The Truth About Bill Ayers & Obama
From the Oct. 12, 2008 Chicago Sun-Times:
John McCain is hammering Barack Obama about his ties to Chicago educator Bill Ayers, co-founder of the Weather Underground, a group that used violence in the 1960s and 1970s to try to end the Vietnam War.
For a week now, the McCain-Palin ticket has been making Ayers an issue. And the attacks continued Friday, with an ad that calls Ayers the “leader of a terrorist group that bombed the U.S. Capitol.” The ad also says “Obama’s first campaign was launched at a gathering at Mr. Ayers’ home.”
Bill Ayers has declined to comment to the Sun-Times or any other media since Sen. Hillary Clinton first raised his name in the Democratic primary.
Who is Bill Ayers? Obama responds to ad tying him to ’60s radical What did Obama know about Ayers, when?
But is everything the Republicans are saying true? Here’s a look at the Obama-Ayers relationship.
1. Was Ayers the leader of a terrorist group?
The FBI labeled the Weather Underground “a domestic terrorist group” whose members took credit for bombings of the U.S. Capitol, Pentagon and other government buildings. The bombings were designed to cause property damage, not hurt people. Ayers never has been accused of killing anybody.
But three Weather Underground members accidentally killed themselves while making bombs in New York City in 1970. In 1981, two police officers and a security guard were killed when other members of the group committed an armed robbery.
2. How long was Ayers “underground”?Ayers and his wife, Weather Underground member Bernardine Dohrn, were on the lam 10 years before surrendering in 1980.
3. Were they ever convicted of “terrorism” charges?
No. Ayers faced federal riot and bombing-conspiracy charges, but those charges were dropped because of illegal wiretaps, break-ins and mail interceptions by authorities. Dohrn served less than a year behind bars for non-bombing activities tied to the group.
4. How are Ayers and Dohrn viewed now?
At least before this campaign, they were mainly seen as respected college professors. After getting his doctorate in education at Columbia University, Ayers joined the University of Illinois, where he gained a national reputation pushing innovative — some say controversial — approaches to educating at-risk youth.
Dohrn has a national reputation for pushing reforms of the juvenile justice system. Ayers has published 15 books. He sits on civic boards with Mayor Daley, who in 1997 awarded Ayers the city’s “Citizen of the Year” award. Ayers and Dohrn live in Hyde Park, not far from the Obamas.
5. So how well do Ayers and Obama know each other?Ayers and Obama served on separate boards associated with the Chicago Annenberg Challenge, an education-reform group that Obama began chairing in March 1995 and continued to work with through 2000. Ayers served on the Chicago School Reform Collaborative, which made recommendations to the board on grant awards during those years. Ayers and Obama occasionally would see each other in those roles.
Also, Ayers served alongside Obama between December 1999 and December 2002 on the board of the not-for-profit Woods Fund of Chicago. That board met four times a year, and members would see each other at dinners the group hosted.
The RNC’s statement that “Obama’s first campaign was launched at a gathering at Mr. Ayers’ home” stems from a 1995 “meet-and-greet” coffee that Ayers and Dohrn held for Obama at their home when Obama was making his first run for the Illinois Senate. Obama’s presidential campaign has described the event as an opportunity for Ayers and Dohrn to introduce Obama to their neighbors.
In 2001, Ayers gave $200 to Obama’s campaign. A year ago, the two met walking through the neighborhood where they both live.
6. How does Ayers respond to the Republicans’ charges?
He doesn’t. He has declined to comment to the Sun-Times or any other media since Sen. Hillary Clinton first raised him as a potential problem for Obama in April during the Democratic primary.
7. What does Obama say about Ayers?During a primary debate, Obama underplayed his relationship with Ayers: “This is a guy who lives in my neighborhood, who’s a professor of English in Chicago, who I know, and who I have not received some official endorsement from,” Obama said. “He’s not somebody who I exchange ideas from on a regular basis. The notion that somehow, as a consequence of me knowing somebody who engaged in detestable acts 40 years ago when I was 8 years old somehow reflects on me and my values, doesn’t make much sense.”
8. Is it fair for McCain to criticize Obama on this issue?
Factcheck.org has this take: “Voters may differ in how they see Ayers, or how they see Obama’s interactions with him. We’re making no judgment calls on those matters. What we object to are the McCain-Palin campaign’s attempts to sway voters — in ads and on the stump — with false and misleading statements about the relationship, which was never very close. And Ayers is more than a former ‘terrorist,’ he’s also a well-known figure in the field of education.”9. Has Ayers ever apologized for what he did with the Weather Underground?
Not exactly. In 2001, Ayers told the Sun-Times he regretted that “people were hurt, that three of my dear friends were killed, that we were stupid, immature, intolerant and unwise. I regret that I hurt people’s feelings.” He did not regret “throwing myself as wholeheartedly as I could figure out into opposition to war and to the system of racial injustice.”A review of Ayers’ memoir Fugitive Days that appeared in the New York Times on Sept. 11, 2001, quoted Ayers saying, “I don’t regret setting bombs. I feel we didn’t do enough.” Three days after the terrorist attacks, Ayers clarified: “My memoir is, from start to finish, a condemnation of terrorism . . .”
10. Are all former alleged terrorists/radicals shunned?No. Former IRA bomber Gerry Adams is welcomed at the White House as a peacemaker. Former PLO leader Yasser Arafat was too. Former Students for a Democratic Society member and Ayers friend Tom Hayden was elected to the California State Assembly. Former Black Panther Bobby Rush is a congressman representing Chicago, as is former Puerto Rican independence activist Luis Gutierrez.
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17 Comments
notalacyfan
Tuesday, 14th October 2008 at 12:13 PM
The truth about Obama is that he is an opportunist who will form a relationship with anyone for Obama’s self interests which is not in the best interests of America and her people. Obama did not hesistate to lie to the American people when questioned about these relationships:
1. Unrepentent domestic terrorist who bombed America Bill Ayers who selected Obama to manage $50 million to Ayers’ educational program that taught Chicago’s youth to revolt against government and their parents. Obama refused to give a penny to Chicago’s educational programs that taught youth business, finance, math, science, reading, writing, etc. to uplift themselves and become productive in society. When Obama was questioned about Bill Ayers, Obama told America that Ayers was just some guy in his neighborhood that he does not exchange ideas with on a regular basis which is a lie.
2. Slumlord and convicted felon Tony Rezko who left poor people on Chicago’s southide homeless in the district Obama was hired to protect and serve. Obama wroter personal letters that secured $14 Million to Rezko’s failed housing projects. Afterwards, Obama asked Rezko to assist Obama with the purchase of Obama’s $1.65 million mansion. When Obama was questioned about Tony Rezko, Obama told America Rezko was just a guy he met while during volunteer work for a nonprofit organization which is a lie.
3. Rev. Wright who preaches racially divisive sermons as well as God D@mn America who has been Obama’s spiritual mentor for more than 20 years at Trinity Church. When Obama was questioned about Rev. Wright’s controversial sermons, Obama told America he had never heard Rev. Wright’s racially divisive sermons which is a lie.
4. ACORN is under investigation for voter registration fraud across America which is where Obama was a comunity organizer in Chicago and trained ACORN staff and defended ACORN against lawsuits. ACORN is currently taking people from homeless shelters, soup kitchens, convicted felons, and criminals off street corners to register them many times and is telling them to cast their vote for Obama. In May 2008, Obama listed $800 thousand paid to Citizens Services Inc. for home repairs on Obama’s political report. Upon questioning of this entry, Citizens Services Inc. stated they did not perform any work for Obama’s campaign. Obama had to recategorize the $800 thousand as money paid to ACORN for its get out the vote efforts. When Obama was questioned about ACORN, Obama stated he does not have any relationship with ACORN and has never trained ACORN’s staff which is a lie.
5. FannieMae and FreddieMac where Obama is the politician receiving the most funds from these failed financial institutions that purchased 80 percent of subprime loans through government sponsored programs that took advantage of working class families while making loan officers, mortgage brokers, real estate professionals and politicians rich and leaving working class families across America homeless; and ultimately led to the collapse of FannieMae and FreddieMac causing taxpayers billions and the biggest mortgage meltdown/economic crisis facing the world today. Obama blocked oversight of FannieMae and FreddieMac that would have protected the taxpayer’s against their risky loan practices. When Obama was questioned about the financial crisis facing America today, Obama told America it is contributed to deregulation which is a lie.
Obama’s character and conduct is unfit to be the Commander In Chief! McCain/Palin for everyday people and reform!
flyover
Tuesday, 14th October 2008 at 12:42 PM
As someone who was around in the sixties, the Weather Underground was always considered and identified as terrorists. This shows bad judgment and a willingness to do anything to get power.
john w.
Tuesday, 14th October 2008 at 9:10 PM
Thank goodness the American people are rejecting this right wing vomit outright. When bloodthirsty and desperate, the filthy, diseased, and unAmerican right wing will try anything to change the subject from what burdens them most. The desperation is really sort of pathetic and sad, but if that’s the natural way of declining mindset and political philosophy, than then the better for the rest of us truly honorable and patriotic Americans who will be waiting in line early on Tuesday morning, the 4th of November, to close the door on traitorous, unAmerican and filthy right wing republicanism.
john w.
Tuesday, 14th October 2008 at 9:13 PM
I’m so glad McCain’s brilliant judgement had him select Palin as his running mate. Thank you John… you really know how to make this ride as entertaining as it has become.
john w.
Tuesday, 14th October 2008 at 9:21 PM
Watching the self-destruction of the McCain campaign and the GOP has truly been a delight for me, but truthtelling, honorable, moral and most patriotic of Americans such as myself know that there is still much work to do in reversing the severe damage done to this nation over the last 30 years since Reagan began the slide into the fucked-uptedness that this country has shamefully become. Let’s get to work Americans, and turn back the filthy right wing disease that has plagued this country for too long.
Douglas Duckworth
Wednesday, 15th October 2008 at 11:27 AM
Tony Rezko raised money for the GOP.
The GOP suppresses minority voters.
Both parties are guilty of voter registration fraud and/or suppression.
It’s a part of the game.
Like Antonio says “Don’t Hate the Players, Hate the Game.”
Don’t knock Obama for playing the game. Both candidates talk about reform, but we all know that even the reformer plays the game. He might change public policy, but the game still goes on.
Michael Allen
Wednesday, 15th October 2008 at 1:08 PM
How does Obama’s relationship with Ayers constitute opportunism or endorsement of law-breaking and McCain’s relationship with Charles Keating not?
Independent Voter
Wednesday, 15th October 2008 at 5:45 PM
Obama’s campaign is about Hope and Change, turning the page on the Washington establishment, status quo! The American people finally see Obama is the Washington establishment, status quo and have never stood up for Hope and Change in his LIFE! The difference between McCain and Obama is that Obama is a FRAUD!
john w.
Wednesday, 15th October 2008 at 11:20 PM
The difference between McCain and Obama is that Americans want Obama to be president, but don’t want McCain to be president. It’s a pretty stark contrast, I’d say. McCain is a Turd.
notalacyfan
Thursday, 16th October 2008 at 5:48 PM
Obama’s entire SELECTED nomination is a GAFFE where Obama and his thugs have used white guilt and emotional blackmail to strongarm the American people into letting this degenerate occupy the Oval Office! Aint going to happen and you my buddy should stop playing in left field!
john w.
Friday, 17th October 2008 at 5:38 PM
notalacyfan has been off the prescribed medication for some time, and has become rabid and infected.
Marcus Eytcheson
Friday, 17th October 2008 at 9:34 PM
I’m excited about Obama becoming president! If he can get health care cleaned up so it is free for all!!! Then maybe get a free national mass transportation. I bet he could even get us gov. housing like giant free dorms. Even more I think Obama would even give all of us the same allowance after he spreads the wealth around!!! OBAMA ‘08
Independent Voter
Saturday, 18th October 2008 at 1:40 PM
Obama will definitely give criminals a get out of jail pass and the rest of you naive folks a free ticket to poverty!
john w.
Saturday, 18th October 2008 at 4:48 PM
With the republican/libertarian way, we’ve already cashed in the free ticket to poverty, dumbass.
Turd Ferguson
Saturday, 18th October 2008 at 5:44 PM
Wrong. The “republicans” in power no longer adhere to classical republican/libertarian “way”, instead, cronyism. get laid.
john w.
Monday, 20th October 2008 at 10:59 PM
Wow! Finally, a cogent thought. Get your asses back to the proper and honorable republican party of proper vintage. Convincing and respectable center-right republicanism has been cryogenically frozen since the 1964 cycle, and nearly euthanized in 1980, but nonetheless screams for resurrection from the scrap heap of neoconservative-come-lately, post moral majority, Carter administration after Watergate quashing Fox News watching dittohead army. Bring back Eisenhower and the Rough Rider. I got laid very recently.
C. R. Morse
Friday, 24th October 2008 at 5:19 PM
William Ayers is a professor of education at the University of Illinois at Chicago, with whom Barack served on the board of an education-reform organization in the mid-1990’s. According to the Associated Press, they are not close: “No evidence shows they were “pals” or even close when they worked on community boards years ago …” (http://www.breitbart.com/article.php?id=D93KD6Q00&show_article=1)
Smear groups and now the McCain campaign are trying to connect Obama to acts Ayers committed 40 years ago - when Barack was just eight years old. Here’s what the New York Times reported on the connection (http://www.nytimes.com/2008/10/04/us/politics/04ayers.html)
But the two men do not appear to have been close. Nor has Mr. Obama ever expressed sympathy for the radical views and actions of Mr. Ayers, whom he has called “somebody who engaged in detestable acts 40 years ago, when I was 8.”
Barack has publicly denounced Ayers’ radical actions from the 1960’s (http://blog.washingtonpost.com/fact-checker/2008/02/obamas_weatherman_connection.html):
Senator Obama strongly condemns the violent actions of the Weathermen group, as he does all acts of violence. But he was an eight-year-old child when Ayers and the Weathermen were active, and any attempt to connect Obama with events of almost forty years ago is ridiculous.
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