There could not have been a more stark contrast between the historical accomplishment of Barack Obama clinching the Democratic nomination for the general elections and the ultimate fall of former ally Tony Rezko’s conviction. Rezko, a Chicago businessman and wheeler-dealer, saw Obama’s gifts early, even before the Democratic presidential nominee officially entered politics. Rezko now faces years in prison on his conviction on corruption charges. The Republicans are only too happy to smeak Barack Obama with this latest conviction.
For Obama the outlook gets murky. Rezko’s conviction means that he can expect to face dark Republican ads, likely featuring a narrator whose voice conjures up something sinister, that refer to the senator from Illinois’s one-time relationship with the convicted businessman. Expect to see, for instance, ads with Obama South Side Chicago house and that infamous side yard he purchased from Rezko’s wife. Yep, the GOP just put this new site up.
I am sure that many Republicans are foaming at the mouth to get this on the airwaves. It will all be part of an effort to dull Obama’s sheen of novelty and portray him as a regular Cook County Democratic politician, as someone with the dirty laundry that comes with that territory. Though it is my hope and belief that many voters will see past this because the trial did not reveal much more about his relationship with Rezko than we already knew. So, all the Obama supporters, including myself, have to be ready for anything the GOP will throw at him. Let us not get angry and bitter, but let us work hard to get Barack Obama elected to be the first African American President. Just my thoughts, you be the judge…..
Filed under: Antonin Rezko, Barack Obama, Chicago Public School, Republican Party