Chicago Tribune indicates that it's satisfied with Obama's account of Rezko.

[jefferson_dem]

Clearance from the Trib

The Tribune indicates that it's satisfied with Obama's account of Rezko.

U.S. Sen. Barack Obama waited 16 months to attempt the exorcism. But when he finally sat down with the Tribune editorial board Friday, Obama offered a lengthy and, to us, plausible explanation for the presence of now-indicted businessman Tony Rezko in his personal and political lives.

The most remarkable facet of Obama's 92-minute discussion was that, at the outset, he pledged to answer every question the three dozen Tribune journalists crammed into the room would put to him. And he did.

My take on this one is that while it's not going to go away, and while both Obama's judgment and his slow disclosure are legitimate issues, the missing piece is an indication that Obama reciprocated with valuable favors, something that hasn't been shown.

http://www.politico.com/blogs/bensmith/0308/Clearance_from_the_Trib.html#comments

Trib Story ---> http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/opinion/chi-0316edit1mar16,0,2616801.story


Sorry Obama-haters. Seems you might have to find a new faux scandal to smear Obama with...

[Eurobabe]

1. Back to the kitchen sink I guess?

[Bread and Circus]

2. I'm sure they will think of something. I can't imagine what their faux blood pressure is like.

But here's a clip from the article:

'Obama should have had Friday's discussion 16 months ago. Asked why he didn't, he spoke of learning, uncomfortably, what it's like to live in a fishbowl. That made him perhaps too eager to protect personal information—too eager to "control the narrative."

Less protection, less control, would have meant less hassle for his campaign. That said, Barack Obama now has spoken about his ties to Tony Rezko in uncommon detail. That's a standard for candor by which other presidential candidates facing serious inquiries now can be judged."

I hope Obama continues to put it all out there.

Will Clinton? Will McCain?

I very much doubt it.

[C_U_L8R]

3. Somebody please inform the Clintoons.

i am so weary of their breathless chicken little yammering

[TwilightGardener]

4. Friday was Obama's "'Splainin' Day"--news dump, far away from

any primaries, all networks, hometown paper, slow time for the campaign--he's a smart guy.

[scheming daemons]

5. You know... deep down I wasn't sure how this guy would respond to attacks..... but, I must say....

Obama has been absolutely FANTASTIC.

No matter what they throw at him, he just calmly answers... and he looks more and more Presidential every time.


My faith in his campaign staff is through the roof.... these guys are PROS!

[Quixote1818]

6. Of Course. I knew that was a non-story. nt

[LTR]

7. Obama handled it well

Most politicians would have avoided the issue or sidestepped it, but Obama confronted the issue honestly and thoroughly. He admitted he made a mistake. He even volunteered more information.

Now THAT'S the way to diffuse a scandal.

[hisownpetard]

8. '...he pledged to answer every question the three dozen Tribune journalists crammed into the room

would put to him. And he did."

THAT is incredible.
And a sure sign that he has nothing to hide.
Can you *ever* imagine Hillary (or any other candidate, for that matter) voluntarily putting themselves in a position like that, without a battery of lawyers
and a coterie of advisers sitting on either side?

I'm indescribably impressed!

[Dudley_DUright]

12. Not to mention Hillary's tax accountants

[Scurrilous]

9. K & R

:thumbsup:

[IdClaire]

10. it's all over then.. NOT

[Cha]

20. Yeah, we'll see how much shit the clintons

are still able to stir up about rezko while the country is waiting for their tax returns and ol' bil's Library donor list.

[WillYourVoteBCounted]

11. video of the interview is at the Tribune link

as well.

[Gidney N Cloyd]

13. Col. McCormick has been spinning in his grave a lot the last couple weeks.

The Trib seems to be going soft on Democrats.
(For those who missed it, the Trib also endorsed the Dem over a very conservative Repub in the Hastert seat special election last week.)

[nsd]

14. TNR has it too.

Obama Passes Trib's Rezko Test

Obama sits down with the Chicago Tribune for 92 minutes to talk Rezko and gets an editorial blessing he could almost have written himself:

U.S. Sen. Barack Obama waited 16 months to attempt the exorcism. But when he finally sat down with the Tribune editorial board Friday, Obama offered a lengthy and, to us, plausible explanation for the presence of now-indicted businessman Tony Rezko in his personal and political lives.
....

Nothing Obama said in our editorial board room Friday diminishes that verdict.



TNR

[Cha]

15. This thread needs more responses..

rezko is put to bed.

So why are the hilarys having a "conference call about rezko?
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.ph...

Rec'd

[City Lights]

17. Demanding that *he* release documents!

:rofl: What nerve!

Hillary:

Where are your tax returns?

Where are your earmarks?

Where is your list of donors to the Clinton Library?

Tell us about your Rezko connection, Hillary. Talk to us about Myron "Mike" Cherry.

[Cha]

18. Just for you, No Surrender.. :-)

[City Lights]

19. Most appreciated, zidzi!

:D

:hi:

[thoughtcrime1984]

16. Obama's great, the MSM and the 2 Republican candidates

have been deplorable. Hill/Johnny are going down! Oh wait, maybe not, because we'd have to be awfully lucky to get the MSM to cover all of their shady dealings and lies.