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Thadius -> Connecting the dots. Obama. (9/3/2008 12:31:46 PM)
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Let's start with the last cycle...
http://blogs.chicagotribune.com/news_columnists_ezorn/2006/11/obama_endorses_.html
quote:
An old saying goes, "The sooner I fall behind in my work, the longer I have to catch up."
Now, starry-eyed believers in the transformative nature of Illinois' junior senator have their own variation: "The sooner I grow disillusioned with Barack Obama, the longer I have to forgive him."
So, let's get started, shall we?
The story goes on to talk about such things as Obama backing the son of his banker for State Treasurer because:
quote:
There were warning signs: Obama's first dubious endorsement of a lightweight came during the primary season when he cut TV ads plumping for Alexi Giannoulias, then 29, the vice president of his family's bank who decided he'd like to be state treasurer. The endorsement was widely seen as key to Giannoulias' primary victory.
Obama was upfront about why he got involved: Members of the Giannoulias family were early and strong backers of his U.S. Senate campaign and "I think it's important to reciprocate," he told a reporter.
quote:
The stench of same-old-same-old from John Stroger's years of cronyism and bloat hung over the process, and Obama had every excuse to distance himself from it.
Instead came this letter--a body blow to Claypool Democrats and the idealists whose fantasy about Obama is that he will transcend the grubby machinations and tawdry favor-swapping of party politics--followed by word from Obama's office that he will appear on stage at a pro-Stroger rally Monday night.
Favors, I am sure he will collect on this year.
Now, lets move to the who's who of financing, and insiders of the Chicago political machine.
Everybody has heard of Rezko, at least briefly. Lets look at some of the details.
Tony and Barrack met before Obama got his job in Chicago, they met while he was still a student at Harvard in '90, Tony offered him a job, but Barrack turned it down, at least that is how the story goes. Obama finally graduated, moved to Chicago and went to work for a law firm that handled Rezko's properties. His boss at the time was Allison Davis (remember that name for later). They dealt with converting abandoned nursing homes into low cost housing, and renovating other building for the same use. Do a search for Rezmar and WPIC for more detailed info (you didn't think I was going to do all of the leg work for you, did you?).
Life was good, and the young Obama decided to run for State Senate, one that had a whole bunch of Rezko's properties in it. Tony was taking out loans and grants, based on the good intentions of providing low income housing, yet many of those buildings didn't receive any fixing and mortgages were ignored. Tony continued to donate to and back Obama, and Barrack reciprocated.
During this time frame (that prior to running for US Senate), Obama was appointed to a few boards, The Woods Foundation, and The Chicago Annenburg Challenge. (this is the first official meetings of he and Bill Ayers, although they did run in many of the same circles, I will leave it at this).
Remember that name I told ya to remember, well this is where it comes up again. http://www.suntimes.com/news/watchdogs/672314,CST-NWS-watchdog29.article
quote:
Seven years ago, Sen. Barack Obama was on the board of a Chicago charity when his former boss, Allison S. Davis, came looking for money.
At the time, Davis was a developer represented by the law firm where Obama worked, as well as a small contributor to Obama's political campaign funds. He wanted the charity to help fund his plans to build housing for low-income Chicagoans.
Obama agreed. He voted with other directors of the Woods Fund of Chicago to invest $1 million with Neighborhood Rejuvenation Partners L.P., a $17 million partnership that Davis still operates.
It's not clear whether Obama told other board members of his ties to Davis, whose family would go on to donate more than $25,000 to Obama's political campaigns, including his bid to be president of the United States.
"Let me get back to you on that," Obama presidential campaign spokesman Bill Burton said when asked about that two weeks ago. He never did.
Anyways, there is a bunch more in the bouncing around and political favors, kickbacks, and the circle continues to go on. Even with the recent, announcement of Biden, one is left wondering if it was made to payback a favor. What you didn't know there was a connection there? Let me finish off this part of the post with that connection then...
http://www.suntimes.com/news/metro/rezko/1124666,CST-NWS-rezko25.article
quote:
Biden has deep ties to Rezko accomplice
JOSEPH CARI | 30-year friend of VP pick guilty in kickback scheme
When the Delaware senator began contemplating his own 2008 presidential run, he initially was helped by Chicago lawyer Joseph Cari Jr., who also served as Biden's Midwest field director in his failed 1988 bid for president.
In 2005, Cari admitted to taking part in an $850,000 kickback scheme that prosecutors say was part of a larger political fund-raising operation for Gov. Blagojevich overseen by Rezko, who was convicted in June of wide-ranging corruption involving state deals.
On the day Cari's name first surfaced in the federal probe of the state Teachers Retirement System, the former finance chairman for the Democratic National Committee and for the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee was to have hosted a Biden fund-raiser in Chicago. Cari was a no-show at that July 25, 2005, event.
Offering Cari a vote of confidence at the time, Biden said, "All I know is Joe Cari is a friend, and he's an honorable guy, but I don't know anything beyond that."
That should suffice for a primer. When I get time I will connect a few more.
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