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Tony Rezko, the political fundraiser who is currently standing trial on corruption charges that “accuse him of using his influence with Gov. Blagojevich to coerce kickbacks from firms seeking state pension business”, was/is a friend of Presidential hopeful Barack Obama. But now that Rezko is on trial, there’s been a great deal of heat on Obama to be more open and forthcoming with details of his relationship with Rezko. Pressure is mounting in regards to how much money his campaign over the years might have been given by Rezko and his associates (given that now most of that money is being viewed as dirty).
“We believe we have identified all money that is traceable. … It’s hard for me to know precisely. I don’t have the capacity to go back and figure out who did he raise money from. There might be additional dollars,” Obama told the Chicago Sun-Times in an 80-minute interview that focused on his 17-year relationship with Rezko, who has become a lingering issue as Obama seeks the Democratic nomination for president.
This is the breakdown Obama provided for Rezko’s fund-raising:
• About $160,000 for Obama’s 2004 U.S. Senate election. Obama has given that money to charity.
• From $50,000 to $60,000 for Obama’s failed attempt to unseat U.S. Rep. Bobby Rush in 2000.
• Between $10,000 and $15,000 for Obama’s first election, in 1996, to the Illinois Senate.
• “Somewhat less than that” for Obama’s re-elections to the Illinois Senate in 1998 and 2002.
Obama’s estimate exceeded his campaign staff’s previous estimates of Rezko’s fund-raising during Obama’s 12 years in politics. In November 2006, Obama’s staff estimated Rezko raised $50,000 to $60,000 over the senator’s career. In the last year, Obama’s campaign fund has given charities more than $157,600 in donations it linked to Rezko, his family, friends and business associates.
Altogether they’re estimating $250,000 having been raised, and they’ve donated over half of that to charity.
It’s also important to note that Obama has raised $138,231,595 as of February and so all of the money from Rezko is really just kind’ve a bad drop in the bucket. But many wonder if this small SNAFU could be the one bad apple to spoil the bunch for the Obama campaign. It’s also important to note that while Obama’s name has been mentioned in the trial “Prosecutors say Rezko ordered a business associate to use part of a kickback as a contribution to Obama’s U.S. Senate campaign.” Obama himself is not accused of any wrong doing.
The polls will show if this is viewed to be enough of an issue to derail his run for the White House.
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