Obama Fuzzy on Rezko-Auchi

Sen. Obama's a little fuzzy on meeting Iraqi billionaire Nadhmi Auchi at the reception in Rezko's Wilmette home. Gee, too bad a Huffpo blogger wasn't invited (gee, you could have invited me) to jog his memory about toasting Auchi, just some Illinois machine Dems who kept mum until Stuart Levine spilled the beans. The Swamp:

Obama didn't deny the assertion of Stuart Levine, a key witness in Rezko's federal fraud trial, that the now-Democratic presidential contender attended the party held on behalf of Nadhmi Auchi, a British citizen appealing a fraud conviction in France. Rezko was allegedly trying to partner up with Auchi and may have been using an Obama appearance to demonstrate clout.

"I just don't have a recollection of the event," Obama said Friday. "As I said, I was in the middle of running a U.S. Senate race. So, you know, I was speaking all the time, probably six, seven, eight times a day."

Obama may not recall Rezko's party for Auchi, but he was not in the "middle" of a U.S. Senate race or speaking all the time. The Saturday party was held less than three weeks after Obama had won the March 16 Democratic primary nomination and, as is tradition, the candidates slow their immediate post-primary campaign schedules considerably before reheating the fall general election contest in late summer.

Another Obama fudge. Or we could call it a lie.

P.S. Hey Barack, best take Karl Rove's advice, on this and other issues. Just say that's my story and I'm stickin' to it. And since Obama told the NY Times he was bored, here's a little jingle to lighten things up--an insight into bitter popular culture. Cling to your story:

UPDATE: Sun Times, Eye on Rezko:

This morning at the Tony Rezko trial, before jurors entered the courtroom, lawyers discuss the expected testimony of Elie Maloof. Though Maloof is accused of making a straw donation to Barack Obama's campaign, lawyers and the judge this morning tiptoed around Obama's name, never mentioning it.

It appears when Maloof takes the stand in Rezko's trial, Obama will be kept out of the picture. Maloof is testifying with a grant of immunity from prosecution.