Obama Prepares For Full Assault On Clinton's Ethics

The Chicago Tribune reports that Barack Obama's is pushing this week for greater transparency in his campaign as part of a plan to launch a head-on attack against his opponent Sen. Clinton.

Sen. Barack Obama is trying to air his dirty laundry -- even some items that might appear just a little wrinkled -- as he prepares a full assault on Sen. Hillary Clinton over ethics and transparency.

On Saturday he invoked Robert F. Kennedy as he continued to try to distance himself from controversial statements made by his former Chicago pastor that are circulating on the Internet.

With a gap between campaign contests, Obama is trying to unload controversies. On Friday he held extended conversations with the Tribune and Chicago Sun-Times about his longtime relationship with indicted developer and fundraiser Antoin "Tony" Rezko.

The Illinois Democrat is also expected to make public his tax returns for several years before 2006, documents he previously has provided to the Tribune and other news organizations.

The plan seems to be yielding dividends, if the Tribune is to be believed. After sitting with the papers editorial board to answer every question asked about his relationship with Tony Rezko, the Chicago Tribune had this to say:

When we endorsed Obama for the Democratic presidential nomination Jan. 27, we said we had formed our opinions of him during 12 years of scrutiny. We concluded that the professional judgment and personal decency with which he has managed himself and his ambition distinguish him.

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

We said in that same editorial that Obama had been too self-exculpatory in explaining away his ties to Tony Rezko. And we've been saying since Nov. 3, 2006 -- shortly after the Tribune broke the story of Obama's house purchase -- that Obama needed to fully explain his Rezko connection. He also needed to realize how susceptible he had been to someone who wanted a piece of him -- and how his skill at recognizing that covetousness needed to rise to the same stature as his popular appeal.

Friday's session evidently fulfills both obligations. Might we all be surprised by some future disclosure? Obama's critics have waited 16 months for some new and cataclysmic Rezko moment to implicate and doom Obama. It hasn't happened....

...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.

Comments

[WomanInOrangeSweater]

Dude, we already know that Hillary hasn't released her recent tax returns. We know we're waiting on the records of her 8 years in the white house. some of us also know that you haven't released the records of your time in the Chicago Legislature, either. At this point I don't care. I beseech you and Hillary to stop with this petty pot/kettle game and go back to doing the jobs the taxpayers are paying you to do. I'm a lot more afraid of what Bush and co can do in the next 309 days than I am of a McCain presidency. Please, shutup and DO SOMETHING!

[Roose]

WomanOrange -- Would you care if this were a Rethug REFUSING to release his financial records? Well, I care, John McCain and his opposition research team will find a way to see those records, and the sooner Clinton releases them the better, we sure don't want any surprises come October.

[vickic]

It's not so petty if there is stuff in the Clinton's tax returns, library donor list, earmarks, and white house papers that could cause heeps of trouble in the general election. With Obama airing any of his dirty laundry on the table at this time, it greatly eliminates any issues the Repubs can effectively air in the general election.

My big question is why she has not released all of these things yet? Why does she continue to throw it back on Obama like he is Ken Starr, whenever he asks...wha­t is she afraid of? When regular citizens interview for jobs, all of our history, including criminal, credit and past job references, are scrutinized by potential employers. Do not the American people have the same rights for our political candidates???

That is why she needs to come clean now. No responsible Democrat should vote for her is she does not.

[shackinballard]

STOP ALREADY! This is getting to be adolescent. Get these two (Clinton and Obama) in a room and don't let them leave until they work out a solution to all of this... Michigan, Florida, Super-delegates, etc. While these two get personal, the economy is sinking and McCain is in Iraq looking for solutions (and photo ops). Someone has to start looking like they care about the American people more than they care about winning the day's news cycle or else McCain will get three months of looking like the grownup. Enough is enough!

[DavidK08]

This isn't going negative. That doesn't mean that HRC wont call it going negative. HRC has been putting out the standards of POTUS.. then she makes up false criteria for those standards. She mentions no facts to support herself, only questioning Obama on her made up standards. HRC is so negative with her gutter politics.

[naturallight]

I am starting to think people who support the Clintons have some sort of brain damage. I liked the comment on SNL saying Clinton for President is like Robin Givens being heavyweight champ. Just doesn't make sense. As for her husbands extensive ties to Commnist China, well that's for another article...­..

[realpolitic]

I wonder if the Chicago Tribune will endorse Obama for the presidency. They have not endorsed a Democratic candidate for the presidency in many decades, ir ever.

[ssg13565]

The economy may be crashing down around us as we speak.

Let us all resist the temptation to argue over political trivia.

The media, including HuffPo, will continue to try to distract us.

We must resist, by focusing on substance in response to every article

that tries to divert us to trivia.

[vickic]

This is not trivia. It goes to the core of her experience claims and to how they have made their money. Who have they made promises to in exchange for donations? Who provided the Clinton's income? Overseas corporations, lobbying firms? Where is their money invested? Subprime mortgages???
The answers say a lot about who they are and who they are really for. Important stuff.

[EJBoom]

Did any of you Hillariots read the post!! This is about Obama being open and honest about his past!!! Something totally lacking from Hillary. She is so desperate to steal this election she will say and do ANYTHING!!!

[jakie]

LET THE CLINTONS RELEASE EVERYTHING AND MCAINS TO WE AS AMERICANS NEED TO KNOW WHAT ARE HIDING

[Gumby123]

Too much hype and not enough substance.

[Lesjoan]

Obama used to listen to rev wrights sermons on tapes when he went to Harvard. Obama has been in atttendance when rev wright has spewed his hate and he just nodded along according to a reporter. The reporter was with him!

[NappyRoots100]

I am still trying to figure out two things: what was hateful about his sermons and what exactly was racist about them?

Wright is speaking to the pain of African Americans, Obama speaks to the hope that we have that change is going to come

[Lisette]

Lesjoan
YOU are repeating a story that has been proved to be false!!

[Lesjoan]

no I'm not PROVE it!

[Lesjoan]

Obama is arrogant and fullof himself I don't want another one of those types in the White House. He is not who he seems.

[flyguy14222]

According to Real Clear Politics..­.Hillary now beats McCain nationally and Obama loses.

[DavidK08]

And?

Accourding to the elections being held across the contry, Obama is beating HRC. What matters more? HINT: not your poll.

[realpolitic]

Yes, but Hillary is losing to Obama. So there...

[Independent voter]

You must be so proud that the bleached blonde bimbo has trashed Obama, the Democratic Party and Obama to the point the people think McCain looks good.

You're doin a helluva job Sybillary

[Toerag]

I saw that too, and I'm wondering how McCain isn't being beaten by large margins by both candidates. Maybe the party in-fighting really is hurting their chances in November. RCP has McCain over Obama by .8% and Clinton over McCain by .2%.

The Rev. Wright video is killing Obama right now, and for some reason, Clinton won't release any of the documents that, over the past couple of months we the people have been asking her to release.

McCain is sitting back watching the Democratic Party implode. He doesn't have to spend any money campaigning against his eventual opponent - the Dems are doing a good enough job of pointing out their own flaws.

[dill]

According to Real Clear Politics poll dated today, March 17th, BOTH Hillary and Obama are losing to McCain by 6%.

[AnninCA]

Yes, and the traders are saying now is a good time to "buy Clinton." *hehe

[vickic]

LOL.....Fo­rmer President and Mrs. Clinton have always been available to be bought by the highest bidder! That is exactly why we do not need them back in the white House. They had their chance in the 90's. They need to go away while they still have some dignity left.

[rmetz74]

Actually, RCP shows both Hillary and Obama as down against McCain.

http://www.realclearpolitics.com/epolls/2008/president/national.html

[sandals]

What does the truth hurt America? This is no different than the nuts on the right like Pat Robertson has said we were attacked because of the gays, liberals and the abortions. Were is your outrage for that?
Give me a break. These are not the views of Obama and if you paid any attention you would know but what he has said and done with his life.
If you go to church and your minister tells you how to hate the left than that is ok and to blow up abortion clinics, that is ok .
And are policies are responsible for 9/11!
Obama like all of us love this country we just want to see it grow and get better.
Grow up and get over it!

[democraticjack]

There has been plenty of outrage at Pat Robertson over his remarks. Osama bin Laden is responsible for 9/11. Period.

[realpolitic]

I thought Hillary was!

[RnR]

Osama binLaden denied any involvement. Being the current benchmark for "terrorist" attacks I'd think he'd absolutely love to take credit. He admitted to plenty of others, why not this one?

[zendem1]

Wrong. The Saudis. Period.

[rojo7449]

Read the posts. Rev Wright is Obama's spiritual advisor, mentor, and friend. It's the connection between the Rev and a man who wants to be our Change President. The relationship, coupled with the anti-American sentiment, under these conditions is what is disturbing. I know of no other presidential candidates who have a spiritual advisor and mentor like this. If it comes out they do, it will get the same reaction. Pat Robertson, Jerry Falwell, Bill Graham, and all the rest, while I don't subscribe to their beliefs, are not even remotely connected to what has people gasping for air on this topic.

As spiritual advisor to the campaign, those very ugly personal attacks against the Clintons were done on behalf of Obama and he cannot get away with trying to pretend he was not aware of the personal campaign of smear. THAT lie is one I cannot tolerate. He can lie to me about where his money comes from, who he is sleeping with, his shady real estate deals, and a variety of other personal things, but he cannot lie to me about his attendance and choice to be an active, solid member of an organization led by someone who hates this country and the people in it.

I'm sick of watching Obama do that casual shuffle, eyes down, playing with a pen, and starting out with "Well, look..." He's the worst kind of liar for this country right now. He is lying to us about his love for this country and he won't tell us what it is he plans to change. That's a scarey combination.

[AnninCA]

Sandals, I fail to understand supporters such as yourself. Obama is the one who lavishes importance on Wright, calling him his mentor and sounding board. Obama put him on his committee.

His philosophy grew from this man's attitudes. We now can understand Michelle's comment of how she is only now proud of America. At the time, I sensed she was speaking truthfully. Just a couple of weeks ago, she described America as mean.

I have no quarrel with the reality that backs her statement. However, I do question how the focus on that leads to a positive, forward-reaching vision for the country. These are people asking to be given great power. It would seem to me that they would think about the diversity of people they would be representing. That includes a large majority of people who are deeply offended by anti-American sentiments expressed such as calling our country "mean" or saying "God damn America."

These are not small stories or stories meant only to defeat Obama. These are important stories that tell people what is truly the core perspective of the man asking to be president. My attitude is that he has cultivated an eccdentric viewpoint that does not serve as a platform to represent all people. Only those who feel victimized will be attracted.

So I hope people don't just get over it. I hope they think carefully.

[grumbles]

Are we sure this guy isnt a Republican? He gets ethically questioned so his mode of attack is to muddy up Hillary. Looks like she was right about him all the time......­..........­..........­......

[DavidK08]

You should pay attention before you put your "views" out there.

The republicans are voting for HRC. Then she claims victory. Then she claims that she can win that state...hm­mm

Keep up, will ya!

[Toerag]

This argument goes both ways - Clinton saying McCain passes the Commander In Chief test, but not Obama. The Dem front-runners took their names off of the Michigan ballot as a sign of unity in the Democratic Party, but Clinton left her name on. Who is looking like a Republican?

[AnninCA]

That's not exactly how it played out. Obama took his name off in spite of Michigan Dems in a calculated political move.

Then he campaigned against Hillary in defiance of the rules, setting up phone banks to get the vote out to vote uncommitted.

In Florida he told supporters he'd fight to seat their delegates and ran ads, claiming falsely that it was a national spot and he couldn't do anything about it. Stuff and nonsense.

From Day 1 he's presented himself as a different kind of politician while, in fact, being no different from the rest.

You put him up on a false pedestal. Frankly, he put himself there, so I understand why you believed it. But there is sufficient real factual information now to know better.

[AnninCA]

Look over there! *hehe

[moda31]

i don't think asking for pretty basic disclosure qualifies as a full scale assault on her ethics.