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

[LAB10]

Well since McSame is "nonsensical" this crappy shitt makes perfect sense.

[brynn6]

I've been reading a lot of the Alaska press and it's increasingly going against Palin. What I want to know is why is Alaska still red? It seems to me that pink would be more likely. Anyone from AK want to fill me in here. (I'm in Texas and I KNOW why it's still red.) Don't Alaskan's care what she's doing to their reputation?

[DrCahill]

Don't worry brynn6. The machinery we've got on the ground in Alaska is going to shock the world, and will pay off. We have many shrewd and quiet Democrats in there. Alaska is going Blue!

[nmjangirl]

Why is Texas still red?

[BarackMan]

Cowboys, red-necks, and racists...­..

President Obama '08!

[marasgram18]

yep the last state to free the slaves..th­ey kept them enslaved two years after the emancipation they are still fightin the civil war down there

[excitablerooster]

google "Tom Delay" and "redistricting"

[RaraAvis17]

All that red in Alaska is actually Moose, Wolf, and Polar Bear b|ood.

[gladys46]

And with their taxes as she pockets as much as she can possibly get away with!!??

[Cookie100]

Call the NBC comment line and tell them to report this story. I just spoke with someone there and feel that if they get enough calls, it may gain traction.

1-212-664-4444

Thanks!

CALL AND TELL THEM TO DO A STORY ABOUT PEOPLE THREATENING OBAMAS LIFE AT PALIN RALLIES!

IT'S AGAINST THE LAW!!!!

[MadeinAmericaProud]

CBS/ABC/FOX and NBC all have web sites did you post this information on their blogs too?

[SeekerOne]

Let's all do it.

[Cookie100]

Call the NBC comment line and tell them to report this story. I just spoke with someone there and feel that if they get enough calls, it may gain traction.

1-212-664-4444

Thanks!

CALL AND TELL THEM TO DO A STORY ABOUT PEOPLE THREATENING OBAMAS LIFE AT PALIN RALLIES!

IT'S AGAINST THE LAW!

[RobertHewson]

Really rather brilliant, satire on tonight's debate:
Fear and Loathing in The Town Hall: A Predictive Fantasy
http://headofstate.blogspot.com/2008/10/fear-and-loathing-in-town-hall.html

[Whiteneck]

Sarah Palin-Iran tie.
The founder of Alaska Independence Party Joe Vogler, the raging anti-American and Todd-Sarah's political godfather, said, "My government is my worst enemy. I'm going to fight them with any means at hand."

"Vogler's greatest moment of glory was to be his 1993 appearance before the United Nations to denounce United States "tyranny" before the entire world and to demand Alaska's freedom. The Alaska secessionist had persuaded the government of Iran to sponsor his anti-American harangue.

That's right ... Iran. The Islamic dictatorship. The taker of American hostages. The rogue nation that McCain and Palin have excoriated Obama for suggesting we diplomatically engage. That Iran."
Palin's friend and AIP chairwoman Lynette Clark : "[Sarah] is Alaskan to the bone ... she sounds just like Joe Vogler."

http://www.salon.com/opinion/feature/2008/10/07/palins_unamerican/

[2876]

thanks for posting. i've been trying to spread the word on other blogs as well

[Whiteneck]

I really appreciate you guys. Keep up the good work.

[gladys46]

Thanks ... I have sent that everywhere ... knowledge is power!!

[PioneerKing]

PALIN HAS SORRID CONNECTIONS AS WELL

PALIN ATTENDED A SUMMER CAMP IN IDAHO FOR YEARS THAT TEACHES HATE

[mathme]

Why doesn't Ayers sue someone for slander? He was never convicted of anything.

[hotwire]

I think you are the one who is clueless. Stop and think about what you just said and if you still feel the same way then do some research and you'll know why you're clueless.

[eus]

she is soooo clueless

[TheGeicoCaveman]

“Mommy, Why did Cindy and John lie to us?”

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=60k9IZ1LRC0

http://mudflats.files.wordpress.com/2008/09/palin-2006-vetting.pdf

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w2BA_9QJRrE

[jwatso7]

But even after it's been dubunked, McCombover and Sarah will keep saying it on the stump. Why let the truth get in the way of a lie that's getting media attention?

[TimmySlagle]

"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."

Good. Then Obama should proudly appear with Bill Ayers for a photo op. They could talk about school reform, and how in concert with the Chicago Annanberg Challenge, they were able to turn around the Chicago Public Schools for the bargain price of $150 million.

[doctorwang]

......and let's have a "class reunion" of the Keating 5.

[TimmySlagle]

Alan Cranston (D-CA)
Dennis DeConcini (D-AZ)
John Glenn (D-OH)
Donald W. Riegle (D-MI)
John McCain (R-AZ)

"the Senate Ethics Committee determined in 1991 that Alan Cranston, Dennis DeConcini, and Donald Riegle had substantially and improperly interfered with the FHLBB in its investigation of Lincoln Savings, with Cranston receiving a formal reprimand. Senators John Glenn and John McCain were cleared of having acted improperly but were criticized for having exercised 'poor judgment'"

That scandal only cost taxpayers 2 billion. A drop in the bucket compared tot the 2 HUNDRED billion Fannie Freddie Fiasco, which (Like Lincoln Savings and Loan) was perpetrated by Democrats.

[mathme]

That isn't a bad price considering my school spend $650K to outfit one floor of one building with some modern tech.

[OSKAR T GROUCH]

How dumb does this sound? Why should Obama go out of his way for a photo op. That's more McCain's cup of tea.

[TimmySlagle]

Really? Then why did he travel to Unity NH to shake hands with Hillary? Why did he go to Independence MO to speak about patriotism?

Mere coincidence?

please

[Whatashame]

Desperate times call for desperate measures and that is what McCain is holding unto.

[Whinger]

It illustrates the nonsensical nature of McCains campaign and the desperation of his advisers!

They can throw all the mud they want and please their supporters, but the majority of people are much more concerned with the economy, jobs, mortgages, health care, and McCain or Palin won't talk!

These are the actions of intellectual cowards who have nothing more to offer only more of the same!

[bootcamp]

McCain has nowhere to go now but down. He can run away from President Bush, but he can't run away from the Republican Party. The Republicans will be regarded from now on as "the party that wrecked America." Over the weeks ahead, as carnage in the economy and the financial markets ramps up, it will become increasingly clear. It is important that this meme be spread through the internet. I urge all commentators to adopt and spread the idea that the Republicans are "the party that wrecked America." It will work because it is the truth. Just spread the word.

[Sparty1]

Oh she's saying that now b/c she's a former politician. She'd be all for it were she running for office.

[WAstateliberal]

Yikes, damned if they do, damned if they don't, eh? She's calling McCain out. I'm not going to slam her for that.

[dpiyjrtmfr]

I agree. A Republican who knows what she is talking about is willing to call McCain out on his junk? Let's go easy on her on this one.