BlogsRezkoWatch HotList 05/09/08Rezko Watch 2008-05-09 04:17:00 Watch for updates to the RezkoWatch HotList:Courtroom CoverageEye on Rezko Blog, Chicago Sun-Times.Tony Rezko News Archive, Chicago Sun-Times.The Tony Rezko Case, Chicago Tribune.David Jackson's Chicago Tribune timeline The Obama-Rezko Connection. NewAlso see Department of Justice files: US v Rezko Trial Exhibits and Hot Topics.It's about electability (and what's hiding in Obama's closet)Ned Barnett, Hillary Clinton's Nuclear Option, American Thinker, May 9, 2008.Joan Swirsky, Obama: The Psyche of a Presidential Candidate, Family Security Matters, May 9, 2008.Get ready for a showdown in Denver Would a Commie by Another Name Still Smell as Vile' Rub-a-Dub 2008-05-09 03:18:00 Until recently I was not very interested in Obama. I was astounded by the Obamalatry of many of his followers. I thought it was interesting that the Democrats are about to nominate an African-American (I always thought the Republicans would do it first.) But I didn't hold him in any great disregard.But in he last couple of weeks I learned about the Rezko affair. It seems a lot like Hillary's cattle futures to me. And I learned that Obama chose his church for political reasons. (Really. I'm not making that up.) I'm sure some people were angry of the strange things his pastor said, but that Rezko lender tries to force bankruptcy over $18 million Newsalert 2008-05-09 00:06:00 The Chicago Tribune reports:A Wilmette businessman who testified last week against political fundraiser Antoin "Tony" Rezko at his federal corruption trial sought Thursday to force Rezko's bankruptcy over his failure to repay more than $18 million.The court filing is expecting to result in other Rezko creditors calling for the appointment of a trustee who would have the authority to liquidate Rezko's assets. Bankruptcy may be Rezko's next battle Marathon Pundit 2008-05-09 00:00:00 Democratic political insider Antoin "Tony" Rezko is undoubtedly having a tense week--save for the closing arguments, his trial is over, and a jury of twelve men and women will decide his fate--guilty or innocent. The waiting game must be painful for him.In addition to another trial, that one regards his sale of his pizza business, Rezko has another worry--a neighbor with whom Rezko has done business with is trying to force the accused political fixer into bankruptcy. From the Chicago Tribune, free registration may be required:A Wilmette businessman who testified last week against political fun Why Should Hillary Quit Now' Elendil's Journal 2008-05-08 22:06:33 The talking heads everywhere seem to agree that the race for the Democratic nomination is over. Obama has won and Hillary should realize it and drop out of the race. I only have one question for these people. Why' I can think of at least three reasons for Hillary to stay in the race. Look at the results in Pennsylvania, North Carolina, Tennessee, and other Appalachian states. Hillary has won the areas of Appalachia by massive margins 30 - 40 points. Therefore I don't think it is a stretch to think she is going to destroy Obama in West Virginia and Kentucky. I think she will win West Virgi Could Rezko Save Hillary' http://www.gaypatriot.org/ 2008-05-08 15:57:02 Shortly after posting my piece where I put forward my belief that the race for the Democratic presidential nomination is over, I perused the blogs to read what others were saying about the state of the campaign. Hugh wrote he didn't expect Hillary "to bail, at least not until the final primaries are held and the When Weasels Attack... The Jawa Report v3.0 Beta 2008-05-08 14:31:42 ...each other: Funniest parts: Begala's coalition of "eggheads and African Americans", and the fantasy that Donna Brazile regularly goes out and pounds down a few with the little people. Enjoy this while it lasts, because, once the Democrat nomination is sewn up, the Dem media machine, including NBC, CBS, ABC, the NYT, WaPo, et. al. will dump all this unpleasantness down the memory hole along with Reverend Jeremiah Wright, Tony Rezko, Bill Ayers... Follow the Money: Rainmaker Obama Rezko Watch 2008-05-08 12:23:00 Sen. Barack Obama (D-Ill.)'s "supporters are giving him more than just record amounts of cash," Christopher Stern reported April 28, 2008, for Bloomberg News. They also are providing personal information that may make his donor list the most powerful tool in U.S. politics. Even if the Democratic presidential candidate doesn't succeed in his White House bid, this data will make Obama a power broker in the party for years to come. For the interest groups or Democratic candidates he chooses to sell it to, it would provide a gold mine of information and access to potential donors.Although Obama's Not So Fast, Bunky! Pitchpull 2008-05-08 08:58:00 The media, (those same wise folks that said she was out of the running months ago), are saying our gal Hill is outta here. Let me tell you, (with some help from a friend), why she'll hang on, and MAYBE take all the marbles home:Who would you say has the most powerful political machine running today' Now I can only repeat what is said by folks that know more about the issue than me, but most folks I respect indicate Bill and Hill are the powerhouses of politics. I can only imagine the reason she is holding on is because she knows something we don't... she's hiding an ACE.Rezko and Ayres.These a Better than Marin w/Proft: Berkowitz w/ Sen. Dillard on Dillard's ad for Obama and the Kjellander-Ro Public Affairs 2008-05-08 06:10:00 Jeff Berkowitz: That was a twenty million dollar gift to George Ryan. Now there are reports that in 2004 it was Bob Kjellander’s job, that is, we’ve gotten some testimony from somebody who is pleading guilty in that whole Tony Rezko mess that it was Bob Kjellander’s job to get [Karl] Rove to reign in [U. S. Attorney] Pat Fitzgerald- maybe to get rid of him so that this corruption investigation around Blagojevich wouldn’t go ahead.Senator Kirk Dillard: Right.*******************************This week’s suburban edition of “Public Affairs,” featuring State Senator and Republican Se Key Rezko witness Stuart Levine saved $351,000 on property taxes over 11 years Newsalert 2008-05-08 05:16:00 The Chicago Sun-Times reports:Stuart P. Levine, the star prosecution witness in Tony Rezko's corruption trial, might be an admitted drug user and felon. But he's savvy when it comes to his property taxes.Levine found a way to save $351,715.12 over an 11-year span. And -- unlike many of the crooked deals Levine admitted to on the witness stand -- his tax break was perfectly legal. RezkoWatch HotList 05/08/08 Rezko Watch 2008-05-08 01:48:00 Watch for updates to the RezkoWatch HotList:Courtroom CoverageEye on Rezko Blog, Chicago Sun-Times.Tony Rezko News Archive, Chicago Sun-Times.The Tony Rezko Case, Chicago Tribune.David Jackson's Chicago Tribune timeline The Obama-Rezko Connection. NewAlso see Department of Justice files: US v Rezko Trial Exhibits and Hot Topics.HeadlinesKevin McDermott, Blagojevich should 'clear the air' on Rezko, Quinn says, St. Louis Post-Dispatch, May 8, 2008.Fat tax break for felon. Key Rezko witness Stuart Levine saved $351,000 on property taxes over 11 years, Chicago Sun-Times, May 8, 2008.It's about ele Rezko: Defense Rests, No Witnesses Called TalkLeft: The Politics Of Crime 2008-05-07 23:26:26 The testimony in the trial on Tony Rezko has ended. The defense did not call any witnesses. The prosecution's case lasted 9 weeks. Closing arguments are next week. "We do not believe the government has met [its] burden proving the charges against Mr. Rezko, plain and simple," Rezko's attorney, Joseph Duffy, said in explaining his tactical decision not to mount a defense case. Probably a smart move. It's also a typical one, so it shouldn't be viewed as them not having a defense. It's a statement there was no need to put on a defense since the prosecution didn't prove i Fascists are always sore winners Cannonfire 2008-05-07 21:17:00 Maybe it ain't over. If it were, the healing would have begun.Yet the Hillary-hate continueth -- indeed, to judge from the (deleted) commentary I've been receiving, it has quadrupled. Here's a sampling from D.U.:The last thing we need is the Bush/Clinton dynasties one lunatic's gunshot away from the WHThe Psycho Ex-Girlfriend of the Democratic PartyJust go away Hillary, let the adults have their turn.Clinton and her supporters official adopt the Whites Only strategy...Oh really' Hillary appeals to Asians and Hispanics; Obama doesn't. 93% of blacks went for Obama -- but only after his crew cont Hang in There, Hillary! fousesquawk 2008-05-07 20:49:00 Arizona- 202 051 103-14Chicago- 000 000 001- 1Today, in his post-game news conference, Cubs manager, Lou Piniella told reporters, "Lose' We didn't lose. We broke the tie in the 9th inning."Hillary Clinton took the cake last night in her "victory speech" in Indiana. She made Spin history when she told her supporters that thanks to them, she had broken the tie and now it is "full-speed ahead" to the White House.Broke the tie'According to her figures, she had won Pennsylvania, Obama had won North Carolina, and she had broken the tie by winning Indiana. Using her logic, my beloved Cubbies woul Barack's Bitter Half The Barnyard 2008-05-07 20:35:00 The Michelle on our side takes on the Michelle on the other side and her bitter angry rants from the stump in support of her husband, His Hopeness. It is clear that Michelle Obama holds to the teachings of their pastor of two decades, Jeremiah Wright in her disdain for what makes America great despite her two ivy league degrees and tremendous success since. She may be as big a liability on the trail as Wright, Rezko and Ayers etal could be.Are you ready for hope and change' Barack Obama better hope his bitter half has a change of attitude if she expects to assume the title of first lady in Nov Obama and the Machine The View from Alexandria 2008-05-07 19:00:55 I've been saying, from very early in the campaign, that Barack Obama is not a new kind of politician; he's an old kind, a representative of the Democratic (in this case, Chicago) machine. The link with Tony Rezko has provided some evidence for that. Now, additional evidence: Obama has promised the Teamsters that Rezko trial: Jail time in question for those who cooperated Newsalert 2008-05-07 18:11:00 The Chicago Sun-Times reports:While meeting with lawyers in a jury instruction conference this afternoon, Judge Amy St. Evesaid it wasn't a certainty that witnesses who pleaded guilty will receive shorter prison time."There's no guarantee any of them will get reduced sentences," St. Eve said.The comment came as lawyers in the Tony Rezko trial talked about instructions jurors will receive on the law before they're asked to start deliberations next week.Her comment is particularly interesting when it comes to main witness Stuart Levine. Levine faced up to life in prison but negotiated a 67-month OBAMA GETS 61% OF JEWISH VOTE:SCARY AND STUPID Atlas Shrugs 2008-05-07 17:26:34 "Nobody is suffering more than the Palestinian people," .Barack Hussein Obama "If there is an Arab American family [in the US] being rounded up without benefit of an attorney, those are my civil liberties!" Barack Hussein In the poll of Jewish voters (conducted April 1-30), it showed Obama getting 61% of the Jewish vote against John McCain (32%). And while it is quasi reassuring that Hillary Clinton beat Obama among Jewish voters 62% - 38%," I am unnerved that Obama would best McCain so heartily knowing what we know. Obama has been in bed with Jew haters and Islamic jihad for years. Farrakhan My Days in the Office: Very Good or Very Bad News for Obama, Courtesy of Rezko Bill Baar's West Side 2008-05-07 15:58:00 My Days in the Office writes, Meanwhile, the Wall Street Journal reported today that Senator Obama won the support of the Teamsters, "...after privately telling the union he supported ending the strict federal oversight imposed to root out corruption, according to officials from the union and the Obama campaign." Yeah, Obama is different...Meanwhile, Ayers has been in the news. Rezkowatch posted a picture of Ayers stepping on a US flag.Senator Obama can probably survive Ayers (though with reduced support). I don't think he can survive a second Rezko trial (i.e. a trial of Blagojevich with Rezk Whistling Past the Graveyard FlyingSpit 2008-05-07 15:43:00 For reasons I don't completely understand, the Democratic race is thought by many to be effectively over as of yesterday's primaries. I don't know if I believe that or not, but for the moment let's take that as a given, and that Barack Obama will be the Democratic nominee.Barack Obama has had a bad month, but we shouldn't view this as a revival of the GOP. Jeremiah Wright, Bittergate, Rezko, and lapel pins might be reasons not to vote for Obama, but they will never be positive reasons to support the GOP. The GOP is in urgent need of rebranding, and this isn't it. You could say there isn't Rezko Watch on Obama's electability problems Bill Baar's West Side 2008-05-07 14:58:00 RW does a nice review including the Alsammarae story in a nutshell. It's skimming Iraq reconstruction that I think is going to eventually destroy Obama's campaign... maybe in enough time to draft Gore. 4. Aiham Alsammarae is the former Iraqi Minister of Electricity convicted of stealing $650 million from Iraqi reconstruction funds who is a long-time Rezko friend, having attended technical school and been in business with Rezko since the 1970s.When Alsammarae was incarcerated in Baghdad's Green Zone in fall 2006, Alsammarae's children contacted Obama for his help in freeing their father. At the Down to her last fingernail The Spyglass 2008-05-07 13:36:00 After getting clocked in North Carolina and barely eking out a victory in Indiana, by any rational calculation, Hillary Clinton's presidential campaign is all but dead. Had she gotten the best-case scenario for which she was hoping—a double-digit win in Indiana and a loss within 5-7 points in NC—she could make a rational case for herself on the basis of the political situation; what the actual results indicate is that Sen. Obama has weathered the blows, at least with Democratic voters, and is still on his feet. Barring the unexpected, her hopes for the White House are over.The problem is, Obama gets a pass Ben Dare 2008-05-07 12:00:00 I guess people are so fed up with the other candidates they're willing to overlook Wright, Rezko, Ayers, Islam.Or are we just act`n up because we can; showing our displeasure w/ the current administration' Revenge'You people know that Obama can do no wrong in black-eyes.O.J. re-visited. LONG NATIONAL NIGHTMARE CONTINUES FOR DEMS THIRDWAVEDAVE 2008-05-07 11:39:00 Lots of people are saying it's over for Clinton--Malkin has several links; Powerline offers cold advice. Is there a Rezko angle' The talk last night seemed to indicate that it was, in fact, over for her campaign. But news reports this morning are indicating the opposite. Her Royal Pantsuit will be giving speeches in West Virgina as well as a presser at noon ET. And then there is Rezko... Marathon Pundit 2008-05-07 11:10:00 Hugh Hewitt pointed out last night that there is reason for Hillary Rodham Clinton to stick around a while longer--it's the man whose wife used to who the lot for sale next to Barack Obama's home.But don't look for Hillary to bail, at least not until the final primaries are held and the Tony Rezko trial verdict in. (Final arguments open Monday.) If Rezko walks, the chance of another devastating revelation about Obama goes down.But if Rezko is convicted and is facing a long stretch in jail, won't he have to think long and hard about naming names in order to limit his years in federal prison' Cl DEMOCRATS AND DIEHARDS http://myrepublicanblog.blogspot.com/ 2008-05-07 08:23:00 On this post I said: "against all the polls, all the pundits and most of you, I'm predicting Hillary will win by a narrow margin in N. Carolina and a large percentage in Indiana. This is not wishful thinking on my part. I would rather Obama win the primary. I think he would be far easier to beat than Hillary." Obviously I was wrong as Obama took N. Carolina and Hillary squeaked by, only by the skin of her teeth, in Indiana. In Indiana Hillary took 638,274 votes to Obama's 615,862, but in N. Carolina Obama skunked Hillary with 890,695 to her 657,920 votes. Hillary is an extremely dangerous woma RezkoWatch HotList 05/07/08 Rezko Watch 2008-05-07 04:27:00 Watch for updates to the RezkoWatch HotList:Courtroom CoverageEye on Rezko Blog, Chicago Sun-Times.Tony Rezko News Archive, Chicago Sun-Times.The Tony Rezko Case, Chicago Tribune.David Jackson's Chicago Tribune timeline The Obama-Rezko Connection. NewAlso see Department of Justice files: US v Rezko Trial Exhibits and Hot Topics.It's about electability (and what's hiding in Obama's closet)Dr. David Hill, Fault lines of Obama’s mind, The Hill, May 6, 2008.Todd Feinburg, Obama, the One Hit Wonder, American Thinker, May 6, 2008.Thomas Lifson, Barack Obama and Karl Marx, American Thinker, May 6, Obama playing the news cycle with his unpleasantries Marathon Pundit 2008-05-07 01:08:00 The Obama camp knew all about the photographs of Bill Ayers stepping on the US flag Monday--I mean, it was all over the internet. But the Obama campaign waited until late Tuesday to issue a statement about the 2001 photograph. Tuesday of course was the when the North Carolina and Indiana primaries were held.From Fox News:The senator's campaign spokesman said Obama is "appalled by the disrespect" to Old Glory, but decried efforts to associate Obama to the action just because the men know each other."Senator Obama is appalled by this disrespect of a flag we love and that so many have fought and Is it finally over' Mr. Dilettante 2008-05-06 23:42:00 Obama whips Clinton in North Carolina and Clinton holds a narrow lead in Indiana. Here's my guess - the long knives will be coming out for Mrs. Clinton, starting tomorrow. I think a lot of people want her to quit now so that Obama can turn his attention squarely on John McCain.I doubt Hillary will quit, though. West Virginia and Kentucky are the next states and they should be more hospitable to her campaign. The math is against her, no question about it, but she's hoping that another shoe or two might drop. The only shoes left are those relating to Tony Rezko and Obama's radical chic pals |
Mainstream MediaFat tax break for felon Chicago Sun-Times 2008-05-08 06:00:00 The Watchdogs: Stuart P. Levine, the star prosecution witness in Tony Rezko's corruption trial, might be an admitted drug user and felon. But he's savvy when it comes to his property taxes. Levine found a way to save $351,715.12 over an 11-year span. And -- unlike many of the crooked deals Levine admitted to on the witness stand -- his tax break was perfectly legal. Defense calls no witnesses, says case vs. Rezko weak Chicago Sun-Times 2008-05-06 06:00:00 The prosecution and defense both rested Monday in the Tony Rezko corruption case, but not before the final witness leveled a new allegation. Antoin Rezko won't take the stand in his fraud trial The Los Angeles Times 2008-05-06 03:00:00 The defense rests for the onetime fundraiser for Sen. Barack Obama without calling a single witness. Closing arguments are to begin Monday. Until Monday, political insider Antoin "Tony" Rezko had been heard only in brief recordings during the course of his two-month fraud trial. Rezko finally spoke up in person -- but only to tell a judge that he had no intention of taking the stand. Illinois: No Defense Witnesses for Rezko The New York Times 2008-05-06 01:53:40 Both the prosecution and the defense rested in the trial of Antoin Rezko, a businessman and former political fund-raiser who was an adviser to Gov. Rod R. Blagojevich of Illinois. Rezko's Defense Rests Without Calling Witness The Washington Post 2008-05-06 00:00:00 CHICAGO -- Defense attorneys rested their case Monday without calling a witness in political fundraiser Antoin "Tony" Rezko's marathon fraud trial. Both sides rest at Rezko trial; no defense witnesses called The Examiner 2008-05-05 23:13:44 Less than two hours after prosecutors rested their case Monday in political fundraiser Antoin "Tony" Rezko's fraud trial, defense attorneys did the same without calling a single witness. Both sides rest at Rezko trial ABC7 Chicago 2008-05-05 20:15:50 Closing arguments will begin next Monday in the corruption trial of political fundraiser Tony Rezko. Both sides rest at Rezko trial; no defense witnesses called The Associated Press 2008-05-05 19:13:48 CHICAGO (AP) -- Less than two hours after prosecutors rested their case Monday in political fundraiser Antoin "Tony" Rezko's fraud trial, defense attorneys did the same without calling a single witness.... Both Sides Rest At Rezko Trial CBS2 Chicago 2008-05-05 18:44:00 The trial of political fundraiser Tony Rezko goes to the jury next. Acting quickly, the defense rested Monday without calling a single witness. CBS 2's Mike Parker is covering it gavel-to-gavel. Government rests case at fundraiser Tony Rezko's trial The Examiner 2008-05-05 16:53:07 Federal prosecutors have rested their case in the corruption trial of a prominent political fundraiser in Illinois. Government rests case at fundraiser Tony Rezko's trial The Boston Globe 2008-05-05 16:22:52 Federal prosecutors have rested their case in the corruption trial of a prominent political fundraiser in Illinois. UPDATE: Both Sides Done in Rezko Trial; No Defense Witnesses To Be Called WBBM Chicago 2008-05-05 16:07:00 Defense attorneys rested their case at political fundraiser Antoin "Tony" Rezko's marathon corruption trial Monday without calling a single witness. Closing arguments are set at 9 a.m.a week from today. Both Sides Rest Case At Fundraiser Tony Rezko's Trial NBC5 Chicago 2008-05-05 15:08:52 Prosecutors and defense attorneys have rested their case at the corruption trial of political fundraiser Tony Rezko -- and the defense didn't call a single witness to the stand. Get the latest Chicago-area news when and where you want it! Go to www.NBC5.com for more headlines. Both sides rest at Rezko trial, no defense witnesses called The Associated Press 2008-05-05 15:02:36 CHICAGO (AP) -- Less than two hours after prosecutors rested their case Monday in political fundraiser Antoin "Tony" Rezko's marathon fraud trial, defense attorneys did the same without calling a single witness.... Government Rests Case At Fundraiser Tony Rezko's Trial NBC5 Chicago 2008-05-05 13:19:34 Federal prosecutors have rested their case at the corruption trial of political fundraiser Tony Rezko. Get the latest Chicago-area news when and where you want it! Go to www.NBC5.com for more headlines. Rezko Prosecution Rests; No Defense Witnesses To Be Called WBBM Chicago 2008-05-05 13:13:00 Federal prosecutors rested their case Monday at the corruption trial of political fundraiser Antoin ``Tony'' Rezko after a major government witness testified that he had been threatened Government rests case at fundraiser Tony Rezko's trial The Associated Press 2008-05-05 12:53:10 CHICAGO (AP) -- Federal prosecutors have rested their case in the corruption trial of a prominent political fundraiser in Illinois.... Government Rests Case At Rezko Trial CBS2 Chicago 2008-05-05 11:44:00 Federal prosecutors rested their case Monday at the corruption trial of political fundraiser Antoin "Tony" Rezko after a major government witness testified that he had been threatened. Rezko Gets Bail Help From State Employees WBBM Chicago 2008-05-05 08:30:00 |