Redstate

By Erick Posted in 2008 — Comments (2) / Email this page » / Leave a comment »

Of no little importance to a prince is his choice of ministers, who are good or bad according to the prince's intelligence. In forming an opinion about a ruler's brains, the first thing is to look at the men he has around him, for when they are adequate and loyal he can be considered prudent, because he recognizes those who are competent and keeps them loyal. When they are otherwise, the prince is always to be estimated low, because the first error he makes, he makes in choosing advisers.

— Niccolò Machiavelli

Let us consider, if you will, two of Barack Obama's most formative advisers. One is Tony Rezko, who Obama's campaign admits contributed through himself and others around $159,085.00 to Obama's campaign for the Senate. That does not include money raised for Obama's state legislative races.

Before the Feds took down Tony Rezko, he was a chief benefactor to Obama who used Obama to do his bidding in the legislature.

Obama now says he is intent on giving Rezko's contributions to charity.

Then, of course, there is Jeremiah Wright. In addition to being Obama's spiritual adviser, mentor, and campaign adviser until thrown under the bus this week, I noticed tonight Jeremiah Wright, like Tony Rezko, is also a donor to Obama's campaign.

I wonder if Obama, now having moved to throw Wright under the bus, will give Wright's contribution to charity.

I also think we should refer back to Machiavelli. There are always undesirable that cling to those climbing the ladder of power. There are always those who hang on, try to make inroads with, and claim some part of the politician. But Tony Rezko and Jeremiah Wright are two men that Barack Obama chose. He chose them for their influence. He was the hanger on. He was climbing their ladders.

To quote Machiavelli, what does that say about Obama's brains?