Obama aide: Timing of news about his aunt 'suspicious'
[cnn-photo-caption image= http://i2.cdn.turner.com/cnn/2008/images/11/01/art.axelrodcall1101.gi.jpg caption="Obama aide David Axelrod, pictured here at a Pennsylvania campaign office earlier this week, called the release of information about Sen. Obama's aunt 'suspicious.'"]
(CNN) - Barack Obama’s chief strategist said Saturday that he thought the last-minute appearance of stories like this weekend’s news that the Illinois senator’s aunt may be living in the country illegally would make people “suspicious.”
The Associated Press has reported that Zeituni Onyango, a native of Kenya, has been living in Boston despite losing an appeal for asylum four years ago. Obama’s campaign issued a statement earlier Saturday that the Democratic nominee “has no knowledge of her status but obviously believes that any and all appropriate laws should be followed." The campaign also said it would return $265 in donations from Onyango, who is not legally permitted to donate to Obama because she is not a U.S. citizen.
CNN has been unable to independently verify the aunt's immigration status.
On the campaign trail in Nevada, Axelrod said the timing of the report might raise a few eyebrows. "The campaign issued a statement on that," he said. "And I don't have anything more to add to it, other than I think people are suspicious about stories that surface in the last 72 hours of a national campaign... I think that they're going to take that, they're going to put it in that context."
House Judiciary Committee Chairman John Conyers of Michigan questioned both the timing and the source of the news Saturday, sending a public letter to Homeland Security chief Michael Chertoff requesting an investigation.
what's that bumper sticker?? Minds are like parachutes,, they only function when opened. C'mon fear hoarders, you can do it! Move on and let go of the past 8 years.. You'll find out pretty soon, why it is fate that Barack Obama is our next president. Cling to your cynicism and ultimately you lose. Choose the winning team: Hope over Fear..
Barack Obama= 100% Love, Focus, Green Energy, Foreign Peace Treaties signed.... envision WORLD PEACE.. at least TRY for it! I voted early and I'm not letting up for one day, one minute, one second. XO
Nobama;I was born in the Coast Province Hospital in Mombasa, Kenya. I am not a US citizen.
Georgygal: Gimme a break. I don't know everything about my family members and we are not estranged. Perhaps she didn't tell him because she didn't want to get him involved and them be guilty for covering up her secret. Ever thought about that? Of course not – hatred doesn't allow folk to see the other side or use logic?
Does this really change who Barack Obama is? No.
Does Palin's pregnant daughter say something about Palin? Absolutely.
PLEASE, Sarah, don't return to Alaska when you and your old friend McCain loose the election., we don't miss you.
It's time for a change and only Obama/Biden will bring this about.
What a CROCK OF S**T!
OBAMA SAYS HE'S GOING TO TAKE UP IMMIGRATION REFORM?
What a CROCK OF S**T!
WHO ELSE OR SHOULD I SAY HOW MANY MORE "RELATIVES"
DOES HE HAVE KICKING AROUND?
OBAMA IS THE DIRTIEST POLITICIAN CHICAGO'S EVER PRODUCED
More Republican propaganda...
For people that believe that Bush was a good President, they will believe this.
Lies, lies, everywhere are lies...
Even more suspicious is why main street media has not investigated this man the way they have done Hillary and McCain and others. I expect and want them all to have major egg on their face Tuesday. They deserve it so they can reevaluate themselves and get back to real and fair reporting.
Heck I don't even know the legal status of all my relatives nor do I care. I care about not having enough money to pay my mortgage, my bills, my health insurance, etc., etc.
What has a distant aunt has to do with Obama?. As an African myself it is amazing to see Barack Obama who is half white is seen by right wing people as if he just came from a different planet.
Do we have information on all what McCain relatives are up to...
This story has nothing to do with Obama, let it die...
And IS OBAMA the illegal here?? NOPE.
McCain and Palin are nothing more than lying filth! Three more days!
Hey Sarah, lets see your medical records....will it show you have had ONLY 4 births and not 5 like your LEADING us to belive?!?!?
Lets look at the birth certifict of here baby....whos the REAL mom on it??? Could it be here DAUGHTER! Boy they have kept that hidden from us!
Helloooo – is anyone surprised that something like this comes out
72 hours before election day?? John and Sara have been dishing
nothing but dirt throughout this campaign. No platform to call their
own so smear, smear, smear!! Disgusting!! Furthermore, this has
been a 3 ring circus all along – 1st Sara The Clown, now Joe The Plumber. If it wasn't so pathetic it would be humorous.
B. Hussein nobama, no record,no birth cert, no nothing. Show us your birth certificate. You probably will not because you were born in Kenya.
If you want to teach Senator Obama's policy to your kids just read them the story Robin Hood!! Before you do think how you are going to tell them why this was not legal for robin hood though!!
sure it is suspicious, and you know who it is from, the ones that are being quiet and saying it is a family matter, but they are the changing the minds of the american people, and the not turning our attention from the economy and this election....it won't work this time, not the same old politics, it will not work, we have too much to lose......obama will win- so your october/november surprise did not and will not work, so take that to the bank
yeah it is suspicious, but just as suspicious as the one linking incest between Briston Palin and Todd Palin and the Obama Campaign, nothing more
The London Times broke this story.
Maybe if the American press had been doing their jobs we would have heard about this sooner.
I'm not happy with my choices in this election. There are just too many " leaks" about Obama being swept under the rug for my liking.
Pull all of the dirty tricks you want. I already voted for Obama.
If I had any respect for McCain, which I did only as a war hero, I just lost it all over this stunt.
I cannot wait until the PEOPLE OF AMERICA speak and show McCain that we ain't buying what he and the biotch from Wasilla are selling
Here comes the bathroom sink, the garage and the entire house over the next 48 hours from the GOP.
I.C.E is in on this.....with all the imigrants the government purposely looked into obama's connection to make a political point.....I BET YOU MY HOUSE THAT GEORGE BUSH IS BEHIND THIS AND SO IS DICK CHENEY.......THEY LEAKED THIS INFO 72 HOURS BEFORE ELECTION SO IT CAN CATCH FIRE, BUT I DON'T THINK IT WILL SO BE PREPARED ON MONDAY FOR SOMETHING MORE PERSONAL TO COME OUT AND MAKE HEAD WAYS....JOHN MCSHAME,MCRAGE HIS SWINGING BELOW THE HEAD.....I'M STARTING TO QUESTION IS POW RECORDS NOW AND THE INFO HE GAVE TO THE VIETS ABOUT MILITARY OPERATIONS THAT LEAD TO COUNTLESS PLANES GETTING SHOT DOWN AROUD WHERE HE WAS CAPTURED
JOHN MCCAIN=AMERICAN SELL OUT
SARAH PALIIN="fill in the blanks"
That's right sheep – blame the messenger. Teflon Barry for prez –
GOP taking the low road....again, trying to win with fear and smear.
Even more is why main street media has not investigated this man the way they have done Hillary and McCain and others. I expect and want them all to have major egg on their face Tuesday. They deserve it so they can reevaluate themselves and get back to real and fair reporting.
Of course it's suspicious....I don't believe for one minute that Bush and McCain had no knowledge of this coming out at this time in the race......we are NOT STUPID!!!!!!
We are back to....lets get anything we can....anything...anything, will do that will distract from how McCain is doing, does this not prove what a really sad person McCain is.....where is his pride and dignity...all gone folks, all gone!!!
What a relief it will be to see the back of McCain and Palin, such low
gutter trash politicians.....this country can do and deserves much better than that.
OBAMA/BIDEN 08