Sellers say they didn't cut price for Obama

The couple who sold Barack Obama his Chicago home said the Illinois senator's $1.65 million bid "was the best offer" and they didn't cut their asking price because a campaign donor bought their adjacent land, according to e-mails between Obama's presidential campaign and the sellers.

Obama has said he made a "boneheaded" move in involving contributor Antoin "Tony" Rezko, a Chicago businessman, in the purchase of the property June 15, 2005.

Rezko's wife, Rita, also an Obama donor, bought the adjoining plot from the couple, Fredric Wondisford and Sally Radovick, for the $625,000 asking price, the same day Obama bought the house for $300,000 less than the asking price. Antoin Rezko was under a federal investigation at the time.

Rezko was indicted on unrelated fraud charges 16 months later, in October 2006. Obama has since returned about $85,000 in campaign contributions made or raised by Rezko.

The sellers hadn't previously made their side of the story public out of concern for their privacy, according to Bill Burton, an Obama spokesman. They approached Obama's Senate office 15 months ago and agreed to break their silence now through the campaign out of concern that the story was being distorted.

Houston

Former president endorses McCain

Sen. John McCain, trying to solidify his support among conservatives amid resolute competition from former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee, Monday won the endorsement of former President Bush.

Welcoming what he called "an old friend back to Texas," Bush called McCain — who served as a Navy pilot during the Vietnam War and was captured and tortured by the Viet Cong — "a remarkable patriot."

"Few men walking among us have sacrificed so much in the cause of human freedom," Bush said, adding McCain has "the right values and experience to guide our nation forward at this historic moment."

Asked about conservative unease with McCain, the 41st president read from the diaries of former President Reagan, who also was assailed by the Right during his presidency for being "a turncoat." Bush dismissed conservative criticism of McCain as "an unfair attack" and said the Arizona senator has "a sound conservative record but [is] not above reaching out to the other side."

For his part, McCain, who has parted company from conservatives on immigration, taxes and campaign finance, said he welcomed the Bush endorsement and hoped it would help him rally the party behind him to begin waging a battle against Democrats.

Niles, Ohio

Clinton aide claims Obama plagiarized

With the next round of voters set to weigh in on the Democratic presidential race, Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton's campaign Monday accused Sen. Barack Obama of committing plagiarism in a weekend speech.

Obama dismissed the charge as absurd and desperate.

He said he should have credited Gov. Deval Patrick of Massachusetts, a friend, for a passage in a speech he delivered Saturday in Milwaukee. But Obama said his rival was "carrying it too far."

"Let's see," Obama said. "I've written two books. I wrote most of my speeches. I would add that I noticed Sen. Clinton, on occasion, has used words of mine as well."

Obama said two of his standard lines — "It's time to turn the page" and "Fired up and ready to go" — have made their way into Clinton's remarks in recent weeks.

Clinton adviser Howard Wolfson, who accused Obama of plagiarizing Patrick's remarks, said it was important for voters to know that Obama's rhetoric, at least in this instance, was not original.

The controversy arose after Obama, of Illinois, delivered a speech at a Democratic Party dinner in Wisconsin.

He responded to criticism from Clinton, of New York, who argued that Obama might deliver smooth speeches but that she was better prepared to solve problems.

"Don't tell me words don't matter," he said in his remarks. " 'I have a dream.' Just 'words? 'We hold these truths to be self-evident that all men are created equal.' Just words? 'We have nothing to fear but fear itself.' Just words? Just speeches?"

The passage was similar to one used by Patrick in response to similar criticism.

Seattle Times news services