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With Dow Below 9,000 for First Time Since 2003, McCain Focuses on Ayers
October 09, 2008 8:59 PM
On the stump and in an interview with ABC News' Charlie Gibson today, Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., upped the ante in the attacks his campaign is making on the character of Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., personally invoking Obama's relationship with education professor William Ayers, a former member of the violent, radical '70s group, the Weather Underground.
McCain's comments came on the seventh straight day of Wall Street losses, with the Dow plunging 679 points to trade below 9,000 points for the first time in five years.
But McCain sought to refocus attention from that to Obama's relationship with Ayers, who hosted a coffee get-together for Obama in 1995 and served on two boards with him, including one that the McCain campaign misleadingly called a "radical education foundation" in a Web video released today. The Chicago Annenberg Challenge was funded by Walter Annenberg, a former ambassador to the United Kingdom under President Nixon.
**
It's not as if the notion that Republicans would use Ayers to attack Obama is new.
In February, I asked Obama about four items Republicans would use to attack him on the theme of patriotism. Obama answered three of them, but skipped the one about Ayers.
During a Democratic primary debate in April, George Stephanopoulos noted Obama's relationship with Ayers and pointed out that the Weather Underground bombed the Pentagon, the Capitol and other buildings, but that Ayers had "never apologized for that. And, in fact, on 9/11, he was quoted in the New York Times saying, 'I don't regret setting bombs. I feel we didn't do enough.'"
Obama said of 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. He's not somebody who I exchange ideas from on a regular basis. And 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."
Sen. Hillary Clinton, D-N.Y., then pointed out that "Sen. Obama served on a board with Mr. Ayers for a period of time, the Woods Foundation, which was a paid directorship position. And, if I'm not mistaken, that relationship with Mr. Ayers on this board continued after 9/11 and after his reported comments, which were deeply hurtful to people in New York and, I would hope, to every American, because they were published on 9/11, and he said that he was just sorry they hadn't done more. And what they did was set bombs. And in some instances, people died. So it is-- I think it is, again, an issue that people will be asking about."
Clinton said, "I know Sen. Obama's a good man and I respect him greatly, but I think that this is an issue that certainly the Republicans will be raising."
**
And raise it they are. But Republican officials not connected to the McCain campaign fret that given the economic turmoil going on, these attacks will only serve to alienate voters from McCain.
It's not as if these officials don't think it's legitimate issue. And it's certainly true that Obama and his campaign have been less-than-forthcoming about the Ayers relationship.
But Republicans worry that few swing voters will find this issue more compelling than the economy, and many think it will only paint McCain as nasty and out of touch.
Taking only part of Obama's quote from that April debate, McCain today told Charlie Gibson that Obama was obfuscating.
Ayers "wasn't a guy in the neighborhood. [Obama] launched his political career in his living room, in Mr. Ayers' living room," McCain said. "And I don't care about two washed-up old terrorists that are unrepentant about trying to destroy America. But I do care, and Americans should care, about his relationship with him and whether he's being truthful and candid about it.
"I think it's a factor about Sen. Obama's candor and truthfulness with the American people," McCain said, before adding, "I don't care about Mr. Ayers, who on Sept. 11, 2001, said he wished he'd have bombed more. I don't care about that. I care about [Obama] being truthful about his relationship with him. And Americans will care."
Obama told Gibson yesterday, "I'll repeat again what I've said many times. This is a guy who engaged in some despicable acts 40 years ago when I was 8 years old. By the time I met him, 10 or 15 years ago, he was a college professor of education at the University of Illinois. ... And the notion that somehow he has been involved in my campaign, that he is an adviser of mine, that ... I've 'palled around with a terrorist,' all these statements are made simply to try to score cheap political points."
**
In a Republican joint town hall meeting in Wisconsin that seemed to evoke a lot of anger against the Democratic presidential nominee today, McCain and running mate Gov. Sarah Palin of Alaska leveled many charges against Obama.
“Welcome to Wisconsin," said one man, according to ABC News Bret Hovell. "Thanks for coming. I'm mad! I'm really mad! And what's gonna surprise you, it's not the economy. It's the socialists taking over our country.
"Sit down, I'm not done,” he told the applauding crowd. “I think it's so important, in today's country, what we're really missing and what's going on. When you have an Obama, Pelosi and the rest of the hooligans up there gonna run this country, we've got to have our head examined. It's time that you two are representing us, and we are mad. So go get them!”
The crowd began chanting: "U-S-A! U-S-A!"
“Well, I think I got the message,” McCain said. “Could I just say: The gentleman is right. The Democrats have been in the majority for the last two years. Have you seen any improvement?”
Said another man, "We’re all wondering why that Obama is where he’s at, How he got here. I mean everybody in this room is stunned that we’re in this position. ... We are all a product of our associations. Is there not a way to get around this media and line up the people that he has hung with?”
“Well, sir, with your help,” McCain said. “With your help and the people in this room, we will find out -- just as Sen. Clinton said in the primary that we should find out about this association. Look, we don’t care about an old washed up terrorist and his wife who still, at least on Sept. 11, 2001, said he still wanted to bomb more."
The audience disagreed with this line, as one might expect.
“That’s not the point here," McCain insisted. "The point is Sen. Obama said he was just a guy in the neighborhood. We know that’s not true. We need to know the full extent of the relationship because of whether Sen. Obama is telling the truth to the American people or not. That’s the question.”
**
As I type this on Thursday evening, the Asian markets are open and they're down. The Seoul composite is down nearly 9 percent and the Nikkei is down about 5 percent.
-- jpt
October 9, 2008 in McCain, John | Permalink | Share | User Comments (57)
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trying to incite the base.. just like palin and the old lover's boss..
Posted by: matt | Oct 9, 2008 10:32:34 PM
Mr. Tapper,
Wouldn't your references to our ecconomic slide be more appropriate in an article about Obama's relationship with Acorn, Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac rather than the one with Bill Ayers?
Posted by: Liberty1 | Oct 9, 2008 10:32:10 PM
kmccain is the biggest hypocrite ever seen. go read this article, and if you still think he is a man of honor, then vote for the adulterer, raging woman hating, sick self centered creep. He is really dispicable and repulsive and it will be so nice when he and his sick campaign goons are a sad note in history. many repubs in this area have taken down thier mmcain sign. he is losing it, and we are glad. arrogant old fool that he is.
rollingstone make_believe_maverick_the_real_john_mccain/page/7
Charlie Keating, the banker and anti-pornography crusader, would ultimately be convicted on 73 counts of fraud and racketeering for his role in the savings-and-loan scandal of the 1980s. That crisis, much like today's subprime-mortgage meltdown, resulted from misbegotten banking deregulation, and ultimately left taxpayers to pick up a tab of more than $124 billion. Keating, who raised more than $100,000 for McCain's race, lavished the first-term congressman with the kind of political favors that would make Jack Abramoff blush.
McCain and his family took at least nine free trips at Keating's expense, and vacationed nearly every year at the mogul's estate in the Bahamas. There they would spend the days yachting and snorkeling and attending extravagant parties in a world McCain referred to as "Charlie Keating's Shangri-La." Keating also invited Cindy McCain and her father to invest in a real estate venture for which he promised a 26 percent return on investment. They plunked down more than $350,000.
Posted by: salem | Oct 9, 2008 10:31:50 PM
"Just how did Obama make his money? He classifies himself amongst the top 5% of income earners, but how do you get there from being a state senator? A US senator for 3.5 years? What is the source of his wealth?"
He has two best selling books which are the major chunks of his prosperity.
How did John mcCain get his wealth?
Oh yeah he married into it.
As a staunch capitalist I would imagine you would favor Obama packaging and selling his ideas and becoming sucessful at it and look down upon McCain getting a free handout from his wife's family.
Posted by: Ryan c | Oct 9, 2008 10:18:46 PM
"Do you deny that Barack and Michelle halted their presidential campaign to openly campaign for Raila Odina? Yes or No"
Who is Odina?
His name is Raila Odinga.
Since Obama was in Africa in late summer/early fall in 2006 and Obama announced his intention to run for President in Dec, formally doing so a moth or two later, I can safely say Obama did not stop his campaign to campaign for Odinga.
"Do you deny that Raila Odina incited riots in Kenya after losing? Yes or No"
Odinga did not incite riots. People were livid after a fraudulent election followed by the incumbent issuing a media blackout.
"Do you deny that Raila Odina lists himself as a "social democrat." Yes or No"
I am unsure of that but I would not be surprised. BFD, the equivalent of the Democrats in Germany is called the Social Democrats while the GOP equivalent is called the Christian Democrats.
BTW next time you try and hit some one with loaded questions demanding a yes or no answer it helps to
A) Get the basic time frame right
B) Spelling the name of the guy you are smearing correctly
Posted by: Ryan c | Oct 9, 2008 10:16:11 PM
The McCain / Palin rallies are frightening. Of course people have the right to free speech: that's a fundamental right in the Constitution. But shouts of "Kill him" etc., etc.? No. The fact that both of these candidates refuse to take responsibility for the increasing fervor in rallies that are starting to look as if they were being held in Germany in 1933 is an insult to democracy.
Posted by: Wiscon108 | Oct 9, 2008 9:29:59 PM
----------------------------------------
The only thing missing from a McCain/Palin rally are people actually wearing their hoods and sheets.
Posted by: McCain/Palin = Corporations First | Oct 9, 2008 10:08:50 PM
Palin has the nerve to say "we don't know who Obama is" when he has been campaigning for the past 20 months and these same issues were discussed ad nauseum during the primaries. She's rich talking trash when she herself is being kept from legitimate media so we can't get to know her. Obama has been in the national spotlight for at least 20 months and we just met Palin 6 weeks ago.
Posted by: Liz | Oct 9, 2008 10:08:45 PM
Jake --
I think it's horribly irresponsible journalism to be dancing around this Ayers junk when the two biggest issues I see are the economy tanking and the McCain/Plain rallies turning very, very ugly before our eyes.
Posted by: Greg B | Oct 9, 2008 10:08:03 PM
The hypocrisy of the McCain/Palin is amazing.
McCain appointed someone who would become the least qualified VP in American history, which sure raises questions about his judgment. Especially considering he refuses to allow her to hold a press conference, while saying the press isn't asking enough questions about Obama.
When has Palin answered any questions about:
her involvement with the AIP
why rape victims were billed for their own rape kits in Wasilla
Troopergate
how exactly being near Siberia gives her foreign policy experience
why she went to 5 colleges
to name a tiny few of the many things the American people deserve to know about her.
Posted by: Danny | Oct 9, 2008 9:58:25 PM
The purpose of McCain's subterfuge is to take our focus away from the economy and all the lobbyists that works for his campaign. Including his campaign manager, Rick Davis' lobbying firm which was continuing to recieve $15,000 a month in consulting fees from Freddie Mac up until this past office. His top advisor, Charlie Black, who lobbied for foreign murdering dictators....and his other cronies like Carly Fiorina who collected a $42 million golden parachute after she was fired from Hewlett Packard because their stock prices had dropped 50% and 20,000 workers laid off during her reign. Look at who McCain associates himself with. Whose associations have a direct effect on policy and our economy.
Posted by: Liz | Oct 9, 2008 9:57:30 PM
Its the bragging about making a windfall on the backs of other's destroyed investments that is Republican.
No I don't brag and I don't whine: that's social democrats (a.k.a. grievance peddlers).
Posted by: Captain America | Oct 9, 2008 9:53:52 PM
Ryan c,
Just how did Obama make his money? He classifies himself amongst the top 5% of income earners, but how do you get there from being a state senator? A US senator for 3.5 years? What is the source of his wealth?
Also, choose capitalism or socialism, I have: capitalism.
Posted by: Captain America | Oct 9, 2008 9:51:48 PM
My last post was not fair.
Its not the buying low after the market crashed that is Republican.
Its the bragging about making a windfall on the backs of other's destroyed investments that is Republican.
Posted by: Ryan c | Oct 9, 2008 9:48:45 PM
"Megan, I'm buying right now. The bottom is approaching and I'm ratcheting up.
One thing, when I've made a windfall, I've never complained."
Scavenging the destroyed economy for self gain.
How very Republican
Posted by: Ryan c | Oct 9, 2008 9:46:16 PM
Why is that its racist for Rev Wright to scream god damn america but its not racist for people at McCain rallies to scream Kill Him
Posted by: United We Stand | Oct 9, 2008 9:45:49 PM
"Michelle has chosen to place herself into the political arena. Cindy McCain's drug addiction story, etc. etc.
At least you could be intellectually honest here"
How was I intellectually dishonest?
You lamented not being able to attack a candidate's wife and exploring racially tinged attacks on Obama then complained about how McCain Palin supporters are being characterized as hate mongers.
But if you want to talk wives Cindy McCain just said that her husband didn't have PTSD and that PTSD is something draftees got.
Lovely woman.
Posted by: Ryan C | Oct 9, 2008 9:45:12 PM
Megan, I'm buying right now. The bottom is approaching and I'm ratcheting up.
One thing, when I've made a windfall, I've never complained.
Posted by: Captain America | Oct 9, 2008 9:43:15 PM
"McCain has never hide his record. It was determined that while his name was mentioned on stationary as being on the board, he never participated in any activities for the organization, wasn't part of its planning or operation."
He sat on the board and he failed to disclose his involvement on mandatory Congressional forms disclosing ties to outside groups.
"It was recently found that Obama belonged to the socialist democrats known as the New Party in Chicago. Obama is listed as a member on numerous artifacts from this organization, yet the Obama campaign denies this to be the case,"
Artifacts = newletters.
The DLC listed Obama as a member too. He was not.
And just 3 months ago the right wing was all excited because they had "discovered" that Obama had received an endorsement from the New Party.
I guess that was too tangential for the right wing so now he's a member.
I can't wait for the various videos of McCain Palin rallies are played non stop and American recoil from being associated with such lunatics.
Posted by: Ryan C | Oct 9, 2008 9:40:45 PM
Daniel,
Guilt by association? And what has Obama been trying to do with McCain --> Bush?
Posted by: Captain America | Oct 9, 2008 9:40:39 PM
"As I type this on Thursday evening, the Asian markets are open and they're down. The Seoul composite is down nearly 9 percent and the Nikkei is down about 5 percent."
Jake... shouldn't you have typed an alltogether different story then?
Isn't this hypocrisy on your part?
Posted by: megan | Oct 9, 2008 9:40:29 PM
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