Please help with Obama/Rezko information

[ThatBozGuy]

I recently discovered that there may be more information underlying this situation that would, if it proves to be true, in context, will blow open Mr Rezko's impact on the presidential candidacy in a much more damning way, rather than just a local Chicago level.

I am asking for any information any one can supply to the land deal, or other involvement of Mr Obama with Mr Rezko, specifically Im trying to put some information, that I believe is not public into context in a timeline.

What I am not looking for is interpretations or opinions pro or con.

My goal is a search for truth, good or bad for Mr Obama

For the record I voted for Mr Obama in the primary.

I realize this is a lot to ask but Obama supporters please do not attack me for searching for truth, if you have faith in him as your president, you have faith there is nothing to worry about.

I also ask for supporters of both Ms Clinton and Mr Obama or detractors of either candidate refrain from posting opinions or snipes on either side.

This is a quest for truth that may show the true power of DU if we can stay on the subject, without the slamming back and forth of fellow democrats.

So if anyone can help by posting all the known facts in this, timeframes, story releases, by-lines and any links to original reporting ( not opinion or editorial pieces, unless it was the original info releases ) it may blow the lid off this situation.

Thank you

[Yes We Did]

1. it's called google.

And the reason you aren't finding anything is because there is nothing there.

Are you looking for the negatives of Hillary Clinton too? There's tons of that, and tons more to come.

[ThatBozGuy]

6. Unfortunately google isnt much help.....

because it is full of interpretational and op ed pieces based on what might be.

What I am looking for is specific facts and dates and those are kind of shrouded by the noise.

I believed there are people here at DU that are smart enough to know where the noise isnt if that makes sense.

[DJ13]

2. Your time would be more productive following all the Clinton's fundraisers tied to Rezko

Its a web of criss crossed campaign financing that somehow always ends up back around the Clintons.

[ThatBozGuy]

8. As I said in my first post please ....

If you have faith in Mr Obama please refrain from jumping in. This a search for truth.

[DJ13]

10. If you have faith in Mr Obama please refrain from jumping in

So your on a witch hunt.

Nice.

[City Lights]

40. And if the truth you seek reaches the Clinton door, what then? eom

[ThatBozGuy]

42. If the facts I am researching prove to have a context and impact the public interest.....

They will be released to the public no matter who or whom the truth will help or hinder.

[City Lights]

43. But you're seeking information about Obama/Rezko rather than Rezko.

And you're asking those who mention Clinton to butt out. Your intent seems clear to me.

[ThatBozGuy]

45. The inforrmation I am trackiing is relevant to that time frame and that Im asking for help in that..

Your impression of my attempt to stop supporters of either candidate from providing information related specifically to the topic is incorrect. I have asked supporters from both sides to please refrain from sniping at each other, adding supposition or opinion information after the fact or in unrelated directions not specifically within the time frame I am researching.

Again I am not looking for he did this or she did this too information related to Rezko. I am specifically trying to measure what I believe are facts that are not in the pubic sphere with in the time frame of the Rezko land deal. If the facts are contextually with in the timeframe I am trying to get information on they will impact the presidential race and if they do not then its a red herring.

It has been difficult to sort through the noise both right and left to get to the very basic timeline of the facts and dates of the Land transaction and that is all I am trying to do. I thought several DUers would know and be able to point to the facts, not op eds, not reporting on reporting pieces just straight forward, when did this happen, what were the transactions, who reported it first and who wee the players involved.

As I have stated I voted for Mr Obama in my primary, I have taken a neutral stance in reviewing this because I believe it is important enough to follow through in the best interest of all people, should it prove to have any validity. I also as I said in my first post I feel taht if this information is true and the ducks are not in a row when it is released so that the media can follow up on it it will languish as an internet rumor.

[leftofcool]

3. Do a search for "Obama and Me'

This will give you some insight and you might be able to track down this journalist and email him

[ThatBozGuy]

12. Im looking for facts, not op eds

Like what is the smoke and when was it reported in chicago.

[ingac70]

4. Here's a picture....

[lligrd]

5. Damn, Beat Me Too It! nt

[ThatBozGuy]

9. Again as I said in my first post.....

If you have faith in Mr Obama please refrain from jumping in. This a search for truth. The truth can not hurt him if hes innocent.

[lligrd]

7. Here's Some Info

http://www.nydailynews.com/news/us_world/2008/02/29/2008-02-29_fundraiser_norman_hsu_has_no_money.html?ref=rss

[ThatBozGuy]

11. Again as I said in my first post.....

If you have faith in Mr Obama please refrain from jumping in. This a search for truth on Mr Rezko.

[MojoMojoMojo]

13. Dont you have moderators on this sight?STOP THE OFF TOPIC POSTS

Really Democratic Underground owners .Hello!
Its impossible to have an intelligent conversation on your website because of all the chatter.
They will drown out any topic which is offensive to them.Which means anything intelligent which criticizes their cult leader.
You desperately need a rule to STAY ON TOPIC.
This place is in danger of being as irrelevant as Politics /Craigslist due to the chatter

[cali]

21. listen up hillbot

That's not the way DU works. You can whinge from now til Doomsday and you won't get any help from the mods on this one. As for thew cult leader crap, it's a a stinking pile of shit. I, like most Obama supporters here, don't consider him as anything but a candidate I support. He isn't pefect by any means, and if there's anything to Rezco, hilldroid, I want to know. I haven't seen anything yet to suggest that there is, hillbot.

[ThatBozGuy]

26. I reize emotions are high....

But please dont snipe each other.

As I said in my first post.....
"I also ask for supporters of both Ms Clinton and Mr Obama or detractors of either candidate refrain from posting opinions or snipes on either side."

[cali]

28. Don't lecture

it does no good. Oh, and I completely doubt your sincerity. You've made it crystal clear that you only want dirt. You stated that you didn't want to hear both sides. That makes it obvious what YOU are. Oh, and did you make a similar comment to the poster who sniped about Obama as "cult leader"? No you did not.

[ThatBozGuy]

30. Im sorry if it came off as lecturing. Im simply trying to keep this conversation on track.....

and on subject to gain the information I am searching for. I am not looking for dirt I am looking for facts and timelines regarding the Rezko Land deal from the framing of the time that Mr Obama became a senator through the Land deal, to its reporting in connection with MR Obama and up to the time it came up in the debate.

My sincerity is not the subject or discussion and it does a diservice to you to attack me on it as I am neutral in the gathering of my information.

As I stated in my post I voted for Mr Obama in my primary, I have been on the site supporting him elsewhere you should be able to find my opinion.

But I have set that all aside in a search for truth in this specific subject.

I knew I would get hit from both sides accusers and defenders and I only asked that everyone keep the opinion side of it out of it. I know theres slips but an equal and opposite leap does not change a wrong leap by some one else.

As to the comment I didn't respond to I just had not gotten there yet and had responded with the same statement to the the other poster in several other posts under this thread, so please do not ascribe actions that are not present.

[Exilednight]

39. If you're so neutral than you will not have a problem finding out about Hillary and Rezko.

[ThatBozGuy]

41. I seek information that is truth and will follow it wherever it goes....

I do not seek supposition, guesses any direction or opinions. Im looking for specific facts for a specific timeline. From Mr Obamas Senate race success to the Rezko land deal and on through its disclosure in the public medium.

I can say there has been some enlightenment though some of the posts and there have been some other information that has disconnects what Im trying to research.

[Exilednight]

44. Start here and work backwards.....

http://www.nytimes.com/2006/05/07/nyregion/07company.html?ei=5088&en=64e3c8b91c10c59e&ex=1304654400&partner=rssnyt&emc=rss&pagewanted=all

Connect John Burgess to Myron "Mike" Cherry, to Tony Rezko.

[MojoMojoMojo]

14. Perhaps if you state your hypothesis ,you will get supporting information

or at least supporting help in research.
Damn you Obama supporters .This is not a beauty contest.
Learn the truth then decide.Dont ever suppress the truth.
Is your NEW politics above the truth?
Please dont disgust me any further.

[ThatBozGuy]

19. The hypothesis is an uknown to the public fact in the situation...

that may make the Rezko connection less nebulous one way or another.

But I am seeking a "clean" information stream or timeline untainted so to speak by Mr Obama's or Ms Clinton's supporters or other opinion driven reporting.

I just need to know if the fact fits in context and means what it appears to be before it is released to the public.

It will be released whether its good or bad for Mr Obama, but I am trying to verify that it is "contextually true" but if it doesnt fit the timeline then it doesn't have the impact that it would seem to have.

Think of it like an alibi breaker in a law and order show, if it sits in a time window its earth shattering to a case, but if its outside the window its just a red herring.

[Jamastiene]

15. Sure thing. There is a LOT of information about that here

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eBGIQ7ZuuiU">The Dirty Truth About The Rezko Affair

[ThatBozGuy]

20. I dont know if its worse that you rick rolled it or.....

The fact that I didn't click the link because I knew the URL was a rick roll URL

[MojoMojoMojo]

16. Thers not much .Because IMO the RW is waiting for Obama to win the nomination

Why has Fox not reported in the US ?
They are owned by Rupert Murdoch ,same as the Times.

http://rezkowatch.blogspot.com/search/label/RezkoTrialWatch
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/us_and_americas/us_elections/article3433485.ece
http://extras.timesonline.co.uk/pdfs/obama.pdf
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/us_and_americas/us_elections/article3433363.ece

[ThatBozGuy]

23. Thank You Mojo

Thats a beginning frame work for me. There is some I can sort through the opinions on.

[JBoris]

17. As far as I know...

the only solid ties are Rezko's contributions to Obama's campaigns over the years, around 150k total. Obama gave Rezkno's most recent contrbs (to his presidential campaign) to charity.
Then there's the land deal. Just going by memory here but, I think the land deal involved a 10-foot wide strip of land that Rezko sold him. The sale of the house itself was also been brought up, but Obama was not the only bidder, and his was the highest bid. Though the house price was -reportedly- still pretty low. I think the house and land deal was in 2005.

Then - I think- Rezko was once directly involved with one of Obama's state senate campaigns, but I have never seen any details about that. (again just going by memory here)

Also Rezko once offered Obama a job, which he turned down.
Then there is the really week tie of Obama once giving the son of a friend of Rezko a job. Kinda silly that last part even gets mentioned, but it often does.

The Clinton camp often implies that Obama has not released all the information about his ties to Rezko, but the Clintons never mention what information Obama is supposed to release. I think its just a way for them to keep the Rezko story in the headlines and try to make the O-man look like he is hiding something.

Obama has not been accused of anything illegal. It is, IMO, a pseudo-scandal that tries to make Obama guilty by association.

As others have mentioned here, there are plenty of shady characters in HRC's past, but the press rarely mentions them. IMO it is a bit unfair for the press to keep implying that Obama has done something wrong or illeagal. Practically every politician in Illinois has some tie to Rezko. There are even some loose ties to Bill and Hillary Clinton- namely the photo.

Again, Obama has not been accused of anything illegal, and no further information is expected to come out of the trial pertaining to Obama. If there was something that could be found by a prosecutor, then others would have found it too. This whole thing has been looked at very closely by the repubs and the Clintons. If there was anything there I am sure that it would have been gleefully reported by the Clintons.

[ThatBozGuy]

24. Thank you Jboris

I realize there had been path crossings through out Mr Obama's career.
It was specifically the time line around the land deal time Im trying to correlate.

[cali]

18. Glenn Greenwald

blogged about it the other day. You know who he is, right? Google Greenwald, Obama and Rezco.

[ThatBozGuy]

25. Thank you cali, I am still looking for less op ed more facts of the Rezko land deal time frame

I did not know who Glenn Greenwald is. I only read a few political blogs like TPM and dont keep up much on the sphere so to speak. Thank you for your ink it was a good op ed piece on the situation of the reporting and lack of direct accusations and so on. But waht I am looking for is specific reporting on the land deal timeline and when it was reported and so on. This is probably more about chicago local reporting then it is about when the nationals picked up on it.

Thank you again

[cali]

29. Glenn Greewald is a well known attorney and scholar.

He read all the documents available in the Rezco case. You might email him and ask where those documents are available.

[ThatBozGuy]

31. Thank you again cali

A I said he did well to explain the lack of fire and the chasing of smoke in the current case and he may actually have what Im looking for. But more specifically Im not looking directly at the case hes involved in, but a timeline around the land deal.

[bridgit]

22. It's really very simple i.e. Rezko is a shitty ass poop butt and BO cannot

do a goddamn thing wrong now sleep easy...cause the world is not merely coming at you, it's coming un-glued

[ThatBozGuy]

27. I am specifically trying to track the time between Mr Obama becoming a senator, the Land deal....

and the first reporting of the land deal connection, right up to the debate discussion.

[Why Syzygy]

32. Get us started

You obviously already know a lot about this issue, so start us off ..

You are looking for a specific time period? What do you have so far? What things are already accounted for? Fill in the blanks a bit.

[ThatBozGuy]

34. I actually dont know alot about the actual issue, hence my researching....

I do know the timeframe I am looking at is when he became a senator(2004) and through the land deal(2005) of which Im looking for specific dates of action of all parties, onto its first public reporting local to chicago or national including the who s and the wheres and so on right up to the debate conversation.

I have become aware of a set of facts (not a rumor or internet "fact") that I do not believe are in the public sphere and I am trying to find a context of where I believe it fits and becomes hugely impacting the presidential candidacy but if it falls after or outside a certain point is a red herring.

I am actually trying to research it rather than just post it so it releases the truth without the taint of just a rumor on a message board but actually has the supporting evidence also.

[indimuse]

33. start here...your right to be concerned...

Rezko served on Obama's finance committee senate campaign major contributor

http://rezkowatch.blogspot.com/search/label/RezkoTrialWatch


Thursday, March 6, 2008
RezkoTrialWatch: Reminder: Obama cuts-and-runs from press
Kevin Bunkley wrote March 6, 2008, in The Michigan Daily that, following the Texas primary/caucus,

San Antonio Obama also slithered away from reporters wanting his comment on the Tony Rezko case. The only thing Obama has conceded was that he bought a piece of land from Rezko, but did it through proper channels. This Rezko story doesn’t mean Obama is a crook, but it brings up questions about his political machine. Why? Obama was never going to run for president unless the famed Daley family of Chicago agreed to help him out.

You see, a few years ago, Obama was the hotshot politician in Chicago, and Richard Daley was in the middle of a reelection campaign. Obama’s people came to Mayor Daly, and threatened to run Obama against Daley unless he pledged financial support for Obama’s presidential campaign. Then the two appeared in public, the best of friends.

So to wrap this up, two ironic pictures to keep in mind as this democratic race drags on. Obama’s cracking a bit under the pressure, and has to learn to be more “straight-talking” if you will.
Confronted with issues about his long-time friend and indicted political fixer Antoin "Tony" Rezko, Obama tangled with the press. Watch this YouTube mashup, with Obama running away from the press at the 2:00 minute mark (note that comments at the end have been edited for effect):

But Obama's recent running away from reporters asking questions about his friend and patron, indicted political fixer Antoin "Tony" Rezko is nothing new. Nearly a year ago, in April 2007, Obama ran away from Chicago reporter Carol Marin of NBC 5 News. Watch.


Follow the Money:::::::::::>>>>>
Follow the Money: Batchelor: Rezko Connections: More Reasons Obama Should Worry
In the third installment of what promises to be a long series, John Batchelor's Rezko Connections: More Reasons Obama Should Worry published March 6, 2008, by Human Events poses some troubling questions for 2008 presidential candidate Sen. Barack Obama (D-Ill.) Today, as the prosecution and defense offer their opening statements in the fraud trial of Obama's patron, indicted political fixer Antoin "Tony" Rezko, Obama's worries are piling up.

Batchelor wrote: "Why does Barack Obama need to worry about a previously unknown court filing that revealed, on the second day of jury selection in the trial of Antoin 'Tony' Rezko, that a prosecution witness accuses Mr. Rezko to have bribed the Iraqi Coalition Provisional Authority Minister of Electricity Aiham Alsammarae with $1.5 million for a bogus contract in 2005?"

Why should Obama worry? The $50 million contract for Companion Security "turns up in Iraqi government court documents in the pursuit of $650 million stolen from the CPA between 2003 and 2006 by Mr. Alsammarae" and it is connected to both Obama and Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich.

RezkoWatch has written a number of articles about Rezko's Companion Security, which was to be used by Rezko and his partners to train Iraqi guards for Rezko's proposed power plant in Iraq.


Alsammarae-Rezko

Rezko and Alsammarae: Corruption in Iraq

Rezko's power plant in Iraq

Obama, Rezko and the Iraqi power plant contract

Rezko's power plant—bribe allegation
Batchelor wrote that one reason Obama should worry is Rezko accuser Daniel Mahru "is not only a government witness in this present Rezko trial, but also was the lawyer for the original Companion Security deal and is reported to have pushed another Rezko partner in Companion Security, Daniel T. Frawley, to revive the Companion contract in the spring and summer of 2006 in conversation with both Governor Rod Blagojevich’s office and Senator Barack Obama’s office."

Another reason? Batchelor wrote that, "according to the same court filing," Mahru—Rezko's partner in real estate development for 16 years—has been "cooperating" since December 2005 with the Federal investigation of Rezko, which was "ten months before Rezko was indicted." Afterwards, Mahru "became partners with John Thomas in a troubled Miami real estate deal; and it is well established that Mr. Thomas has been a cooperating federal witness who wore a wire as a mole for the FBI in 2004 and 2005, including in many visits to Mr. Rezko’s offices, where frequent callers included Governor Blagojevich and State Senator Barack Obama." However, the "government states that Mr. Thomas did not record the governor or the state senator."

Why else should Obama worry? Mahru's accusation means federal prosecutors have been "watching" what Rezko was doing, including the 2003 62-acre Chicago land deal between Rezko and Iraqi-British billionaire businessman Nahdmi Auchi, the 2004 Rezko-Auchi-Aiham Alsammarae power plant deal in Iraq, the 2005 Rezko-Daniel T. Frawley-Mahru-Alsammarae Companion Security deal, and, all the while, Rezko was "fundraising" for Obama "in his successful campaign for the U.S. Senate in 2004 and then into Mr. Obama’s first term."

Why else should Obama worry? There is now an alleged "direct link, the bribe," between Rezko, Alsammarae, the 2005 Companion Security deal, a 2006 attempt to revive the contract by involving Blagojevich and Obama. Batchelor wrote that there are "large holes in the narrative, and some inconsistencies."

Another worry? The "tangled criminal allegations against" Rezko, who was "detained by federal prosecutors as a flight risk it was revealed that he tried to deceive the court about $3.7 million dollars paid to him by his Rezmar business partner," Auchi. Adding to the worries is, as Batchelor recently ascertained through his own numerous efforts, Alsammarae, "the alleged recipient of the Companion Security bribe" is "not available and may be 'overseas.'"

Alsammarae has not only been "alleged in a federal court filing in the Northern District of Illinois to have taken a bribe for a U.S. firm's contract with the Iraqi CPA," but he is also a "convicted thief in Iraq with a nine year sentence pending, from which he has been a fugitive since December 2006," as indicated in an Interpol warrant online for his arrest and return to Iraq. Meanwhile, the list of unanswered questions grows—as do the reasons why Obama, Blagojevich, Mahru, and Rezko should be worried.

Batchelor wrote that Alsammarae has "information vital to clearing the suspicions, or deepening them, about Chicago political actors involved in a presidential campaign." Additionally, as Batchelor points out, Obama is not accused or alleged of any wrongdoing, but "there is an unsavory tale of how the Chicago political machine works for its friends and supporters, stretching from the South Side of Chicago all the way to Baghdad."

Also see related RezkoWatch articles

Batchelor: The Obama Files

Batchelor: Rezko Connections: More Questions for Obama

FBI mole "logged frequent visits to Rezko" by Obama

More about FBI mole John Thomas

Permanent link at 4:15 AM 0 comments Links to this post

Labels: Aiham Alsammarae, Barack Obama, follow the money, John Batchelor, Nadhmi Auchi, power plant in Iraq, RezkoTrialWatch, Tony Rezko

[ThatBozGuy]

35. Thank you indimuse, I am still looking for less op ed more facts of the Rezko land deal time frame

But there was usefull information for context of what Im tracking in the John Thomas link.

[JCMach1]

36. Here are the links that I have blogged...

http://thesyndrome.com/index.php?s=rezko

[RBInMaine]

37. Typical Hillary post: Sad, pathetic, desperate.

[ThatBozGuy]

38. My posts have been campaign nuetral, Im just seeking information. As I said in my post please......

"I also ask for supporters of both Ms Clinton and Mr Obama or detractors of either candidate refrain from posting opinions or snipes on either side."

[stillcool]

46. Maybe this can help you...

requires lots of reading...

http://illinoisreason.wordpress.com/2008/01/23/illinois-blogs-recap-rezko-obama-not-much-there-there/


Illinois Blogs Recap Rezko & Obama: Not Much There There, UPDATED

January 23, 2008 in Obama by robnesvacil

Tags: Barack Obama, President 2008, Tony Rezko

Two Illinois poliblog institutions, The Capitol Fax Blog (by political journalist Rich Miller) and ArchPundit (by political blogger Larry Handlin), are producing primers for the American people and the self-proclaimed media of record (not that the “national” media feels a need to be bothered with actual details when there’s a good soap opera to splash some ink on).

For those interested in learning just what Sen. Barack Obama’s not-very-much-of-a-relationship with Chicago developer Tony Rezko is, read up…

CapFax’s In defense of the locals reviews the Illinois political media’s coverage of Sen. Obama and attempts by the Tribune, Sun-Times, etc. to find skeletons in his closet over the years. Of note: the Chicago Tribune discovered two instances of what might be of interest to those hoping to turn Tony Rezko into Obama’s Marc Rich or Norman Hsu.

First, the Trib uncovered the property purchase in which the Obama family bought a home and Mr. Rezko’s wife bought an adjoining piece of property from the same seller on the same day. Sen. Obama has apologized for this event and acknowledged how, from the outside looking in, it appears unseemly even though everything was done legally and legitimately.

Second, the Trib also found that Sen. Obama’s staff gave an internship to a kid whose father was connected to Rezko and who had donated money to Obama’s previous campaigns. Ummm… ok.

Mr. Miller also writes that the Trib explained the research they did to investigate the connections between the law firm Sen. Obama used to work for and Rezko. Would that more media would bother to actually “work” a story as the Chicago papers have with regards to any sort of ties between Obama and Rezko (and most, if not all, of those ties seem to be perfectly legit based on that rather exhaustive research).

In his post, Mr. Miller also notes that an oppo-research consultant from one of Sen. Obama’s US Senate primary opponents, Mike Henry, was hired by the Clinton campaign and that since his hiring Clinton’s attacks have mirrored the earlier attacks from that 2004 primary opponent. Go figure.

UPDATE: Rich Miller has posted a follow-up today in “Present votes and Rezko“.

ArchPundit also currently has a series of five eight “Rezko primers” up on his blog (don’t know if he’ll add more so check his site for the latest UPDATE: Arch did add a few more and has a summary/linky post on all eight in “The Rezko Primer“). His posts’ titles are rather self-explanatory:

* Rezko Primer I: Job Offer and Friendship Begins
* Rezko Primer II: Political Donations
* Rezko Primer III. Legal work on projects Rezko was involved
* Rezko Primer IV. Letters of Support for projects Rezko was involved
* Rezko Primer V. Intern-son of Rezko ally/Obama donor
* New: VI. House Purchase
* New: VII. Land Strip Purchase from Rezko
* New: VIII. Landscaping and Property Maintenance Arrangement

Don’t get me wrong. Rezko is going to court after having been accused of some pretty serious white collar crimes. If convicted he ought to pay his debt to society.

But guilt by association witch hunts are damn weak — just ask the Clintons their thoughts on Kenneth Starr and his investigation of the, ahem, Whitewater Land Deal… — even if the national media is willing to lazily regurgitate an opponent’s spin on their front pages and TV news crawlers.

If some sort of quid pro quo had ever surfaced there’d be something to talk about but as it stands there’s really no there “there” between Rezko and Obama. No one has ever found any instance of Obama doing anything as a legislator that would have illegally (or even unethically) benefited Rezko. (That said, journalist Miller correctly notes that something about Obama may yet surface during Rezko’s trial but given the boxes of files the Illinois media has analyzed it seems unlikely.)

(c/p Daily Kos)

UPDATE 2: DKos diarist and Obama biograper John K Wilson has written “The Real Story of Rezko and Obama: 10 Myths Debunked“… (He even clarifies the debunked attacks surrounding the “house deal” noting that Obama’s bid for his home was the higher of two bids, even though his winning bid was below the seller’s asking price. Usually, that’s called a good deal.)