Did we overplay Rezko to hurt Obama?
A caller today said we erred in putting the Rezko guilty verdict (”Rezko guilty verdict resonates”) at the top of today’s Post-Dispatch front page. That headline stretched across five columns.
She said the story about Obama’s historic candidacy (“Obama’s triumph lifts hopes of blacks”) should have led the paper. It ran as a one-column display, half of its headline appearing below the fold.
The day before, the front page was dominated by the story of Obama securing enough delegates to clinch the Democratic nomination. “America, this is our moment,” the lead headline quoted Obama – two lines across four columns at the top of the page.
Still, the caller said, today’s Obama story should have been at the top as well.
She said we ran the Rezko story at the top to diminish Obama. Even though Obama is not accused of any wrong-doing in matters related to the trial, some believe Rezko’s conviction will prove to be heavy political baggage.
(Seems like far greater baggage for Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich, but the caller dismissed the importance of that. It was Obama we were out to tarnish, she said.)
Steve Parker is the deputy managing editor for news, and oversees the Post-Dispatch's front page. STLtoday's online news editors are on his newsroom team. Parker has been at the paper since September 1980. 
Of course an Obam supporter would take a one sided view of the topic. I wouldn’t expect any difference from a McCain role reversal. (As a note, the caller would probably have had issue with not running more top articles of a McCain “scandal”). That being said, Obama got the top spot the day before. This was no new news, Rezko was. Now, if you run 40 front page stories for consecutive days like the NY Times did on Abu Ghraib (absent new news mind you), then you’ll be seeking to harm Obama. In this case all you have is an ideological caler who would probably prefer that a positive Obama story headlines every paper from now until November. You must go with the most news worthy article, completely regardless of politics.
Stop Whining. Obama has a 20 year relationship with this crook so he should be tied in with him. Obama has a very troubling history of having long-term relationships with racists and crooks. If he is elected presidenet, this is exactly what we will get. So, get over it Obama babies. Perhaps if Obama had better judgement, then none of the past three damaging relationships of his would not be in the media. Obama is open to be critized just the same amount as W is. So shut up and stop your whining.
I lost my decoder ring, can someone translate Slugger?
i agree with the news judgment of the post on this one. with most reader complaints i read on here, it appears that the person was clearly a supporter of one side (Obama), and unable to see the news value in the story on the rezko verdict. Yet, instead of thinking as a reporter, they simply view it as an intentional slam of the next president of the united states. come now…..
and to JohnH— unless Jim Edgar’s part-time teaching job at the U of I in champaign is considered prison, I don’t think the past two governors of Illinois are incarcerated.
Actually, the Post-Dispatch returned to its’ more traditional standard with the Rezko headling above the fold, and, just below the fold we are back into a baseball story. My suspicion is that if the Rezko decision had not come out, the bnaseball story would have been above the fold.
Rezko was the fund raiser for several figures in Illinois, the main one being the present Governor.
Johnh, Senator Obama did not buy his house from Rezko, he bought a piece of property adjacent from Rezko. I actually did read the whole story.
Actually, the baseball story about “Prince” Joe Henry and the Negro League honors wouldn’t have migrated to the top of the page. Our decision was whether to play the Rezko story or the Obama story at the top. We went with the newsier story.
I have been long term resident of Illinois. Chicago and Illinois politics has a long history of massive corruption. While nothing has been proven on Obama’s involvement in the Rezko case, investigative reporters should be all over the Chicago/IL politics of Obama. Where there is smoke there usually is fire. Every newspaper worth its salt should keep this story as front page material.
First of all, since the PD has endorsed Obama, I don’t know where the caller gets the notion that the PD would try to hurt his candidacy. Second, Obama’s name and association with Rezko was not in the headline. Since many readers are from Illinois and the possible link to their Gov. plus the presidential nominee, I would have been upset had this not been the headline.
Harnack, this story may add a little to your theory. Of course, this trial report did include Obama which the PD said they didn’t have room to print that day. Yeah, right. So, ma’m, your theory is incorrect. The PD is doing all they can not to link Obama and Rezko. Sorry to burst your little bubble.
http://pajamasmedia.com/blog/rezko-witness-leaves-new-questions-about-obama-real-estate-deal-unanswered/
Senator Obama is not above criticism. The Post-Dispatch did not try to hurt him through the coverage of the Rezko trial. Talk show hosts such as Rush Limbaugh and Sean Hannity dedicate entire shows to attacking Senator Obama. It is for this reason that every other item reported looks like overplay. For those of you who get your news from the “Stop Obama Express” or “Operation Chaos,” I must say with all due respect, you’re an idiot.
Senator Obama has not been implicated in any of Rezko’s illegal activities. The charges against Bill Ayers were dropped due to prosecutorial misconduct. Michelle Obama saying that for the first time in her adult life, she is proud of her country is no different than statements by Condeleeza Rice saying that Senator Obama’s nomination means that “We The People” finally includes all of us.