The Clintons and Mr Rezko

Matt Drudge has posted this picture of the Clintons beaming alongside... wait, who is that? Ah yes, Tony Rezko, the indicted property developer whose past contributions (now donated to charity) to the Obama campaign have been the focus of numerous attacks by the Clinton camp in recent days.

In the South Carolina debate earlier this week, the former first lady attacked Obama for engaging in a land deal with Rezko while in the Illinois state legislature. Obama severed ties with the businessman after he was indicted on fraud, attempted extortion and money laundering charges for allegedly plotting to get campaign money and payoffs from firms seeking to do business before two state boards.

The 53-year-old businessman also faces a separate federal charge of conning the General Electric Capital Corp. out of $10 million in connection with the sale of pizza restaurants.

Mrs Clinton was confronted with the photo during an interview on NBC News today.

She insisted she did not know Rezko, saying “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 links to Rezko.

Clinton — who was herself forced to cut ties with and return contributions from businessman Norman Hsu after it emerged that he was evading fraud charges — was asked if it was fair to attack her rival in such a way in light of the fact that Rezko was an established contributer to the Democratic party. Didn't she know from personal experience that it was 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,” she replied.

Still, something about beams and motes springs to mind...

Comments

[Daphne Kenward]

Thats is typical of Hillary she forgets when it suits her, she does not think if you keep looking to dig the dirt you're going to get dirty. Hillary and Bill have had all sorts of scandals. It would be better if she behaves more professionally, like the Republicans. They have ran their Campaign in a more responsible way, they discuss policies and talk about what matters to the public. All I hear Clinton speaking about is Health care, like we have here in the New Labour Party, using peoples lives to play politics. Where is the money coming from for health care if America is in Recession?. McCain, War Budget where is he going to get the money from to win the war, during a Recession, fighting a worthless war to acheive nothing wasting billions per day in a Recession where is the sense. Could that money pay for American's health care?. Education, investment in productive aspects of Global warming research? why are wars so important to Mr McCain, is it because that is all he knows like Romney says I think Romney has a point. Who needs wars what people needs is peace.