CHANGE ??? Barack Obama and his Judgement … Tony Rezko played Bigger Fundraising Role & Raised More Money than Previously Known

Source: http://scaredmonkeys.com/2008/03/15/change-barack-obama-and-his-judgement-tony-rezko-played-bigger-fundraising-role-raised-more-money-than-previously-known/

March 15, 2008 by Scared Monkeys

Change, or same old same old? The longer the Democratic primary campaign goes on, they more we find out about Obama. What we are discovering is hardly a man of “Change”. Barack Obama continues to follow the same pattern. Deal with individuals and have lapses in judgement. Then when it is politically harmful to maintain those long standing relationships … he distances himself and “Blames it on Rio”. Hey Barack … JUDGEMENT MATTERS!!!

Barack Obama, the Democratic candidate for President who has based his entire campaign on hope and change has once again stepped in a pile of change. First, Obama was linked to Tony Rezko, then it was Michelle Obama’s comments about not being proud of America. Most recently,  it was the controversial comments from his long spiritual adviser Reverend Wright. Now the specter of Tony Rezko and his political fund raising for Barack Obama has reared its ugly head again.

It appears that Tony Rezko has raised more campaign funds for Barack Obama than previously known. Woops, he did it again … an error in judgement. According to Obama, that should not matter to voters.

But in a 90-minute interview with Tribune reporters and editors, Obama disclosed that Rezko had raised more for Obama’s earlier political campaigns than previously known, gathering as much as $250,000 for the first three offices he sought.

Obama also elaborated on previous statements about his private real estate transactions with Rezko, saying they were not simply mistakes of judgement because Rezko was under grand jury investigation at the time of their 2005 and 2006 dealings. “The mistake, by the way, was not just engaging in a transaction with Tony because he was having legal problems. The mistake was because he was a contributor and somebody who was involved in politics.”

Faced with intensifying scrutiny as the Democratic primary season grinds on, Obama said voters should view his Rezko dealings as “a mistake in not seeing the potential conflicts of interest.” But he added that voters should also “see somebody who is not engaged in any wrongdoing . . . and who they can trust.” (Chicago Tribune)

8 things you need to know about Obama and Rezko

• 
  
  Hot Air: The Tony Rezko trial just produced a new nugget that makes Obama look more dishonest.
  
  


• 
  
  Rezko Watch: Follow the Money: Obama attempts to “quell” Rezko controversy
  
  


• 
  
  Spin Cycle: Obama: Wright and Rezko, in one day
  
  

UPDATE I: Barack Obama Beginning to Sound Like a Typical Politician … Obama tells Sun-Times it’s hard to keep track of about $250,000 from tainted donor

Barack Obama, what is that sound? Its the sound of inevitability and your campaign crashing to the ground. The longer that the Democratic Primary goes on … the more that the public sees Obama for what he really is … Just another politician.

The candidate of so-called “Change” is beginning to sound like the very thing that he claims to be the champion against. Barack Obama sounds like Hillary Clinton, not being able to recall when asked in the past about improprieties with White Water. Now Obama … the so called candidate of political change looks just like one in a long line of lying, spinning and unable to recall politicians.

This is the breakdown Obama provided for Rezko’s fund-raising:

• About $160,000 for Obama’s 2004 U.S. Senate election. Obama has given that money to charity.


• From $50,000 to $60,000 for Obama’s failed attempt to unseat U.S. Rep. Bobby Rush in 2000.


• Between $10,000 and $15,000 for Obama’s first election, in 1996, to the Illinois Senate.


• “Somewhat less than that” for Obama’s re-elections to the Illinois Senate in 1998 and 2002.

Obama’s estimate exceeded his campaign staff’s previous estimates of Rezko’s fund-raising during Obama’s 12 years in politics. In November 2006, Obama’s staff estimated Rezko raised $50,000 to $60,000 over the senator’s career. In the last year, Obama’s campaign fund has given charities more than $157,600 in donations it linked to Rezko, his family, friends and business associates.

Barack Obama’s Tribune interview

Obama Admits Repeated Poor Judgement With Rezko, Listen to interview HERE

It would appear that is all that Obama has done lately is be guilty of repeated poor judgement. However, having a religious adviser in your ear for 20 years is far from poor judgement … that is just a convenient excuse.