from left, Sun-Times reporter Tim Novak; columnist Carol Marin; reporter Chris Fusco; Springfield Bureau Chief Dave McKinney; editorial page editor Tom McNamee; publisher Cyrus F. Freidheim Jr. listen as Marin questions Sen. Barack Obama. Above, Obama and Sun-Times editor-in-chief Michael Cooke (photos by Lynn Sweet)
Fusco and Obama looking at documents.
AUDIO LINK to listen to Obama's Chicago Sun-Times interview.
CHICAGO--White House hopeful Sen. Barack Obama (D-Ill.) tells the Chicago Sun-Times in an exclusive interview Friday that Tony Rezko--on trial for corruption charges-- is still a friend: "with the caveat if it turns out the allegations are true, then he’s not who I thought he was, and I’d be very disappointed with that.
"I would say I was shocked as a lot of people in Chicago were shocked to lean the difficult financial straits he was in because no one suspected that at the time."
Lynn Sweet is a columnist and the Washington Bureau Chief for the 
Obama has been bambooozled and hood-winked by Rezko and Rev. Wright. They have pulled the okie-dokey on him.
It isn't over until the fat lady sings
Surprahz, Surprahz, Surprahz!
What can you say? In this town, people like Rezko are like barnacles that attach themselves to talented politicians. And Obama is the biggest rising star we've ever seen here. So, I guess his crime is that he trusted Rezko.
Amazing how someone expects to change the system when he has been an active member of the old system he chastises.
Thanks for posting the entire interview. I will be interested to read the stories and columns you all write based on this conversation.
I guess Rev. Wright isn't who he thought he was either. Since these things have come out I guess Senator Obama isn't who we thought he was either.
I'm sorry to say, just another politician, taking money and "sweetheart" land deals from a crook.
What a hypocrite. This is politics as usual at its finest...
Obama baboozled and hood-winked, is he ready to be our next President? Does he have enough judgement and discernment not to be bamboozeled by others, Putin, Kim Jong IL?
ITS GREEAT HE IS DISCUSSING ALL THIS NOW, CHICAGO TRIB. WOULD NOT LET UP ON THIS, SO ITS A GOOD THING FOR OBAMA..,LYNN SWEET HAS TO DEAL W/IT...
NOT SURE WHAT GOOD FRIENDS REZCO & PASTOR WRIGHT WERE, HE MAY HAVE BEEN HOODWINKED BY TRUSTING BOTH OF THEM....WE ALL HAVE DONE THAT IN OUR LIFETIME.....
All in a week--'coming clean' about Rezko with a wink wink nod nod toward the jury about how disappointed he'd be if the allegations are true, bla bla.
He 'disavows' but doesn't disavow Rev. Wright, now does he?
But he ruins the first female on the presidential ticket for the Dems--=or he tries to.
It ain't playing well.
Watch how a young Obama supporter tries to twist Ferraro's words to the liking of Obama's handlers:
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/21134540/vp/23599031#23599031
Does anyone really think that up against McCain Obama will get such kid-gloves treatment in the Fall?