Photo Links Smiling Clintons to 'Slum Landlord' Tony Rezko

It is said that all is fair in love, war and politics....and on occasion what's fair in politics comes back to haunt you.

Hillary Clinton found this out following a well scripted and well played slam at her chief rival, Barrack Obama, during the most recent Democratic debate. Clinton accused Obama of maintaining a 17 year relationship with the notorious Chicago slum landlord, Tony Rezko. Within 24 hours of Clinton maling the accusation a photograph of a smiling President and Mrs (Hillary) Clinton and Rezko appeared on the Drudge Report website.

At this point in time no one knows the extent of the Clinton-Rezko relationship or just what Rezko may have done to warrant an invitation to the Whitehouse and an opportunity to be photographed with a smiling Bill and Hillary Clinton.

No one knows....except Rezko and possibly, the Clintons. Over the course of eight years in the Whitehouse it is reasonable to believe that the Clintons do not recall every visitor, every doner, every political supporter with whom they met and posed for photographs. As Senator Clinton said on her appearance on the TODAY Show, "I don't know the man. I wouldn't know him if he walked in the door. I don't have a 17-year relationship with him," to which she added, "You know, I probably have taken hundreds of thousands of pictures."

The problem for Senator Clinton may be that while she may not remember or even know Rezko the chances are very good that for someone like Rezko to be invited to the Whitehouse and be photographed with the First Couple of the land he must have made some notable contribution to the Clinton's success and/or election.

As reported by FOX News the Clinton campaign fearing that link went on the offensive: "Tony Rezko has never contributed a dime to Hilary or Bill Clinton. They have no relationship with Tony Rezko," Clinton spokesman Phil singer said.

That may not be totally accurate as according to a database of campaign contributions maintained by the non-partisan Center for Responsive Politics, Rezko made a $15,000 contribution to the Democratic National Committee in March 2000, the last year of the Clinton presidency. Rezko also made a $1,250 contribution during the Clinton re-election campaign in 1996 to a Democratic party account that funded activities in Illinois to help win the election.

Regardless of the Rezko relationship with the Clintons, chances are we have not heard the last of this story.

Candidates for political office would do well to remember that in today's world there is little that is not documented and photographed in the life of a celebrity and/or politician.

The untimely publication of photographs depicting politicians in embarrassing situations has led to the downfall of many powerful men in Washington.

Perhaps one of most powerful to be exposed and disgraced by the publication of an unexpected photograph was the once powerful chairman of the House Way and Means Committee, Wilbur Mills. It was said that not one dollar could be spent in Washington without Mills' approval. He was a powerful man and used his power for political and personal gain..... until a photograph of Fanny Foxe,the Argentine Firecracker, appeared in several Washington newspapers. Fanny Foxe was renown Washington stripper with whom Mills had a secret relationship. After drunkenly chasing the half naked Foxe through the tidal basin Mills was arrested by Washington police and the photo appeared. The long and rich career of Wilbur mills ended soon after as he entered alcohol rehabilitation.

Senator Gary Hart of Colorado was a bright and upcoming young senator who many thought was going to be President of the United Sates in 1988. He was bright, articulate, and had an excellent reputation and record of accomplishment after two terms in the senate. However, during his 1988 campaign for President rumors surfaced that Hart was having an affair with a young woman while having a wife back in Colorado.

Hart denied the rumors and dared the press to prove them true. This was a huge mistake as the press smelled political blood in the water.

Staking out Hart's Washington townhouse they reported seeing a young woman leave during the early morning hours. Hart was furious and claimed it was all made up, there was no truth to the story.

Within two weeks reporters for the Miami Herald published a photograph of Senator Hart with his beautiful young girlfriend,Donna Rice seated on is lap. The photo was taken on board The Monkey Business, a rented sailboat on which Hart and Rice had spent the night.

The photo ended both Hart's Presidential run and his career in the senate.

Another powerful Washingtonian disgraced by published photographs was Mayor Marion Berry. For years Berry denied rumors that he was addicted to illegal drugs until in January, 1990 Berry was arrested in a Washington hotel room while using crack cocaine with a woman friend. News of the arrest was reported in the Washington Post, but it was not until detailed photographs and video of the mayor snorting cocaine appeared that Berry's loyalists and supporters believed the charges.

In a similar situation still photographs and video of Congressman Jack Murtha discussing under the table payments in the Abscam sting operation shocked his supporters and constituents. Murtha was seen on tape negotiating personal payments for his support of legislation. While Murtha never actaully took the payments the intent was clear and significantly hurt Murtha's standing in Congress. This would never have occurred without photographic evidence.

In today's world of digital photography and ever present video camera and camera phones. There are no secrets and there is no lack of evidence of wrongdoing.

Celebrities and politicians would do well to remember that.