The Weather Underground – Ayres and Dohrn, Rosenberg and Evans

What does this have to do with Senator Clinton really???
Nothing.
She has no connections to this group or its memebers. Certainly not one of its leaders, nor did SHE pardon any of them
Obama’s campaign is based on his judgement. he has said as much. This speaks to his judgement. Not only did Senator Clinton not pardon any of these people, they dertainly didn’t host any fundraisers for her.
There is NO conection to Sen. Clinton.

Sorry, they certainly didn’t host any fundraisers for her, nor is she personal friends with any of them.
The comparison is totally false.

Why did George ask question from Obama which he got from Sean Hannity when he appeared on his show. What integrity is left of this process ?
You can watch Keith’s countdown to see proof of this.

i must say ABC NEED TO TAKE LESSONS FROM MSNBC Chris Matthew WHO KNOW HOW TO DO A DEBATE.George Stephanopoulos
were so poorly trying to do a Debate
with useing SHAWN THE DEVIL HANNITY
OF FOX NEWS Question to ask Obama THAT STUPID QUESTION OVER 40 YEARS AGO.
ABC RATETINGS SHOULD BE VERY POOR.
THIS WAS THE MOST STUPID BROADCAST THAT ABC EVER DONE,IF I WANTED TO LOOK AT A STUPID PROGRAM,ICOULD HAVE WHATCED THE SIMPSONS.

Ratings are important, but ABC are they so important that your willing to display that circus of tabloid trash last night. Last time I checked we were not electing Rev. Wright, or any of the first ladies, sniper fire or not. ABC stooped down low I’m talkin Hannity low. Maybe George should be on Fox as the Abbott to the Hannity Costello. I was really disappointed that the media showed in this debate that they wanted to “be the news” not report the news. They are interested in who may have kown who. Heaven forbid you give me somthing interesting like Mortgage forclosures or the lack of food in 3rd world countries while we burn up our corn in our gas tanks. I will remember this debate, Charlie I and my kids were disappointed in you. You must have better journalistic instinct than to give into this type of journalisim. Charlies last night was less much less than your finest hour. Base on what you asked, JFK would not have been vetted, Abraham Lincoln would not have been vetted. ABC is at the bottom of the bell shaped curb with no indication that you can bring things up. I was one of your loyal vewiers until last night.

People who say Obama should be held responsible for the actions of his pastor and other acquaintances say Hillary Clinton should not be held responsible for the actions of her husband. Isn’t that hypocritical?

Hillary didn’t pardon anyone.
The debate was great ABC.

i have never seen to grown men embarass themselves as much as george and charles did wednesday night. With all the problems America is facing, it was clear these men had an agenda. As an American i was truly embarassed. We profess democracy to the world, but clearly we don’t want democracy. Trust me the world is watching and sees the hypocracy. ABC should be ashamed of themselves by replacing the great Peter Jennings with single minded charles gibson.

Worst debate ever. Absolute trash. Thanks for not having enough respect for the American people to ask important questions ABC.
Side note: This is why Clinton’s “character” angle against Obama makes no sense. She waxes poetically about the successes of her husbands presidency, meanwhile we all know he was able to accomplish these feats while simultaneously getting BJ’s from Monica.

As I remember it the Weathermen gained notoriety after the brutal attacks during the Chicago Convention and Kent State.
There was a large number of people who supported or were members of the organization, many who you would never suspect today.
I do not know if Clinton did the right thing or not in the pardons, nor do I know enough about Ayers, to be to make an informed decision.
I do know that I and my generation were very frustrated with the War in Vietnam, and lack of any political pull to end it. We had the draft then with many exclusions, College students, the rich could stay in school it seemed forever. Protest was our only means left, it is too bad that Government overplayed it’s hand, and just as bad that the Weathermen overplayed theirs.

Go McCain.
Operation Chaos

WestCoastMessenger, yes I heard that too. I guess he thinks he has the nomination in the bag. Well I think the cat is out of the bag thanks to ABC.

Please tell the ABC moderators that they did a great job. The backlash they are feeling is how people like Travis Smiley must feel. If seems like challenging Obama is unacceptable and the result is disdain, which is often aggressive and relentless. This is scary to me because people get afraid to speak their mind or ask legitimate questions. Not every one is sold on Barrack Obama and they should be allowed to question him without fear of retribution.

It is incredible that it has taken SO long for some of the media (George and Charlie, kudos to you, although a bit too late for me) to ask these CRITICAL questions of Obama. If the AMericans who have already voted would have known then, the close and intimate deeply troubleling associations Obama has had with these individuals, the reality of this Democratic party would be very different now.
I am furious and troubled by the force, power, and vigor that the ultra liberal media and other cable news media like MSNBC in particular (Obermann now leading the pack) have and how they wish to silence ANYONE who sees these issues of integrity and JUDGMENT AS IRRELEVANT AND PETTY. Who the hell they think they are electing? Mr. USA?
For a man whose resume is thin and at best mediocre as a politician, and whose campaign has centered around ” words” (“dont tell me words dont matter”), his words are full of hipocracy and his actions are full of double talk. I do not trust him AND LIKELY WOULD NEVER VOTE FOR HIM.
PLEASE ABC DO NOT GIVE UP, JUDGMENT MATTERS. WE NEED TO KNOW!!!

Wow – unbelievable. I can’t believe you guys think we are so shallow?

I had thought of Charlie Gibson as an avuncular Walter Cronkite type, and had a favorable impression of George S. too. I can’t believe how wrong I was! How low can you go? Not a single questions of substance for the entire first half of the debate. Nothing but openings for Hillary to dump her bile and browbeating Barack on issues he has already answered ad nauseum. ABC news has lost me forever…they make the National Enquirer look classy.

Thought this comment by Walt above was worth repeating
Please tell the ABC moderators that they did a great job. The backlash they are feeling is how people like Travis Smiley must feel. If seems like challenging Obama is unacceptable and the result is disdain, which is often aggressive and relentless. This is scary to me because people get afraid to speak their mind or ask legitimate questions. Not every one is sold on Barrack Obama and they should be allowed to question him without fear of retribution.

I just don’t get why the media arbitrarily decides which “relationships” the candidates have are relevant and which aren’t. The Clinton library, Saudi’s, etc. aren’t even touched and yet Wright, et. al are beaten into the ground. What are we going to do with all those who run for office years from now that associated with the war criminals that are Bush and Cheney. This should be about real issues and real people not a giant game of Six Degrees of Kevin Bacon to decide who knows the worst person.

When one sees Stephanopolous taking down notes for planted questions by Sean Hannity, one has to ask how low the once-upon-a-time wonder boy has sunk. The “No taxes” pledge was typical of the inane trivialization of any serious debate on how this country can pay for important programs like social security when staring at trillions of debt and a government “charging” everything to future generations.

So Ayers is connected to the Black Liberation Army? This is getting too weird for this typical white person. Obama “associates” with all these radicals, but he says he doesn’t KNOW them and he wants to be our next President!! I could have believed him with one (Rezko) or two (Wright), but three (Ayers) or more (waiting to see), I don’t think so.

Another major fundraiser for Obama is William Ayers, who also sat on the board of the Woods Fund with Obama and is a professor at the University of Chicago.
Bill Ayers, along with his wife Bernadine Dohrn, was an active member of the Weather Underground, a radical left-wing group that advocated violence against the United State. Both Ayers and Dohrn went “underground” in 1970 after others in the group accidentally detonated a bomb in a Greenwich Village (New York City) townhouse. The blast killed three of the group’s members including Ayers’ girlfriend at the time.
While Ayers and Dohrn were hiding from law enforcement, the Weather Underground participated in the bombings of the US Capital, the Pentagon and a State Department building. In 1981 Ayers and Dohrn turned themselves in to federal authorities, but all charges were dropped as a result of alleged “government legal misconduct.” In his 2001 memoir, Ayers wrote, “I don’t regret setting the bombs. I feel we didn’t do enough.”
Ayers and Dohrn are known to have held at least one fundraiser for Barack Obama in their Chicago home.
During Obama’s last year on the board of The Woods Fund (2002), he participated in awarding grants, including a $70,000 grant to the Arab American Action Network, a Chicago-based group founded by Rashid and Mona Khalidi.
In another suspected quid pro quo arrangement similar to those with Ayers and Rezko, Rashid Khalidi also held a fundraising event in his home for Barack Obama.
In the Middle East, Rashid Khalidi was known as a man to be reckoned with. From 1972 through 1983, Khalidi was the director in Beirut of the official Palestinian press agency, FAFA. His wife worked there as well.
According to sources, when the Khalidi’s left Chicago for Columbia University in New York, Rashid was honored with the Edward Said Chair in Arab Studies at that Ivy League university. Their goodbye party in Chicago included testimonials from Bill Ayers and Barack Obama.
“What other fund raising connections does Obama have? How many times can you look the other way in church and with fund raising situations with more than questionable people?”

Calling George S! Somebody, somewhere, was once connected to somebody else, who may or may not have known Barack Obama at some time or another, and they may or may not have been wearing a flag pin when they may or may not have associated with Mr. Obama. Please, the American people have a right to know the answers to these questions that may or may not have anything to do with something. Take notes now, and ask, ask, ask!
Love, Sean Hannity.

i thought last night debate was joke. were is the issues in this debate. it was joking to watch. i will not watch abc again

I can see why attending a party is MUCH worse than pardoning terrorists that buy guns and pack their vans full of dynamite!!! NOT!!! what a crock Hillary is full of.

First of all, I have a very hard time believing that Hannity could “plant” questions in the head of Stephanopolous. Secondly, it’s funny to me how all these libs get upset and whiny when moderators actually ask the candidates to explain their actions and comments.
Note to Senator Obama: History does repeat itself and it holds true. Cut the capital gains (or any) tax, and governmental revenue increases. His response? “That may happen, or that may not happen.”
Finally, Senator Obama: the people you choose to associate yourself with is extremely important. Those people give those of us who pay attention an idea of the type of people you will surround yourself with in the event you are elected. So far, your choices have been very poor. Even if Ayres performed these acts 40 years ago, one who wishes to be president should NEVER associate themselves with people like that.
In summary, the moderators actually challenged these candidates and neither of them liked it much. My hat’s off to George and Charlie for a job well done and actually asking these two wannabe’s the tough questions that no one else would.

Exactly, RD. I believe it was Hillary Clinton who said, “We can’t choose our family, but we can choose our pastor.” But then, we can choose our husbands now, can’t we? Talk about poor judgement.

Hillary,
First you complain that Obama isn’t answering the questions. Then you admit that you just don’t accept his answers. That is your right, but spreading lies does no one any good. I think his explanations sound reasonable to reasonable people. Let’s move on to the issues that might make a difference in our lives.

Fifty-two minutes into this swill before any policy questions? I wanted to LEARN something. Journalism? On par with the National Enquirer if you ask me! General Petraeous and Crocker had a hearing recently, I wanted to hear more about that, and other IMPORTANT issues! You wasted my time with trivial stuff like flag-pins, c’mon! I will be boycotting ABCnews as a result of this so called “debate”. Thanks for nothin’!

Kudos FDM..George Hannity was in his element…why not ask Hillary if the Moral Standards of her husband would be in the white house..guilt by association

I think the whole thing is one of the least relevant issues out there. What’s frustrating, though, is that if Clinton manages to get this spun into a national story, she’s given the Republicans yet another completely meaningless distraction to attack Obama with. The fact that it turns out she also has a connection here, makes a bad weapon handed to McCain even worse.
Think about it. If people take this story seriously (which they shouldn’t, but that doesn’t stop it from happening) then it paints a picture that both Democratic candidates are tainted somehow. That casts a shadow on all dems.
Why even open this can of worms? Does the woman do any research whatsoever? Jeez, her people could have googled this and found out that she too was tied to the Weathermen.
Stupid, stupid, stupid move.
In answer to your question, though (sorry bout that rant) I’d have to say that using presidential pardon powers on someone’s behalf, an actual act of government, way trumps being on a board with someone or a fundraising meeting.

ABC what a waste of time. Another network should have done the debate so we could have answers to questions we care about. Not a bunch of crap that we’ve heard over and over and over again.
SHAME ON YOU ABC

For the millionth over…..Hillary is running for president NOT Bill.
Every time Obama gets a ‘pass’ on his involvement with a circumstance or person in question WE ALL LOSE.

“Where were all of you who want to hear the issues when you were doing nothing but talking about Bosina? Now all of a sudden you want to talk issues.”
Okay lets talk about an issue. Management. We’ve had 7 years of incompetent management, often based on inadequate research, incompetant analysis, and irresponsible, vile, self-serving decision making.
Here Hillary’s team dug up something quite foolish and harmless, saw a slimey self-serving way to make a few points with it. They didn’t do their research, however, or if they did, then their analysis of the fact that the Clintons were tied to this thing also was woefully incompetent.
Sounds like a Bush decision making paradigm there. So, on the issue of management, how would you Clintonites rate your candidate on this topic?
Might have topped Bosnia as the biggest boneheaded move yet by Hillary “ready to screw up on day one” Clinton.

“For the millionth over…..Hillary is running for president NOT Bill.”
And for the millionth time, Hillary and Bill have spent the last few DECADES selling us all on their “two for one” wonder twin powers of governance. How’s it work in that case then? Are we to only count the GOOD things associated with Bill, but the BAD stuff is all clearly off limits?
If she didn’t want to include his issues, she should have run on her own career, instead of trying to count his experience as hers.
It defies beleif that he’s not going to have any effect on her once in office. That’s not how the two of them have EVER worked. They’ve been selling us on that idea for ages, now we’re supposed to forget about it?
Please…

Bravo to George and Charlie! The first serious questioning of Obama in 21 debates. No wonder he collapsed.
Thank you to ABC.

I think all the controversy about the questions in the debate are actually working in Obama’s favor. The arguments are working to hide the fact that Obama did very very poorly in the debate. He was horribly unprepared claiming he would not raise taxes and then admitting that yes, he would have to raise taxes. When asked about the DC law ban he admitted not having “listened to the briefs”… Well Mr. President of the Harvard Law review, you don’t listen to briefs, you read them, and to not be up to speed on something as politically relevant as the DC handgun ban is inexcusible.

I am no right wing Texan and not a racist, thank you…actually a life-long Dem. Thank you ABC for finally asking this man some strong questions. We already know that he doesn’t do well talking about the actual issues that face this country and Hillary will whip his butt on policy everytime. We already know his positions sort of resemble hers but don’t quite add up as well on paper. Good job of reminding him that he must answer for his associations and for his campaign’s tactics too. Mr Nice Guy evaporated under pressure. What I saw last night was an angry person who never really recouped the entire debate.Thanks again, I think that it was an enlightening experience.

It’s Sen. Obama who says he’s very different; he says his politics is new! He isn’t like Bill or Hillary Clinton or anyone else. “He’s the one” as Oprah said, “The Golden Boy…” Maureen Dowd of the New York Times said. He said he isn’t going to do politics as usual. He’s the one who says that he will change politics in Washington. So, don’t you get it─ you see─ Sen. Obama can’t point his finger back at others; because he says he fundamentally different, he has raised himself to another level altogether then anyone else in politics i.e. Bill Clinton! When you point your finger at others like Bill Clinton, you only prove that Sen. Barack Obama is just like any other politician and all what he claims to be is simply fraudulent! And unfortunately I think Sen. Obama isn’t the real thing…

While Obama supporters claimed the debate was not good, at least most people (10 Million plus) did not turn off or switch channels as per the NYT. I hope ABC will repeat the debate this weekend.
“The debate, the first to air on a weeknight on a broadcast network, attracted an average of 10.7 million viewers between 8 and 10 p.m., according to Nielsen Media Research.”
“Viewership of the debate peaked between 8:30 and 9 p.m. with 11.8 million viewers, topping the “reality” fare of “Deal or No Deal” on NBC and “Big Brother” on CBS. The broadcast faced stiffer competition at 9 p.m. when “American Idol” appeared on Fox and netted 22.7 million viewers. Still, ABC averaged over 10 million viewers in the second hour of the debate”
“The presidential candidate debates have repeatedly broken viewership records during the hotly contested primary season. The bar was previously set in January when a Saturday night debate shown on ABC averaged 9.4 million viewers. CNN attracted almost as many viewers (8.3 million) for another Democratic debate in January.”
Facing Hillary Clinton’s a fighter, Barack Obama could not be “saved by the bell” of “American Idol”.

Jake could you include the statement that was released by the Mayor of Chicago? Don’t you think it’s important?
It’s on The Swamp site -
Chicago Mayor Richard Daley, whose father was famously not so sympathetic to anti-war protesters, is coming to the defense of Barack Obama for his friendship with former Weather Underground member Bill Ayers.
Daley accused Hillary Clinton and other critics of Obama’s association with Ayers of “re-fighting 40 year old battles.” And the mayor noted that he, too “know(s) Bill Ayers” and has “worked with” Ayers on city education reforms.
The mayor released the following statement:
There are a lot of reasons that Americans are angry about Washington politics. And one more example is the way Senator Obama’s opponents are playing guilt-by-association, tarring him because he happens to know Bill Ayers.
I also know Bill Ayers. He worked with me in shaping our now nationally-renowned school reform program. He is a nationally-recognized distinguished professor of education at the University of Illinois/Chicago and a valued member of the Chicago community.
I don’t condone what he did 40 years ago but I remember that period well. It was a difficult time, but those days are long over. I believe we have too many challenges in Chicago and our country to keep re-fighting 40 year old battles.

JT, your own blog sums it up all too well:
“whose relationship with Obama we’ve discussed before”
As a working class Amrican who is worried about keeping my job, keeping my house, who is fed up with paying for a war I don’t support and who wrries what kind of world my daghter will have to live in, I found the first hour of the debate highly entertaining. Completely uninformative of course, but highly entertaining.
The fact that Obama had a look on his face like her wanted to strangle Sloughulupogus made me kind of like Obama.

I am going to check-out the rerun of The Colbert Report at 11:00. Hillary was on I hear she was very funny. Also John Edward’s was on the same show, interesting.

And this is just the beginning.
The connection between Ayers, Dorhn, the Obamas, and those of a similar mind run deep.
Revelations such as this are child’s play compared to what the Republicans would emerge with to smother an Obama candidacy.
Support for those who “damn” America,
Support for those who bombed America,
Support for those who would terrorize America.
Change you had better believe in, or else…

This debate only illustrated how a major news network can turn a public service into an entertainment commodity for the tititilation of viewers they assume will be thrilled by soap-opera moments of manufactured confrontation. Charles repeatedly, impatiently, and rudely interrupted after asking a question. George’s Weather Underground question was a terminally stupid gottcha moment. Neither commentator wanted to hear a debate on the issues. Instead they kept trying to embarrass the candidates. All they did was embarrass themselves. Shouldn’t these TV networks be paying a windfall profits tax on the billions they are making from turning serious politics into melodrama?

So, who is “angry and bitter” now?
Probably not a “typical white person.”

I agree with Greg. Looking the Clinton pardons is much more relevant than what Bill Ayers did when Obama was eight years old. Today Ayers is wellknown Professor and a respected citizen in Chicago. The Clinton pardons are only 7 years old. They concern family members of both Bill and Hillary, plus a LOT of
othet shady figures, friends etc.
Bill Clinton issued 140 pardons as well as several commutations on his last day of office (January 20, 2001). When a sentence is commuted, the conviction remains intact, but the sentence can be altered in a number of ways. Some controversial actions included the following:
* Peter MacDonald – The day before President Clinton left office,U.S. Rep. Patrick J. Kennedy lobbied the White House to commute the sentence of the former leader of the Navajo Nation. MacDonald was sentence for 14 years in at a Federal Prison in Texas for fraud, extortion, inciting riots, bribery, and corruption stemming from the Navajo purchase of the Big Boquillas Ranch in Northwestern Arizona. He was commuted after serving 10 years.
* Carlos A. Vignali had his sentence for cocaine trafficking commuted, after serving 6 of 15 years in federal prison.
* Almon Glenn Braswell was pardoned of his mail fraud and perjury convictions, even while a federal investigation was underway regarding additional money laundering and tax evasion charges. Braswell and Carlos Vignali each paid approximately $200,000 to Hillary Clinton’s brother, Hugh Rodham, to represent their respective cases for clemency. Hugh Rodham returned the payments after they were disclosed to the public. Braswell would later invoke the Fifth Amendment at a Senate Committee hearing in 2001, when questioned about allegations of his having systematically defrauded senior citizens of millions of dollars.
* Marc Rich, a fugitive, was pardoned of tax evasion, after clemency pleas from Israeli prime minister Ehud Barak, among many other international luminaries. He was required to pay a $100 million dollar fine and waive any use of the pardon as a defense against any future civil charges that were filed against him in the same case. Critics complained that Denise Rich, his former wife, had made substantial donations to the Clinton library and to Mrs. Clinton’s senate campaign. Emails uncovered during the course of the investigation revealed that her final donation was provided a year before Scooter Libby requested that she approach Clinton for a pardon. According to Paul Volcker’s independent investigation of Iraqi Oil-for-Food kickback schemes, Marc Rich was a middleman for several suspect Iraqi oil deals involving over 4 million barrels of oil.
* Susan McDougal, who had already completed her sentence, was pardoned for her role in the Whitewater scandal; McDougal had served 18 months on contempt charges for refusing to testify about Clinton’s role.
* Dan Rostenkowski, a former Democratic Congressman convicted in the Congressional Post Office Scandal. Rostenkowski had served his entire sentence.
* Melvin J. Reynolds, a Democratic Congressman from Illinois, who was convicted of bank fraud, 12 counts of sexual assault, obstruction of justice, and solicitation of child pornography had his sentence commuted on the bank fraud charged and was allowed to serve the final months under the auspices of a half way house. He had served his entire sentence on child sex abuse charges before the commutation of the later convictions.
* Roger Clinton, the president’s half-brother, on drug charges after having served the entire sentence more than a decade before. Roger Clinton would be charged with drunk driving and disorderly conduct in an unrelated incident within a year of the pardon. He was also briefly alleged to have been utilized in lobbying for the Braswell pardon, among others. However, no wrongdoing was uncovered.

Jake
You should do a blog on the Democrats in senate disgrace in receiving the Pope, by changing a letter to him and trying to insult him by defending abortion!!
I will never vote for a Democrat again no matter what!!

This is “guilt by association.” A man in Obama’s position will meet many people. It is inevitable that some may be problematic. When you work in depressed communities, as I have, those who work for little pay and are committed to change have issues. For instance McCain was one of the Keating 5 that performed quid pro quo, to look the other way during the savings and loan crises. Clinton? Whitewater. This game is easy and endless.
It distracts from the main issues:
Iraq
failed Economy
Oil crises and prices,
Health Insurance
The national debt.
The most telling about Obama’s approach is to try to meet the Republican issue about peoples right to choose, by not making health insurance mandatory, but making sure that cheap available insurances can be obtained at least through the Federal Government.. A Blue state Red State approach. An approach that doesn’t vilifie the opposition, but validates their views.
You who engage in personal attacks, live by the sword will die by it.

Abc had insulted and disapointed any watcher of the debates.; George S., a former Clinton employee and obviously endorsing devotee, used his journalistic power to slander Obama. We have all heard this tuff vefore, including the story of William Ayers. The fact that George and Charlie took this one last important opportuity before a very important debate to try to defame Obama’s reputation is abominable. I have watched ABC for my news for the last 50 years, but, I won’t be doing it any longer. Journalist are expected to be unbiased and honest in their words and intentions- ABC will not be able to compete in this arena any longer

Oh, come off of it Obama supporters. Stop drinking the coo-aide. You saw with your own eyes how your candidate dear Sen. Obama fumble, looking tired and exhausted. He was treated like a front runner, that was all Charley and George did. Don’t be upset your candidate did terribly, and how can he withstand Republican attacks in the fall! The media has babied him all along. You candidate showed how vulnerable he is. If you take away all those crutches that Washington media establishment have propped him up with, he’s going to fall down like a scarecrow in a windstorm. That’s what happened last night. So take it out on Charley Gibson or George Stephanopoulos, the only fault is with your Candidate Sen. Barack Obama? What do you expect? Play tennis without a net? I think Sen. Obama did his best, that that he is. Most Obama people have a big fantasy about him, but Sen. Obama is an inexperience politician, mostly what he says just words. He has little hands on work to back it up with. Sen. Clinton is far more articulate and insightful looking much more presidential than apologizing Sen. Obama. This is a true fact that evident in every debate. So far Sen. Obama has been getting a free ride; it’s the media that made a political Humpty-Dumpty out of poor Sen. Obama─ some Obama supports are offended and blaming ABC. You have to blame Sen. Obama’s own limitations. The media has treated Sen. Obama d like the way Russian television treat Putin. He will not do anything wrong. All this uncritical media adoration has made Barack Obama like Putin, a surreal, fictional character manufactured by his campaign managers, the media and by Hollywood. So far the media has been extremely unfair to Sen. Hillary Clinton. In spite of all that last night Sen. Hillary Clinton came across as intelligent, confident, poised and very president like. He’s not. So don’t blame ABC. Blame your candidate Sen. Obama. He looked tired. He has baggage and get ready folks, even if you drank the cool-aid, people are going to ask real serious questions from Sen. Obama, he has to be ready if he wasn’t the president’s job. Don’t blame ABC, blame Sen. Obama for his poor performance…Remember media has treated Sen. Clinton in a horrible, disrespectful and often insulting fashion, everyday. I think Sen. Obama can learn a lot from Sen. Clinton how to handle the media without saying “boohoo…boohoo!” PS: Rev. Wright’s rhetoric might have done irretrievable and extensive harm for Sen. Obama; and obviously it’s going to catch up with him sooner or later; so don’t blame ABC and stop drinking that cool-aide.

Just like his association with Rezko and Wright, Obama maintains the same level of arrogance that was so prevalent in the Nixon era…” I am not a crook…”
What is really pathetic is that anyone, supporters of Obama or not, would try to defend association with Weather underground participants.
While such failure in judgement may be commonplace and irrelevant to Chicago politics or even worthy of praise from an “old uncle, that same lapse is extremely relevant and an unacceptable character flaw in any person who aspires to be President.

why is abc still faning the flames over this non issue.Give it a break, Jake

I am a child of the 60′s and early 70′s
I like most of my peers was anti-war. But the Weathermen and the murderers and bombers were out of line by any standard.
I think Bill Clinton’s commuting sentences that he thought were excessive was a judgement call. Kind of like George Bush Sr giving pardons to all the Iran Contra gang…I may not have agreed with it. These women did serve jail time..and I think that they were both lesser figures in the crimes. And supposedly both of them were remorseful as far as violence goes.
On the other hand…I believe that Ayers was a person that Obama sought out. This guy like Wright and Farrakan supposedly do a lot of good in their communities…You could make the same arguement for the cult in TX. However it is the way that Obama has sought out the associations and then lied about it and then sanitized the crimes.
Here’s the deal my neighbor goes to a church that does a lot of good in this community. He is one of the richest guys in Dallas. He likes me and even though the association might do me a lot of good I have nothing to do with him. He came into my front yard and claimed a few years ago that “911 was God’s judgement on America and Los Angeles was the next City to go.”
Some of us really do have a modicum of patriotism. It is not “hyperbole”.
So I am a liberal that has never denied it. But I am also a person that will not tolerate hate talk or fanatics in close proximity to my family.
My neighbor is a nut, not an unrepentant bomber, but the association stopped. My neighbor made unacceptable comments and has fanatical views, and he wasn’t behind a pulpit when he made them, but I have no further use for him.
Some of us would have left the church. Some of us would not have cultivated Ayers as a friend just because his crimes preceeded the relationship.
Of course it matters. This man wants to be President of the United States. He’s running on someone elses plans and policies. I have no idea how much he has been influenced by the circle of friends which he has culivated. And some of these friends and “spiritual mentors” hate me because I’m White and wish they had bombed the US more.
If Obama can make it without Hillary supporters good luck to him. McCain will be my guy.
Hillary is not destroying the party! She is the only thing that’s keeping some of us in it.
We are the new crossover Republicans…reluctant anti-Obama voters.

Jackie….Bravo!!…I agree with everything you said,

We only have one candidate left with the wisdom, the guts and the foresight to speak out against Bush/Clinton/McCains reckless and misguided war.
Only one guy. BARACK OBAMA.
Now you see the washington establishment starting to collectively wet their pants. Imagine all those corporate lobbyists and insiders, fattened bureaucrats and money men out of a job. Talk about fixing the economy. Put those leeches to work. Oh yes, the beltway is not ready for what’s about to hit them, and their going bezerk.
How else do we wind up with a Clinton confidant/spokesman/employee like Staphapapolus moderating his former boss on national TV? What the $%^& is this, China? Total outrage.

Where is the Peter Paul case in all of this? For pete’s sake, Bill Clinton’s Peter Paul Court Date is set at April 25, a good week from now.
A judge in Los Angeles allowed Hollywood mogul Peter F. Paul to begin taking sworn testimony in his $17 million fraud suit against former President Bill Clinton.
California Superior Court Judge Aurelio N. Munoz ruled Paul’s legal team can seek depositions from a host of big names – including Bill, Hillary and Chelsea Clinton – that allegedly were witnesses to an effort by the Clintons and top Democratic leaders to extract millions of dollars from Paul in illegal donations and then cover it up.
Is this a taboo subject?! This is not about rumors or false accusations or guilt by association, THIS IS THE REAL THING.
Are the Clintons holy? Do the media have to stay quiet about this?
Many thousands of people have seen the video that proves that the Clintons are guilty, and HILLARY more than anyone else. She has been LYING again in this case, but she was caught on audio and video. A less innocent matter than the Tuzla lie! And yet -
why is this such a topsy turvy world?
A $17 million fraud suit against a Presidential candidate – and NOBODY CARES?

Wow people won’t vote for another canidate on the basis of their voters. You are voting for the canidate not who supports them. How stupid some of you are.

“These questions to Obama had to be asked. He will be the nominee and has to know what questions he would be dealing with during the general election. This was a dress rehersal for him. So I think the questions were fair.”
I’m an Obama guy, and I agree that these will be used against him in the future. I think I’m a little unhappy that the only comparable question Clinton got was about Bosnia, as I think she has a handful of things that by the same rationale should be discussed.
Also, I do understand how some folks are frustrated that more substantive issues weren’t discussed. The thing we have to admit, though, on both sides of the aisle, is that about 95% of their platforms and plans are nearly identical. That leaves character, style, message, background, etc.
That’s what we have left to talk about. If we don’t think the questions were worth talking about, maybe the better argument isn’t to attack the debate itself, but to question why we had one and should we bother to have more during this primary.
Just posing the question…

How are all theese people still in San Fran and they have money Kerry use to be involed in protest is that why he is backing Obama is this why Obama is sure he can win in states the dems don’t win like Wash.State SD the weathermen are suppose al over out west I have been think can you connect the dots. They went into hiding how about his birth state. VT how does it fit in ?

I hope this last debate convinces people to get their “news” elsewhere. Every network has their own agenda and it has very little to do with the facts or what is right or wrong. The news and the facts are not the same thing. You won’t get any more facts from ABC, MSNBC or CNN than you get from FOX. Don’t watch any of this garbage unless you are too insecure to reach your own conclusions and enjoy being manipulated. Get the facts off the internet and make up your own mind and if you must watch this trash don’t be swayed by the phony outrage and endless regurgitating.

Barack Obama has touted his judgement as a qualification for a presidential candidate.
And, yet, revelations continue to emerge that indicate the judgement of Obama is far from acceptable, for any national office.
Obama and his supporters have yet to realize that association and fraternization with former members of the Weather underground is an issue.
Close association and friendship of one as treasonous, hateful, and racist as Jeremiah Wright is an issue.
Characterization of a majority of voters in the United States as “bitter and angry” for the lawful exercise of Constitutional rights is an issue.
Only an unelectable candidate fails to confront all the issues.

Jake – George and Charlie deserve a huge raise with a bonus! Magnificent debate. ABC at the top of their game. Wow!

Kudos to George and Charlie for asking some tough questions of both candidates.It is not the job of moderators of a debate to be pandering to any politician. On the contrary, tough questions should be asked of all the participants, whether they be democrats or republicans. It’s incredible to see people worked up into a frenzy because their candidate wasn’t treated with kid gloves.Is this supposed to be a rally or debate? And what do they think is gonna happen when their candidate becomes president, everyone will pander to them? If they can’t handle questions during a debate , they should find another line of work. Do they think when these candidates are dealing with domestic or international problems, they’re gonna have people fawn,faint and pander to them? Get real. Whoever is elected will face far bigger problems than questions asked by any reporter.Find something else to do if you can’t handle someone asking some reasonable questions of the person who wants to run this country.

The Weather Underground Unplugged: A Walk Down Memory Lane

In case anyone under 50 who doesn’t remember or knew the Weather Underground – such as Obama fundraiser Bill Ayers and his friends, the video below should introduce, or reintroduce some of these folks (some objectionable language used). Although Mr.

george way to ta talking points from sean

According to the newly released tax records, Bill Clinton earned $15 million as a consultant for Burkle. Now, Hillary did admit on her 2003-2004 Senate Financial Disclosure Statements that Bill Clinton’s Yucaipa income was “more than $1,000.” So, technically, I guess, she didn’t lie. But $15 million!? And for what? Burkle admitted in one news report that Clinton spent about an average of 10 hours per week on Yucaipa business. That’s a pretty paltry investment of time, given the enormous amount of compensation.
Which leads to the question…What does Burkle expect in return for his investment? And what does Sheik Mohammed bin Rashid al-Maktoum, the ruling sheik of Dubai, who is another Clinton/Yucaipa partner, expect from his dealings with Bill Clinton? Given that the Clintons’ presumably share the same bank account, Hillary is every bit as indebted to Burkle and Dubai’s leader for their largesse as her husband. And, whether she’s in the Senate or in the White House, Hillary is in a position to return required favors.
Bill Clinton also raked in a whopping $51.9 million in speaking fees, many coming from foreign interests and governments. Same question: What do these foreign interests expect in return for their investment?
The Clintons’ tax returns also raise red flags related to the Clinton Family Foundation. The Clintons claim $10.3 million in charitable donations on their returns and, according to The Wall Street Journal, “nearly all the donations went to the Clinton Family Foundation, which has disbursed only half the money.” The Journal notes that virtually all of the donations came after Hillary announced her candidacy for president, and that some of the donations reek of “politically targeted philanthropy.”
So I guess I can see why Hillary failed to report her role as Treasurer of the Clinton Family Foundation a shocking five times on her Senate Financial Disclosure statements. Clearly she didn’t want anyone doing any digging on the foundation’s activities, as suspicious as they are.

Someone complained that Hillary wants to be president too much.
Well, Hillary is getting at that age where it’s now or never.
Obama is only 46. Why couldn’t he wait 4 or 8 more years. Even in 8 years he’ll only be 54 and he’d have a lot more experience.
What’s the rush Barry? Afraid you won’t be able to just vote “present” on the controversial issues for 8 more years? Afraid in those 8 years we’ll have more of a “record” of your radical leftwing agenda?
That’s what I thought!

Hillary did not commute the sentences, Bill did. Hillary did not seek out friendships and political support from Weather Underground members, Obama did. Hillary did not attend a fundraiser at a member of the Weather Undergrounds house, Obama did. Hillary does not state that she is friendly with a member of the Weather Underground, Obama does. Obama’s defense is to point the finger at Hillary, or even more to his liking, at her husband Bill, and say “Look at what they did, don’t look at me and what I’m doing.” Sorry Obama. We’re looking. And we don’t like what we see.

Hillary Clinton has her photo problems.
For example, there’s the photo of Bill and her standing next to illegal fundraiser Johnny Chung signed by HRC, “To Johnny Chung with best wishes and appreciation.” Chung reportedly funneled several hundred thousand dollas from Chinese military intelligence to Bill Clinton’s 1996 campaign. As Chung put it once, “I see the White House is like a subway – you have to put in coins to open the gates.” He was talking about the $50,000 he gave Hillary Clinton’s top aide while seeking VIP treatment at the White House.

Does it matter? No.
Is it a stupid and tangential issue? Yes.
This campaign calendar is too long — that’s why you have time to cover this detrious. And no, ABC and the other broadcast and cable news organizations are not disinterested parties. Without this insane schedule, you all would not have the opportunity to Hoover up hundreds of millions of dollars in campaign advertising spending.

I think this is a non issue. I don’t care about this guy Ayers. I do care about what products the US is going to be manufacturing in the 21st century because right now it’s none I do care about gas prices and the horrible world situation. I think the media is out of touch with how much the people are longing to hear the real issues. The media to me seems elite, disconnected and keeping this battle going to make news.
I like how Obama responded to most questions. With grace and dignity and thoughtfulness. That also is a sign of strength.

Obama was asked hard questions. CNN, MSNBC,the Left-Wing radical blogs, etc. are in his corner for now, since he has paid them millions for the commercials that are broadcast and show in the internet. They don’t owe him loyalty and they do not believe in his rhetoric. ABC News did its job. They wanted to see how he handles the pressure. As usual, Obama like John Kerry got lost in his own train of thought. He is long winded like Kerry. Obama does not answer questions, he just spouts generalities and wears the clock down. He does not appeal to the working class and he is condescending.
I am amused when his supporters think people want him to lecture us on various topics. He has no moral authority to talk down to people. We are not his students, and He does not know more than the general public. He is a man that was born to a middle class family and went to Ivy Schools in the Northeast. If Democrats decide to nominate Obama, they better get prepared for the working class, women, Hispanics to stop giving money to the Democratic Party. And that is what makes organizations listen, money is important. So Howard Dean better be prepared to tell the Democratic Party, why certain people won’t donate to the DNC. Or why swing states like Ohio, Pennsylvania, Nevada will vote for McCain in the fall.

The harshest thing about Obamas replies when people attack him is that he gives elitist , condescending answers. He never admits what he did was WRONG.
In fact, he has gotten to the point where if you DARE ask him about his character, he puts you down like nobody has the right to air his dirty laundry.
Obama thinks he is ABOVE reproach. He only wants to be asked about things where he has a rehearsed answer.
He wants to talk about issues where people behind the scenes can make up the answers for him. Like the economy, the war etc……..
He has the same liberal left wing lunatic logic which is basically if anyone doesnt think like him, they are FOOLS.
This is the liberal mantra. Its just as ignorant as the far right mantra. Two peas in a pod.

Steve Schmidt, a senior adviser to McCain–“People in the country are in a very bad mood and they want to have change.” but they aren’t bitter ;)

FDM and others i disagree with you. the ABC debate was excellent. we do want to know the details of the person who we elect even though sometimes they may seem redundant. debates reveal how a candidate will respond under pressure this is an important indicator of how a candidate will perform against the republican attack machine. articles like this are a necessary part of the debate as well.

Now I know how does Obama can raise his campaign 35 millions/months. These people, ex-weather underground, works to put Obama to be President of USA.
If Obama become president, The weather Underground will be power to the people. AMERICA BEWARE THE WOLF IN SHEEP’S CLOTHING!

Obama’s supporters are so upset because they are most The weather underground. Like people in Daily Koss blog. Can you imagine this weather underground have 100 thousand members during that time, multiply now with their children and grand children maybe.
Bill Ayers maybe one of campaigner for Obama, that’s why the rally Obama has is these people.
AMERICA BEWARE THE WOLF IN SHEEP’S CLOTHING!

It’s time you put the safekeeping of your country FIRST.
and pick your candidate accordingly.
Obama voted “present” twice on a bill to ban partial-birth abotrion.
In 1999, he was the only state senator to vote against a law prohibiting early prison release for sex offenders.
You’ve already heard of Obama’s Chicago constituents housed in Rezko’s freezing tenements; Rezko claimed he didn’t have money for the heating bill…. but he DID have money for Obama!
What about his relationship with Auchi?
With Farrakhan?
And Ayers?
““Ayers joined the Weather Underground in 1969, but went underground with several associates after the Greenwich Village townhouse explosion in 1970 which killed three members (Ted Gold, Terry Robbins, and Diana Oughton, who was Ayers’ girlfriend at the time). While underground, he and fellow member Bernardine Dohrn had two children, Zayd and Malik. They were purged from the group in the mid-1970s, and turned themselves into the authorities in 1981. All charges against him were dropped because of prosecutorial misconduct during the long search for the fugitives. They married, and later became legal guardians of Chesa Boudin, the biological son of former Weathermen David Gilbert and Kathy Boudin, after his parents were arrested for their part in the Brinks robbery (1981). In the 1980s Ayers undertook graduate training in education and earned his doctorate in 1987. He has served on the board of the Woods Fund of Chicago, a anti-poverty philanthropic foundation, since 1999.”
And Khalidi?
“Khalidi also said, that he likes the fact that Obama is “saying he supports talks with Iran. If the U.S. can talk with the Soviet Union during the Cold War, there is no reason it can’t talk with the Iranians.”
And, of course, Pastor Wright!
Be careful who you vote for!
Be very very careful…..

Obama has been friends with guy for years and years and years.
Ayers is a professor at the same college Obama gave lectures.
He has been to his house. He has attended fund raisers with him.
It is not like it was something of long ago, they are presently friends and colleagues.
This guy has no regrets and would do it again. This is a friend of your possible President?

I was surprised that George Stephanopolos did not ask Senator Obama if he had anything to do with the Vince Foster murder.

Also on the same board of the Woods Foundation is Patrick M. Sheahan, Executive Director of Public Affairs for UBS, a major Wall Street bank. How a prestigious institution like UBS could employ a man such as Mr. Sheahan, who serves on the same board as Ayres, is beyond me. In my opinion, UBS should dismiss Mr. Sheahan for his involvement with William Ayres. I cannot see how UBS can maintain its good reputation while continuing to employ a man like Patrick Sheahan in such a prominent position.
Or not… I mean, why would it be at all reasonable to hold Patrick Sheahan (or UBS) accountable for the past actions of William Ayres just because they both serve on the board of the same charity? The standard that presidents need to meet in their conduct should be higher than the standard that Wall Street executives meet. But just as certainly as it would be ridiculous for UBS to fire an employee over this fleeting association, it would be ridiculous for the American people to vote against someone like Obama for the same thing, someone who represents their economic interests so well.

Obama’s ties to a terrorist are not surprising. After all, Democrats routinely say that there is no such thing as terrorism (Edwards), or that we should fight it with law enforcement (Kerry), or that we should talk with terrorists intent on building nuclear weapons (Obama).
So, what’s the big deal? Democrats don’t think radical Islam is at war with us. Elect them, and find out what “doomsday” really means.

It is possible on the blogs to depersonalize and dehumanize the other commenters…and I think a lot of people don’t read the comments either.
I am a firm believer in the power of focused positive energy…and I also believe that if you send negative energy in a digital world it comes back at you.
So try to remember that the words here DO matter.
Take care out there. And remember it’s okay to disagree without being disagreeable.

Typical white person, saying things behind closed doors that would make me cringe.

the republicans better worry that these attacks by the clinton campaign against obama on cultural issues are not working and that they may not work in the fall either. he has shown to have strong support. also, the electorate may be changing too. repubs better figure out something else.

The Hillary voters are for the most part voting and acting out of revenge for some long lost wrong. The wrong is most likely that Bill Clinton lied and associated with felons – pardoning as many as possible on Bill’s long drawn out exit.
Revenge is not a good motive upon which to base the future.

The 44th President of the United States: Barack Obama.

Columbia $800000, NAFTA

thank you abc. last night for our class assignment my professor allowed us to watch the debate together and discussion followed. very favorable reviews. most agreed that hillary sounded informed at all levels, while obama sounded confused, and uninformed.

Wow! Some people on here claim they have been watching ABC News for 20-25-50 years and NOW – since their darling StammerObama – got ‘outed’, got made a fool of becasue HE WAS NOT ‘ARTFUL’ in his answers, they (these Obama loving ABC News career watchers) are NOT going to watch ABC News ever again! Their attitudes sound a whole lot like their idol – StammerObama’s attitude: “I’m not going to have a debate ever again with that mean Hillary!” boo-hoo
My, my – I really don’t think ABC will care. And, besides, we all make stupid remarks and change our minds later…

The point is that moderators are supposed to pretend to be impartial and that no one should be the target of an ambush. The small minds that focus on the gaffe and the inuendo are the people that have allowed Washington to focus on wedge issues and avoid doing the hard work on the important things.

Yes, finally someone has asked “the great Barack” a question about things that bother many of us. How dare any of you question George of Charlie on the way they handled the debate? All of you probably cheered when Hillary was piled on during many of the debates and called her a cry baby when she complained. But every time anyone dares question Barack about anything, he calls foul or racism. Stop acting like lambs being led to the slaughter house. Barack has associated with many shady characters and we voters have a right to know. And, if any of you had half a brain, you’d be just a little concerned about him. Ya he gives great speeches but when it comes to thinking on his feet without a scripted answer in front of him, he has difficulty. All I ask any voter is to check out his record and learn what he stands for before you judge those that dare to ask him difficult questions.

I tell you all the 2 main truths you will see in the months to come
1) There will be MORE swift boating , more Obama gaffes, more ‘vetting’ . The media love in is just about over.
2) It will not matter if there is a full video of Senator Obama clubbing baby seals on the head to death – the Obama freaks on these bloggs will STILL try to SPIN IT and defend the guy.

ABC did a fantastic job on the debates. Obama needs to stop WHINING like a baby and get the truth out. For the first time MSM did the right thing. Shame on GE/NBC/MSNBC to criticize ABC. Keep boycotting GE products and see how their shares keep falling. Hillary supporters do shop and will make GE hurt for their boorish biased behaviour putting a undeserving guy on a pedestal. See how big he falls now… Keep going Hillary 08

Since when did ABC News become a pimp for Fox News.? Is the budget so tight that you’ve had to outsource your research to Hannity? And talk about being out of touch and elitist: is ‘doesn’t everybody make more than $100,000′Charlie–with those oh so precious glasses–auditioning for a new reality show “The Rich and Famous Journalists of New York City”?
ABC News lost my respect last night.

ABC News, Here is a real easy question for you to ask John McCain!
John McCain, “Do you or do you not support wholeheartedly G.W. Bush?”

I’ve known about William Ayers for at least 4 months now. Why has it taken so long for his name to come up in the mainstream media? Because they have been protecting Obama. Obama has many such troubling relationships throughout his life, starting with his Muslim schooling in Indonesia.
Obama links himself to a personal history and American icons that are meant to salve the populus mentality: Kansas, single mother, underprivileged grandparents, JFK, MLK, Lincoln, Bobby Kennedy. The truth is far from these Norman Rockwell platitudes.
Hillary isn’t feeding the Republicans fuel. They already know all about Obama and are licking their chops, waiting to spring and attack, and finish him once and for all. The Democrats are fools if they nominate this man.

You want proof that ABC bombed this debate?? When the hot topic of all the news outlets is the moderators you know you did something bad… Enough said.. Get over it Hillary supporters. Obama will be the Nominee. Will you take a pledge with me?? I pledge that if by some miracle Hillary gets the nomination i will support her candidacy with word of mouth , volunteer and money. Can you pledge to do the same if Obama wins?? If you cant then you are not a real democrat and you help re-elect George w. Bush.

This is perfect I ask everyone to scroll down this posting and look at which supporters sayISSUES…and which want to just play “gotcha”
This issue is bad for BOTH of them…and more for Clinton…but it is not what we should be discussing in this kind of detail crap…when we have two candidates who want to continue “cowboy diplomacy” and we are going down the tubes.

These isues will doom both of them,jm will be our next prez!

once again the pot calling the kettle black.
she claims he’s dirty while all along hubby pardoned 1 and commuted the other.
i want to know on who behalf was the pardon and commuted was done for? wouldn’t it be funny if William Ayres contacted Billy and asked him to pardon and commute them?
or even better yet if it was Hillary who was contacted ,and it was Hillary who pushed through he pardon

Charlie Gibson gave us the FIRST adult and intelligent examination of the candidate’s personal ghosts. The fawning general media has chosen to overlook the critical elements of each person who would like to be given authority to command the “red button” of nuclear protection. Even George sounded like he is growing up. GOOD WORK.

Here’s my theory – CHARACTER does not matter to the Obama/Clinton kool-aid drinkers. But then again, why should we be surprised after Bill’s fiasco in the Oval Office?????? This is the first time these two have been asked serious questions regarding their lying (Hillary) and the company they keep (Obama)!! Great job to both commentators!! And to those of you who don’t think it matters who Obama associates with, for national security clearances, these ARE the issues that are carefully considered!!

The Republicans want to combat Hillary Clinton, so ‘brat boy’ Hannity gave George the script for the attack on Obama. It’s so obvious that no real issues were discussed on this debate. How many millions of dollars was wasted on this farce for bizarre news?
Why has no one reviewed a full version of a Rev Wright’s sermon and made a critique of it? Who edited together this montage of clips so it appears that this was one complete sermon given by Rev Wright? Who presented this scandal piece? Why does white America treats all Americans like they were sheep and they know what we should be told to believe? GWB administration raised the terrorist threat levels to manipulate the fears a few years ago. Why is that not criminal?
Is white America afraid that The Million Man March was some radical move to undermine national security? Why are white men afraid to tell the truth when they are wrong?
Why are black men and women interrogated/profiled to the extreme just to perform in the same capacity of lesser performing white men and women?
When will America return to acting like responsible adults with a moral and ethical conscience? America needs to get rid of the spoiled brats that are running this country? There is a bull in the china shop and no one is acting as a responsible adult in handling the matter. We are paralyzed to allow this acting up in whatever manner. Where are the checks and balances for this Administration and its control of the media?

This is not a black American over white American punishment. This is not a what is the lesser of two evils morality blunder. What needs to be seen from all candidates, future politicians, former, and present is that the past cannot be rewritten. What is done is done. Acknowledgement and acceptence through thought and decision made to redeem or protect former decisions is what should be seen. Truth of the past is written in stone, because we cannot do anything about it the American people can realize that we are not the red white and blue crusaders of truth, and we make many mistakes. As people lets put hubris aside and tell the truth and explain then move on. Enlightenment is key.

I think you’re wrong about Ayers and Dohrn pleading guilty to possession of explosives, Jake. According to my research the government botched their case against the two. Dohrn plead out to battery and bail-jumping, got probation, and later served jail time for contempt of court. Ayers didn’t plead to anything – his case was thrown out. Since suppressed evidence can be used against people outside of a criminal case, I don’t think the government could have had much of a case against the two on any of the big charges or Dohrn would not have been admitted to the bar and neither would have been able to be hired as professors. Ayers is a professor at the University of Chicago, which is a government job.
If you want to play this game, what about our mayor out here in Oakland, California,Ron Dellums, who has endorsed Hillary Clinton? He’s a former Black Panther — before he became a Congrossman, that is, and got the local Federal courthouse named after him with the help of none other than Bill Clinton.

1. Whoever is trying to associate the Woods Fund with Arab extremists is delusional. I have the 990s from the Woods Fund. They give to Chicago community action and arts groups. They do not support global terrorism, and whoever runs this site should be ashamed for accepting such ridiculous claims. They are completely apolitical – on a national or international level. I am mystified why the network censors any link to an outside source, but allows outright lies to propagate.
2. I don’t like Ayers, and I detest his wife, but Bill Daley, interviewed by another news source, said today Daley said Ayers “worked with me in shaping our now nationally renowned school reform program.” “I don’t condone what he did 40 years ago, but I remember that period well,” the mayor said. “It was a difficult time, but those days are long over. I believe we have too many challenges in Chicago and our country to keep re-fighting 40-year-old battles.” As a point of reference, Daley also defends his father, so I don’t think you could label him a wild-eyed radical.
3. Ayers is rich. His dad was CEO of Con Ed and he went to an exclusive prepe school. Rich people are on foundation boards because they are rich and know other rich people. It’s not complicated.

I am tired of hearing how Obama’s private life has nothing to do with the issues. If association with radicals in multi-form has no merit; then let me associate for the less aware. Social Security–I am about to collect and it isn’t enough to live in the gheto on and I have paid into it all my working life—so much for socialized retirement. Socialized Education and the teachers pension fund is what Rezko is playing corruption with and helping Obama jump start his political career–so much for my desire to want socialized medicine—-I can’t afford it thank you very much. The gangsters and politicians are living too high on helping the poor and needy.

If America is going to start guilt by association, I’d like to know where it begins and ends. Freeman Dyson, a brilliant physicist, who helped save Britain from Nazi air attacks and did genius-level work in quantum physics, has been accused by the American Enterprise Institute of being a communist. He sits on the Board of Sponsors of the American Bulletin of Atomic Scientists. Should the entire board quit? Are we going to implicate them? He’s been invited to Davos. Should every influential leader on the planet, including Bill Clinton and Bill Gates, refuse to attend Davos because someone said Dyson was a communist? Charles Muscatine, is the father of one of Hillary Clinton’s closest aides – Lissa Muscatine, who was her speechwriter, and helped work on her autobiography. Charles Muscatine was fired from Berkeley because he refused to sign that atrocious witch-hunting McCarthy loyalty oath. He sued and won his position back. Should Muscatine be fired from the campaign because her father was accused of being a communist?
HIllary could have answered the debate question in an honest, and honorable way – she could have said “this type of character assasination ends here.” refused to re-ignite this sort of witch hunt and called it for what it was. But she did not. She tried to make political points off of it. Which shows again, the Clintons have absolutely no conscience.
Bill Ayers is not running for President. Obama is. If the press wants to start another McCarthy era – guilt by association – if they are that lacking in any moral compass, or any true patriotism, they better get ready. Because it’s going to start hitting very, very close to home.
There are endless arguments that these attacks are fair game because the far right will bring them up. The far right will bring up anything. Witness the hapless attempt to link Woods with terrorists. A branch of far right kept a list called “Jews in the Clinton Administration.” Is that the next question? Obama? Would you hire a jew?

Ak – The debate was viewed by almost the entire country, from high school students, to my 95 year old mother as the worst debate in televised history. It was a travesty.
Most of it will be quickly forgotten – except for the fact that is brought back “guilt by association” and “red-baiting, the highlights of the McCarthy witch hunts. It’s not only going to hurt Obama – who will whether the storm – it’s going to hurt every American who works to find solutions to divisive issues, from inner city crime, to education, to peace in the Middle East.

More Hypocracy from the Clintons!
So Bill Clinton pardoned two memebers
of the Weather Underground before he left office!
Isn’t that the group that Ayers belonged
to? Why didn’t Stephanopoulus
bring this up in the debate?
He must have known about it since he
was part of the Clinton Administration!
This is not only proof that the Clintons
are hypocrites it proves that George
was “in the tank” for Hillary during the
debate and he should be Fired!

Hey “Reaganfan,”
During the Pennsylvania debate When Hillary went on the attack for Obama’s association with Ayers, Obama countered with the fact that her husband pardoned a couple of people from the same organization. ABC news just simply ignored his counterattack. Typical for that evening, I think.

My buck stops with the Weather Underground. Everything else can be rationalized or equivocated…smoothed or readdressed.
But hanging out personally or professionally with former domestic terrorists whose actions have literally killed and terrorized people is completely unacceptable. Ayers hasn’t renounced his previous behavior, he’s said that he didn’t do enough. And this is DEBATABLE?
Meanwhile Obama will lick his finger and stick it to the wind and wait to see what the real fallout is. And if it’s major, he’ll denounce Ayers like he did Wright and the koolaid drinkers will all nod like bobbleheaded dolls and say ‘see, it’s alright now..nothing to worry about’.
Bullfeathers. Elections are always filled with massive quantities of bovine excrement but this particular load of crap is a serious concern. This is not the sort of ‘advisor’, ‘friend’ or ‘supporter’ that I can get behind.
This is a huge problem and it’s not going to go away.

From the June 2008 issue of CRC Capital Research Center I read In “95″ Ayers along with his wife Bernardine Dohrn held a fundraising event for state senate candidate Obama in their Hyde Park home. Then again in 2001 Ayers donated $200 to Obama’s state senate reelection campaign. In a 2001 memoir, Fugitive Days, and in subsequent press interviews, William Ayers said he had no regrets about bombing New York City police headquarters, the Capitol, and the penagon in the 1970s. “I don’t regret setting bombs,” Ayers said of his terrorism in a New York Times interview that happened to be published Sept. 11,2001. “I feel we didn’t do enough.” When asked if he would do it all again he said, “I don’t want to discount the possibility.”
In Mike Evans book “The Final Move Beyond Iraq” page 1 of the introduction former Mayor Rudy Giuliani was asked why he rejected $10 million donation for disaster relief from Saudi Prince Alwaleed bin Talal. He noted that when the prince had commented that the United States “should reexamine its policies in the Middle East and adopt a more balanced stand toward the Palestinian cause,” thus suggesting the U.S. policies in the Middle East contributed to the Sept.11 attacks, Giuliani felt it would be morally irresponsible to accept the money.
“My thoughts”
Former Mayor Rudy Giuliani acted honorably in his decision.
Barack Obama showed no integrity and I have no respect for his decision to accept any donations from Ayers, I’m astonished Ayers and his wife arn’t doing life. Barack Obama is an intelligent man and I don’t believe for a minute that he wasn’t aware of Ayers past bombings of the Pentagon,the Capitol and the New York city police headquarters.