Smearing Obama With Ayers "Nonsensical," Former Illinois GOP Rep. Says

Embedded within a comprehensive Monday report from NPR on Barack Obama's history with William Ayers, there is an interesting bit of straight talk from a former Republican who served in the state legislature.

Discussing Ayers' rehabilitation as a member in good standing of the education policy-wonk community, former state Republican Rep. Diana Nelson said: "It was never a concern by any of us in the Chicago school reform movement that he had led a fugitive life years earlier ... It's ridiculous. There is no reason at all to smear Barack Obama with this association. It's nonsensical, and it just makes me crazy. It's so silly."

You can read the full NPR report here. The relevant segment has also been posted to YouTube:

NPR also quotes Nelson as saying that when Republicans "snort" at Ayers in Illinois, it's because "he comes from a wealthy family, they know he became a radical activist early in his life ... but beyond just snorting, I don't think anyone gives it another thought."

Comments

[obamanation31]

This should be talked about.

[JamesInDenver]

Lets talk about McCain's 10 year friendship with Charles Keating. A friendship that cost American taxpayers over 100 billion dollars. McCain went on vacations with Keating, got his start in politics with the help of Keating, his wife's family invested with Keating. Then McCain tried to strongarm bank regulators on Keatings behalf. Obama an Ayers were only acquaintances.

[writainohia]

Seems to me that Ayers, like millions of other war protesters, has gone on to live a very productive and successful life. He didn't blow up anything, he plotted. Since then, he's been a prominent Illinois member of society and probably has done more to further the cause of education in that state than most other people. He made mistakes early in life but I think his actions since then have more than made up for it. Many intelligent people protested the Vietnam War, and some were more radical than others. That doesn't make them terrorists. Ayers should sue for the slander to his name. He's far more than the radical he was in the 60s.

[marasgram18]

Again I am calling for all that took and received college credit by attending one of Ayers classes to turn in their credits and degrees...­you know guilt by associatio­n.....duh

[2liveNdie]

This man is obviously trusted by Chicago state law and government to work in state schools, receive grants and funding for his causes.

If he was the terrorist that the GOP is claiming, why isn't he behind bars or in GITMO?

[johnwinner]

McCain strongly implied all Illinois politicians are liars yesterday, so Rep. Nelson - McCain has called you a liar. He doesn't think much of anyone who might prevent his desperate grab for power.

[KatK]

Ayers is a professor at the University of Illinois in Chicago. If you want some background on him and his impressive list of publications see: http://billayers.wordpress.com/biography-history/

Palin's handlers have really lost their grip on reality - or at least their very loose grip on honesty.

[terkid]

Yes, well... it's hard to stop a speeding bus that's careening down

the road backwards with no brakes, a seething lunatic at the wheel

and a bobble-headed enabler at his side.

In all probability, tonight McCain will be busted for the ragingly ill-suited

candidate for President that he is. So, leave the driving to him. Hehe.

[GuyRC]

OMG are they making a Sarah Palin bobblehead? I want one!

[Goliadkin]

Yes. It's made out of toxic waste, for verisimilitude.

[teacheng]

Get everyone you know to read these stories. We assume because we read Huffpost and pay attention, that everyone knows. Get the word out - spread truth!

[gladys46]

I sent that to 200,000 sorority members ... that proof of anti-american life has gone out to many!!!

[timberdoodle]

According to most polls more and more people are learning the facts depsite hate mongers and bigots like Limbaugh, Dobbs, Holmes and O'Reilly. Electoral college vote shows Obama between 345 and 400.

[noamjunior]

meanwhile, Palin is a traitor who praises the American -hating AIM party
http://www.salon.com/opinion/feature/2008/10/07/palins_unamerican/

[gladys46]

My post up there was supposed to be response to you noamjr. Sorry!

[Goliadkin]

That's AIP, not AIM. Alaska Independence Party. The party advocates a plebiscite (vote) on secession from the US, and includes many Alaska secessionists and other anti-American elements.

A fair question for Sarah Palin: You have been active in the Alaska Independence Party, and sent a video address to their 2007 convention as Governor of Alaska. Do you now or have you ever endorsed the AIP's demand for a plebiscite on Alaskan secession from the US? Do you consider the issue of Alaskan secession to be on the table? Does anyone close to you endorse this demand or consider Alaskan secession to be worthy of consideration?

Followup question: Would you please answer the question you were asked, and not some other question?

[demfriend]

Even though Palin is into blood sport that she has those cue cards and the repeated speeches says much about her ability to attack on the campaigns wishes. How much she speaks the same and the galssey eyes when she whips up the hatred is almost too much for anyone who is "normal" and walking the streets to want to see. To have her got out an intentially inflame all of these people to the point of someone yelling to "kill him" while she smiles and looks more excited has to be sick. Knd of like some of those who have the concious of a Bundy who gets off on the thrill of the game.

[BlackMagicWoman]

But... but... but he's a TERRORIST!

[PioneerKing]

THE REPUBLICANS ON THE BOARD WITH AYERS SHOULD ALSO BE TREATED JUST AS SEN. OBAMA HAS BEEN TREATED.

The republicans are also not questioning wealthy republican Annenberg who selected Ayers to be on the board of the Annenberg Challenge.

WHY HAS A REPUBLICAN ALLOWED AYERS TO BE RESPONSIBLE FOR MILLIONS OF DOLLARS OF CHARITY?

[robXdion]

When Hillary aired this attack during the primaries the media was quick to dismiss it. NOW they act like they heard for the first time. This is a non-story but they act like Obama and Ayers made bombs together. Absurd. The media is trying to help the McCain campaign and keep this close. They aren't reporting the news, they are trying to shape the story and events.

[gladys46]

Absolutely!!! The pundits pretend they want to witness O get MAD, fight back they say ... sure they do, that's when they'll go immediately to ANGRY BLACK MAN sh^t!!! Obama is a happy person and that is reflective by his behaviors!! If O feels anything like I do ... pity is more the emotion spent on McCain & Palin!!

[GoBarryGo]

I'm afraid you are correct, in this age of Faux-News journalism, they have lost their integrity. The should be ashamed, but you have to have integrity to feel shame. Same goes with the Repubes.

[KiwisCanFly]

You're right.

It is conflict that motivates the media, keeping ratings and advertising high.

Which is why PBS and CSPAN are absent of spin.

It's not a left or right leaning bias it is just promotion of plain old conflict.

[lynjs]

If you want correct news PBS, CSPAN and now places like HuffPost are the best places to get it. The networks are owned by the corporations now. Real news is few and far between, if any. The days of Cronkite are gone. Even Brokaw knew it was time to leave because he couldn't get anything with substance done.

This is why this story is 'news' yet again. But nothing is there some five months later. The media needs to stop cowering and do their jobs. It is bad when National Enquirer constantly out scoops them.

[RJII]

Palin is not only reallly really dumb, but she's mean too.
Dumb and mean is a combo that lends to an episode of COPS.

republicans got jerked over this election.

[hotwire]

And hotter than hell, too. What a dynOmite combination! "O" is the dumb one, he should have picked Palin, the BABE, for his running mate. He would be 20 points ahead by now.

[GoBarryGo]

Is that you, Todd? Or is that the other hick Sarah's in love with?

[alguien]

like palin is serving as an asset to the mccain campaign, huh?

[BrickSykes]

Arghhh! Fella! Sarah Palin is WHAT? HOT you say? Are you in Prison by any chance? Or in the French Foreign Legion? Or Rush Limbaugh?

Geesh!

Brick

[marytny]

Pat Buchanan? Is that you????

[RaraAvis17]

I want to b|tch S|ap Pa lin right in the kisser.

[nikky]

I WOULD LOVE TO BE WITH YOU

[alguien]

the line forms to the left.

[gladys46]

Ill lend ya my soro paddle !!! ; p

[research]

Read about Ayers:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bill_Ayers#Statements_made_in_2001

This does not look like it has "legs".

[KiwisCanFly]

Nothing questionable here, just Obama detractors looking for something to hinder his escalating polls.

They served on a board together when Obama was a state senator. Ayres donated $200 to Obama's campaign in 2001. They sat on a panel together in 2002 called "Intellectuals in Times of Crisis." Obama went to Ayres and Dohrn's home in 1995 to be introduced to some of the more influential liberals in the area by the state senator he was preparing to succeed, Alice Palmer.

Ayres is Distinguished Professor of Education and Senior University Scholar at the University of Illinois at Chicago, and founder of both the Small Schools Workshop and the Center for Youth and Society.

"Senator Obama strongly condemns the violent actions of the Weathermen group, as he does all acts of violence," Obama spokesman Bill Burton told the New York Sun when asked about the connection. "But he was an eight-year-old child when Ayers and the Weathermen were active, and any attempt to connect Obama with events of almost 40 years ago is ridiculous­."

http://blogs.abcnews.com/politicalpunch/2008/04/stormy-weather.html