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Those who haunt him

By SusanUnPC on March 23, 2008 at 2:15 PM in Barack Obama, Chicago politics, Emil Jones, Rev. Jeremiah Wright Jr., Tony Rezko, William Ayers

There is Tony Rezko.

There are the not-to-be-mentioned “forgotten people.” (And it has been a gift to Mr. Obama that the mainstream media never do mention those forgotten people, let alone hold him accountable for their plight.)

There is William Ayers.

There is Rev. Jeremiah Wright.

Think of them on this Easter Sunday.

Now there is Emil Jones.

Just who is Emil Jones, you ask? The Times UK tells us who Emil Jones is.

The Times article today — “Barack Obama: toxic mentors start to corrode pristine campaign” — begins with a story about the close relationship between Emil Jones and Barack Obama, and expressions about the nature of that closeness:

Long before Barack Obama launched his campaign for the White House, when he was considering a run for the US Senate in 2003, he paid an intriguing visit to a former Chicago sewers inspector who had risen to become one of the most influential African-American politicians in Illinois.

“You have the power to elect a US senator,” Obama told Emil Jones, Democratic leader of the Illinois state senate. Jones looked at the ambitious young man smiling before him and asked, teasingly: “Do you know anybody I could make a US senator?”

According to Jones, Obama replied: “Me.” It was his first, audacious step in a spectacular rise from the murky political backwaters of Springfield, the Illinois capital.

The exchange also sealed an intimate personal and political relationship that is likely to attract intense scrutiny amid the furore over Obama’s links to some of Chicago’s most controversial political and religious power brokers.

Obama has often described Jones as a key political mentor whose patronage was crucial to his early success in a state long dominated by near-feudal party political machines. Jones, 71, describes himself as Obama’s “godfather” and once said: “He feels like a son to me.”

Here is how Jones operates in the Illinois state legislature, and in his own life:

For almost a year Jones has used his position as leader of the state senate to block anticorruption legislation passed unanimously by the state’s lower house. He has also become embroiled in ethical controversies concerning his wife’s job and his stepson’s business.

Following a long section about the rise of Barack Obama to frontrunner status in the Democratic presidential primary, the article gets back to the late arrival of scrutiny of Obama, and more about Jones’s scandals:

[Clinton campaign members] believe he will come to be seen not as some Messiah but as an unusually gifted political hack who has made compromises with dodgy associates, just like most other American politicians.

That intensifying scrutiny may soon lead to Jones’s Illinois door, and to further uncomfortable insights into the unflattering political realities that accompanied Obama’s climb from obscurity.

At one point during Obama’s 2003 Senate campaign, Jones set out to woo two African-American politicians miffed by Obama’s presumption and ambition. One of them, Rickey “Hollywood” Hendon, a state senator, had scoffed that Obama was so ambitious he would run for “king of the world” if the position were vacant.

When Jones secured the two men’s support, Obama asked his mentor how he had pulled it off. “I made them an offer,” Jones said in mock-mafioso style. “And you don’t want to know.”

Jones is now at the centre of a long row over his attempt to block proposed laws cracking down on his state’s “pay-to-play” tradition – whereby companies hoping to win government contracts have to contribute to the campaign funds of officials.

Jones’s staff say he blocked the bill because he intends to produce something tougher. No proposals have appeared.

Cynthia Canary, an activist against corruption who is fighting to have the laws passed, says Obama had little choice as an Illinois politician but to deal with an ethically dubious regime. “You hold your nose and work through the system,” she said.

Yet she also thinks America is being done a disservice by those who portray Obama as somehow above the uglier wheeler-dealing of politics. “He’s a pragmatic politician, and in the end if you think that he’s superman, your heart is going to get broken.”

Here is a link to more stories on how Obama played ball with Emil Jones. In one Wall Street Journal story, Cynthia Canary says, “He wouldn’t buck Emil Jones.”

The Times UK also has a fascinating backgrounder article today on Barack Obama: “The ascent of Barack Obama, Mr Charisma.”

  • Pacific John

    Nice catch, Susan.

    The thing that most stands out for me is Obama’s rather Bush-like situational ethics and rather purposeless ambition. I don’t think anyone knows what he really stands for, not even Obama himself.

    • joe

      Emil Jones is one of the dirtiest politicians I have ever witnessed. The man loves his power so much that the ring tone on his cell phone is the “Godfather Theme Song”. I have heard it before in the elevator of the Illinois Capitol.

      The fact that he has single handedly blocked the most important piece of anti-corrpution legislation in the state’s history should be a wake up call for anybody. The bill passes the House 116-0 (or close to that) and it has 40 some odd co-sponsors in the Senate, Republicans and Dems. Just for some perspective, there are 59 members of the Illinois Senate, so the bill would pass right now if brought to the floor. However, Illinois rukes allow the President of the Senate or the Speaker of the House to single-handedly block legislation they don’t persoanlly like, so Emil blocks pay-to-play because his boy, Gov. Blago, needs to keep rasising that money to fend off his criminal charges. Welcome to Illinois!!

      Some reporter needs to get wind of HB0001 of the current General Assembly and ask Obama for a comment. Don’t let the improvement line fly, because this bill has been in the Senate for months with no new proposals. Illinois is *ucked people. Don’t let an Illinois hack run the country!!!!

      • Kourian

        The man loves his power so much that the ring tone on his cell phone is the “Godfather Theme Song”. I have heard it before in the elevator of the Illinois Capitol.

        OMG LOL!

  • http://politickybitch.blogspot.com/ nunya

    I’ll see y’all after the Dem candidate has been chosen. Your kind of Obama bashing is not good for the party and it’s the type of desperate ugliness that is making me regret casting a vote for Hillary.

    • http://noquarterusa.net/ SusanUnPC

      Talking about the “forgotten people” is ugly?

      Oh my god.

      P.S. It is better to vet now than when the Republicans get their chance. Such silly complaining is what gets the Democrats into messes like this every four years.

    • JoeySky

      How is it ugly to investigate into Obama’s real principals?

      No matter who he will be running against, his resume will be scrutinized. Better to do it now than in GE. We need to send the strongest candidate for the match up with McCain.

    • jwrjr

      Kerry discovered 4 years ago that when one side is spreading trash about you (bush then, Obama about Clinton now), if you are too dignified to respond or just turn the other cheek, you lose the election. Clinton appears to have been paying attention then. Too bad Dean and the DNC don’t seem to learn from anything.

    • hillarysmygirl

      This doesn’t seem like Obama bashing to me, this seems like cold hard facts about him that we have a right to know. “Bashing” is being likened to Joe McCarthy, or being accused of peeking at passport records, or questioning one’s integrity…that seems like desperate ugliness.

      • http://noquarterusa.net/ SusanUnPC

        There you go. Bravo. Bashing IS being compared to Joe McCarthy.

        I didn’t list them in the story, but his group of advisers are also of concern, and haunt him.

        It is troubling to me that he seeks the counsel of Gen. McPeak who says such rash and ridiculously out-of-bounds and out-of-touch things!

        It is clear that McPeak is not particularly wise, cautious, or temperate. And Obama would seek HIS counsel on military and foreign affairs matters? Good god.

        • simon

          It is clear that McPeak is not particularly wise, cautious, or temperate

          McPeak strikes me as being crazy!

          No wonder Obama’s campaign is in such disarray.

          Obama is in chaos, the press around Obama is in chaos, and Hillary and McCain sit back and watch them spin.

          Amazing.

          I’m glad this guy doesn’t call strategy for the Pentagon, regurgitated Rove.

          Yikes!

    • mimi

      What some people aren’t getting is this: I’m not voting for Obama and neither are quite a few other people because he has played the party while pretending it’s ALL Hillary. Add to that the ENORMOUS frustration at a MSM who has treated his candidacy with kid gloves.

      He says he’s ready to be POTUS. You show me HOW he is more ready than Hillary? Prove it!!! Show me WHERE he’s traveled, what he’s personally managed. He couldn’t even manage to call meetings of a commitee he Chaired because he was too busy running for president. The MSM won’t even call him on this, yet they have the audacity to call Hillary on her many travels as First Lady and Senator, btw.

      How is this fair and how are WE the ones who are undermining the Dem Party? Excuse me, the Party has played its damn self! Everyone from Kennedy, to Kerry, to Pelosi, to Coward Dean and lately Richardson.

      They could have let the Primary process just play itself out! If Obama is, indeed, the ‘Chosen One’ it would have been apparent by now or certainly by June. Had they done that, there wouldn’t be all this bitterness and bad feeling.

      Remember, or maybe you don’t know, it was Michelle Obama who FIRST played the race card by misquoting Bill Clinton. A memo from their campaign proves this. They kept playing the race card all the while pretending they weren’t until they got caught in their own trap with Rev Wright. And now that they are they’re trying to finesse their way out of it by proclaiming: It’s time we had a dialogue about race.

      WELL, DUH!!!

      So why did, Mr. Bi-racial Obama, wait so long? He could have run a bi-racial, multi-ethnic campaign from jump street. Too bad, you’re not clever enough to pose that question to yourself and wonder maybe there was something sinister in his own mindset. And maybe, just maybe you might want to question Mr. Obama’s mindset given that you want us all to make nice, be united by this fraud of candidate.

      I want the Dem Party to know that I am thoroughly pissed and that I am leaving the Party and will henceforth be registered as Independent.

      It didn’t have to go down this way. But it did. And I ain’t takin’ the responsibility for that.

      That falls at their feet!!!

      • sisterdo

        Let them know exactly how you feel— IN 5-10 MINUTES YOU CAN EMAIL THESE 3 SOURCES AND LET YOUR FEELINGS BE KNOWN. DEMOCRACY REQUIRES YOUR OUTSPOKEN DEMANDS THAT VOTES BE COUNTED.

        1) Florida Democrats

        email@fladems.com

        2) MOST IMPORTANT ONE– EMAIL YOUR THOUGHTS TO ALL THE MEDIA THROUGH THIS FORM HERE–SO EASY!!!!

        http://www.fladems.com/page/speakout/dailies

        3) DNC– Run by Gov. Dean

        http://www.democrats.org/page/s/contact

        (EVERY time they return email you asking for money don’t bother reading it–just put “SEAT FL AND MI” in your SUBJECT REPLY and don’t give them a penny).

    • Fran

      Nunya: yea, and Obama supporters are so fair and kind? It’s up to Clinton supporters to unearth the truth about Obama’s record because the press has continually failed to do their job. If he was properly vetted like any other candidate, it would not have gotten to this point. You are buying into the mainstream media’s mantra: “Hillary and Bill are so negative.” Negative in this primary cycle apparently means ANY investigation or accountability regarding Obama. If she asks about his experience and if he is prepared to be Commander in Chief, that is negative? I think it is absolutely necessary and horrifying that it is not a fundamental criteria for the presidency. His campaign is using Chicago style tactics, and sadly, only the Clinton campaign is being held responsible for everything distasteful that is out there. It’s completely distorted if you follow the facts and timelines. Poor Barack is no innocent–his team is constantly fueling the fire and then playing victim, leaving the Clintons as the “villains.” I ain’t buyin it, but so many are…

  • kenoshaMarge

    And the hits just keep on a comin.

    Wouldn’t it be nice if we actually had a non-partisan media that informed the people? Wouldn’t it be nice if investigative reporters found something to investigate more important than if Hillary was in the White House when Bill was getting a bj? And wouldn’t it be nice if a Democratic candidate that has a very good chance of winning the nomination had been vetted by those in media who’s job it was to do so?

    Those like Olbermann who have a crowned us a king without every bothering to find out if his Royal Highness would make a good king? All Olbermann and his ilk care to do is to portray the other Democratic Candidate as an evil witch and to distort every thing that she or her husband, the only Democrat to sit in the White House for two terms in the last 40 years, says.

    But don’t worry folks, if Obama is the candidate I’m sure that all those “journalists” will suddenly decide that maybe they should look closer at this candidate. Maybe he’s not as perfect as they first thought. And maybe, gasp, they were fooled and now must admit he’s just not as Presidential as they thought and we should all quietly vote for war-hero, straight-talkin John McCain.

  • http://lesstalkmoreactivism.blogspot.com whoframedrudy

    “I made them an offer,” Jones said in mock-mafioso style. “And you don’t want to know.”

    I wonder what offer they made John Lewis?

    On this Easter Sunday, I’m reminded of the ‘faith gap’ that hurt the Dems in 2004. How could we bridge the faith gap with a nominee who can’t speak of his church without bringing up Marxism, black nationalism and James Cone.

    • http://noquarterusa.net/ SusanUnPC

      Yes. It was plain from the look on his face that they had pulled a nasty threat on Lewis. I wonder if we’ll ever know. I hope so… whatever they have on him, I’ll forgive Lewis long before I’ll forgive those who threatened him.

      • TeakWoodKite

        And on a day of days…

        I’ll forgive Lewis long before I’ll forgive those who threatened him.

        Did Obama buy a glasshouse?

        To be honest, if Obama was up front and center with his religious beliefs I would respect that.
        But he is not and 20 below zero is not fit for man nor beast. “I did not know” won’t cut it,especially at 3:am. At a minimum it says Obama never drove through the neighborhoods he represented, to see for himself.
        (I lament)

        Senator Obama is undersome the mistaken immpression that he can act the part of Dudley, from “The Preachers Wife.”

        Marguerite Coleman: Things haven’t changed since Adam, and he gave up one of his ribs so he’d have somebody to keep things from.

        http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0117372/plotsummary

  • Pat Newcomb

    I have a very hard time understanding how putting a little “sunshine” on critical aspects of how a candidate for President built his case is considered “bashing”. What’s not good for the party is the presumptive coronation of one candidate before all Democrats who wish to have a say in this matter have spoken through the primary process.

  • anna shane

    i could easily live with him as a candidate, with Rezco and his preacher, were he able to run for himself and not against Hillary. He’s not showing empathy to me or to women who support her or to her great achievements by constantly lying. He started out staying experience was overrated, and he was glad to have little experience, and I liked him better when he stood his ground. I can forgive a lot in a candidate, but it’s taken way too long to have a viable female candidate, and she’s had to be over prepared, and work harder, and of course the men in charge and some powerful women cringe at the possibility of a female president, and would back any viable man and make him viable with their endorsements and compliments. That’s not enough for him he has to try to take her down. Has he no idea how repulsive that is to voters like me? I have never been so ashamed of my party, never so ashamed of Maureen and Frank. She may still win, if it’s up to the majority of voters she surely would, but these things that are belatedly coming out about Obama that will make it perhaps impossible to beat McCain make me sick. Why now, why not months ago? Why has this guy been shoved at us if he hasn’t yet come clean?

  • TeakWoodKite

    During the playing of the audio tape of Levine and Beck They are concerned that Emil is watching what they are going to do regarding the hospital.

    It was inferred that other scams were afoot and they should be careful not to tread on Emil.

    What is with Rezko and putting houses in trusts? sound familar?

    Rezko is sued in dispute over house

    Tony Rezko, who is standing trial on federal corruption charges, was sued Friday by a former business partner and son of Nation of Islam founder Elijah Muhammad, who is accusing Rezko of taking ownership of Muhammad’s house without his consent.
    The lawsuit by Jabir Muhammad accuses Rezko of persuading Muhammad and his wife to put their home into trust with Rezko.

    http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/chi-rezkolawsuit-bd23mar23,0,2888455.story

    • http://noquarterusa.net/ SusanUnPC

      Which audio, Teak?

      Fascinating about Elijah…. must check further.

    • Mel

      Teakwoodkite, this why the Obama’s are looking for new and affordable free housing, Rezko take their home too?

      • TeakWoodKite

        The governor, Rezko and Obama had relationships with the good folks at Northern Trust.

    • Mike Howell

      TeakWoodKite –

      Kenwood – neighborhood to America’s terrorists.

      And Kenwood is where the Obamas chose to hit up

      indicted for multiple counts of fraud/pension kickback schemes Tony “The Fixer” Rezko,

      so that they could live in a mansion that they couldn’t otherwise afford. The Obamas and the Rezkos have their properties in trusts.

      The Obamas’ hand picked Kenwood friends include:

      William “We should have bombed more U.S. buildings” Ayers,

      Louis “Hates the White Man, Jews and Gays” Farakhan,

      and Elijah Nation of Islam Founder Muhammad.

      I don’t want Secret Service protection for Obama.

      I want Homeland Security looking at him.

      • TeakWoodKite

        Elijah Jr. must not have read the fine print when Rezko put his house in the “family” trust.

        I want Homeland Security looking at him.
        They have. Making calls on behalf of an Iraqi felon raises flaags…Just remember that it is the re-thugs who have the levers of information at the moment.

  • Mel

    From Obama speech January 26, 2008

    The choice in this election is not between regions or religions or genders. It’s not about rich vs. poor, young vs. old. And it is not about black vs. white.

    This election is about the past vs. the future. It’s about whether we settle for the same divisions and distractions and drama that passes for politics today or whether we reach for a politics of common sense and innovation, a politics of shared sacrifice and shared prosperity.

    This being the case, why did Sen Obama inject Race into the campaign?

    This being the case, Sen Obama, where is your proof of common sense and innovation?

    Every word you use turns against you Senator Obama, and no matter how you try to use the “what I meant clause” your words are your words used and you have proven you are the do’er of the same divisions and distractions and drama that passes for politics today!

    Please resign Senator Obama, for the sake of the country!

    Please join Senator Obama’s initiative to protect the enviroment by recycling words as Senator Obama does!

  • Mel

    Our nation must rise above a house divided. Americans share hopes and goals and values far more important than any political disagreements.

    Republicans want the best for our nation, and so do Democrats. Our votes may differ, but not our hopes.

    I know America wants reconciliation and unity. I know Americans want progress. And we must seize this moment and deliver.

    Together, guided by a spirit of common sense, common courtesy and common goals, we can unite and inspire the American citizens.

    And together we will create and America that is open, so every citizen has access to the American dream; an America that is educated, so every child has the keys to realize that dream; and an America that is united in our diversity and our shared American values that are larger than race or party.

    Opps, I goofed, these are GW Bush’s words in December 2000! Sorry thought was some Obama words to inspire folks on this Easter Sunday!

    Sorry Susan for being a tad OT!

  • Mr J

    As much as I enjoyed learning about this, I doubt this story will have legs. (Although I was pleasantly surprised the “typical white person” quote has gained more traction than I ever suspected it would.)

    The only part of the article which could allow this story to garner some attention is the “I made them an offer, and you don’t want to know.” Unfortunately there is just too much background info required and this just sounds a little too much like politics as usual for Joe Schmoe voter. After all, the guy remains a powerful elected official.

    An Obama deal breaker? No. It’s just another example of how Obama’s B.S.

    • simon

      An Obama deal breaker

      Is today “throw a damper on the fire day, discourage?”

      How do these trolls work, they seem so obvious.

      Sorry, I’m seeing the same post everywhere, the slightly obtuse attempt to discourage further interest.

      No dice.

      It’s great information, as Jones is a LARGE part of that Combine filth, it drops another piece in the puzzle.

      The end game is to throw them in prison.

      You know?

  • Andy

    Susan:

    Great you did this post! I mentioned this article last night (in the “Mr Clean gets hands dirty”) but wasn’t sure people would take a look at it.

    I had heard the first part about Obama going to Emil about being a US Senator when Jones rose to power.

    But I found fascinating the last part about Jones & Obama in the Times article.

    Thanks for bringing this up with a post!!

  • Ann

    I have been writing to news organizations for months pleading with them to vet Obama properly. Does anyone honestly think if this Rev. Wright stuff came out a couple of months ago, we would still be contesting this primary?

    Hillary has to fight ancient false Republican talking points, Obama’s character smears, misreprsenting her positions and record and the MSM (up until very recently) acting as his own personal hit squad and fan club, not to mention the blatent misogyny from MCNBC, CNN et al. He outspends her in some states 2:1. 3:1 — even 5:1 but still he can’t closed the deal — fortunately for us.

    When is America going to wake up from this mass delusion.

    The more info comes out about Obama, his associations an his poor judgment, the worse he looks. Hillary has treated him with kid gloves compared to what the Reublican machine will do if he gets the nod. Does anyone doubt this?

    We need competence and experience, not pretty rhetoric. If Sen. Obama is the nominee we definitely lose in November. His handlers have done him a disservice by pushing him forward before he is ready for the job.

  • therio

    I work for a predominately African American southside Chicago state funded university. Let’s just say that Emil Jones’ name is literally on the buildings… and our corrupt board of directors, Jim Reynolds, are all finanical friends of Nobama including its soon to be indicted president, Dr. Daniel. Oh, and the university president before was already in prison for fraud. As a matter of fact, we are in the papers for misappropriated state funds every other month. Remember Emil is the top state senator signing for these funds. I don’t believe the hype, obamanots, because I actually see in real life what phonies these guys are! Come to the south side of Chicago and see for yourself. lol, oh I forgot you liberal NIMBYs are probably too scare of the south side! lol

  • therio

    hmmm…. I wonder if it has anything to do with Oprah being here.. hmmmmmm

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