The Baltimore sun is reporting circumstances that give rise to the inference that while Obama was in the Illinois legislature he was involved in what appears to be a quid pro quo with a chicago entrepreneur -- Robert Blackwell Jr.
The gist of the story is that Blackwell put Obama on retainer for one company "Electronic Knowedge Interchange" -- paying him $112,000. And shiortly after Obama received the last payment, sent a request on State Senate letterhead urging Illinois officials to provide a $50,000 tourism promotion grant for another Blackwell Company, Killerspin,
According to the Sun, the day after Obama wrote the letter, his Senate campaign received a $1,000 donation from Blackwell.
The Sun story has a lot more detail, and information about the situation from Axelrod, Gibbs. And it appears that the relationship between Obama and EKI was disclosed.
But this will certainly get some raised eyebrows. And, for the record, I voted for and continue to support Obama for the nomination.
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