Photo Surfaces Showing Sen. Clinton Posing With Chicago Landlord Rezko
A photograph has surfaced that purports to show Hillary Clinton posing with Bill Clinton and Chicago landlord Tony Rezko.
The unsourced photo appeared Friday morning on DrudgeReport.com.
In a televised debate earlier this week, Hillary Clinton attacked Barack Obama in a heated exchange for engaging in a land deal with Rezko while Obama was in the Illinois legislature. Obama has severed ties with the businessman, who supported Obama’s campaigns earlier in his career.
Rezko is awaiting trial next month on federal corruption charges. He was indicted on fraud, attempted extortion and money laundering counts for allegedly plotting to get campaign money and payoffs from firms seeking to do business before two state boards.
Once that trial is behind him, the 53-year-old Rezko faces a separate federal charge of swindling the General Electric Capital Corp. out of $10 million in connection with the sale of pizza restaurants.
Clinton was confronted with the photo of her with Rezko during an interview on NBC News Friday.
She said she didn’t know the man, adding, “I probably have taken hundreds of thousands of pictures. … I wouldn’t know him if he walked in the door. I don’t have a 17-year-relationship with him,” alluding to Obama’s ties to Rezko.
Clinton — who was forced to sever ties with major Democratic fundraiser Norman Hsu after it became known that Hsu was evading fraud charges — was asked if it was fair to attack Obama, knowing that Rezko had previously contributed to the Democratic party, and it’s impossible to completely vet all political contacts.
“There’s a big difference between standing somewhere taking a picture with someone you don’t know and haven’t seen since and having a relationship that, you know, the newspapers in Chicago have been exploring,” Clinton said.
Obama’s campaign reacted by claiming the photo proves Rezko’s prominent fundraising role for politicians across the board.
“The photo reflects the fact that Mr. Rezko was clearly involved in a wide range of fund raising for both Democrats and Republicans,” the campaign said in an initial statement.
Obama adviser David Axelrod chimed in, “If they are standing there beaming with Tony Rezko it means they knew who Tony Rezko was. He was a player, a prominent figure raising money and about town.”
Clinton’s campaign issued a statement via e-mail later Friday, with a number of links to Internet media sources that document Obama’s ties to Rezko.
“Tony Rezko has never contributed a dime to Hilary or Bill Clinton. They have no relationship with Tony Rezko,” Clinton spokesman Phil singer said. He also included a link to the political money-tracking site OpenSecrets.org, which indicates Rezko has not directly contributed to Clinton, at least as far back as 1990.
Singer then pointed to a number of stories describing Obama’s financial and political relationship with Rezko.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
This is just another attempt by the media to paint an ugly picture of Hillary Clinton!
My aunt used to drive in the motorcade for Pres. Clinton whenever he would come through Arkansas during his 2 terms. She was just someone picked to do the job. During these motorcades she probably got her picture taken with the Clintons 4 or 5 times. I know for a fact that Hillary does not know my aunt. Yet there are several pictures of them smiling together… how can that be? Maybe she does know my aunt… and this Rezko guy too.
We all have made mistakes-there is no shame in that. However, it is something different to lie in order to cover those mistakes in order to improve our image.
I respect Obama for being open about the people he has represented. I also respect him for being bipartisan enough to admire President Reagan.
We still value the truth Senator Clinton.
Monica Lewinsky’s ex boyfriend’s wife is running for president
I read so many comments on a lot of different sites and I am happy to see that a lot of Americans are waking up to the Clinton’s. We cannot afford to have them back in office. We have had enough years of Bush - Clinton - Bush (20 years) I just wish more people would take their blinders off and see that we need a change. This picture of them with Rezko definitely indicates they knew him and took money from him and gave out favours. Hillary would not waster her time posing with just anyone - think about it.
Also, why isn;t anyone checking in Bill’s dealings in Dubai, which he has now stopped. What is that all about? I am sure there are some illegal things happening with this as well.
Please give Obama a chance. Too many people in Washington either extremely disline Hillary or she owes them too many favours. She will not accomplish anything if she gets into office because of her history and also some of Bill’s history. She is not this wonderful person you all think she is. Do some due dillegence folks and learn for yourself the truth. Trust me, once you do, you will not vote her in.
I don’t remember, I don’t remember, I don’t remember………. There is a phrase used in behavioral sciences… “The best predictor of future behavior, is past behavior.” We have seen scandals with her friends in Arkansas, her husband in Washington, questionable photos”. Somebody help us if this is the best Statesperson we can promote to President.
I wish the Clintons a long and happy future. I just hope it is a long way from the White House, the military personnel I care about, and our nation.
Looks like a FAKE picture. To you CLINTON haters, why is it OK for OBAMA to associate with him but the CLINTONS are not? If the picture is real…they took MILLIONS and I am sure you will find many other crimanals in there. BUT THEY DID NOT HAVE BUSINESS DEALINGS with THEM like OBAMA.
HILLARY is innocent in this one……
This is a Republican who will probably vote the Democrats this election year. The most irritating so far that I have been watching on cable TV is the CNN’s Situation Room where in the the anchor and his commentators are quite biased and so anti-Hillary Clinton. I am glad we have a Brit Hume, a Shepard Smith, a Bill O’reily, a Hannity, a Colmes, to watch when they are on to at least see and hear better reporting and opinions. Why is it that when the Clintons respond to attacks of Sen. & Mrs. Obama, they are considered the aggressive couples. If I remember right, early in the campaign, it was Mrs. Obama who first fired the first salvo of personal attack against Sen. Clinton without mentioning her name, which is the usual mantra it seems of Mrs. Obama. Now that the Clintons are fighting back, they (the Obamas) are whining.
I am considering the following about Sen. Obama before I cast my vote: history of drug abuse as mentioned by him in his book, lawyer for a slumlord, taking no responsibilities for his words and actions like quoting Pres. Reagan and voting important issues when he was a State senator saying he wants to vote yes but meant no.
Well, if the connection between Rezko and the Clintons becomes too sticky he had better watch out, past shows people end up pushing daisies that bring the Clintons into a bad light.
Next thing ya know Hillary will be saying, “I have not had financial relations with that man!”