RSSInteresting Timing … Former Obama Fundraiser Tony Rezco Convicted of Corruption
At what point does Barack Obama’s associations become an issue with the American voter and his canned excuses become old and tired? Ignorance is not an excuse.
One day after Barack Obama became the presumptive Democratic Presidential nominee, his former fundraiser and political supporter Tony Rezco was convicted of multiple federal corruption charges.
One really must now call into account Obama’s judgment and his associations with people. First we had a 20 year relationship with Reverend Wright and Trinity Church, now comes an association with a convicted felon. Obama is becoming a broken record when it comes to his lame apologies for his less than stellar judgment with regard to who he has previously associated with. Why is Obama’s excuse always … “that is not the person I knew?” Maybe its because Obama has no sense when it comes to people or he does not care.
Obama: “I’m saddened by today’s verdict. This isn’t the Tony Rezko I knew, but now he has been convicted by a jury on multiple charges that once again shine a spotlight on the need for reform. I encourage the General Assembly to take whatever steps are necessary to prevent these kinds of abuses in the future.”
Doesn’t this sound an awful bit like, “Oh, I never saw that side of Rev Wright in 20 years”
- The American Mind: Tony Rezko Found Guilty
- Hot Air: Guilty: Rezko convicted on 16 of 24 counts
- The Gateway Pundit: Obama Friend Rezko Guilty on 16 Charges
Posted June 5, 2008 by Scared Monkeys Barack Obama, Corruption, Crime, Politics, Presidential Election 2008 | 35 comments |
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35 Responses to “Interesting Timing … Former Obama Fundraiser Tony Rezco Convicted of Corruption”
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Exactly. And we’re supposed to vote for him so he can use that great judgment to broker peace deals with Iran, Syria, Cuba, Venezuela and with the Palestinians. Right. Kool Aid for everyone! In other words, after he assures us that his fruitful meetings with our enemies will keep us safe and make the world not dislike us (yea, right), they’ll pull off something and he’ll get on the air and say “That’s not the Ahmadinejad I knew.”
as long as he stays clear of totally corrupt guys like Tom DeLay he is fine.
this guild by association thing / wrong judgement call is really getting boring now.
and it doesn’t stop him or discourage voters who can see that this are pathetic distractions by a through and through corrupt GOP.
he is 6 points ahead of McBush in the latest CBS poll.
and that’s even without the Hillary crowd who are now slowly coming round to back him.
“At what point does Barack Obama’s associations become an issue with the American voter”
_______________________
I’ve been asking that question too SM. Remember the days when if it were learned that a candidate had even one of these kind of association’s that Obama is linked to they would never even come close to being their party nominee? Here we have Obama with a laundry list of dubious associations that is growing everyday and he was still chosen as their nominee.
Is it blind ignorance for *change* or birds of a feather flock together…
THE PARTY!!!! What about the best interest of the United States of America? What about the “Freedom of Choice”?
Janet
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Democratic Leaders Pressure Clinton to Get Aboard Obama Bandwagon — and Now
by FOXNews.com
Thursday, June 5, 2008
While Hillary Clinton plans to announce Saturday her support for Barack Obama’s candidacy, Democratic party leadership is growing increasingly frustrated with her timetable — rancor that could hurt her chances of salvaging the party’s No. 2.
Clinton raised the ire of several high-powered Democrats after she refused to concede and acknowledge Obama’s historic achievement Tuesday, when it became clear he had earned enough delegates to become the first black presidential nominee of a major party.
House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer told FOX News that he “hopes” Clinton’s scheduled address Saturday, which would end her bid to become the first woman president, would be a “very positive statement of support.”
“It would be in her best interest,” he said, adding it would bring the party together.
http://elections.foxnews.com/2008/06/05/clinton-to-congratulate-obama-unlikely-to-walk-off-political-stage/
Guilt By Association: Obama’s Relationship Baggage
by Associated Press
Thursday, June 5, 2008
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — Who’s Tony Rezko? William Ayers? Few Americans know, but they probably will by Election Day.
Rezko is a Chicago businessman, convicted of more than a dozen charges this week. Ayers is a professor — and former member of the radical Weather Underground. Both have ties to Barack Obama and may well show up in anti-Obama ads you’ll be seeing before long.
http://elections.foxnews.com/2008/06/05/guilt-by-association-obamas-relationship-baggage/
Angie – I remember the days when the republicans were the party of “family values” and “morals” then they nominate someone who is admittedly morally bankrupt. And who would have thought that republicans, who started and continues the “war on drugs”, would nominate someone for President who’s wife was an admitted drug addict?
Crazy times.
Either Barack Obama is not telling the truth or … he certainly is a poor judge of character in regards to the “company” he has kept throughout the past twenty years. Scary thought … when you consider this guy may just be the next President of the United States of American.
Janet
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Verdict Brings Unwanted Friend to Obama Victory Party
June 4, 2008
A day after Sen. Barack Obama clinched the Democratic presidential nomination, one of his greatest political weaknesses thrust itself again into the limelight.
When a federal jury in Chicago delivered a guilty verdict on 16 of 24 felony counts for Antoin “Tony” Rezko Wednesday afternoon, it declared unequivocally that one of Obama’s oldest and most generous political supporters, a man he called a “friend” for many years, was a corrupt influence-peddler.
But for Obama, who has positioned himself as a candidate of change and clean government, the verdict is sure to resurrect questions about his past dealings with the political fixer who offered him his first job out of law school (which Obama declined), corralled donations topping $200,000 into Obama’s campaigns, threw him fundraisers and even participated in a deal that enabled the Obamas to the purchase their current family home.
In a statement Wednesday evening, Obama said he was “saddened” by the verdict.
“This isn’t the Tony Rezko I knew,” he said, adding that the convictions “once again shine a spotlight on the need for reform.” He encouraged the Illinois General Assembly to take steps to “prevent these kinds of abuses in the future.”
http://www.abcnews.go.com/Blotter/story?id=5001082&page=1
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Obama Rips Rev. Wright
April 30, 2008
Facing that reality, Obama sought to distance himself further from Wright.
“I have been a member of Trinity United Church of Christ since 1992, and have known Reverend Wright for 20 years,” Obama said. “The person I saw yesterday was not the person that I met 20 years ago.”
http://cbs2chicago.com/campaign08/obama.rips.wright.2.711401.html
The Marxist, anti-American, racist, anti-Israel “company” Obama has associated himself with throughout the past twenty years … right up until this year … tells me that there are underlying implications to the words Obama speaks in regards to “change”. In other words … I believe that Obama is a “wolf in sheep’s clothing” … a deceiver. I do not trust him.
I am a great believer that a person is known by the company he “chooses” to associated with.”
I would not “choose” to associate with those who are anti-American, racist, anti-Israel or those who embrace a Marxist ideology. I may come in contact with people … who embrace an opposing ideology on an individual basis in my daily walk but … my identification would reflect the people and organizations I “choose” to proudly identify myself with.
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Transcript: Rev. Jeremiah Wright speech to National Press Club
April 28, 2008
REV. WRIGHT: … We both know that if Senator Obama did not say what he said, he would never get elected. Politicians say what they say and do what they do based on electability …
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/nationworld/chi-wrighttranscript-04282008,0,3593201.story?page=6
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Obama: ‘I’m a Pretty Darned Good Politician’
by FOXNews.com
Wednesday, April 16, 2008
… I’m a pretty darn good politician. And I can give a pretty good speech and I can connect and inspire the American people in ways that I think will become apparent.
http://elections.foxnews.com/2008/04/16/obama-im-a-pretty-darned-good-politician/
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Republicans prepare to take aim at Obama
Wednesday, January 9, 2008
But for former Republican House Majority Leader Tom DeLay, who was known as “the Hammer” on Capitol Hill, said Republicans need to start deconstructing Mr. Obama now.
“Somebody from our side needs to start talking about Obama today. He’s a Marxist but a very smart one — he doesn’t let anyone know it,” said Mr. DeLay.
http://washingtontimes.com/news/2008/jan/09/republicans-prepare-to-take-aim-at-obama/?page=1
http://washingtontimes.com/news/2008/jan/09/republicans-prepare-to-take-aim-at-obama/?page=2
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if the McCain campaign really is silly enough and is going to bring these kinds of guild by association bits up for everyone who ever passed obama within a 100 yard radius:
they shouldn’t be surprised if McCain suddenly has to explain why he associated himself with the following people:
Charles R. Black Jr is an advisor to John McCain on his presidential campaign. He has made a long career in consulting republican candidates in campaigns and lobbying. In his 30′s he worked as a senior adviser on President Ronald Reagan’s re-election campaign. At times Black and his partners acted as registered foreign agents for Jonas Savimbi, the Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos, Mobutu Sese Seko of Zaire, Nigerian General Ibrahim Babangida, Somali President Mohamed Siad Barre, and the countries of Kenya and Equatorial Guinea, among others. The presidential candidate John McCain has been criticized for using the services of Black. Some say that employing a lobbyist who worked for the interests of known human rights violators contradicts McCain campaign claims of being against lobbyist influence and human rights abuses.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/05/21/AR2008052103006.html
WASHINGTON — The U.S. Attorney’s office in Arizona has indicted Republican Rep. Rick Renzi on federal fraud charges relating to an alleged illegal land deal and its cover-up, and Renzi is facing calls for his early retirement.
The charges include conspiracy, wire fraud, money laundering, concealment of money laundering, transactions with criminally derived funds, extortion, insurance fraud and criminal forfeiture.
Renzi also is the Arizona chairman for McCain’s presidential campaign. McCain seemed surprised when asked in Indianapolis for his reaction to the indictment, choosing his words carefully, shaking his head and speaking slowly.
http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,331872,00.html
Terry Nelson (racist ads against harold ford in 2006)
Trent Lott (pining for a Strom Thurmond presidency),
The Wyly Brothers (corrupt)
Bob Perry (chief swift boater)
Richard Quinn (white supremacist)
Rev. Richard Land (homosexual hate)
Ken Blackwell (ohio election suppression)
and above all,
George W. Bush (alleged war criminal)
Janet – your Obama is the precursor to the so-called antichrist/antichrist stuff is rhetoric of the absurd He’s a tax and spend liberal, that’s all.
And continually saying “I am a great believer that a person is known by the company he “chooses” to associated with.”” rather than their actions and moral values would lead me to believe you have more of an agenda than you are letting on and you might not be as “Christian” as you say.
yoyo … I believe that actions/associations are great indictors that you walk the walk; not just talk the talk.
Janet
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Sermons We See
Edgar Guest
I’d rather see a sermon than hear one any day;
I’d rather one should walk with me than merely tell the way.
The eye’s a better pupil and more willing than the ear,
Fine counsel is confusing, but example’s always clear;
And the best of all the preachers are the men who live their creeds,
For to see good put in action is what everybody needs.
I soon can learn to do it if you’ll let me see it done;
I can watch your hands in action, but your tongue too fast may run.
And the lecture you deliver may be very wise and true,
But I’d rather get my lessons by observing what you do;
For I might misunderstand you and the high advise you give,
But there’s no misunderstanding how you act and how you live.
When I see a deed of kindness, I am eager to be kind.
When a weaker brother stumbles and a strong man stays behind
Just to see if he can help him, then the wish grows strong in me
To become as big and thoughtful as I know that friend to be.
And all travelers can witness that the best of guides today
Is not the one who tells them, but the one who shows the way.
One good man teaches many, men believe what they behold;
One deed of kindness noticed is worth forty that are told.
Who stands with men of honor learns to hold his honor dear,
For right living speaks a language which to every one is clear.
Though an able speaker charms me with his eloquence, I say,
I’d rather see a sermon than to hear one, any day.
caesu
If McCain had a twenty year membership in a church that had a foundation based on the racist ideology of KKK and … a twenty-year friendship with a pastor who he introduces to a minister’s conference as “friend, mentor and great leader” believe me it would be front page headlines … the liberal media would be in a frenzy.
I doubt very much that McCain would be allowed to run as a contender for the Republican nominee.. He would be forced to run as an independent and … his church’s racist ideology would be cited as an organization that promoted hatred.
Why does Barack Obama and TUCC get a free pass?
Janet
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THE FOUNDATION OF TRINITY UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST (TUCC)
“The vision statement of Trinity United Church of Christ is based upon the systematized liberation theology that started in 1969 with the publication of Dr. James Cone’s book, Black Power and Black Theology.”
http://www.tucc.org/talking_points.htm
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The Marxist Roots of Black Liberation Theology
April 2, 2008
While Black Liberation Theology is not main stream in most black churches, many pastors in Wright’s generation are burdened by (James) Cone’s categories which laid the foundation for many to embrace Marxism and a distorted self-image of the perpetual “victim.”
… In FOR MY PEOPLE, Cone explains that “the Christian faith does not possess in its nature the means for analyzing the structure of capitalism. Marxism as a tool of social analysis can disclose the gap between appearance and reality, and thereby help Christians to see how things really are.”
More:
http://www.acton.org/commentary/443_marxist_roots_of_black_liberation_theology.php
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Black Theology & Black Power (Paperback)
First published in 1969, “Black Theology & Black Power” provided the first systematic presentation of black theology. Relating the militant struggle for liberation with the gospel message of salvation, James Cone laid the foundation for an original interpretation of Christianity that retains its urgency and challenge today.
http://www.amazon.ca/Black-Theology-Power-J-Cone/dp/1570751579
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QUOTES – “BLACK POWER & BLACK THEOLOGY”
“Christ is black therefore not because of some cultural or psychological need of black people, but because and only because Christ really enters into our world where the poor were despised and the black are, disclosing that he is with them enduring humiliation and pain and transforming oppressed slaves into liberating servants.” James Cone
“Black theology refuses to accept a God who is not identified totally with the goals of the black community. If God is not for us and against white people, then he is a murderer, and we had better kill him. The task of black theology is to kill Gods who do not belong to the black community … Black theology will accept only the love of God which participates in the destruction of the white enemy. What we need is the divine love as expressed in Black Power, which is the power of black people to destroy their oppressors here and now by any means at their disposal. Unless God is participating in this holy activity, we must reject his love.” James Cone
“In the New Testament, Jesus is not for all, but for the oppressed, the poor and unwanted of society, and against oppressors … Either God is for black people in their fight for liberation and against the white oppressors, or he is not.” James Cone
“I believe that Obama is a “wolf in sheep’s clothing” … a deceiver. I do not trust him.
I am a great believer that a person is known by the company he keeps”
____________________________________
I think he’s a wolf in sheep’s clothing too.
If he can turn his back on his own church of 20 years who’s to say he won’t turn his back on American’s in four?
BARACK OBAMA: “MY PASTOR, COUNSELLOR, FRIEND AND GREAT LEADER”
Barack Obama, June 5, 2007, Praising Rev. Jeremiah Wright
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qpzHQ_PC1uI&feature=related
JOHN MCCAIN: “I HATE THE GOOKS, I WILL HATE THEM AS LONG AS I LIVE.”
2/23/2000
zero degrees of separation.
I am not condoning the use of the racial slur “gooks”. However let us put it in perspective. McCain was referring to the guards who “personally” tortured him while he was held in captivity during the Vietnam War.
yoyo … do you not have any compassion for the H— on Earth the McCain must have gone through … only condemnation.
Janet
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McCain Criticized for Slur
Friday, February 18, 2000
Arizona Sen. John McCain refused to apologize yesterday for his use of a racial slur to condemn the North Vietnamese prison guards who tortured and held him captive during the war.
“I hate the gooks,” McCain said yesterday in response to a question from reporters aboard his campaign bus. “I will hate them as long as I live.” …
“I was referring to my prison guards,” McCain said, “and I will continue to refer to them in language that might offend some people because of the beating and torture of my friends.”
McCain made it clear that his anger extends only toward his captors. As a senator, he was one of the leaders of the postwar effort to normalize U.S. relations with Vietnam.
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/chronicle/archive/2000/02/18/MN32194.DTL
To most young people today, Vietnam is a country. But there are a whole lot of “baby boomers” to whom Vietnam is a war. It’s listening to the lottery and praying that the birthdate of someone you know doesn’t pull a low number. It’s saying goodbye to friends and classmates and never knowing what happened to them. It’s looking for a name on the wall in D.C. It’s hearing about vets coming back and being treated like garbage because they answered their country’s call. It’s hearing about a vet, maybe someone you know, who can’t stop the nightmare of not knowing who or where the enemy is because sometimes he doesn’t know he’s not there anymore. It’s protests and folk songs and drugs and Kent State and it’s a failure. Millions of baby boomers remember the hell of Vietnam. The War. None of us know the hell of our soldiers and pow’s who were there.
Remember: you can get anything you want at Alice’s restaurant. Peace.
LiL Puma # 37– You are exactly right. Many bloggers here are very proud to be Americans, and understand that the price of our freedom indeed comes at a very high cost.
#6- YoYo Muffins-At-Dunkin-Donuts or Whatever—when are you going to get off the NON-ISSUE of Cindy McCain’s past so called “drug problem”? Do you think she is the first potential of former First Lady to ever have had an issue with drugs/alcohol/have personal problems? Do you think she’ll be the last?? (DEM or REP?) We are electing a President to lead this country, not their spouse. We are all human, and we have to elect yet another HUMAN to do the job. Are you hoping for your choice of a God to put in office who can perform miracles? Get off it, stick to the topic and issues.
Also, you still never answered the 3 questions I asked you back in former thread. Instead you made “Caesu” do all the work and wasted several other posts about a horrible COLUMBIAN abortion story and drivel regarding Cindy McCain’s recipes on her website? Funny how whenever there is any new negative information about Obama (of which their has been plenty) you often fire back with other trivial topics which are IRRELEVANT and non-related.
As far as the first speeches both men gave — my suggestion for you moving forward when viewing the debates is to stick to the content and not the delivery.
We’ve got a lot of problems here in the US, lots of issues and things which need improvement….Lots of work to do…so we’d better get going!
Obama has no experience or track record when it comes to the biggest issues facing America. He’s had no experience dealing with foreign governments, whether in Iran or Mexico. He has no experience managing a budget–city, state or national. He’s never been in the military and has no experience with homeland security. Millions voted for him because they don’t like where Bush has put us. So they vote Obama, who’s a smart guy and says what people want to hear, and then we just hope for the best, I guess. Hope that Obama will surround himself with people who DO know about budgets and foreign policy and our country’s security here at home. Oh, wait. Let’s look at who he’s surrounded himself with for the last 20 years. Houston, we may have a problem.
“Birds of a feather flock together”….what I always heard.
Barack Obama received another important
indictmentendorsement Wed. – None other than William Jefferson, a super delegate from LA who also is under indictment for that cash in his freezer.#19 LilPuma; X’s 10. He really doesn’t care about how to run this country because he plans on changing it anyway. We are all in for a rough ride if he wins.
All anybody knows today about the Vietnam war was that we “lost”. We did not lose anything but the belief that US would sit on its thumbs while the communists took control of the world. The war was the beginning of the down fall of communism and you can thank men like McCain and millions of others that sacrifice so much so we can have the freedoms we have. We can thank Obamas supporters for trying to destroy that.
#19- Lil Puma—Yep, Obama has a total DEFICIT of experience in foreign affairs and policy, which I hope most voters will scrutinize heavily. In terms of general experience only- he has other many glaring deficits as well, but we’ll leave those for another day.
#21. Katablog- LOVE IT =)
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Re: “Machismo” in the CAMPAIGN SCOREBOARD
For McCain & Obama, all the candidates’ men (& they are almost all men at the senior levels of both campaigns) are testosterone-fueled gunslingers who often respond to perceived slights or challenges by attacking first and asking questions later. The candidates have become increaingly feisty and, at times, personal. If this keeps up, watch for petulance, error and over-reaching to crop up during a long, hot summer—and even hotter fall.
-M. Halperin/TIME
New Girl is all up on her high horse now wanting to talk about “issues” when she’s been in the mud for months. Too funny.
Hey New Girl, I missed your post on the recent “Michelle Obama rumored whitey tape” discussion condemming those that attacked Michelle. Did I just overlook it?
Sling, sling, sling on the dems, but when it gets slung on a republican it’s wrong. haha.
And delivery of a speech doesn’t matter? Tell that to James Stockdale. I know you’re not that naive.
“I deeply regret any pain I may have caused by my choice of words. I apologize and renounce all language that is bigoted and offensive, which is contrary to all that I represent and believe”
McCain 2/24
I wonder why he apologized?
And New Girl – I’m sorry you were offended about the abortion story but guess what – John McCain has flip flopped (or pandered, you pick) and is now against exceptions for rape/incest/health of mother. That, coupled with the fact that he has stated he believes Roe vs Wade should be overturned, should be frightening to a woman.
From his website: “John McCain believes Roe v. Wade is a flawed decision that must be overturned, and as president he will nominate judges who understand that courts should not be in the business of legislating from the bench.”
Back room abortions, convictions to those that have one (such as that 11 yr old girl raped and impregnated by her stepfather) will happen if McCain becomes President and overturns Roe vs Wade…which is part of his platform.
#23: Re: “Machismo” in the CAMPAIGN SCOREBOARD
excellent…I think you and I are on the same wave length, so to speak.
#24.. Yoyo…I’m a registered Independent, I don’t have a high horse to get up on, and read the new posts on the Michelle Obama tape on the new thread.
Last time I checked this blog is a place for anyone to post opinions and make comments…you don’t have to stay here if you don’t like it and pick on people who challenge your views.
Everytime anyone posts anything “Anti-Obama” or Dem, you write–too funny. What are we clowns? Didn’t realize we are all here for your entertainment specifically. Do we need to start collecting a cover-charge from you since we seem to make you laugh so much? Geez…
Yes, I do find it funny when someone says things are “non-issues” and to lay off a spouse of a candidate……..only if they are republican.
Partisan political hypocrisy makes me laugh.
so does anti-christ/muslim/new world order/racist/socialism etc….
#28- Yoyo—Did Cindy McCain recover from her struggle and put it behind her? Did she hurt anybody else other than herself in the process? The reason I consider it a non-issue is because how does any of it have anything to do with the ability of John McCain to be President?
And, if Partisan political hypocrisy makes you laugh–you must do a fantastic job of amusing yourself with your own all day long.
John McCain let a drug user raise his young children for 3 years. If John McCain was not “observant” enough to know that his own wife was using drugs for 3 years, or knew but did nothing about it for 3 years, then yes one should be concerned about how “observant” and “do nothing” he will be as the leader of the free world.
Well, isn’t this nice. Looky what he calls his wife:
“In his 1992 Senate bid, McCain was joined on the campaign trail by his wife, Cindy, as well as campaign aide Doug Cole and consultant Wes Gullett. At one point, Cindy playfully twirled McCain’s hair and said, “You’re getting a little thin up there.” McCain’s face reddened, and he responded, “At least I don’t plaster on the makeup like a trollop, you c**t.” McCain’s excuse was that it had been a long day. If elected president of the United States, McCain would have many long days.”
I edited the word. perfect choice as pres.
#30- OMG, YoYo do tell where you want me to believe you found that little diddy.
The Real McCain by Cliff Schecter.
Take the blinders off. I think it’s hilarious that you believe nothing about McCain but you blindly believe everything about Obama (swearing in on the Koran). Too funny.
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