Tony Rezko is back in the news. Per the Chicago Sun Times: "As a state senator, Barack Obama wrote letters to city and state officials supporting his political patron Tony Rezko's successful bid to get more than $14M from taxpayers to build apartments for senior citizens." The apartments were not in Obama's state senate district.
Rezko is a sketchy character; Obama has denied ever helping him; the implication here is that Obama rewarded a fat-cat developer with taxpayer cash and therefore is just likely every other Chicago politician.
Obama's campaign responds by saying that all the Sun-Times really did was suggest that Obama "supported his constituents while in the state senate." The project, they note, was widely supported by city officials. And Rezko never asked Obama to write a letter on its behalf.
Obama has had a career dedicated to fighting for the strictist possible ethical reforms," an Obama aide said. "We're not really worried by this."
You can read the full Obama campaign response after the jump.
If Barack Obama's opponents ever try to attack him in a television ad, you can bet that Rezko will make an appearance. It's basically the only arrow in their quiver. "We've finally got the quo for the quid pro quo," an aide to an Obama rival told me.
Based on conversations with Obama critics, here is one script -- and the visuals -- you might see. I am not endorsing the content of this ad... only pointing out how the "facts" can be forced into an unflattering narrative that can hurt Obama. It's one of the reasons why Obama's campaign wants to get out in front of this. Again -- if you're a pro-Obama person, take a deep breath, do not accuse me of being unfair, do not confuse the positive with the normative, and consider the following as a preview of what your candidate's opponents will use to try to discredit Obama.
The spot starts with Obama's on-camera denial that he ever did favors for indicted Chicago developer Tony Rezko.
Then -- flash to a newspaper headline.
Then -- the narrator:
"Obama says his campaign is different. Oh really?"
Is this fair?
Again, you can read the full Obama response after the jump.
SUN TIMES: NINE YEARS AGO, BARACK OBAMA
SUPPORTED SENIOR HOUSING THAT SERVED HIS CONSTITUENTS
Like many community leaders and elected officials, Barack Obama supported this important project nine years ago, because it filled an important need and because of the potential it showed to provide health services in the community. As the Sun Times acknowledges in today’s article, Senator Obama didn’t support this project as a favor to anyone – he did in an effort to have the most positive impact on his community possible.
The Cottage View Health Center provided health care services not just for seniors in the area, but for people of all ages, with a wellness clinic and adult day care services, as well as a series of social services for residents. The project was widely supported, showed great potential and its successful record shows it to be a great addition to Chicago. It's been a successful project, it's meant a lot to the community and Senator Obama is proud to have supported it.
SUN-TIMES: “The letters [Obama wrote] appear to contradict a statement last December from Obama, who told the Chicago Tribune that, in all the years he's known Rezko, "I've never done any favors for him.''
FACT: Sun Times Article Acknowledges Obama Did Not Write This Letter For Rezko
Sun-Times: “Rezko Never…Sought A Letter From Obama From This Project.” “Asked about the Obama letters, Rezko's attorney, Joseph Duffy, said Tuesday, ‘Mr. Rezko never spoke with, nor sought a letter from, Senator Obama in connection with that project.’” [Sun Times, 6/13/07]
SUN-TIMES: “Obama's letters, written nearly nine years ago, for the first time show the Democratic presidential hopeful did a political favor for Rezko.”
FACT: Obama Acted In Best Interests of Constituents, Not Tony Rezko
Obama Wrote Letter of Support for Cottage Grove, Citing On-Site Health Services. Obama wrote, “I am writing in support of the New Kenwood LLC’s proposal to build a ninety seven unit apartment building at 48th and Cottage Grove for Senior Citizens. The project will include a home health care service, adult day care and wellness centers for seniors conducted by Dorothy Sims Registry, and experienced provider. This project will provide much needed housing for Fourth Ward citizens.” [Obama Letter to IHDA, 10/28/98]
Cottage View Terrace’s Health Center Provided Care Especially Tailored To Senior Citizens. According to a summary of the care facilities, “Our providers place special emphasis on treatment and prevention of such chronic diseases as diabetes, coronary heart disease, emphysema, cancer, and arthritis…[special attention is focused] on providing health education, ensuring medication adherence, monitoring medication interactions, facilitating activities of daily living, and providing group classes, lectures, social interactions, and linkage activities with Komed Holman Health Center and nearby community based organizations which serve seniors.” [Cottage View Health Center, 5/22/07; Cottage View Activity Schedule]
Cottage View Terrace Provided A Home For A Health Care Clinic To Provide Care For Residents And The Community. According to a summary of the care facilities, “Located on the first floor of the Cottage View Terrace senior residential building, Cottage View Health Center's primary focus is serving the health needs of the senior population of the Grand Boulevard, Kenwood, and Oakland communities on the South side of Chicago. This new site provides a significantly more accessible source of care not only for the seniors residing in the building housing the new health center, but also for those seniors residing in 12 nearby senior housing sites. While we anticipate primarily targeting our services to the senior population, this site will also be available to provide clinical evaluation, primary care and referral for persons of all ages residing in the community.” [Cottage View Health Center, 5/22/07]
Cottage View Terrace Was Designed To Promote “The Development Of Economically Integrated Communities.” In a document entitled Project Uniqueness, “The design for Cottage View Terrace is intended to provide quality affordable housing which also promotes the development of economically integrated communities. The design and finishes of affordable housing should promote the development of additional market rate as well as additional quality affordable housing.” [Project Uniqueness, Undated, Viewed 5/29/07]
FACT: Cottage View Terrace Was Supported By Community Activists And City Officials
Chairman of Hyde Park-Kenwood Conservation Community Council Wrote Letter Praising Cottage View Terrace. Robert Grossman, Chairman of the Hyde Park-Kenwood Conservation Community Council, wrote a letter to DOH stating that that “We were encouraged by the New Kenwood proposal. The project will provide an aesthetic and commercial boost to the community.” [Grossman Letter to IHDA, 10/21/98]
· Cottage View Terrace “Would Provide An Aesthetic And Commercial Boost To The Community.” Grossman wrote, “The project would provide an aesthetic and commercial boost to the community. It will resolve a nagging problem of uncontrolled parking along the vacant lot and adjoining alley…We look forward to their return to the CCC for further consideration and, based on what we have seen thus far, final approval.” [Grossman Letter, 10/21/98]
Vice President For Community Affairs At University of Chicago Said Cottage View Terrace Would Turn A Vacant Lot “Into A Community Asset.” Henry Webber was the Vice President for Community Affairs at the University of Chicago. Webber wrote, “Your loan proceeds, couple with Trust Fund monies from the Illinois Housing Development Authority, will give the developer an opportunity to turn a vacant lot in West Hyde Park into a community asset. Not only will this project create high-quality housing; it will house a range of social service programs targeted to seniors and create job opportunities for community residents. Cottage View will have a significant impact on West Hyde Park and significantly contribute to the momentum already generated by other positive signs of community revitalization.” [Webber Letter, 10/30/98]
Deputy Commissioner For Department of Housing Conveyed Full City Support For Cottage View Terrace Project. Karl Bradley, Deputy Commissioner for the Department of Housing, City of Chicago, conveyed the city’s approval to IHDA and interest in getting New Kenwood, LLC and Cottage View Terrace the money they needed to complete the project. [Bradley to Novak, 05/3/1999]
FACT: Cottage View Terrace Continues to Serve Community Successfully
5/2006: Cottage View Terrace “Successfully Completed Inspection Without Finds Or Violations Of Regulations.” Rosalyn Banks-Jordan, an Associate Asset Manager for the Illinois Housing Development Authority, wrote in a cover letter to the inspection report, “Please note that this development has successfully completed the inspection without findings or violations of regulations.” [IHDA Letter, 5/15/06]
Ø 2006: There Were No Tenant Complaints To IHDA About Cottage View Terrace. According to the Loan Rating Form 2006, Cottage View Terrace had No “Tenant Complants Received By IHDA” in the past year. [IHDA Loan Rating Form 2006, 5/1/2006]
Ø 2006: Cottage View Terrace Received Perfect Scores For “Decent, Safe, Sanitary Housing” And Every Other “Physical” Category. According to the Loan Rating Form 2006, Cottage View Terrace received a perfect score in each of nine categories that described the physical condition of the building, including “Decent, Safe, Sanitary Housing.” [IHDA Loan Rating Form 2006, 5/1/2006]
Ø 2006: Cottage View Terrace Got “A” Ratings For Management, Physical And Market, High “B” Rating For Financial. According to the audit grades, the overall Management, Physical and Market categories got “A” ratings, including a perfect score for Physical and near perfect for Management. The Financial aspect was .12 off an “A” rating. [IHDA Loan Rating Form 2006, 5/1/2006]
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free as air
Posted by cecilia | July 28, 2007 10:31 AM