Is Obama Walking The Walk? Not So Much.

Barrak Obama has about three times the amount of money in donations than reported from Tony Rezko, an indicted businessman who was indicted in an unrelated fraud scheme. Rezko has donated or caused to be donated around $168,000.00 but Obama had originally put the figure at about $30,000.00 to $50,000.00.

According to the Chicago Sun Times article:

Obama, who wants to be the nation's next president, has been purging some of those donations -- giving charities more than $30,000 he got from Rezko and three of his business partners referenced in Rezko's federal indictments. All three attended a lavish fund-raiser Rezko hosted for Obama four years ago.

Obama, however, has kept $6,850 from others who also are referenced in Rezko's indictments. Obama also has hung on to contributions from doctors whom Rezko helped appoint to a state-government panel involved in some of Rezko's alleged fraud schemes.

"We've made our best effort to run the most ethical campaign possible in all ways and release donations when appropriate," Obama's press secretary, Bill Burton, said Friday."

So, Senator Obama who opined on ethics once said:

This past Election Day, the American people sent a clear message to Washington: Clean up your act."

"After a year in which too many scandals revealed the influence special interests wield over Washington, it's no surprise that so many incumbents were defeated and that polls said "corruption" was the grievance cited most frequently by the vote."

"It would be a mistake, however, to conclude that this message was intended for only one party or politician. The votes hadn't even been counted in November before we heard reports that corporations were already recruiting lobbyists with Democratic connections to carry their water in the next Congress." [emphasis added]

Obama also said (on the Senate floor no less):

The American people are tired of a Washington that's only open to those with the most cash and the right connections. They're tired of a political process where the vote you cast isn't as important as the favors you can do. And they're tired of trusting us with their tax dollars when they see them spent on frivolous pet projects and corporate giveaways."

"It's not that the games that are played in this town are new or surprising to the public."

"People are not naive to the existence of corruption and they know it has worn the face of both Republicans and Democrats over the years." [emphasis added]

Senator, don't you think it is time that you too quit giving the appearance (if not the actual fact) of impropiety? You've been running on that plank. You are obviously talking the talk, but so far, you ain't walking the walk, and believe me Senator, we the people are getting fed up and plan to vote for people that are walking the walk. The culture of corruption continues, and the new boss is the same as the old boss. And maybe, just maybe the Democrats are worse because they pushed "ethics reform" as their number two goal to win the election.

H/T to Glen Reynolds

Posted by GM Roper at June 18, 2007 02:37 PM | TrackBack