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Washington Prowler
Aunt Zeituni’s Protectors
Deval Patrick’s monitoring duties for Obama. Plus: GOP vulture activity in South Carolina.
ALL IN THE FAMILY
Senior aides to Sen. Barack Obama and
Massachusetts Gov. Deval Patrick were aware that
Obama’s aunt, Zeituni Onyango, was living in the
United States illegally and in a South Boston public-housing
project, and were monitoring her at the request of senior Obama
campaign officials, according to a current employee for Obama’s
key political consulting firm, AKP&D Message and Media.
Back in early 2007, as Obama’s chief campaign strategist David Axelrod was organizing and planning the Obama campaign, he identified Obama’s unique family situation — a number of half-brothers, sisters, aunts, uncles, some living overseas — as a potential problem, says an employee for Axelrod’s political consulting firm, and who has done work on the Obama campaign. “Given [Obama’s] father’s family history here and in Africa, David wanted the campaign to know who was who, where they lived, and what they were doing. No surprises. We knew she was here illegally. We knew her income levels, but I don’t think anyone from the campaign had had contact with her.”
Instead, according to the source, Axelrod reached out to his former client, Patrick, who had retained Axelrod’s firm for his run for governor. Onyango was living in a state-funded housing project, “so Patrick’s people could just as easily keep track of things, and could do it without drawing a ton of attention,” says the AKP&D Message and Media employee, who requested anonymity as he hopes to get a job in an Obama administration should the candidate win. “If we had Obama people around, the media would probably have found her much sooner. She was in [Obama’s] book, it wasn’t like she couldn’t be found.” Indeed, that is exactly how the London Times found her.
While the South Boston housing project is managed by the Boston Housing Authority, it is a state-funded facility, according to the BHA press office, and so it would not be uncommon for state housing officials to be on the grounds or in the area. “Patrick was the go-between, he’s trusted by David and Senator Obama,” says the aide.
In fact, Patrick spent most of the past two or three days stumping for Obama up and down the East Coast. His and Obama’s relationship goes back a couple of decades, and the two actually represented ACORN together in a civil suit back in 1993. Some Republican political operatives believe that Patrick and his political team have been cutouts for un-reported cash distributed to ACORN officials around the country for Democrat “get out the vote” projects.
Some Obama aides believe that Obama was briefed at least twice by Axelrod or campaign manager David Plouffe on the status of family members. “We tracked who was talking to the press, we kept in touch with some of these people,” says an Obama campaign media aide. “Anyone who thinks we didn’t doesn’t understand just how nervous we were about all of these people, particularly the members of [Obama’s] father’s family. Axelrod had everything covered.” The aide said she was never present for such a briefing, but “we all knew the candidate’s family was being taken care of, to protect their privacy and try to contain any damage.”
The Obama campaign has denied knowing anything about Onyango’s illegal status or her poor financial situation.
DAWSON’S CHEEK
Katon Dawson, chairman of South Carolina’s
Republican Party, has been calling supporters around the country
for the past several weeks seeking support for his candidacy as
chairman of the Republican National Committee.
Dawson, the owner of an auto-parts-supply company, has been calling GOP donors and fundraisers, among others, telling them he has lined up enough votes within the 168-member national committee to make him a prohibitive favorite for the job.
“He’s made it clear he doesn’t expect John McCain to win the presidency,” says one RNC fundraiser who has received such a call. “Katon’s an ambitious guy. He’s made no bones about the fact that he wants the RNC job.”
But no one takes seriously the notion that Dawson is anywhere close to having a large voting bloc of RNC votes. “There are too many others poised to get into the race,” says one RNC member. “We’re looking at between 10 to 15 potential candidates and maybe seven or eight of them already have constituencies on the committee. No one is in a position to call this thing over, particularly since our next president, John McCain, gets to pick the next chairman.”
That point is something that Dawson has seemingly overlooked, and his aggressive campaigning at a time when most Republicans are fighting hard to get McCain elected President has angered a number of Republicans because they understand why Dawson, who has been a local GOP chair in South Carolina, and won the state party job in 2002, is running: in part, to help jumpstart a presidential bid for the governor of South Carolina, Mark Sanford.
According to one political consultant working in South Carolina, Sanford is prepared to move forward with a presidential exploratory committee soon, should McCain not win the presidency. The driving force behind by Dawson’s aggressive campaign, as well as Sanford’s rumored early toe-dip in the 2012 race, is said by some political observers in Columbia, SC, to be the first lady of South Carolina, Jenny Sanford, a former Wall Street senior executive at Lazard Freres, who ran her husband’s campaign.
“We all know Dawson is doing Sanford’s work, just like [Florida GOP chairman and another potential RNC candidate] Jim Greer is doing Charlie Crist’s bidding,” says an RNC member. “By now we’re used to the campaigning by state party guys to help their state politicians who want to seek higher office. What we’re uncomfortable with is the way Dawson is doing this, the timing. It’s unbecoming and insulting to Senator McCain.”
Letter to the Editor View all comments (121) | Leave a comment
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oldpapajoe| 11.3.08 @ 1:48PM
Does it really matter? I don't know of a single Republican who thinks we have someone in the wings to take leadership of the party if/when McCain loses. With people like Peggy "I am with BHO" Noonan as "leaders", the RNC is all but worthless.
Ramon1982| 2.10.10 @ 9:36AM
Its fun to read up on these old comments. Makes you think what could of happened and what might of been for the better. McCain missed his last chance probably seeing how things are now. Sad but true eh? ;)
Fuel | Energy
ruth| 11.3.08 @ 1:54PM
Peggy Noonan was never an RNC leader. I think we can win this election, but if we don't someone will rise to the occasion--someone always does. We will be okay.
mark| 11.3.08 @ 2:05PM
Obama knew she was a fugitive, living on our tax money. He's complicit in fraud.
Tessa| 11.3.08 @ 2:17PM
Disgraceful that the governor of Massachusetts was complicit in this coverup. I hope they move to impeach him. I am a Mass resisdent, I do not have one thin dime to give to Obama's aunt. I just put my heat on this weekend, and these projects are so well heated that they keep the windows open. This is a disgrace.
Michael Roush| 11.3.08 @ 2:29PM
Dear oldpapajoe,
Does it matter? Yes, it matters a great deal. This country needs two strong political parties so competing ideas about how to solve our country's problems and keep it safe are presented and debated. Hopefully from the debate will come a consensus about the best way to proceed to solve our problems and protect our interests. The defection of Powell, Buckley, Duberstein, Noonan and others to Obama in this election is not their repudiation of conservative ideas or even the GOP. It is a repudiation of the far right wing of the GOP- their ideology, their campaign tactics and their candidate (Sarah Palin). If there are moderates left in the GOP, I hope they take this occasion to assert their leadership and oust the far right from power.
Dee| 11.3.08 @ 2:47PM
Michael Rousch, does it concern you at all that when you oust non-moderate conservatives, you will push them into the waiting arms of the Libertarian Party? Whatever happened to the 'big tent'? It's starting to look like those of us who adhere strongly to conservative principles will no longer be welcome in the GOP.
Michael Roush| 11.3.08 @ 3:02PM
Dee,
Frankly, no. This will only further dilute the far right's influence. Whatever happened to the "big tent?" Don't know. Ask Cheney, Rove, Kristol and W's other handlers, the same people who are grooming Caribou Bimbo for 2012.
runner| 11.3.08 @ 3:07PM
YES... it wasn't till the 2nd to last paragraph but prowler still gets in its ROMNEY ding...clockwork baby! My advice, seek therapy prowler, you aren't rational or maybe your just an a-hole, maybe both.
ruth| 11.3.08 @ 3:08PM
Thank you for your unsolicited advice, Michael. I am sure we conservatives will do as you say. Pigs will fly first.
Michael Roush| 11.3.08 @ 3:18PM
Ruthie, baby,
Lost you on the other blog. Nice head fake, but I don't believe for a minute that you can explain how we got into our current financial mess. Give it a try. I'm all ears.
caroline miranda| 11.3.08 @ 3:27PM
Aunt Zeituni's biggest protector is, of course, John McCain, who advocates amnesty and government services for the 12-20 million illegal aliens in this country. I'm surprised he didn't escort her to the public aid office himself after, of course, enrolling her in the English classes he wants to require for all illegal aliens.
BHO's hypocrisy | 11.3.08 @ 3:34PM
Please vote this up here:
digg.com/2008_us_elections/Aunt_Zeituni_s_Protectors
And, as detailed at my name's link, BHO wants his aunt deported at the same time as he doesn't want millions of other illegal aliens deported.
Please let everyone know just how great a guy he is.
ruth| 11.3.08 @ 3:34PM
Mikey, (I ain't baby to you), I posted my explanation in succint detail and waited for your reply--none came. Did you chicken out?
ruth| 11.3.08 @ 3:34PM
I bet you are all ears.
Bill| 11.3.08 @ 3:52PM
It matters for three very important reasons. On a very basic level it indicates that Mr Obama 's rhetoric about taking care of the less well off is exposed as just that, rhetoric. It would not take much for Mr Obama to reach out to his aunt or half brother and assist them. Instead, Mr. Obama is happy enough to have the tax payers do what he is unwilling to do. Secondly, this over looked story underscores the extent to which Mr Obama has been given a free ride by the media. Besides the closet full of radical friends and associates, we're just now hearing about some of his more radical policies. For example, the residents of coal mining states are only now hearing that Obama's policies will (by his own admission) cripple coal country. Lastly, how can we expect a President to enforce immigration policies when his family has benefited from non enforcement. Any one of a dozen scandals swirling around Mr Obama would have killed the prospects of Mr McCain or any other non-annointed nominee.
Michael Roush| 11.3.08 @ 3:57PM
Ruth,
You did not give a detailed, succinct explanation. You said you could explain it, but I wouldn't understand it. Again, I say give it a try.
Tom Paine| 11.3.08 @ 5:44PM
I've given it some thought. Turns out this is not the lamest story of the election.
(That would be a tie between the "lipstick on a pig" flap and the much earlier nonsense about lapel jewelry.)
However, this one had all the symptoms of a lame story: it's shallow meanness, it's lack of relevance to any real concerns of the average voter, it's proto-fascistic tendency to blame weak, marginalized, minority, or helpless people for the troubles of average people.
Nevertheless, no one cares. This election is going to have to go forward without one last little tussle in the sewer. Sorry Prowler.
But look at it this way. You guys have four whole years to think up what kind of symbol over substance nonsense you want to try to distract people with next time around. Maybe gay marriage will be back in play. Or just some good old fashioned race baiting. Immigrants are always good to beat up on, and there's a long and glorious tradition of doing it. (Maybe watch Gangs of New York for inspiration.)
At any rate, you'll be all right. '12 is just around the corner.
Agent Orange Peel | 11.3.08 @ 6:08PM
Michael Roush, how can you call Peggy Noonan a "defection... to Obama in this election" , when she is going to vote for John McCain and Sarah Palin?
kay| 11.3.08 @ 6:29PM
Is conspiracy to commit a misdemeanor no longer a felony?
Tripp| 11.3.08 @ 6:38PM
Personally, I don't mind Dawson's campaigning- it seems relatively harmless considering McCain's sure victory in S. Carolina- granted, Dawson could be helping Dole in N. Carolina or something but I would love Mark Sanford as the GOP nominee in 2012- he's one of the few true conservatives left, along with Charlie Crist. Check out the Governor's Fiscal Scorecard by Chris Edwards from the Cato Institute, by the by.
misstickly| 11.3.08 @ 8:24PM
If Palin is a bimbo, Obama is a dirty, lazy nigger.
DangIt_Dave| 11.3.08 @ 8:32PM
Michael,
tanarg| 11.3.08 @ 9:04PM
I wouldn't be surprised if this were true, but for it to get more play in the media today and tonight, don't you think we need some better testimony than an anonymous source? AP will hardly pick this up...
Missy5537| 11.3.08 @ 9:34PM
Of course he knew about her, but I saw him on an interview today with Katie Couric stating that he had no idea of her circumstances.
Please Lord, do not allow this overt LIAR to win the election!
Tom Paine| 11.3.08 @ 10:07PM
misstickly --
You wrote a terrible thing up there. Look at what you wrote. That's terrible. What is wrong with you?
Can't you just have a debate about ideas with people? If someone says something bad about someone else, just ignore them.
But don't write nasty hateful stuff like that. What are you, in the Klan?
alison| 11.3.08 @ 10:26PM
you write something with no proof
why do you do that?
Do you really think Barack Obama, David Axelrod and David Plouffe are stupid?
You don't have to like them - but they are very smart guys
There is NO WAY some random employee confided in the American Spectator something like this with any credibility
Mike| 11.3.08 @ 10:28PM
Tom Paine,
Misstickly is a card carrying member of the Republican base - an easily manipulated dumbass. What makes her different is the fact she is up front with her racism. She earns a point for honesty; several for stupidity.
pumabydesign001 | 11.3.08 @ 10:29PM
How many other family members of this man are living practically destitute and below poverty level. It is absolutely shameful. And then to look Katie Couric in the eye and in the eye of the camera to look the world in the eye and lie like he did. Obama is not worthy to become president.
alwayscowgirl| 11.4.08 @ 11:29AM
Republicans are racists? Let's have a history lesson. Lincoln was a Republican. The three other candidates that ran against him were Democrats who supported slavery. Lincoln freed the slaves in the South in Terrorities that were not occuppied by the North (read the EP). All the people who enacted the Jim Crow laws in the South and enforeced them were Democrats i.e. Clinton's hero Fullbright, Al Gore's Father Al Gore Senior, George Wallace, Bull Conner, the people involved in killing the Civil Rights Workers in Miss. Joe Kennedy, Sr, along with his Democratic Buddies, caused the Stock Market Crash of 1929. While 25% of the nation stood in soup lines the Kennedys were having fun at Martha's Vineyard. Joe Kennedy, Sr, Democrat, while assigned as Ambassador to England to let Hitler have Europe. He also referred to Jewish people as kikes and sheenies during his tenure as Ambassador to England. FDR had to fire him because of his racists beliefs. By the way his son Joe Kennedy, Jr. thought highly of Adolf Hitler. Joe Kennedy Sr was abhorred by Sammy Davis Junior hanging out with his son and did dirty deeds in order to keep Sammy away from John and the Kennedy campaign. Martin Luther King, Jr. also disliked highly by the Kennedys. FDK appointed x-KKK member and Democrat Hugo Black to the U.S. Supreme Court - who later completely misinterpreted Thomas Jefferson's "Wall of Separation of Church & State" slogan in Everwood Vs. The Board of Education - why did Black do this - easy he was a member of the KKK , a Democrat and hated Catholics. Read Everwood case for more information. Harry Truman, Democrat and x-member of the KKK. Lyndon Johnson, Democrat, was forced by the majority Republican Party in 1964 to pass the Civil Rights Bill. Democrats, leaded by x-grand keagle of the KKK Senator Robert Byrd fillibustered the bill for hours and hours. The Republicans got it passed. Republican President Nixon signed the final Affirmative Action Bill again with the majority of Democrats against it. Why one must ask does the minority population in the U.S. continue to vote Democrat. Well maybe this might help. On O'Reilly a couple of years ago, Mwufe Kswufi (then President of the NAACP) was asked by O'Reilly why blacks always vote Democrat. Mwufe answers "Because my mama would want me to vote the Party of Lincoln" . Lincoln was a Republican. Much like the historical blunder made by all journalists, teachers, news media, etc. etc. that Thomas Jefferson wrote into the Constitution "The Separation of Church and State", which first this idea, slogan or phrase appears no where in the Constitution and Thomas Jefferson had nothing to do with the drafting or ratification of the U.S. Constitution in 1787 (he was in France at the time and since Al Gore had not yet invented the internet nor did any devices like cell phones, blackberries, laptops or T.V. exist at the time) , most people are historically ignorant and buy the same manatras from the Democrats and their in-the-tank-for-Obama media while the rest of us who really know historical facts laugh and laugh.
misstickly| 11.4.08 @ 2:53PM
I will not hold back. I am sick of the women-bashing. I was simply showing you people how ugly the misogyny is-it's the SAME thing as racism only no one speaks up for women. Now, reread what I wrote. Palin is NOT a bimbo, therefore Obama is not a... It's basic logic.
Tom Paine| 11.4.08 @ 3:05PM
Actually, misstickly, the proper way to handle the situation is NOT to engage in hate speech as a way of illustrating how bad hate speech is. That just inflames the situation.
And although calling Palin that name was impolite and foolish, it did not match the word you used at all. (How many times to Rush Limbaugh talk about Clinton's "bimbo eruptions," for example.)
It's not right to refer to Palin that way, but using racist hate speech made things much, more worse. (Did you notice how it encouaged a few others to join you. That stuff spreads like poison.)
misstickly| 11.5.08 @ 5:48PM
tom: you have NO RIGHT to tell me how offense that word is. Take it from a rape victim who was almost hung from a tree, the misogyny is gruesome. Violence against women is at an all time high. And FYI, I am a DEMOCRAT. A true democrat and not a republican so I don't give a crap what rush said. Get a clue folks, you sh*t on women all the time so shut the f*ck up!
L. Christian| 11.5.08 @ 9:12PM
Whether one is a Democcat or Republican he should be ethical and honest enough to present
his whole history to even be considered worthy
to be the President of these United States.
ruth| 11.5.08 @ 11:32PM
I don't have a problem accepting Obama's victory if he won it fair and square, but I don't think he did. It's dangerous for the country if the media are not neutral because they are supposed to be the peoples' watchdogs. They aren't, they are just an arm of the democrat party, and that should worry everyone, dem. and repub. He wasn't vetted properly; why the secrecy? Also, ACORN should not have tax-payer funds and should be transparent. We don't even know how much they cheated. Until these matters are rectified I won't trust the election process.
Ms. Know| 11.14.08 @ 11:20AM
The liberal illuminati were portrayed as God in this election, and when they let the states that supported them down, I'd like to hear what they then think of them.
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