Photo of Clintons: Obama Achilles Heel on Other Foot? [View All]

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Photo of Clintons: Obama Achilles Heel on Other Foot?

Undated Photo With Controversial Fundraiser Tony Rezko Ratchets Up Duel With Obama



An undated photo of Sen. Hillary Clinton, D-N.Y., and her husband posing with Chicago landlord, and former Obama fundraiser Tony Rezko, raised eyebrows today. But will the photo blunt the effectiveness of one of Clinton's most recent attack points against rival Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill.?

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Asked about the photo on NBC's "Today" show, Clinton said, "I probably have taken hundreds of thousands of pictures. I don't know the man. I wouldn't know him if he walked in the door."

She explained that she didn't feel the photo undermined her criticism of Obama over his relationship with Rezko.

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But one political scientist says he thinks the photo will have further impact.

"Not only does it kill the Rezko issue, but it opens the door for the best remaining shot that Obama has, which is to rekindle Clinton fatigue, and remind voters of all those controversies from the 90s involving the Clintons," argued Larry Sabato, director of the University of Virginia Center for Politics.

Sabato was surprised that the Clinton campaign, known for its thorough and efficient campaign machine, seemed caught by surprise by the appearance of this photo.

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If anything, the photograph could serve to ratchet up the war of words, said Doug Muzzio, a professor of public affairs at Baruch College in New York City.

"You know that old maxim, 'People in glass houses shouldn't throw rocks.' Well, the Clintons have been throwing boulders," said Muzzio. "And now, they've got a hole in their house. Now, they have to explain how this guy got in the picture with them. The camera's back on them. The way to come back is to escalate it, and that's what they will do. This is a heavyweight bout, and one of them's got to win."

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Hillary received $130,000 from an lawyer linked to Rezko.

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