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

[DietrichMoody]

Hillary Clinton is far from vetted.

Check her own White House Records. What was she doing her whole time as First Lady.

Was Congress investigating her as First Lady?

Check it all out.

[AnninCA]

Those stories are so old they've got mold on them. Why did Obama misplace his own records for 8 years when he was in the Illinois congress?

Why is he not equally accountable to the public?

Oh, yes......I remember now. He's been the victim of discrimination, so he doesn't have to live by the same demands he puts on others.

[halyscomet]

Clinton Ethics?!? Clearly a contradiction of terms.


* No release of Tax Records for the last 8 years.

* No release of earmarks and/or earmark requests.

* No release of Donor information to Bill Clinton's Library/Foundation.

* No release of HRC's First Lady's Archives/Logs/Travel Schedules

If there were TRULY confidence in the spotlessness of each as well as the belief that Clinton has been FULLY vetted, then why the delay in releasing each of these?

Are the Clintons concerned that the documents will reflect that their respective and joint histories of scandal are simply a part of who they are? (They are likely NOT concerned, but the info will still be the same...)

[WarrenPeace]

Let's not forget what Hillary said many weeks ago during the debate in Ohio (remember Ohio?), that she would be "happy" to release her tax returns. Most of us generally do what we are happy to do -- when we can, so there's really only conclusion:

Please add bold, naked lying during politcal debates to Hillary's record of experience.

[ayak9]

Thanks a lot for the image of seeing Hillary naked.

My eyes! I may be blind, now - or turned to stone.

[Texas4Obama]

Another person connected to the Clintons has now mysteriously disappeared!

Chief Financial Officer of the Clinton Library - Where is his body?

http://www.rawstory.com/news/mochila/Ark_businessman_vanishes_amid_audit_03162008.html

Are these the kind of scandals that America wants to constantly keep having to deal with regarding the Clintons ?

[pmag88]

The article in question states the following.

John Glasgow was the chief financial officer of CDI Contractors LLC of Little Rock, owned by department-store chain Dillard's Inc. and the estate of co-founder Bill Clark. It has built or remodeled many of Dillard's 300-plus department stores and put up some of Arkansas' signature projects, including Bill Clinton's presidential library, and had estimated sales last year of $432.9 million.

How does that make him the chief financial officer of the Clinton Library?

[brooklinme]

I don't understand what it is that Senator Obama has done to make those that support Senator Clinton so angry. Don't say it is Reverend Wright because you where angry before that . Don't say its because the MSP was easy on him. I don't believe that but if it was so it's more than equal now.
Please think about these two things 1) At least 80% of what Rev Wright said was so sadly right.
2) My daughter who is 19 went out and registered as a democrat shortly after her 18th Birthday. The other day she said to me " If Clinton is the nominee now after all her campaign has done I will still reluctantly vote for her to prevent McCain from becoming president but I will be forever done with the democratic party. Think about that Senator Clinton.

[musicsleuth]

"I don't understand what it is that Senator Obama has done to make those that support Senator Clinton so angry" -- Answer: He's winning.

I would like it if Clinton were attacking Obama on the issues, but she is resorting to those 'personal attacks' that she has accused her rivals of since 'day 1'. When she was no longer inevitable, her first instinct was to attack her opponent's character and the character of his supporters (you know, Democratic voters).

To be honest, Obama and Clinton were 4th and 5th on my list of candidates at the beginning of this contest. Since then, Obama has only impressed me by bringing out new voters to the process. Meanwhile Clinton makes me roll my eyes with her lack of substance and focus on changing the rules to suit her needs.

[Independentjunkie]

MAN as a HILLARY supporter. I feel totally burned out on Obama. Forget anti white stuff, the anti american association breaks my heart. Everytime I see his picture now, hear him on TV talk. I can't shake it.

That church association is burning in my head. That anti american talk is tugging on my heart. He is forever now associated w/ it in my heart and mind. Everytime he says anything , even positive SADLY , yup now I say sadly because I never felt a total sadness about him, Ibut now feel its just the same ole politics but w/ an adverse twist of God damn america...

I don't beleive I could hate the man... but man , it is almost unamerican for me to ever vote for him. I can't shake it. Sorry.

[BigBen]

First he lied about Nafta in Canada. Then he lied about Iraq in Scotland. Now he is lying about his whole Christian relationship with Rev. Wright and lying about the gangster who helped him to buy his house. And this is the New Politics of Hope which he sold to the college kids! What a fantastic politician he is! Well as they say " you can fool some of the people all the time and all the people some of the time but you cannot fool all the people all the time".Beware the Ides of March.

[estreya]

Now class, which of the above sentences are true, and which are false? Who would like to try for a gold star?

[mesuki]

Get your facts straight . Your ignorance is showing!

[KQuark]

You forget it was the Clinton campaign that actually lied about NAFTA get your lies straight.

[fignozzle]

do WHAT?????

[lizr]

Actually the MEDIA lied about NAFTA and Canada.. it was CLINTON who called and assured them that she was just blowing smoke up all our butts and that NAFTA was in no danger after the electino, proving that she is another lying politician, trying her best to knock off the one honest Politician we have..

[cthomp7280]

Regardless of who you end up voting for, please keep in mind that you are voting for the candidate...not his/her pastor. There is not one person alive who has not been associated with something/someone who could be considered inflammatory to someone else. Jesus walked with and associated himself with whores, drunks, drug addicts, and thieves...does his association make him less than who he was? Be careful when you hold people to standards that do neither yourself, or your rational any justice. Ask yourself, "what's more Anti-American that saying "God Bless America", then tapping your phone, sending our troops to war without just cause, and using the war to line the pockets of your friends?" Patriotism is the brutal truth abut America, not the illusion of it.

[ammitusen]

that's okay. i know how you feel. i could have maybe forgiven Clinton her vote for the war on Iraq considering the post 9/11 pressure. then she voted for Kyle/Lieberman. i had to dust my hands of her right then and there. i could not in any moral conscience vote for Clinton after she willingly voted to hand GW and Cheney Iran on a silver platter. she voted for Kyle/Lieberman even after all the unwarrented death and destruction GW wreaked on the Iraqi People and all the shame that war for profit has brought on my beloved country. i wasn't even looking at Obama at that time. i wasn't looking at anyone. all i knew was that i could never vote for Hillary Clinton. not only would it be unAmerican for me to vote for Clinton ... it would be immoral.
difference between you and me tho is that my feelings and opinions are based strictly on what Clinton has done with the power entrusted to her while your hate for Obama is based on guilt by association, based not on what Obama said but on things someone else said, things Obama has repudiated. you best hope all your family, friends and associates say and do all the right things all the time because if they don't you're guilty of their trespasses. right?

[AjicNYC]

I feel the same way

[estreya]

How do you feel about the fact that Audrey Hepburn's father was a NAZI sympathizer. Will you ever be able to watch Breakfast At Tiffany's again?

The world is a complicated place, with a complicated history. Why don't you release yourself from the shackles of the sound bite and do a little research. You might learn something.

[globality]

It's about time

What has Bill been up to.

1) He received 3.5 million from Vinod Gupta (who owns surveyUSa opinion poll used by CNN). This money was clearly to advance Vinod Gupta's personal ambitions through access he was to receive from Bill. Shareholders of Vinod Gupta are suing because the money was not seen as a business transaction that benefited the shareholders

2) made 700K on options at what seems to be an inflated price. (company is not public). He was given 200K options for a speech. He later sold those options at 3.5$ a piece, No one else seems to have even been able to exercise their option above the 75 cent price



Library donors inlclude

1) Denise Rich 450K (Husband was pardoned she also gave 70K to Clinton campaign)
2) Govs of UAE SAUDI lebanon, and several business men from Saudi. Why would they donate 10s of million of $

Pardons

1) Marc Rich (see above)
2) 2 oh Hillary Clnton's brothers made over 100K $ getting pardons for their "clients"
3) FALN Puerto rican terrorist were pardoned to garner Puerto rican vote for Hillary's NY senate run

Chinese connection

1) Hsu is a chinese governemnt agent tha funnel hundreds of thousand of dollars to Hillary's campaign stuffing envelopes with 2300$ donations from dishwashers and waiters from NY chinatown

2) Tri another chinese gov agent who said "the Clinton Administration is like a subway you have to oay a token to get on "

Osama Bin Laden

Allowed to grow stronger for 8 years under the clinton administration. Clinton have strong ties to saudis and Bin laden family. After the bombings in yemen, the USS cole, The embassies in Africa why were we still doing business with these people.

DIsbarred, indicted,

www.clintonscandals2008.com

[rojo7449]

Old news. No meat on the bone.

[ejay579]

Yes, but the past is a prologue to the future.

[trumbull9]

It is becoming obvious that both Obama and Hillary will be badly damaged by the time the general election rolls around. (Damaged mostly by other Democrats). It is time for John Edwards or Al Gore to parachute in and save the Democrats from themselves (and maybe bring Jim Webb with them). Chris Dodd and Joe Biden were missed opportunities. Dennis Kucinich is looking better all the time. I think the Dems need a do-over in Michigan and Florida AND all the other states that have already voted.

[mrmemory]

Agreed. As someone who supported and really wanted to see Biden somehow get the nomination all this just reminds me of how sad it is that all those others (including Richardson, Dodd) got knocked out immediately. It's a shame that the money and name recognition went so far so fast. Imagine how "boring" a Biden/McCain matchup would have been. Just two seasoned guys with CLEAR policy differences, but without all the noise. I know, I know the republicans would make up some crap about Biden, too, but he is NOT the kind of guy (Kerry) who would let it stand. Oh, well, we are where we are.

[kylie]

"Obvious" to Republicans.
Great attempt at selling voters that back to the past is Great.
Walk down the glorious streets of Baghdad and see how safe it is.
McCain is attempting to look like a "commander-in-chief but looks very foolish and ill-informed in trying to convince the American people, how well the surge is going and how improved conditions are in Iraq. The Republicans took us all to the cleaners and payback is a -----!

[ginnypoo]

Did you ask him how Rezmar got a ten year contract to run a nuclear power plant in Iraq, in 2005, as he was helping Cheney with that pesky energy bill?
Did you ask him about the meeting he had with Rezko, the Governor and Auchmi (saddam's weapons procuror)?
Did you ask him why Rezko let a valuable property become worthless just out of friendship?
Did you ask him if he made that speech he's so famous for because of conviction or for the money Rezko and Auchmi gave him?
These are my questions.
So far he's still a shady politician....he hasn't answered MY QUESTIONS. Sad that you were so easily assuaged.

[zbig]

Actually if you read the full interview with the Tribune, Obama did answer those questions.

[Repubnomore]

Why should he be asked to answer your questions when apparently, you already KNOW the answers!

What is your source of information? How was your conclusion investigated, researched, vetted, verified, and proven beyond your standard for the truth? Why couldn't the Chicago media get to the bottom of these very important accusations?

Please share your sources.

[ejay579]

In the primary of dueling scandals, Obama will gladly concede the victory to Hillary.

[AnninCA]

I'd like to hear any relevant scandals about Hillary.

As in ....... the present.

Go for it.

[kylie]

Did you ask Hillary what her and her husband's association with Rezko?

Where are her tax returns-after the primaries is not acceptable. Where are her earmarks disclosure? What is her association with Murdoch? Who are her contributors-secrecy is something to Avoid. Have at it! Why does Clinton sport so many lobbyists?

[BeyondGoodAndEvil]

The word ethics, doesn't belong in the same sentence as the Clintons. Here's some things you won find in the Clinton museum and Library:

http://prorev.com/missingclinton.htm

[mesuki]

Thanks for the link. I always felt that the Clintons were dishonest,but its much worse than that. Wow ! How the hell does she get away with all this crap. I have a feeling it's all gonna catch up to her very soon. I can't wait!

[Independentjunkie]

*********This "full assault" on Hillary comes from the very top of the Obama campaign, not surrogates and supporters.***********



On CNN last Tuesday, Senator Obama said, "Well, look, Wolf, I think if you watch how we have conducted our campaign, we've been very measured in terms of how we talk about Senator Clinton. ... I have been careful to say, that I think that Senator Clinton is a capable person and that should she win the nomination, obviously, I would support her. You know, I'm not sure that we have been getting that same approach from the Clinton campaign."

The facts of this election stand in stark contrast to that statement. Senator Obama and his senior campaign officials have engaged in a systematic effort to question Hillary's integrity, credibility, and character. They have portrayed her as someone who would put her personal gain ahead of the lives of our troops, someone who would say or do anything to win an election, someone who is dishonest, divisive and disingenuous. They have adopted shop-worn anti-Clinton talking points, dusted them off and unleashed a torrent of unfounded character attacks against her. Among other things, they have described Hillary - and her campaign - as:

"Disingenuous"

"Too polarizing to win"

'Divisive'

"Untruthful"

"Dishonest"

'Calculating'

"Saying and doing whatever it takes to win"

"Attempting to deceive the American people"

"One of the most secretive politicians in America"

"Literally willing to do anything to win"

"Playing politics with war"

To top it off, they have blanketed big states with false radio ads and negative mailers -- ads and mailers that experts have debunked time and time again. They have distributed health care brochures using Republican framing. They have tried to draw a nexus between Hillary's votes and the death of her friend Benazir Bhutto. And one of Senator Obama's top advisers (who has since left the campaign) recently called Hillary "a monster."

This "full assault" on Hillary comes from the very top of the Obama campaign, not surrogates and supporters.

[SouthCentralDel]

Those descriptions you mentioned I have tried to figure out which one isn't true, and, sadly, I can't seem to find one.

[rollingdivision]

Good idea. Obama's attempt to run a clean campaign was not a commitment to not fight back and effectively committing political suicide. Clinton has so. so many ethical problems it would be hard to list them all. Obama should drive the agenda on this and make sure the public is fully aware of all these issues. If Obama isn't setting the agenda Clinton will.

[forpeace]

*

Clinton's Ethics????????!!!!!!!!!!!!

LOL

*

[deekay]

GOOD TRY OBAMA...YOU'VE GOT MORE DIRTY S#*T IN YOUR CLOSET THAN ANYONE ELSE. YOU SURROUND YOURSELF WITH WRIGHT, AYERS, REZKO...HUM...I WOULD WORRY ABOUT YOUR OWN ETHICS BEFORE GOING AFTER HILLARY.

[dr4Will]

Oh boy,Mr Rezko and Preacher Wright are going to help Obama find others whose ethics may be worse than his--fat chance of that happening

[nancy50]

He complains about things being too divisive and then goes negative on Hillary? Sorry BO we've just heard what you've been listening to for 20 years - you've got divisive ingrained in your brain by now. Is he still using the campaign slogan a "change you can believe in? " Why would anyone believe now? Just another politician...