Obama fields questions about Rezko/Responds to Ann Lewis comments in ABC7 (Chicago) EXCLUSIVE

[wndycty]

For full story/video visit: http://abclocal.go.com/wls/story?section=news/politics&id=6003815

Obama fields questions about Rezko

-snip-
"This was a friend and supporter of mine prior to all the trouble that he's gotten into. It is what it is. And, you know, I trust the criminal justice system to deal with something that has no relation to me," said Obama.

Obama talked about his relationship with Rezko at a new conference in Texas on Monday, which ended with reporters shouting for the candidate to stay around and answer more questions, including a decision not to sit down with Chicago reporters for a long Q&A about his relationship with Rezko, political, personal and business.

"Andy, you've been in multiple press conferences where you guys have run out of questions," Obama said.

The Clinton campaign is trying to make Rezko a major issue, and Obama's fighting back by demanding that Clinton release a ream of personal and financial information, which is prompting the Clinton team to compare Obama with Republican lawyer Ken Starr, the special prosecutor in multiple investigations of then president Bill Clinton in the 1990s.

"I did not realize that their version of new politics is to recycle some of the same old Republican attacks on Hillary that have failed for years," said Ann Lewis, Clinton spokesperson.

"I can't imagine they delivered that message with a straight face. They spent the last two weeks, three weeks, insisting that we need to disclose things that will allow me to be properly vetted. And when we suggest that they should disclose their tax returns, like most presidential candidates have done, like I have done, did last year, they somehow invoke the name of ken Starr. I think it's ludicrous," said Obama.
-snip-

[carlotta]

1. Er, Barack, that's not quite true

"This was a friend and supporter of mine prior to all the trouble that he's gotten into."

No, he bought a house with you AFTER all the trouble he got into. The Feds were already after him.

[Kittycat]

2. Check your facts again.

Obama's offer was the only one on the house, and a fair and normal offer by Chicago standards. Rezco's name is not on Obama's house, either.

[wndycty]

3. They have known each other for 17 years. . .

HE knew him before he got into trouble. Don't let the facts get in the way.

[anamandujano]

17. Obama knew him while he was doing things that eventually got him into trouble.

[thunder rising]

4. And that is a lie. 'nuf said. Hillary lies and gathers liers around her .. it's her karma

[LulaMay]

7. Unfortunately, he had to know this too.

[Zachstar]

5. Obama is fighting back!

The Clintons are now tripping all over themselves now that they have opened the can of worms. They can't escape what they have started and will feel the wrath of their political past.

Awesome words Obama. Tell it how it is!

[LulaMay]

6. What makes me uncomfortable is Barack's a constitutional law professor....

and Rezko was obviously a very good friend/ally for many years. He represented him or his related interests many times. How could he not know about any of Rezko's problems? And why in the world would he minimize his relationship with him in the beginning, knowing as he had too, that this would come back when it went to trial? How could he accept an obvious helping hand with his home property purchase from Rezko? It is all very troublesome....and not just because of the possible implications, but because of his on the spot reactions to it all as well. He doesn't appear forthcoming. At first, he sounded like Bush denying he was good friends with Ken Lay.

[wndycty]

8. He did not represent him or his related interests many times

:kick:

[LulaMay]

11. Yes he did, and wrote letters on his behalf to help get millions from the government for real estate

developments. Woodlawn, et al..... was not '5 hours or so' like he claimed.

He should have just been upfront, which of course is the troubling part because that's when a person sounds like they have something to hide. I hope he didn't know too much, and his reactions come from reacting like a defense lawyer does more than anything.

But it's troubling.

[wndycty]

14. I see you are losing a lot of sleep over it. . .LOL

:kick:

[LulaMay]

20. What?

[anamandujano]

18. He expected his free ride in the press to last forever. Bad judgment.

[tabatha]

10. You have no idea what you are talking about.

He DID not represent him many times.

Here is a quiz about Obama - see if you can get 100%

http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/politics/obama/chi-obama-quiz,1,4539575.triviaquiz

People just continue to MAKE STUFF UP.

[wndycty]

12. Exactly!

:kick:

[RichardRay]

15. Once again, some facts...

Daily Kos - 1/29/08 - The Real Story of Rezko and Obama: 10 Myths Debunked

Try to get this stuff straight before you keep shooting off your mouth. You're free to object to Obama's policies or proposals in any way you want, including attacks based on any restatement you may choose. In this case, though, you are simply wrong on the face of it.

[anamandujano]

19. Kos. Hahahahahahahaha! Hahahahahahahaha!

Hahahahahahahaha!

[tabatha]

9. Well, good for Obama - he is going to answer

questions at length - release documents - so where does that put Hillary.
No tax returns for the last 7 years?

[RBInMaine]

13. Hillary: Norman Hsu, Whitewater, Travelgate, PAC $, Lobbyist $,

$10,000 to $100,000 in an overnight, Mark Rich pardon, Rose Law Firm, Walmart Board, won't release tax returns, return to the "Clinton drama fest" of the 1990's... hang on team Clinton. Every dirty rotten piece of shit in your closet is a'comin back to haunt you now that you've decided to sell your souls to attack Obama. We're just getting started. You opened this can of worms. Now they're all going to crawl out to get you.

[bigdarryl]

16. Obama should call Clinton's campaign people for what they are STUPID ASSES