Wm Ayers, Barack Obama's mentor

[sailaway21]

I'm a bit at a loss as to why Senator Obama's close association with Mr. Ayers is not more of an issue today. They've known each other a long time and Ayers has always been an honored and trusted advisor. Just in case you've missed out on the history of Mr. Ayers, here's an article that fairly well sums him up. Don't fall for the official story line of, it was all forty years ago, as there has never been so much as an apology nor regret offered. In fact, the only regret is that they were not more effective. Where is the outrage?

Fire in the Night by John M. Murtagh, City Journal 30 April 2008

[bruceyp]

This article mentions Obama without explaining at all what their relationship is. You are using a pretty wide paintbrush here. If you want to speak of a relationship between them, what are the facts? What was their relationship? What do you have other than that article?
From that article:
“The notion that somehow as a consequence of me knowing somebody who engaged in detestable acts 40 years ago, when I was eight years old, somehow reflects on me and my values, doesn’t make much sense, George.”
This sounds pretty plausible to me. How does that make Ayers a mentor?
What does Mr. Ayers' lack of regret have to do with Barak Obama?
The outrageous is that you are trying to disparage Obama with innuendo.

[chucklesR]

Bruce,
A little more research
Obama's 'Weatherman' Connection - Fact Checker
Sway probably figured readers of the thread would have a bit more knowledge of current events and the political world.

The fact that Obama associates with Ayers is a indicator of Obama's judgement on who he chooses to associate with - and lack of concern on what educated people might think or know.

[camaraderie]

This article today shows that the truth is that they had far more than a casual..."Just I guy in the neighborhood" ...relationship. I do not associate Obama with acts of terrorism or claim that he supports them. BUT...for a man who wants to be President to closely associate himself with an unrepentant terrorist reflects exceedingly poor judgement.
IBDeditorials.com: Editorials, Political Cartoons, and Polls from Investor's Business Daily -- Annenberg Papers: Putting On Ayers?

[PBzeer]

And cam, that really is the point. It's his judgement that is in question, that he not only has, but maintains such associations. And the actions taken to obscure or invalidate his association with Ayres, would be unnecessary, otherwise.

[imagine2frolic]

I want to like this guy, but I can't. Birds of a feather flock together comes to mind. After 20 years of sitting in the pews of his pastor, and only now. Only now does he say he's wrong. His lack of good judgment is atrocious, and he scares me!

I don't want more of the Bush style either . Here we have the lesser of the 2 evils. From my judgement the greater evil is "O"! Somewhere between the left, and right has to be a good medium. Someone who will worry about the nation as a whole, and not his buddies !

[xort]

c'mon; obama is just including everybody in his big tent. ayers is an american just like you

[PBzeer]

More on the Ayres connection, and an example of the free speech we can look forward to.

The Editors on Barack Obama & Bill Ayers on National Review Online

[craigtoo]

Originally Posted by sailaway21

I'm a bit at a loss as to why Senator Obama's close association with Mr. Ayers is not more of an issue today. Where is the outrage?

Fire in the Night by John M. Murtagh, City Journal 30 April 2008

Well... Let me take a whack at this...

The relationships that Mr. Obama has had with Mr. Ayers and his pastor of 20 or so years are to me revealing of his character, but not in a way one would expect. It shows poor judgment of course, but what does it really tell us about him? He's simply willing to evince the requisite behaviors of whichever group he happens to be courting at the time. If your group has greater political influence, Mr. Obama wants a date - please send your talking points. I have no idea who Mr. Obama is, I just know who he dates.

To your question Sway, I believe there are 2 factors contributing to the relative "ho humm"-edness of the press and even the electorate with regard to this issue.

First, at the time these relationships came to light, most media outlets were scrambling for airtime with Mr. Obama like a bunch of band geeks in gym class trying to get picked for a kickball team. They didn't want to be last ones standing and were willing to throw softballs (give up their lunch money) just to be one of the team.

While that may explain the press, what of the electorate? The second factor that contributes to this apparent lethargy is quite simply the incredulous nature of the claim. C'mon...a US Senator in alliance with a confessed "I wish I had done more." terrorist? Please, there must be some misunderstanding -that just can't happen. What do you mean he refused to wear a US flag pin? - Simple mistake.. he just forgot. He likes us. I mean, really he's not like that! He can't be!

The fact remains, we don't know Mr. Obama.

(PS, Senator Obama, if you're reading this, c'mon out of lurk mode and hang out a while! That would go a long way in my book...! :-) )

Now, as football season gets underway, I remember one of the first times I'd seen the Senator. It was I think 2 years ago on Monday Night Football. Do you guys remember that? "ARE YOU READY FOR SOME FOOTBAAAALLLLLL?!?!"... I gotta admit, that was pretty cool. Sad to say, his stock has declined with me since then.

[T34C]

OK, I'm not a fan of discussing my politics here very much. Additionally, i'm not a big McCain fan. Unfortunatly, the situation is that you can either vote for a guy that has spent his life in public service, first in the military and later as an elected official. (showing more balls while he was a POW than any of us are likely capable of) OR, you can vote for a guy that has spent his life demonstrating poor personal and professional judgement but has give one good speach, 4 years ago.

If anyone can show me 1 thing Obama has done that makes him qualified to run a 7/11 I'd love to hear it because I wouldn't hire him to be my personal assistant.