Just went to OpenSecrets and did some searches for contributions by Rezko. In addition to contributions to Barack, he also gave $15,000 to DNC Services, Inc., in 2000, when it was run by Clinton uber-insider Terry McAuliffe. He also gave $1,000 to George W. Bush in 1999. Interestingly, a Rita Rezko of Wilamette, IL (a relative?) gave $1,000 to Peter Fitzgerald, Barack's Republican predecessor in that Senate seat in 2001. Also, in 1995, Tony gave $1,000 to Rick Lazio, then a Long Island congressman who later was Hillary's opponent in her first Senate race. Other Repug contributions show up from time to time, including $250 to the NRCC in 1996 and $1,815 to Spencer Abraham (former Repug senator from Michigan) in two blocks in 1998 and 2000. Oh yeah, he also gave money to Gore and Kerry.
The question that has been bugging me though on the Rezko deal is the 10' wide strip that Barack and Michelle bought back from Rezko's wife. After the sale, was Rezko's lot still buildable under the zoning ordinances, i.e could they put a house on it without needing a variance? If not, this raises a much more serious question, because it means that the sale of the strip would have greatly reduced the value of Rezko's remaining property. Does anyone know the answer to this? Was it in any of the Sun-Times or Tribune articles?
In any case, when you look at all the crap they will be able to throw at Hillary, this seems like pretty small potatoes. Still, for Barack's own good, he needs to hire someone to do opposition research on himself, find every last scrap of information on this deal and get it on the table NOW so he can get it behind him. This drip drip drip of disclosures is like Chinese water torture for a campaign. Frankly, I am surprised that Axelrod didn't think to do this a long time ago. He should have had a marathon wear em down tell all press conference -- like Geraldine Ferraro did back in 1984 when questions were raised about her husband's business dealings. But it should have happened about eight months ago.
Dave in DC
Update Link to Open Secrets search page Its pretty easy to use
http://opensecrets.org/...