We’d like to get this out of the way up front – we no longer care who wins the U.S. presidential election.
After John McCain and Barack Obama (a.k.a. “McBama”) both voted to blow $700 billion of our tax dollars on the “mother of all bailouts,” we’ve frankly got no use for either of them – or the political parties they represent.
That’s why we think we’re ideally equipped to assess the political furor that erupted over the weekend when Republican Vice Presidential nominee Sarah Palin “went there,” which is another way of saying she unleashed perhaps the strongest, most direct attack against Obama up to this point in the presidential campaign.
In raising the issue of Obama’s connections to former domestic terrorist Bill Ayers, Palin has thrown the punch that Republicans are hoping will change the debate heading into the last month of the campaign and shake the seemingly-impregnable “Barackopolis” to its very foundations.
Previous efforts to raise the issue of Obama’s connection with Ayers via third-party television ads were unsuccessful after stations backed off from airing them under the threat of lawsuits from Obama’s campaign.
By way of background, Ayers was a leader of a group called the Weather Underground, a Vietnam-era domestic terrorist group that was responsible for multiple pipe bombings and the murder of at least three police officers during the 1970′s.
The “Weathermen,” as they were known, organized street riots, jail breaks and even bombed the Pentagon and the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C. They took their name from Bob Dylan’s song “Subterranean Homesick Blues,” which included the lyric “you don’t need a weatherman to know which way the wind blows.”
So what’s the connection?
Obama and Ayers served together on the board of a Chicago-based charity from 1995-2001, and Ayers hosted a campaign event for the Democratic nominee when he first ran for office in the early 1990′s.
In 2001, Ayers contributed $200 to Obama’s State Senate campaign.
In addition to Ayers, four other “Weathermen,” Jeff Jones, Howie Machtinger, Mark Rudd and Steve Tappis, recently signed up to assist a pro-Obama grassroots organization known as “Progressives for Obama.”
In February of this year, Obama strategist David Axelrod described the relationship between Ayers and Obama in an interview with The Politico:
Bill Ayers lives in his neighborhood. Their kids attend the same school. They’re certainly friendly, they know each other, as anyone whose kids go to school together.
Obama has stumbled in the past with his questionable associations (i.e. the Rev. Jeremiah Wright), but the “Ayers connection” is certainly one he’s been doing his best to minimize.
In fact earlier this summer, Obama demanded a Department of Justice investigation into a group called the “American Issues Project,” which launched – or rather attempted to launch – this ad.
Calling it “a disgraceful smear of the lowest kind,” Obama’s campaign specifically threated to punish those stations which ran the ad, and were successful in getting both FOX News and CNN to refrain from airing it.
Groups that supported the ad accused Obama of violating their First Amendment rights.
Now that Palin has brought the Ayers issue squarely into the mainstream, however, it seems unlikely that Obama will be able to make it disappear quite so quickly this time around.
The only question is, will the GOP gamble work?
In a general election campaign marked by numerous momentum shifts, Obama has been riding high over the last few weeks, opening up leads in key swing states and forcing a cash-strapped McCain to make the painful decision to give up on Michigan in the hopes of targeting his limited resources elsewhere.
McCain campaign advisors are hoping that Palin’s assault – coming on the heels of her surprisingly-strong debate performance the other night – will not only inflict some damage on the Democratic nominee, but help them raise desperately-needed funds.
Personally, we think the Ayers assault is a legitimate line of questioning, but one that highlights McCain’s desperation.
Additionally, we think McCain missed a golden opportunity during the bailout crisis to score some populist points, earn credibility with pocketbook voters and be seen opposing President Bush on the highest of high-profile issues.
Enough of what we think, though. We’re interested in your thoughts …
Will Barack Obama "Weather" the Bill Ayers controversy?
- Yes (83%, 131 Votes)
- No (17%, 27 Votes)
Total Voters: 158
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By John Foster October 6, 2008 at 1:37 am
Whenever I see these shrill and unhinged attacks from some of the McCain supporters posted here, I think they must be pretty worried. They can read the polls too.
They’re acting kind of desperate. They appear full of rage and anger. That isn’t a good way to influence other voters.
When I see Obama attacked in such a vicious way, it actually makes me less likely to vote for McCain. Most of us don’t want to be associated with these types.
Some of these Obama haters are no different than the crazies that compared Bush to Hitler or Cheney to a common criminal.
People who are confident and secure don’t lash out and use slander against their opponents. They stick to the issues. Such personal attacks smell of panic and fear of losing. Most voters don’t want to be a part of that.
By Jill K October 6, 2008 at 3:15 am
As usual, like the New York Times, the AP is just flat out wrong! In fact, this is the youtube video that Obama does not want the American people to see. It shows a more current connection between William Ayers (terrorist) and Barack Hussein Obama. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zEeHl0h3NBo
By Ron October 6, 2008 at 7:07 am
I sepecially agree with your first two paragraphs, and I think a lot of us do. Of course that is not good for the Republican John mcCain.
I am prepared for an Democrat win. I can live with it…but I have a real problem with Obama…he is a blank slate. A dream..floating around looking but not doing. Being, but not acting.
It is a shame our first black president is a man that has done nothing in his life other than promote himself.
His supporters still can’t answer the question, whats he done, whats he run?
By rick October 6, 2008 at 7:10 am
Problem is John, this is her job. I don’t see it as lashing out or unhinged, I see it as information that has been with held from the voter until now. Whereas her life went worldwide within hours of her nomination, Obuma has gotten a pass in the lame stream media and as a result most of this nations sheeples have no clue other than “he speaks well.”
By Proud Citizen October 6, 2008 at 8:19 am
Is John Foster an Obama troll? Methinks he is. McCain is attacking the Ayers connection. Obama is attacking the Keating connection. Why? Because it’s still close, and it’s late, and this is what happens when it’s close and it’s late in a campaign.
Mr. Foster if you don’t think Mr. Obama had the Keating stuff dialed up ready to go for October no matter what McCain did, you’re naive. And by the way, 4 of the Keating Five – ALL Democrats – were up to their eyeballs in this. McCain simply attended two meetings, and did nothing substantive for Mr. Keating. But you won’t hear that from the Obama folks.
Hey John, tell your friends at the Obama campaign to get their facts straight. Thanks for stopping by.
By Connor Peterson October 6, 2008 at 8:26 am
“surprisingly-strong debate performance”
Considering how incredibly low expectations were for her, I guess you’re right.
By James October 6, 2008 at 9:22 am
More McCain flailing – what a pathetic excuse for a “republican” presidential candidate.
For all you McCain kool-aid drinkers (actually you pathetic knuckle-draggers were just afraid of putting a Morman on the ticket) you’re getting precisely what you asked for: a democrat in republican clothes.
Here’s my votes: whoever is running against Lindsey, whoever is running against Wilson (anyone that supported Jake has a screw loose), and Barr. I’ll have to research how Nathan voted this last budget session to see if he had a pair when the legislature was in session.
By Sally Calder October 6, 2008 at 10:03 am
It is the McCain campaign’s responsibility to make sure voters know who Obama is. The MSM is not doing the job. It is about time they took the gloves off. I wouldn’t mind seeing a Democrat in office, but certainly not this democrat. He is the most radical candidate on the ballot in my lifetime. America is not made up of radicals. Most democrats would not vote for him, if they truly knew who he was, what he stands for and what he has not accomplished. With the terrorist ties he has had, both domestic and international, Barack Obama should not have the first bit of intelligence that could cause harm to this country. I heard a military man ask the question “If I would be denied security clearance with the background BO has, why would he be allowed to be Commander-in-Chief?” Good question.
All of this is irrelevant, however. BO is going to lose in a landslide.
By Brian Frank October 6, 2008 at 10:32 am
Wall St. and Big Banks own Lindsey Graham!!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EyLXlxgRk8s
Lindsey Graham is bought and paid for by big banks, Lobbyists, and Wall St!
according to http://www.opensecrets.org/politician... Lindsey Graham received
$10K from American Bankers Association
$3k from Bank of America
$4k from BB and T Bank
$9k from Credit Union PAC
$5k from Alamo Pac, which got money from AIG
$4.5k from Citigroup PAC
$5k from South Financial Group
$5k from HSBC
$1k from Sally Mae
$2.5k from Price Waterhouse
$5k from Wachovia
$2k from Morgage Bankers Association
$1k from Chicago board of Trade
$1k from New York Merchantile Exchange
His lifetime contributions according to this website http://www.opensecrets.org/politician...
Industry Total
Lawyers/Law Firms $1,847,205
Retired $782,879
Real Estate $629,896
Health Professionals $600,541
Electric Utilities $541,577
Leadership PACs $479,837
Insurance $347,532
General Contractors $328,709
Lobbyists $316,260
Commercial Banks $259,988
Misc Manufacturing & Distributing $219,290
Securities & Investment $217,696
Business Services $213,365
TV/Movies/Music $204,018
Textiles $199,790
Retail Sales $195,622
Misc Business $184,654
Republican/Conservative $180,640
Automotive $180,000
Hospitals/Nursing Homes $172,941
Now does SC or the United States need someone like this to represent Wall St and Big Bankers, HELL NO!
We need Bob Conley for U.S. Senate to represent South Carolina!
Give Bob Conley a buck or two and tell him thanks for standing up for the people http://www.BobConleyforSenate.com
By Connor Peterson October 6, 2008 at 11:10 am
This political spam needs to stop. It makes me almost want to read one of mande’s “articles”. Almost.
By baker October 6, 2008 at 1:17 pm
Barack Obama’s relationships with a number of questionable characters is fair game. Of course, most politicians at the national level have had among their “friends†a number of questionable characters of some sort. But, sure, this Ayers guy and others – it’s fair to call into question Obama’s judgment.
What is NOT fair is this comment by Sarah Palin:
“Our opponent … is someone who sees America, it seems, as being so imperfect, imperfect enough, that he’s palling around with terrorists who would target their own country.â€
This is thoroughly dishonest on a number of levels.
**For one thing – not in the quote – Palin cited a New York Times article as the source for this information about Obama and Ayers “palling around,†when that same article actually refutes such a notion.
**Secondly, Palin links Obama’s view of “America…as being so imperfect†to his “palling around with terrorists.†This clearly suggests that Obama condones “terrorist†behavior because he dislikes America. It’s as if Obama’s criticisms of America led him to seek out Ayers because of Ayers’ terrorist activities. This is, of course, completely false.
**Thirdly, Palin describes Obama’s so-called “pals” as “terrorists who WOULD target their own country.†She’s alleging that any day now, Bill Ayers may go blow up the Capitol. Now, I’m trying to justify what Ayers did 40 years ago, when Barack Obama was a little kid. But the suggesting that Ayers is likely to commit a terrorist act seems far-fetched.
And, again, as much as it may be fair to criticize Obama for being associated with the guy at all, the suggestion that Obama was ATTRACTED to Ayers BECAUSE he might go out and commit a terrorist act is appallingly dishonest….a flat-out lie.
By baker October 6, 2008 at 1:18 pm
Oh, and by the way, this is all coming from a woman who has an associated — her HUSBAND!! — who has been a member of a political group that advocates secession from the USA.
Good grief.
By James October 6, 2008 at 1:26 pm
Connor,
Quit drinking the kool-aid and let folks that want to check out Conley do so. Don’t click on the little blue links if you don’t want to follow the spam….SHEESH.
This once great state didn’t turn the Revolutionary War on its head by following folks like Lindsey – Graham would have tried to “compromise” with Cornwallis.
I made the mistake of voting for her the first time and I refuse to vote for her again.
By rick October 6, 2008 at 1:57 pm
Wow, excuse me, but since when has politics been fair. Since Obuma had been vetted by Ayers for election to Illinois politics, has donated more money to Ayers causes than to his family, sat in church for 20 years with wright and his anti american crap….you’re right, it’s not fair to point these things out. Besides his past with anti-American issues you have the corruption issues of Raines, Johnson and Glenn. WAAAAAAAAAAAA it’s unfair. The problem you have is it’s documented in other places as being valid. You want to hold one side to perfection while allowing the other all the lies.
By D.A. Boyd October 6, 2008 at 2:46 pm
I’m wondering why you aren’t bringing up the fact that Ayers is a distinguished scholar at the university of south carolina since 2005. in other words – south carolinians employ him and mark sanford, one of mccain’s biggest supporters and board member over at carolina, seems to have no problem with this. we also can’t forget mccain’s bff4l, south carolina senator, miss lindsey graham.
By baker October 6, 2008 at 2:57 pm
Rick — I don’t know that I ever said politics was fair. Indeed, John McCain has been on the receiving end of some viciously nasty smears….courtesy of Republicans right here in South Carolina.
As I remarked, it’s not unreasonable for Barack Obama’s associations to be questioned. But the connections Sarah Palin in the comment I quoted were apparently made to suggest that he’s a traitor. And that’s a smear. A lie.
Attacks are part of politics. All-out smears should not be.
By HP October 6, 2008 at 3:10 pm
I *just now* get it. You people are calling Lindsey a her on purpose. That’s t-o-o f-u-n-n-y.
By TC October 6, 2008 at 3:21 pm
“Will Barack Obama “Weather” the Bill Ayers controversy?”
Did OJ weather the presentation of evidence in his trial for the murder of Brown and Goldman? Unfortunatley, yes.
By Toyota Kawaski October 6, 2008 at 3:35 pm
you better give a dam who wins
By baker October 6, 2008 at 4:02 pm
Wow, TC — that was a bizarre comparison.
By TC October 6, 2008 at 4:52 pm
Just saying that the vast majority of decided Obama supporters will continue no matter what evidence is presented of affiliations with radical left wing persons or groups. They will subjectively perceive these attempts to publicize these affiliations as a smear campaign and a distortion of the truth. Maybe the OJ comparison is not really a good one.
By Harry October 6, 2008 at 7:47 pm
I have been asking Obama supporters why they are voting for him…and not one has a reason.
They just believe…
We are doomed.
By Sally Calder October 6, 2008 at 8:46 pm
By Harry on October 6th, 2008 at 7:47 pm
I have been asking Obama supporters why they are voting for him…and not one has a reason.
They just believe…
We are doomed.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~`
Harry, you and I are just not intellectual enough to “understand” him.
By rick October 7, 2008 at 8:03 am
Baker, shoulda, coulda, woulda, it’s a part of the landscape to lay the pieces out and allow the people to make their own conclusions. Thats why no one with any common sense reads and accepts anything at face value….more due diligence is always required. His 5 year relationship with Bill Ayers, working closely together to push a program down the throat of Chicago schools suggest their more than just friends passing in the night. His first coming out party as a politician was in Ayers home. His being vetted within the Chicago political spectrum was through Bill Ayers. Is Bill a terrorist….the old axiom that “you are the company you keep” may be more appropriate than you want to believe. Ya know, the old social and moral standards have a basis that the moral equalvalencies of today don’t begin to approach.
By Draven October 7, 2008 at 11:52 am
Doggone it, if it looks like desperation and it smells like desperation, it probably is desperation, fer sure dadgumit. *wink*