The Obama Trial, More than a Real Estate Deal

The Obama trial is, sweeter than honey,
About that big house he has, who paid the money,
Before he starts on his change change rap;
How about a little respect?
(Yes, baby)

(spoof "Respect" by Aretha Franklin)



The Economist describes Tony Rezko, as ``one of Chicago's slimiest characters,'' in a city where ``corruption rivals deep-dish pizza as the local specialty.'' The trial of Rezko for attempted extortion, money laundering, fraud, and aiding and abetting bribery, is increasing the pressure on Barak Obama to have to answer questions he has so far avoided, says Economist, reviewing the Obama connections which have been trumpeted in the British press. While Obama has characterized this as a ``lack of judgment,'' the Economist says that ``even a hint of scandal can prove to be almost as harmful as the real thing.''

On the first day of the trial, one revelation of note, from FBI Special Agent Charles Willenborg, was that although in a 2005 interview, Rezko said he had contributed $500,000 to Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich, internal documents credited Rezko with raising more than $1.4 million for the Governor. No indication yet of who got the unaccounted for two-thirds of the money. Did the Obama-tons get it?

And Obama, what about how Rezko helped you buy your big house?