Oh dear. Poor, poor Barack. First his friend and mentor of 20 years Rev. Jeremiah Wright is sent packing. And, of course there's that sticky issue surrounding his relationship with William "Bomb Boy" Ayres who Obama claims was just another guy in the neighborhood, but then there's that Chicago Annenberg Challenge governing board thingie and the fact that Obama launched his political career in the living room of his barely known acquaintance, Bill Ayres. But no matter.

Now, another blow as Obama's good "friend and a colleague" Kwame Kilpatrick who, until very very recently, was the Mayor of Detroit. But lo' Hizzoner the Mayor has pleaded guilty to felony charges and will be forced to resign immediately. According to the news report from WXYZ-TV in Detroit: http://tinyurl.com/6nyry4

Kilpatrick pleaded guilty to two obstruction of justice felony charges. In addition to his resignation, the Mayor will serve 120 days in jail, serve 5 years probation, pay one million dollars restitution, surrender his pension, surrender his law license and may not seek office for 5 years.

The Mayor also pleaded no contest to assault charges as part of a settlement agreement under the conditions that he must resign. The second count in the case will be dismissed.

By the way, if you bother to use the link to read the whole story you can play the game of "Guess the Party Affiliation." Since it is, typically, NOT mentioned in the story, I'll give you a hint. Kilpatrick was an Obama delegate.

But I can only imagine how distressed Barack Obama must be. At an Economic Club gathering in Detroit Obama said:

"I want to first of all acknowledge your great Mayor, Kwame Kilpatrick, who has been on the front lines doing an outstanding job of gathering together the leadership at every level in Detroit to bring about the kind of renaissance that all of us anticipate for this great city.

And he is a leader not just here in Detroit, not just in Michigan, but all across the country people look to him. We know that he is going to be doing astounding things for many years to come.

I'm grateful to call him a friend and a colleague, and I'm looking forward to a lengthy collaboration in terms of making sure Detroit does well in the future."

Yet, another fine example of Barack Obama's keen judgment. Though to be fair, this surely was not the Kwame Kilpatrick that Obama knew.

Ray, he was'nt as tight to them as say the President and Scooter Libby or that criminal Abramoff who was just convicted.

yes.. sadly Bush's people have left in droves.. either through conviction, pending convictions.. or fleeing for their political lives..

case in point..:

"The New York Times reports that President Bush recently held an off-the-record meeting with conservative writers. During the meeting, Council on Foreign Relations fellow Max Boot asked Bush why he had diverted from the priorities of his first term. “That’s ridiculous,” Bush said. Boot then read from a Wall Street Journal op-ed by war hawk John Bolton in which Bolton said Bush’s presidency is “in total intellectual collapse.” Bush then lashed out at Bolton:

“Let me just say from the outset that I don’t consider Bolton credible,” the president said bitterly. Bush had brought Bolton into the top ranks of his administration, fought for Senate confirmation and, when lawmakers balked, defied critics to give the hawkish aide a recess appointment. “I spent political capital for him,” Bush said, and look what he got in return.

Of course Bush is right, Bolton isn’t a credible thinker on national security issues. But Bolton is also right — the inherent unworkability of the Bush doctrine has persuaded Bush to substantially abandon it in the waning days of his administration.”

Well cry your eyes out Ray...because the polls (I know it's bee argued on some threads here, polls are for the birds) show Obama in favor of winning this election. I seriously doubt at this point his past relationship with a mayor less known than Sarah Palin (before she was named McCain's running mate) will matter to Michigan voters.


http://www.electoral-vote.com/

While it's true that the Republican administration has many dealings with thieves, crooks, and scoundrels, it doesn't answer the OP.

Rather than saying "Well you guys do it too" which is something I always find a non-argument, suggest reasons why the OP is not true, or exaggerated or present counter claims, or give us reasons why these relationships will not affect Obama's leadership qualities.

I'll be in the bar.

By association is Obama a crook and thieve, because he managed to see the good side of Kilpatrick? Will Obama make excuses for Kilpatrick or distance himself from him? I don't know about other Americans, but scandal...and illegal behavior seems among the majority of politicians seems to be on the rise these days. Maybe it's the internet. We are introduced to charactes who would 10 years or so ago would have remained virtually unknown...

Speaking of that criminal Abramoff, did Democratic Senator and Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid ever give back that $47,000 he received from Abramoff, or is he still keeping it "out of principle?" Maybe you can update me.


Wow! Did that make Obama a "crook and thieve?"[sic] Perhaps you can elaborate.

Even though, I dont totally agree with Sen. Obama or his platform. I got to give him an outstanding ovation for being the first african-american DNC nominee. He, in my view, has made us look past our difference.......to look ahead to the future with hope in our eyes.

BRAVO............

Whoever wins the election, it will be the first woman vice president or the first African-American President, that will definitely represent a step forward for America.

And that's why I have so often said, 'This is an Obama/Palin race.'