How much will Barack Obama’s relationship with Tony Rezko and his adviser’s meeting with a Canadian official about NAFTA hurt his chances today?

If people were for Senator Obama, it won’t make a difference in the world.

If people were for but not fully dedicated to Hillary, I think some of these might see through the smokescreen her campaign threw up and vote for Obama.

If they’re republican, they’ll vote Hillary just to keep the democrats fighting while McCain builds momentum towards to final election.

I hope none at all. Isn’t it odd that all of the bombs that the Clinton campaign machine have dropped have been either at a debate or right before a primary ? I guess she didn’t think Obama would be a threat , and now that he is she’s throwing MUD!

Those relations won’t hurt Obama much at all today. That pain and baggage will hurt most and cause the most damage in the general election….especially if any wrongful doing facts exist.

Very little. His supporters seem to be so completely programmed now, mostly be the year long media driven pro-Obama blitz, that this won’t even show up on the radar.

This new ’scrutiny’ is just for show, to combat the correct accusations that the media has been brutally unfair to Mrs Clinton. But compared to what will happen to him during the Fall campaign this is just a Spring day at the beach. By October, using the word, scrutiny, will be wallowing in understatement!!

This makes Obama look like every other Washington politician with closed doors, secrecy, deception, questionable actions, etc. Obama’s message has been about change; however, this will hurt his chances today because these situations highlight that he is a typical Washington insider and politician.

Jack: FINALLY a question about Obama’s dealings. The media has given this man a free ticket for far too long. I hate to say it but… does the American media fear a backlash against them if they report negatively on an African-American candidate? Hillary has taken a beating from all of you for far too long!

He may lose about 0.05% of the votes he would have received, that accounts for all the voters that are aware of Canada.

On the other hand, Tony Soprano (you mispelled his name) is a very popular guy and he might pick up 0.05% of the votes he otherwise would have gotten.

Jim in Brittish Columbia, Canada.

I don’t care about is relationship with Rezco, it doesn’t tarnish his character, or put me in the “birds of a feather flock together” mind frame. I did care about Bush’s relationship with the Bin Laden family, but nobody really cared about my opinion then either.

hopefully everyone will step back and take a real look at all these issues. a second oppion never hurt. unless it proves the first one wrong.

scott missouri

It didn’t effect might vote one way or the other and I suspect it won’t anyone else’s if they watched the news and know that was said was false. That is politics Jack. It does not have to be true or have any substance it just has to be said and the candidate it is said about has to defend themselves. What the hell ever happened with innocent until proven guilty? The media should be asking important questions of the candidates like what is your plan for the economy or how are you really going to get us out of Iraq or how the hell are you going to pay for all this healthcare your promising.
This petty he said she said stuff is for elementary school children Jack not the office of president.

I am sure that it will hurt him a little, as the press tries to correct the mythology of biased reporting. I have a question for you…why is Hillary allowed to make plagiarism charges against Obama, then use a 3AM ad, which is a clear ripoff of an ad John McCain had in early January.
The press has and will be biased to the Clintons. The press loves dirty politics.

Harry

I’m betting on the American people being a bit smarter than the political machine thinks they are. The kitchen sink method of sinking a campaign is old politics and I thought America was over this and needing a change….so vote for real change everyone.

Not sure Jack. But he deserves scrutiny. He’s been cuddled by the Media for far too long.

Brett
Cincinnati, Ohio

It is a sign of desperation that such a big fuss is being made about a third party source memorandum from a Canadian official talking to a staffer on a campaign. I think voters understand this to be a non-issue. The Rezko issue has a bit bark at this eleventh hour, but not very much bite. No wrongdoing or inappropriate relationship is at stake.

Obama is the TIGER WOODS of politics, and even Tiger misses a a shot now and then. Obama has both the experience and the judgment to beat all of the older players on this campaign tour…..and now the two MAJORS tonight.

Why is CNN defining the Ohio unemployment problems as “NAFTA related,” when, in fact, the job losses are primarily due to outsourcing to places like India and the Philippines?

It might be newsworthy to mention that Canada is the largest source of imported oil and gas to the United States. In fact, Alberta alone has 7 times more proven oil reserves than Saudi Arabia. Also, between Hydro Quebec and Ontario Hydro, Canada lights up the majority of the Northeast United States.

If you are going to make NAFTA a part of the campaign, maybe you should tell more of the story.

Most of Obama’s Followers wear Obama Blinders, and can only see what he wants them to see. The Obama Cult won’t be swayed.

The Actual Democrats however, might look at this like and see that The message he sends and the Reality he wants are far removed from each other and that will hurt him, both short and long term.

Mike From Staten Island, New York

I think the public is smart enough to know trade agreements with Canada are a lot different than agreements with Mexico. There are very few jobs lost to Canada compared to your southern neighbor so I don’t think that part will affect him. As far as the other Obama has already said that it was not the best idea he has had.

These two semi-scandals alone won’t hurt Obama in today’s primaries. But the Swift Boat Party will surely add them to their arsenal in the general election.

In the long run not much of anything. This is nothing compared to what awaits him from the old Karl Rove gang. Hang on to your boots, the rodeo is just beginning.

It seems he can do no wrong for the time being. But just give the talking heads some time and they may well be able to destroy yet another legitimate bid for the nomination.

These questions have been asked and answered . . move on!! Are you responsible for the actions of every person you’ve had business dealings with? Are you responsible for the actions and comments of every person who has given you advice? The Canadian government said this is a non-issue. Why is the media trying to make it more important than it is?

Jack,
It won’t hurt him at all, unless Oprah calls him on it…. otherwise, as long as she’s still the pied piper, her sheep will follow. It’s that simple.
There are but 3 real factors in the Democratic race, Sexism, Oprah, & mean-spirited media types (you lead), none of which bodes well for Hillary Clinton. But then, as Lou so often points out, are the American people that stupid? YES!! And they will get what they paid for.. the memory of a sold-out stadium tour, and NOTHING else. Go Hillary, don’t worry about men who are scared of strong women. Whether she wins or not, she will still be Hillary and she will still be a strong, awesome female.

In a perfect world it shouldn’t matter, since Rezko donated money to both Hillary and Obama.

However, since this is politics, it will make a dent.

But keep in mind that there has been a lot of early voting, so it might not have as much impact as Hillary would like.

It probably cost him a few votes, Jack. People will believe what they want to believe, however. I believe that Obama wasn’t aware of the “deal” between his advisor and the Canadian official. I also believe that Obama cannot be held entirely responsible for his backers’ actions (see also Farrakhan).

I also believe that NAFTA should be thoroughly discussed by all three candidates’ camps with the Canadian government, and that the Canadians be left with absolutely no doubt that Obama or Clinton would abrogate or re-write the treaty as soon as possible.

Is this what they call ‘faith-based’ politics?

If his relationship and dealings with Rezco had been really scrutinized when voters had a chance to weigh the information, it would probably have had a bigger impact than it will have now….according to the media, the “deciding” primaries are today…yet this info is really just starting to get the coverage it deserved. Those people who voted in the earlier primaries didn’t have any detail of this information…and the outcomes may have differed if they had. In making this “mistake”, Obama has shown us the kind of judgement he has, or rather, the lack of judgement that he has. And all Democrats are supposed to unite behind whoever gets the nomination? As more scrutiny is put on Obama, and we can see that he is for change if it applies to everyone else, just not himself…., I for one don’t know if I can support him. And John McCain will be laughing all the way to the White House.

Jack, the momentum is changing in this race. Rezko is just the first snowball in the avalanche about to hit Mr. Obama. Hillary will pull this out somehow, another “Comeback Kid.”

Jack,

The answer is NONE, Teflon Sen Obama. The rolling stone that
gathers no moss. My question is who is going to stop this media # one box office hit.?

Mrs & Mr Clinton can only wish.

It shouldn’t, Jack,if voters are informed and not manipulated… But, we’ll find out in about 5 hours anyway, won’t we?

Jack– Would you please tell John McCain I am not his ” dear friend?” Thanks.

Jack
I dont believe his relationship with Tony Rezko or the issue with NAFTA, will make a difference today, I think the voters in Texas and Ohio made up their minds before these stories broke. If anything the voters will lean towards Obama due to Hillarys seething comments against him. There are many skeletons in Hillarys closet and Obama hasnt used them.

It shouldn’t hurt him if people take the time to look at the facts. Gee, Canada has denied this allegation twice this week. With the busy schedule these candidates are on, I’m not surprisedObama didn’t know anything about the meeting. The meeting doesn’t change his view on NAFTA.
As far as the Rezko issure, I don’t think anytihing is wrong with a person seeking a professional opinion on a real estate purchase. As far as purchasing an adjoining parcel of land to Obamas property owned by Rezko’s wife doesn’t imply anything was done illegaly.

It’s sad that the Clinton campaign is putting this out so forcibly, perhaps someone should take attack on the Clinton’s past doings.
Dirty politics, I am sick of it.

Karen
CT

Who knows Jack. Everyone will probably just blame Hillary for this one too. Apparently challenging your opponent’s record is now a taboo in American politics.

These “questions” raised within the final 24 hours of the deciding primaries at Ohio and Texas are aimed to expose the devious nature of Obama. A fifth grader would understand the underlying reason for this brazen attack on Obama. This is the same, old, obnoxious Washington politics. The Obamamania emerged across the country primarily to express ordinary people’s disgust against these dirty politics of seasoned Washington leaders. Little wonder these attacks are hurled at this fag end of the race - this is their desparate attemtp to throttle the Obamamania so that the movement for “change” can be changed and Washington is continued to be ruled by the lobbists who run the campaigns of lifetime Washington leaders like McCain and Hillary.

It’s a shame the media has fallen into Hillary’s “poor-me-the-victimized-woman” trap. As for the NAFTA story, for some reason the media doesn’t believe the response given by the Obama campaign, despite video evidence from the Prime Minister of Canada. As for Rezko, I’d think the last thing the Clintons might want to bring up is a matter involving a real estate transaction. There were 15 convictions, give or take, associated with Whitewater. There are zero convictions involving Rezko. Hillary should consider joining the McCain campaign - she’s writing their ads for them.

The dealings with the Canadian official concerning NAFTA and his former business associate Tony Rezko shows that Barack Hussein Obama is proposing business as usual in politics instead of the empty platitudes about Change that his campaign has been pushing in the media.

Unfortunately, Obama has been running on a platform that promises transparency, integrity, etc. Even when the facts bear little resemblance to perception, the rank and file of the electorate will not go beyond the superficial. So what we are typically presented with is someone’s opinion, of someone else’s opinion of the facts.

Bottom line: it MAY very well hurt him by bursting the ‘bubble’.

It is, however, difficult to believe that a fair comparison will condemn him and NOT Clinton, what with with her current and many other legal issues, arguably much more damning.

It always puzzles me that so many ignore Clinton’s questionable past. Have they been so successful in spinning it all as a huge right-wing conspiracy?

Maybe this will burst Obama’s bubble, then the media can go back to a balanced report of how each candidate is faring. I am burned-out on all the Obama hoopla, his speeches are great but his substance is nill.

Jack–

If Obama doesn’t win the primary election as a Democrat then there are going to be awhole of African-Americans not voting for her! The Clintions will say anything or do anything to get elected! We want change in Washington and the Clintons doesn’t represents NEW change!

Charles–IL

Obama has garnered himself enough scrutiny to lose most of today’s contests and keep Hillary in the race for at least the next seven weeks when Pennsylvania becomes the next “must-win-do-or-die” contest. The undecideds will break towards Clinton today, and that is because the ‘media bias’ has turned towards Clinton over the week since the MSNBC debate. Most if not all of the news organizations seem to worry about being viewed as ’soft’ and Obama and ‘hard’ on Clinton.

In addition, most of the stories regarding the election have focused on questioning Obama and his policies. Mr. ‘Open Goverment’ making back room deals with foreign nations. Mr. Integrity having questionable land deals with a known slumlord. And Mr. ‘Let’s focus on Afghanistan’ never having a single hearing about it in his NATO commitee.

But I haven’t seen a single news story about any one of Clinton’s questionable dealings of her own. Whitewater. Norman Hsu. Her years with WalMart. The problem, I guess, is that those are all old stories.

Obama’s problem today is that his frontrunner status has made him soft and comfortable. He is too lax. He needs to go on the attack first thing Wednesday morning - and hard. Pennsylvania will be Obama’s last stand. Should he lose that, it will be very hard for him to justify winning the nomination by super delegates come August.

Hi Jack,
I honestly do not believe it will hurt him at all. Most of us know that this is dirt that the Clinton campaign is drudging up, trying to make more out of it than there really is. This is just another desperate attempt from Hillary to try and take heat off of her support for NAFTA. It seems she will stop at nothing to try and destroy the Democratic Party. It is time for Hillary to pull out before there is no chance of ever uniting the party. It would be a crying shame if McCain got into the white house because of a tattered Democratic Party. Hillary it is time to pull out!

If others don’t give more credit than I do, it will mean nothing. Maybe he iwa been ambivalent in the past , but seems clear now. It is something to remember for future reference.

The NAFTA scandal will hurt Obama in the fall election. His obvious lie that the meeting did not occur and the contents of the discussion will provide the country with an idea of Obama’s definition of “Change”. All of the Dems. claim that Bush has lied, well I guess Obama has as well and is not “Change”.

It won’t hurt Obama at all. He could probably kill a man and the media would still love him. He’s the “teflon candidate”

Today? Probably not much. In the future, maybe a lot. Maybe if the media had spent more time vetting Mr. Obama instead of anointing him and less time bashing Ms. Clinton, maybe we’d already have the answers. You know the Republicans aren’t going to let these issues die.

I don`t think it`s going to hurt his chances at all. A few undecided voters might go for Clinton at the last minute, but I don`t think that will make a big impact. Barack Obama went for so long with little or no heat on him and that gave him the cusion he needed to gain steam in this race. The people he has backing him don`t care what he does at this point. Most of his voters are going to stick with him through thick and thin, because they want an African-American President. If Hillary Clinton Drops out of the race the majority or her supporters will back Obama. If Obama were to get smeared by some new story,and withdraw from the race, most of his supporters would simply not vote in the general election. There cause would be over, and the air would be let out of the democratic race. The best thing for the Democrates would be for Obama to keep winning, or the crusade will be over.

I think Rezko is the one on trial and we should wait till the trial is over. Correct me if I am wrong but Obama has not been indited for anything. I am way more concerned with who got pardoned in the Clinton administration. That is something I can hang my decision on.

With the Canadian meeting I would be far more swayed that there was a fire storm if the Obama campaign was the one that made the contact instead it was the other way around. Obviously NAFTA is very important to Canada and probably would prefer if McCain were the next president.

The media is enchanted by Barack, and find it dificult to report his bad news. The press regards the NAFTA story as a non issue, and offer the Rezo relations as innocent. There was a time when the press was a rampart for truth, but now it’s a group of gossips, breathless to tell the bad news about Hillary.

Jerry Wilson
Broken Arrow, OK

I’m sure it will hurt a lot and it is a shame, because we know very little about the facts at this time. We only have speculation and this speculation may change the course of our country.

None. I believe the Clinton strategy will be seen for what it is and if anything, will provide even more incentive to Obama supporters. This stuff is what the country is trying to get past. Obama has taken the high road all the way - too bad Ms. Clinton finds it necessary to focus on negatives. I for one am sick of it and plan on supporting Obama regardless of what mud she slings.

I am very upset with Hillary Clinton about trying to call Obama out for bad business deals. Hillary Clinton must have forgotten about “Whitewater”. The american people have not, it is so hypocritical of her to go after Barack Obama when she was under investigation for Whitewater and it my opinion , the issue has never been resolved.

‘

As a Canadian, I am embarrassed by our country’s involvement in the U.S. Election and on behalf of many Candians I am sure, I apologize to Sen. Obama. One must remember we have a right wing government here who would love to see the Republicans keep the White House. I would not put it beneath them to have orchestrated this whole affair as Sen. Obama is the one likely to beat Sen. McCain.
To all Americans, I apologize.

The clinton campaign and the MSM is trying to “get” Obama in order to “vet” him; it is all a ‘witch-hunt’ out sheer DESPERATION.
May be after today’s election results, Hillary can once again focus on trying to divulge her tax returns and W/H records, for a change - -

i don’t think his relationship with Rezko count for anything, but his adviser’s meeting with a Canadian official is the bombshell of the present situation. Clinton has been attacking this man like he is a GOP member, and good for her, the attacks exploded at the right time. The possible outcome of today might be that those unsure voters would dance to her tune.

Covina, CA

ZERO

Zip, Zero, Nada.

rezko = obama = republican field day in november.
nafta = obama = don’t worry canada .
voters = obama = god help us

missouri

Senator Obama, will lose Texas, Ohio, Rhode Island, and possibly Vermont tonight. Americans still do not know him well enough yet. He needs to sell himself. He was doing great, until the last debate in Ohio, and his recent gaffs, about NAFTA.
His biggest gaff, was when he tiptoed around the Louis Farrakhan endorsement. Americans, are watching everything this election, because they do not want to make the mistakes, that they made, in the past two Presidential elections.

Leonard
Estero, Florida

…His relationship with Tony Rezko ? - no affect.

…adviser’s meeting with a Canadian official about NAFTA? Huge affect! Canada has to stop exporting cold weather & snow to the US.

I’m surprised the media isn’t praising Obama as being “open-minded and fair” for having overlooked Tony Rezko’s very questionable criminal past.

Of course as Mr. Obama likes to say, a president needs “good judgement” more than experience. You’d think that Mr. Obama’s experience with Tony Rezko would suggest that his judgement isn’t always good.

In the end, it matters little-not many of his supporters will look below the surface to determine his true character.

He’ll just lose this as an excuse as to why he lost Texas and Ohio today… even though he was behind or tied in the polls before these incidents occurred. He’ll try to avoid discussing that even after winning 11 states in a row and outspending Hillary 4 to 1 and 2 to 1 in Texas and Ohio respectively, he still couldn’t win these two big delegate rich states.

Unfortunately i think they will hurt his chances today, especially the Canada affair since the media coverage on it has been poor. there are solid facts that discredits Obama’s involvement in this issue which includes a video of an angry Canadian parliament arguing who “interfered” in the Us campaign with false accusations. Many people will not know this in time and will loose their trust in Obama.

The Rezko relationship is ole news…and once Obama found out about him - he distance/renounced/rejected his ties…so lets drop this foolishness - Rezko is going to get his judgement and there is no presidential pardon in his future (unless Bush gives it to him).

As for the Canadian official and NAFTA…well it seems like the right winged Canadian government is getting involved in US politics. It was not with Obama and the Obama camp did initiate the meeting. So how did the press find out about the private meeting - we should really be asking ourselves for what purposes was the meeting information ‘leaked’.

Frankly all the hoopla is deflecting the fact that ‘oh yea my husband when he was president was the one initiating NAFTA’ -with a faint hope that people will have fogotten that history. There will always be some economic dealings with our neighbors to the North and South - that is part of being who we are - the extent of that relationships warrants however re-evaluation and re-negotiation in the face of our current crises…I am confident Obama has the brains and courage to make sound decisions for the American middle class once he is commander-in-chief. Clinton may have the abiliites too if she gets the job (but only if the former President Clinton - is tossed out of the decision making meetings).

I don’t think those already supporting Obama will be swayed. They support him because his message is anti-Washington politics and by trying to make an issue out of Rezko and the NAFTA meeting that’s playing Washington politics. That might even rally them. For those old school voters who are on the fence, that’s another story. It could sway some a few of them, but I don’t think it will be enough to change the direction of these primary elections.

Jack, up until now, Obama has been squeeky clean with the voters. True, Clinton has declared she wants to change NAFTA as well and the NAFTA issue is more important in Ohio where Clinton leads than in Texas where Obama leads.Still, for the first time Obama is coming under more scrutiny and if many voters panic realizing they do not know him as well as they thought the race for the Democratic Presidential Candidacy may become a real horse race.

Nothing more than poppycock Jack, unfortunely this type of smear tactics is commonplace. I think it won’t have any effect at all. Besides this sounds a lot either an “Snow job” or another play right out of the Karl Rove playbook of sleaze. Either way, it won’t stick and Obama will go on to become our next President.

No effect ;Obama’s supporters are for hope not reality;

Obama will be hurt by those two things just like a Mac Truck is hurt when it’s windshield hits a grasshopper at 70mph on a lonely Texas country road.

I don’t think that it will have an impact nor will it effect his chances. Hillary has a lot more skeletons in her closet than shoes. If Obama or his advisors have done nothing inappropriately, then they should not be worrying about devils knocking at their doors.

Jack,

It won’t hurt him at all. When you think of what the Clinton’s have been accused of, he comes out as a winner. This is good for Obama as it shows Clinton’s desperation. She’s throws the kitchen sink and he’s not shaken by it. Obam shows great judgment, character and strength to take on John McCain in November.

Rick from Huntington Beach, California

Jack, if people already drank the Kool-Aid, this will not have an effect on them. If people avoided drinking it, they’ll realize that what Obama says isn’t necessarily what Obama does, and they’ll vote for Hillary. At least with Hillary, they know what they’re getting. This Canada incident only demonstrates further that with Obama, we don’t know what we’re getting. He’s promising voters one thing and the Canadians another. He did this in 2004- he changed his position on Iraq and now has changed it again. How can we be sure of anything he promises?

I don’t think it will matter very much since most Americans don’t care about Canada or what happens north of the border. They would rather overlook these things, as they are more interested in ‘making history’ with this candidate. We in Canada and the rest of the world find this amusing. Your founding fathers designed the White House to be run by a man only, referring to the first couple as ‘The President and the First Lady’. Hillary makes history by breaking the misogynist language in that phrase and thinking. We hope for ‘change’ too.

Jan Brunton
Toronto, Canada

By the morning of the vote, I’d expect many voters to have their minds made up. I doubt petty stories simply being overblown is response from accusations of “Obama’s free ride” will change too many people’s minds at the last moment.
If it does seem like it’s going to hurt his chances, he could always just cry on TV so everyone can see how much the campaign is “just getting” to him…

Bucks County, PA

I would hope that everyone would think twice about voting for him. Yes, Hillary has her problems too, but I believe we all know about her skeletons that are no longer hiding in the closet. How much do we really know about Barack since the media is tending to give him a free pass and put him on the ballot in November?

May I also point out that barack has not touched any of the Clinto scandals…but that is why many of us want him as President…that is the character that fits the President of the United States of America… one that is human and admits his mistakes, knows he need to answer the questions within time but doesn’t crumble when the mobs are chanting with pitchforks.

Obama should have addressed his relationship with Tony Rezko long ago. He should never have bought the house he now owns through the help of Rezko and, instead of simply acknowledging that this was a mistake, he should have sold it ASAP. I guaranty you that this will come back to bite him in the butt come November 5th. As for Canadagate, that’s just smoke and mirrors thrown up by Clinton and won’t hold any water.

It’s about 1:00 PM here in the Rockies and the poll on CNN have Hillary ahead in Texas by two points. I give the time because it changes every minute. This indicates to most of us that what ever Hillary and Bill did is less important than what Obama has done or is doing that none of us know or read about.

I think it may sway undecided voters over to Hillary but I think if you have already selected your candidate there is no turning back.

Jack, I have a question for you? Has Hillary “rejected” Mr. Limbaugh’s support?

Not nearly as much as they would if it were a friend of Hillary going on trial..

Its quite apparent that many of Obama’s Supporters can’t articulate why they support him other than they like him, and would pay this no mind..

It seems that this is the only issues of substance about Obama. It’s his only experience and it doesn’t amount to “Change”! Really, even on the “I was against the War”,rhetoric, he wasn’t even in a position to vote on it! He wasn’t in the Senate then and wasn’t privy to the onslaught of lies from the White House in the security briefings! And you have to remember they were lies, so Hillary Clinton did her job and voted to protect the United States! Now we and she knows the fuzzy truth! That wasn’t a mistake, it was an honest attempt at security. Bush was the culprit making up the false evidence. Based in that security briefing anyone would have and should have voted to attack Iraq!

If the only ties to any substantive history is shady, why would anyone vote for Obama? Just because he is Black and would make history and uses the word “Change” a lot is not good enough!

Actually if this is the best they can come up with, I think he’ll be okay.

They’ve tried alot of mud, it doesn’t seem to be sticking………..

This ‘golden child’ will not come under the scrutiny that he should as long as he is running in the primary. The real test will be if he makes it to the general election. Perhaps, by then, his bubble facade will have broken and we will see that he is as human as the rest of them and as much of a politician as the rest of them……

I think that this recent news will damage Obama’s reputation for a while but i dont think it is longl-asting. This Obama fever or phenomenon is too powerful and too vast to cool with some allegations.

Jack,

It is about time the media took a closer look at this guy. This Obamamania must stop until we know exactly who he is and how he will behave as president. Republicans will have a field day with his association with Farrakhan, Rezko, and the Canadian WinkWink scandals. It is is time for people to quit picking on Hillary who is honest, hard working, and intelligent - and get tougher on Obama. GO Hillary!

Marie
Cincinnati, OH

It is the same old,same old for the media- and I expected better from CNN- the job of the media is to report the truth. The antics of the Clinton campaign are simply deceitful and disgraceful, if Hillary wins the nomination via these dirty gutter politics I will stay home in November, and I assure there are countless others that share my sentiments. This is a shame-When Hillary is on TV I do something radical and unexpected either mute it or turn it off.

Brian, Rezko did not donate to any of the Clinton campaigns. That got covered a month ago when the media was trying really hard to pin the scandal on her instead of Obama using an old photograph. You may have missed it since they ran the picture in prime time over, and over, and then ran the financial part at 2 in the afternoon one time only.

Sen Clinton has ran such an ugly campaign, if she was to win the democratic nomination, I would not vote for her, I would vote for the person with the most experience. I think she is a liar, a cheat and behaves like a broken down ex wife. She is poor representation for the women voters, and has no clue as to what it is like to be at a disadvantage. It would be a mistake to elect her as the first woman president.

None. It’s just another Clinton ploy to secure votes. What won’t she do to appear to have the upper road when her hands and feet are covered with mud?

It’s refreshing to know we have somebody running for the most important office our nation has to offer and we have a candidate that doesn’t lower himself to the standards of those who will do anything, say anything to boost their slim chances of winning. Funny, since Clinton is saying she’s ready from day one. Seems her desperation and willingness to slam Obama, plus run a shoddy campaign using shoddy tactics, running out of money reminds me of someone running in the Republican party. She has proven she’s no more capable of running our country than John McCain is from day one or any other day!!!!! Tacky Hillary, Tacky!!!!!!

My guess is that if the voters suspected that a right wing foreign government allied with Bush was trying to manipulate their votes through an entrapment scheme, so that McCain would get to run against Clinton and have a better chance of winning the election, it would backfire badly.

The problem is, the media are not investigating how this plot was hatched and perpetrated, but presenting the story one-dimensionally.

You can be darn sure, though, that that story WILL be written in the days to come. CNN: don’t be duped and don’t be scooped!

Love your segments, Jack!

Give me a break. There are real issues to be addressed:
The wars in Iraq and Afghanistan; the stock market crisis; the housing and sub-prime mess; the continued failure to rebuild New Orleans.
Do the Clintons really think that shady land deals and political double talk will preclude a successful presidential bid? They didn’t for them.

This should not hurt Obama too much since he’s explained these issues! Clinton is desperate and will use any issue real or otherwise in an effort to derail the Obama freight train! Yes We Can!

Jack I do not believe it will have any effect on Obama at all seeing who it is that is throwing the mud. The Clintons are dilusional if they believe that everyone has forgotten their past antics. There has been an email circulating recently about just that telling voters to remember some of Hillary’s not so finer moments in regard to the Paula Jones affair among other things. It just shows that Obama is trying to run a different kind of campaign and even though he could bring up a lot of dirt on the Clintons, he prefers to try and stay with the issues. Too bad for Hillary and Bill that Obama supporters are not the stupid zombies they think we are.

As a Canadian I’m sorry Hillary stooped so low as to us this in her kitchen sink attack. Obama will be sorry he didn’t us all the bombs that were left behind by her against her. She knew you wouldn’t and you kept it kleen, and for that I thank you on behalf of my relatives living in the USA. I hope this will work for you as the world needs reasonable politicians who look to help others first

Ray Manitoba

Jack,

It will not hurt Obama at all, in fact, it probably has strengthen his image with the undecided voters. This is but a long line of smear tactics by the Clinton’s to discredit Obama knowing full well that they will loose today, and if they can sway one voter by this garbage, then they will do it.

I am tired of the “old boys” in Clinton’s back room smoking cigars and trying to decide how to derail the most popular presidential candidate in a long time. Time will tell if the “old boys” broker the convention, but for now, Obama is taking the correct road….the high road with voters.

I’m a very red republican but I will vote for Obama. This is the correct change in government that this country desperately needs.

Steve

Merrill, Wisconsin

The Rezko trial will go on for over a month. Obama’s name will keep coming up because his relationship with Rezko is long term, 19 years. I have come across 52 articles in the Chicago Sun Times about the Obama/Rezko connection. Based on this I can see the republicans having a field day.

Obama is either guilty by association or extremely naive. If nothing else there are 52 good examples of having very poor judgement.

As of now, Obama better tighten his seat belt as the road to the white house is about to become bumpy.

On a scale of 1 to 10 only about a 2.Not enought real information on them for it to be much worse than that .

In regards to Obama, NAFTA and Canada, isn’t it a Federal Crime for anybody, without the approval of the President or Congress, to discuss Treaties with a Foreign Country? Then there is how Obama bought the parcel of land across the street from his home from Mrs. Rezko at a very below market price. More troubling is Obama’s admitted friendhip with the man who bombed our Capitol, Penatgon and a NY City Police Building in the 1970’s.

Ken Moulton
Moultonboro, NH

There is always going to be some type of publicity for any candidate no matter who runs; in the past or the future, it’s called “LIFE”. We need a breath of fresh air, a new beginning… TURN THE PAGE. Let’s stop criticiting those who lack experience and commending those who have experience. Isn’t it more about what is being applied to help the nation. Every one had to start somewhere. Give OBAMA a chance. Clinton had your chance. When Bill Clinton was President Hillary was behind the curtains. Just as Michele would behind OBAMA. Pass the Platoon!

It’s about time Obama gets scrutinized. He thought he’d just waltz into the nomination by pretending to be this generation’s JFK. He’s not. Obama never brought up any of Clinton’s dirt because he knew that he had skeleton’s in his own closet. His wife Michelle also has some problems. Look into her Princton Dissertation. Let the American people know potentially what they will get.

I have always thought that Barak Obama was too slick,smooth and glib. All those put together spells distrust. With regards to NAFTA was all the talk about renegotiations—-JUST WORDS ???

It shouldn’t, but it will. If people still believe that Barack is Muslim then trying to explain the relationship to some voters is an exercise in futility. It just provides more fuel for the misguided that outsource thinking for themselves to the latest headline and reaffirms the opinions of those that wouldn’t have voted for him anyway.

Sacramento, CA

The problem with Obama is that he held himself out there as a different type of politician. He put himself above the fray. Now it turns out that he may not be so different afterall.

Candidates always do what gets votes. And mudslinging has always gotten lots of votes. But this year, we Americans are sick of dirty politics so this time around it will only make a small dent and it will not be enough to overcome Obama in the delegate count, regardless of who wins today.

This might have some impact on undecided voters in Ohio, but it might work the other way in Texas which has benefitted more than Ohio certainly from the Free Trade agreement.

Obama is relatively new to the trappings of politics and he is going to stumble at times. I’m still not sure this one was a stumble though. The political banter during the Primary and Election does tend to throw a lot of quotes around that, out of context, could be worrisome to our allies and/or neighbors, and I think it is responsible for politicians to be working to make sure true misunderstandings do not result. I think both Obama and Clinton want to look at NAFTA from the perspective of American workers, but they certainly don’t want to unintentionally give the impression that they are going isolationist on our neighbors either.

I know the Clinton followers continue to blame all their failings on the “unfair Media” but they might want to recognize the personal attacks on her history, as mentioned above, that Obama has NOT taken. He may be new, but it is his integrity that his followers are attracted to (the same for McCain followers, I would argue). Clinton may run on experience, but too many people know her to allow her to run on a message of integrity.

Tax returns Jack, were are the tax returns???

this is more politics as usual from the clintons. throwing the proverbal kitchen sink. she’s gone negative and urgly. all those who support her should open their eyes and see the damage its going to the party eventual nominee.

Taye
Plymouth, Mn

Is O’Bama going to be hurt by the items you mention? I don’t know, but it may make some of the voters reflect before casting their ballot today and in the months to come… he is a politician and as far as I am concerned politicians tell the people they address what they want to hear! I did not see a halo on top of his head… then I don’t see any halo on top of the other presidential candidates. I think that 99% of all politicos are like Pinocchio except that their nose does not grow! I think that O’Bama is in that 99%!
What bugs me even more is that voters want to be in the winning side, so they will vote for a politico they feel will win and then they can tap themselves on the shoulder if their candidate wins and feel that they have helped the candidate win! I just wish that voters would use their OWN GREY MATTER and not be influenced by who supports whom ,e.g., a union boss states that the union supports such and such a candidate, does that mean that members of the union vote for that particular candidate? Can’t members use their own grey matter when it comes to voting? Or are they like sheep following their “leader?” This is what it looks like to me.

There is always going to be some type of publicity for any candidate no matter who runs; in the past or the future, it’s called “LIFE”. We need a breath of fresh air, a new beginning… TURN THE PAGE. Let’s stop criticiting those who lack experience and commending those who have experience. Isn’t it more about what is being applied to help the nation. Every one had to start somewhere. Give OBAMA a chance. Clinton had your chance. When Bill Clinton was President Hillary was behind the curtains. Just as Michele would be behind OBAMA. Pass the Platoon!

Not much at all because I think everything about these issues has already come to light. I find it curious why Hillary would run a campaing based on negative campaign toward Obama. All she is doing is making it easier for John McCain and other Republicans to attack him in the fall. THIS is the reason why I think Obama refrained from using negative attacks (Whitewater, Lewinsky, Lincoln bedroom, etc) on Hillary is because he’s mindful of the general prospects of winning in November and thinks its repugnant to attack a fellow Democrat. If McCain wins the general election I will hold Hillary Clinton personally responsible for it.

I think the timing of the relationship hurts Obarma, but for the long hall
I believe it will disapear and the issues will come back to light. That is the reason I am voting for Obama, because Hillary and Bill keep bringing up the same old Political mess. We do not want the same old scrape that the american people has been reciving for years.

It’s time for a change and it’s time a leader to talk to the american people and tell the truth. If Macain or Clinton gets the White House, then we will really be in mess. Obama will win, but it want be easy!

Leon
FT Hood Texas

Jack –

Obama never has to mention any of the Clinton Scandals because, just like you did in your intro, the media mentions them all for him, while always seeming to forget to mention that Hillary was never found ‘guilty’ of anything.

The Rezko deal is very important for a number of reasons, none more important than the whole ‘Judgment’ debate.

I don’t think you should brag about your judgment when you’re dumb enough to get into any kind of deal with a guy who is under criminal investigation.

Mike in AZ

Yes it does make alot of difference ,for Obama who is running on honesty and his words.This is what his campaign is all about. He is not Mr. Clean after all.

There is always going to be some type of publicity for any candidate no matter who runs; in the past or the future, it’s called “LIFE”. We need a breath of fresh air, a new beginning… TURN THE PAGE. Let’s stop criticiting those who lack experience and commending those who have experience. Isn’t it more about what is being applied to help the nation. Every one had to start somewhere. Give OBAMA a chance. Clinton had your chance. When Bill Clinton was President Hillary was behind the curtains. Just as Michele would be behind OBAMA. Pass the Platoon!

When even Jay Leno jokes about Obama being born in a manager–it’s definitely time for a second look at the “golden” boy. No one is as perfect as the media has lead us to believe ….
Tulsa, OK

Jack,

Are you kidding? That is the best Clinton came up with to throw the kitchen sink at him? The Clinton Administration would not even consider that a scandal. Obama is the diet-Coke of scandals when running against Hillary.

I just hope that Obama is prepared for all that lies ahead. I love his message, but I am also old enough to remember how vicious presidential politics can be.

With a bit of luck people will look to the future and not to the past when they cast their votes.

Jack,

What a biased question on election day!

How about discussing Hillary’s relationship with Vince Foster, Whitewater, her ransacking of the White House when she moved out and not reading the NIE report before deciding to send our family members off to war - and the nerve to use the excuse that being from NY and the events of 9/11 caused her to vote to go to war with Iraq - smart voters should understand she is making the same inferred lie as the White House - Iraq had NOTHING to do with 9/11.

Be fair with your questions, Jack especially as voters are going to the polls.

Jack,
When someone claims to be pure and he is not, the tendency is to fall from the ivory tower he’s built. Senator Obama has managed to escape scrutiny through clever speeches and charisma. With time, the “smoke and mirrors” wash away, then the truth comes out.
Burt

Heres a question for you Jack, can this guy Obama do anything wrong? It seems like everytime some sort of Obama issue comes out, it’s follwed by a b.s. response from his camp, just to be brushed off as some sort of innocent mistake. Of coarse this isnt going to hurt him, nothing it seems will. That is because this election isnt about Obama its about President Bush and the great disdain that half of this country seems to have for him.

Bill, Chicago

I think by Obama not speculating on Hillary’s shady past just goes to prove his claim that he is for “change” and not the dirty political tactics that the Clintons are employing just to have their way. She is all for dishing it out, but everyone can see that she is famous for throwing the rock and then hiding her hand. “She-Cat” is what she is!

Grantsboro, North Carolina

There is always going to be some type of publicity for any candidate no matter who runs; in the past or the future, it’s called “LIFE”. We need a breath of fresh air, a new beginning… TURN THE PAGE IN HISTORY. Let’s stop criticiting those who lack experience and commending those who have experience. Isn’t it more about what is being applied to help the nation. Everyone has to start somewhere. Give “OBAMA” a chance. Clinton had your chance. When Bill Clinton was President Hillary was behind the curtains. Just as Michele would be behind OBAMA. Pass the Platoon!

Jack,

In Reno, I once saw a shop owner shoot himself in the foot when he pulled out a gun to shoot a robber. I cannot think of a more similar situation than Obama did to lose the primary. He shot himself in the foot. Most people know that NAFTA, GAFTA, and free trade deals that at not free had destroyed America and I am old enough to realize this fact and I am not doing a Wink, Wink, Wink.

WAKE UP PEOPLE ! Barack Obama is not good for America nor the world ..as is evident by the Canadian officials “Leaking” the contents of a letter from the Obama camp.

I believe these issue will only hurt Obama’s chances mildly. Only due to the fact that we, the voters, don’t make an effort to follow up on the facts.

Politicians thrive on voter empathy…they count on it.

I believe it is a little too late to make a difference, except in Ohio. I believe that it’s going too hurt him. So much for the squeaking clean candidate. Come on and join the rest of the gang!!!

Like Debbie McCoy said, these items have already been in the media for a long time. I have heard them mentioned in passing on almost every network. All of a sudden it’s a BIG deal! Mr Obama purposely vetted himself over the last few years so that everyone would know that there are no secrets. But unfortunately for Mr Obama, no body was paying attention then.

Jack - I could care less if his association with a mobster will hurt his chances, I think that the only thing he has going for him is he did not vote for the War. (Wow) His biggest deal is that he is a man of color. I don’t think that his wife is going to be a very good first lady, if he makesit to the end.

Too little, too late. If the issues being raised now by Clinton and the media had surfaced prior to Iowa, Obama would have been out of the race by now. However, he was not considered a serious threat to Clinton until Super Tuesday and by then there was just too much noise for these issues to get any traction in the campaign news. The problem is there will be plenty of time to explore these stories plus others that the Republicans can make up between the time Obama wraps up the nomination and the Fall election. I see this as 1988 and 2004 all over again!

It won’t hurt his chances at all. I remember, not too long ago, Travel-gate, Lewinsky-Gate, Whitewater, McDougal-Gate, Vince Foster, Gennifer Flowers, Impeachment Hearings……..

If you take the time to dig/research a little, you’ll find that, without a doubt, Obama just isn’t ready. His run for presidency has been forced…it’s not a natural process. His very short list of legislative and senatorial accomplishments is contrived; he was given credit for the work of others in order to cram some experience into 1 year of service. He has shown lack of judgement in the people he’s associated himself with in both business and personal levels.

In short, he is a politician and nothing more. He gives great speeches which is a major change from our current President. However, he is just too green for the job.
This country is at a crossroads, and it is not the time to gamble on Obama. Please THINK before you vote…don’t just HOPE Obama will mature while in office into the person
we all want him to be.

It could make a difference with voters who were on the fence, but not those firmly in wither camp. But keep in mind, the Clinton campaign did not raise these issues - as it happens the Rezko trial started yesterday, and the Canadian government released the memo. The media FINALLY are doing their job, which is to question the candidates about questionable things, and for a candidate running on transparency, these are damning allegations. We don’t know Obama. I suspect, if he gets the nomination, this is going to look like a walk in the park. Fasten your seatbelts, folks, the mudslinging has just begun, and those of you supporting Obama will be responsible for the Democrats losing in November. Congratulations.

Lisa in Kailua-Kona, HI

Jack,
I believe that the American people as a whole and those that are voting today can see that what has been released in the past few days is nothing more than “old politics” at it’s best. A smoke screen if you will, for a scared woman to hide behind and hope that her gender will get her the votes. What would happen if you heard Obama say “Hey I’m black, vote for me!” ? I am a woman and it grates on my nerves to hear another woman use her gender that way.

Farmington Missouri

I really do not see Obama as being cuddled by the media. I actually think the media is unjustifiably under attack for a change. When the process first started Obama didn’t get that much attention because he was relatively unknown. Maybe there are just less negative things to report, so now people go digging for things or making up things, or stretching the truth because he poses a threat to some, and offers hope to others. Rezco has a lot of money, and owns a lot of property, Barack utilized his resources and used them to benefit other’s. Bush utilized the Bin Laden family’s resources, and used them to Benefit his self. Obama is criticized for not holding a sub-commitee meeting on foreign affaris (although he was in attendance for several) and then bashed for allegedly holding back door meetings with Canada. The nature of which was proven not to be of ill intent, but it’s almost as if the Clinton camp is suggesting that he shouldn’t be holding meeting with Canada at all since they make him appear to be so anit-Nafta. When he’s repeatdly stated he’s not anti-Nafta, he’s pro Nafta reform. There’s huge difference. I’m not a Clinton basher, I think Hillary is well informed, tough, brilliant, resiliant, able to listen to her constiuents, but this well televised race showed me she doesn’t have all the leadership qualities that I believe a President should have, and we have a candidate who does. That’s why I now support Obama, and I have for a couple months now. While Hillary is very articulate, and very knowledgeable, she doesn’t posses the “language of communication” under pressure, a President should have, and she is a bit polarizing. If this country is going to crawl it’s way out of this economical, envrionmental, fear driven debacle we’re in, we are going to have to come together, comprimise, and elect the leadership we need to get us there.

None at all if people use their brain instead of listening to the Clinton muck rackers! Who’d have thought that the ones who accused a left wing conspirancy would now play the same ole’ politics. The main reason we as a country need to get rid of the Clintons and their arrogance of thinking this was a walk in the park. Wake up folks and see them for what they are, vote for Obama.

This is going to hurt Barrack badly. If you look at the polls their are still a lot of undecided voters. The fact that Barrack has had business relationships with Mr. Rezko raises a lot of questions. Especially for a candidate running a campaign on judgement and ethics.

Regading NAFTA, It’s in Canada’s interest to see Hillary Clinton nominated. You think the information, true or not, fell into the Clinton camp accidentally?

Jack,
O’ my god, on a scale from 1 to 10, with 1 being the worst thing and 10 being the best thing that could happen, it’s a 2. These two events have reduced the once sainted Barack Obama back into an ordinary American politician, who will do or say anything to get elected.

C.I., New York

Well, unfortunately some voters do buy into negative smear tactics but I think that if these so-called accusations are all that the Clinton campaign can come up with then Obama should come out of this relatively unscathed. But I would like to comment on the statement that Hillary made about Obama dislosing all documentation pertaining to these accusations; in Tit-for-Tat games one should also disclose her documentation from the Clinton Library which might confirm her so-called experience with Foreign Policy and her Tax Return to make sure that all her finances are above board as well. Just a friendly reminder Hillary!

Obama will lose both Ohio and Texas because the media is finally looking behind the facade for whatever substance they can find, and much of what they are finding is negative. By the way, it was the media, not Hillary, that revealed the Rezko and Canada situations and also Obama’s amazing failure to vote yes or no on over 130 issues while in state government. Don’t blame her for starting this, just be glad that the truth about this shell of a leader is coming out now, before it is too late. Maybe now CNN will stop cheerleading for Obama and start analyzing his resume and his relationships. Hillary has gone thru this scrutiny her whole life, time for Obama to take the test.

Who cares. Look at all the insiders that have been in bed with the Clintons, Bushs and all the other presidents who have come before them. Look at the lobbyists who have been in bed with McCain. This is just one of the seedy side of politics that we all know that occur and until you start out with a fresh slate from bottom to top it will continue. Set term limits. One term, pack your bag and head towards the sunset and don’t look back.

It shouldn’t hurt him at all. Like you said to begin with, ” Obama isn’t implicated in the case at all “. Only people looking for dirt will be able to make anything out of this.

I agree with Diana Ballew, I’ve never met John McCain, so how could I be one of his friends? I know he’s not one of mine.

Democrats who have followed this race know Hillary is desperate and won’t be fooled by her antics. It might hurt him a little, but not much. I don’t believe he has done anything illegal with regard to Tony Rezko and I can’t believe how Hillary has tried turn the table to make Obama seem like the NAFTA bad guy and she’s the only one to repair the damage (caused by her husband). Give me a break!

I’ve always been a fan of the Clinton’s, however, I’m about to lose all respect for Hillary and her husband, the former President. This attack plan of theirs’ smells like old style politics as usual and I’m sick of it. Obama has run a fair campaign. He hasn’t been mud slinging, nor has he mentioned any of the skeleton’s she and Bill have tucked away in their closet. I think she’s decided that since he’s being a gentleman, she’s going to be the b—- that she is!

I hope…sincerely hope, that the voters are paying more attention this time around. And I think they are. There is a tremendous amout of interest in this race, and just maybe, this time the voters will see through all of the mud and spin. One can always hope.

It will hurt and should. His state is ranked 44 “best overall” state to live in th country. He hasn’t done anything. He’ll end the war, ok now what. His health care plan stinks, he’s going to use war money ti finance stuff. Who does he think is footing the bill for the war, his friend Tony Rezko.

I meant…voter APATHY. then again, empathy plays a big part to voters that are passionate in their own self serving beliefs…

If the media was pounding it into our brains it may have an efffect, but they’re not, so it won’t. This man has us convinced he can change the status quo in Washington. If he wins, I hope he can, because we’re in serious trouble, and we know it. Thank you George W. Bush.

I don’t think it matters how much garbage the Clintons try to dig (or make) up. Her campaign doesn’t get that the biggest attraction people have to Obama is that it is not her. She is a sleaze. It is obvious to the majority of Americans what she and her husband represent, what their motives are and how they operates. If she wins the nomination, she will lose the general election in a landslide. And it will destroy the Democratic party — not just for this election but for decades to come.

In the big picture of politics this is mice nuts.

I’m not sure. It is amazing how all of this comes out the day before “Super Tuesday”. It is no surprise to me that the Clinton camp is pouring this on way to thick. As far as the Canadian issue, Forbes Magazine has confirmed that there wer