bone if all the dirt comes out on someone AFTER they're elected.

Rezko arrested

MSNBCforObama! — Mon, 28 Jan 2008 19:22:06 GMT

Rob C Long Island - The Clintons did not use Rezko ties to purchase property at BELOW the market value - Obama DID.

Rezko arrested

Leslie, Lawrenceburg, Indiana — Mon, 28 Jan 2008 21:59:03 GMT

VOTE FOR JOHN EDWARDS!!!!!!

Rezko arrested

Carl B, Houston, TX — Mon, 28 Jan 2008 22:22:01 GMT

If this is such a non issue, why, during the debate when he was characterized by Senator Clinton as a slum lord, did Senator Obama not stand up for his long-time friend? In the debate clip that I saw, he seemed to indicate that he had little association with someone who may have been a client of questionable character. Senator Obama seemed like he wanted to deflect attention away from the subject.

Rezko arrested

Dave Geneva NY — Mon, 28 Jan 2008 22:53:10 GMT

REZKO this is just what I am takling about Obama takes money this time from Rezko but how many times from the lobyists he met with the meetings where no written records were kept.
Where is the critical review of the senator fron Illinois?
America deserves tough questions leveled at Obama

Rezko arrested

Don, LA, California — Mon, 28 Jan 2008 23:24:00 GMT

Bill(Monica Lewinsky), Hillary(Peter Paul) have always lied, mis-represented issues intentionally. Go to youtube and hear hillary call Peter Paul- "The Shocking Video Hillary Does NOT Want You To See!" America needs a true leader at this critical hour and not some desperados LYING to get the presidency as if it is their inheritance. By the way, if not for Bill Clinton, Hillary cant say she merits the presidency in any way. Bill is her only Experience.

Rezko arrested

Jeff Rathdrum ID — Tue, 29 Jan 2008 00:01:45 GMT

Ah people I don't understand something here. I bought my house for 120k 3k below market price thats 2.5%. Now if my numbers are right Obama paid 1.7 million and got it 300,000 below market price thats 1.76%.
That means I got a better deal the Obama, I guess I better go turn myself in!!!! Now I don't know when Obama bought his house and I don't know Housing in that area, but here at that time it was hard to sell your house thus I got a good deal!!

Rezko arrested

Lo in OR — Tue, 29 Jan 2008 00:06:29 GMT

Hello...'alleged bond violation' LOL.. this has nothing to do with Obama. Do you ever read anything or just the headline and then run with it?

Want to know the truth about his home purchase?? read the facts BarackObama.com..

On the otherhand... if you want to know about the Clintons cocaine trafficing and money laundering and murders..google 'clinton chronicles' and watch the video...They should be in prison..not running a campaign to do it all again. Bill only wants the White House back so he can start conducting his illegal activities again. More coverups...more document shredding, more murders...

Know your facts.

Rezko arrested

laura elwin, Sammamish, WA — Tue, 29 Jan 2008 00:52:56 GMT

Give us the facts please: As published in the Seattle Times, Rezko's wife closed a real estate deal at the same time as Obama. Obama purchased a "modest" family home in Chicago for approx. $1,650,000. Yes over a million and a half dollars.
Supposedly this was $300,000 under the asking price.
Rezko's wife supposedly purchased the adjacent lot
for approx. $625,000 or $650,000. The big question is was this adjacent lot a part and parcel of the home purchased by Obama on the adjacent lot????
If it was and the sale to the two purchasers handled close together by associates, it would appear that the $300,000 price reduction to Obama was picked up by the $625,000 sale price of the adjacent lot. The question is what was the original price of the lot, and were the two parcels part of one original offering for sale?? Yes while not illegal...it is rather suspicious practices or what some call creative financing. My question is also, could Obama afford such an expensive home? What income does his wife have? What was his income and salary for working at the University? The Clintons have been turned upside down and inside out and investigated to the bottom of their dresser drawers.
Don't we deserve to know the truth about Obama NOW???

Obama now claims in retrospect that the property deal was "a mistake". Interesting??? Why if it were so "not an issue" and something we are suppose to let fly.

Further....Bill Clinton is not and did not play the race card. How crazy to suggest that he has been
"spotlighting" and disparaging Obama as a black candidate. Obama IS a black man. Obama looked at John Edwards in the debate after stating that a woman and an African American man were running for the president and said, "And John is the WHITE man"
Of course, the media thinks that's cute! Obama also
answered the question about Toni Morrison's calling
of Bill Clinton the first black president because he cares about a better life for blacks...when Obama was asked to comment on that, he proceeded to acknowledge that Clinton was an advocate for blacks, looked at Hillary, and said, "He, Clinton, still is"
then he proceeded to say that he would have to see him dance before calling him brother" Sorry, folks,
I find that racists. Blacks have been portrayed as "good dancers" and "good athlethics" and for Obama to say that was certainly pointing out what Clinton would have to be like in order to be a brother (meaning a black brother). Obama is a black man, Hillary is a white woman, and John Edwards is a white man. The media has segmented the votes from every state, every poll, based on black, white, male, female. Schneider commented while going over the results from S.C. about Jessie Jackson's record of votes when he was a candidate in S.C. some years back....but when Bill Clinton made reference to the fact that Jackson did well in S.C., that he ran a good campaign, and that Obama ran a good campaign in S.C., the media creeps were all over him as playing the race card. Obama has attacked Hillary as much or more and all the while claiming he is being unfairly attacked. He is a slick politician, yet acts like he can offer change. I want to know...change from what. He is behaving the same as all politicians. He works on Capitol Hill, his wife is out on the stump making comments like, "If someone can't run their own house, how can they run the White HOuse?" Bill Clinton has every right to compaign for his spouse. If the democates don't learn to respond to all attacks they will fail again just as we did in not fighting the attack ads against Kerry and Gore. Obama has not shown that he can stand up to the repub machine and they will go after him with every thing the can. He will be investigated for the past forty years of his life.
They will manufacture attacks against him just a they did the Clintons and McCain and Kerry and Gore.
Do we think he can take it when he is complaining the he has Bill helping Hillary? Don't think so...

My vote goes to Mrs. Clinton who is extremely intelligent, experienced, caring, tested, and
she answeres all the questions she is asked. Her
vision is what can save this country and I feel that Obama must show us something more than he has shown and that is his ability to inspire....but what is he clearly inspiring. I feel that he is dividing us even more. He clearly speeks his words to different folks, which separates us. Hillary is speaking to all of us. I feel that when she is talking about educating our children and giving them good health care she is talking to every family regardless of color or creed. She wants all Americans to have a better life. And I believe that when Bill Clinton was president that was his mission as well. For Clinton haters...you must get all the true facts about any candidate before making a choice. Jerry Falwell published a whole video of lies about the Clinton's which people are still considering as truth. Even Falwell himself said that he was mistaken about what he put out. So folks...use your brains and remember how the media gave Bush a big pass to the White House by not asking him the tough questions and letting him get away with evasive answers. Look what we got. We cannot afford another president who is not qualified? Obama's resume is too short for the position...apply in eight years.

TO MSNBC....START REPORTING FAIRLY...YOU ARE BECOMING THE OLD FOX. I AM USING THE REMOTE ON CHRIS MATTHEWS AND CNN IS ALSO GETTING SWITCHED FOR C-SPAN COVERAGE. WHERE ARE THE BRAINY ANCHORS AND PUNDITS...ONLY TOM BROKAW IS LEFT WITH FAIR AND SMART COMMENTS. HOPEFULLY AMERICANS WILL BE SMARTER THIS TIME.

Laura, WA

Rezko arrested

Democrat 101 — Tue, 29 Jan 2008 06:47:24 GMT

While I am not supporting any candidate at this point, so what the heck is wrong with Tony if the media has declared Obama to have represented organizations working with this developer and not directly representing this guy?
Why do dumb voters and the media make a huge deal out of a small issue -- an issue of Obama representing community organizations and not this developer.

Rezko arrested

Mike la,ca — Tue, 29 Jan 2008 13:11:10 GMT

amazing msnbc hypocrisy! can't bring yourselves to investigate this stinky obama love affair with indicted slumlord tony rezco? i want to know more and i don't trust the 'one-night stand' excuses of obama.