How Obama Became The Illinois Junior Senator

In my last post, I noted how the freshman Senator from Illinois is now fully engaged in conventional negative, mudslinging campaigning against his Republican adversary, John McCain and especially McCain's choice for VP, Governor Sarah Palin of Alaska.

I am originally from Illinois, so I happen to know a few things about the political past of the freshman Senator from that state.

Do you know how he became Senator? It's a story involving some curious occurrences.

Republican Jack Ryan had won the primary for his party to run for the seat of retiring Illinois Republican Senator Peter Fitzgerald. But questions about the records of his California divorce from Jeri Ryan clouded his past.

Initially, Obama urged the unsealing of these records. Then, after his minions had pressured for their release, and emailed information about them, the Democratic candidate did a public about-face, the better to appear ethical and above using smear tactics.

But, ultimately, against the wishes of both parties to the divorce, a California judge inexplicably released details from the divorce records which included allegations by Jack Ryan's ex-wife regarding his involving her in activities at sex clubs.

Within a few days, Ryan, who had an excellent prospect of winning the election, had withdrawn. The remaining, no-name or ill-chosen Republican candidates had no chance, by mid-summer, of winning the contest.

It's a stretch to say Obama personally influenced a California judge to divulge the sensitive divorce information. But it's not a stretch at all to note his eagerness to pry those records open in the first place.

It fits with his pattern of unseating his original political patron in Illinois by disqualifying her for re-election via challenging signatures on her nominating petitions, as well as those of other candidates.

Ever the 'community organizer,' Obama's first steps to political office were taken by organizing grassroots sabotage of his opponents, including his own mentor.

Of course, the rookie Senator doesn't dwell on that anymore. Nor his lackluster time as an Illinois state legislator.

It looks bad in comparsion to his current attempts to be the squeaky clean, 'post-partisan' candidate who said he would not engage in negative campaigning.

In fact, he has done so throughout his political career. And with the arrival of Sarah Palin on the national scene, Obama has revved up his mudslinging, personal attacks against opponents again into high gear.