As if we needed further proof of the Bush administration’s unpopularity:

Twenty-five Republican senators broke with President Bush and voted Thursday for a major expansion of veterans’ benefits as part of a bill to finance another year of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.

The proposal, adopted by a vote of 75 to 22, also provides money for extended unemployment insurance benefits and other domestic programs to which Mr. Bush has objected.

Some can argue that those 25 Republican senators crossed party lines to vote in favor of next years war funding. The veterans’ benefits and domestic programs were piggy backed on the same vote. An old trick to get the parties to unite.

The Reps get what they want (more money siphoned into our Middle Easter quagmire) and the Dems get what they want (domestic and veteran programs to boast the home front).

Everyone wins except the Bush administration.  I don’t think I’ll ever get tired of seeing his name smeared.

Popularity: 2% [?]

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).

On Friday Obama sat down with the Chicago Sun-Times and revealed more details on the relationship, and what’s been on everyone’s mind- the money. 

“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.

Popularity: 3% [?]