McCain Ayers Ad Says "Terrorist Ayers Isn't The Issue"

Greg Sargent noted on Wednesday how the McCain campaign seems to want it both ways when it comes to using William Ayers as a campaign issue. After suggesting that it was "off the table" and that it couldn't compete with economic issues, the campaign has dispatched Sarah Palin to make repeated references to Ayers.

Now it appears, however, that the campaign is coming down firmly on the "pro" side of whether or not to use Ayers as an issue -- with the release of a 90-second ad titled, simply, "Ayers." Produced exclusively for the web, it appears designed to fight with the economic crisis for cable news coverage.

Somewhat humorously, the new web ad tries to make the case that "Ayers isn't the issue," but rather Obama's honesty in describing Ayers as someone from his neighborhood.

"When their relationship became an issue, Obama just responded, "This is a guy who lives in my neighborhood.'," the ad notes, before asking, incredulously: "That's it?"

At the spot's close, it repeats the charge that Obama has somehow only ever described Ayers as someone from his neighborhood. "When Obama just says, 'This is a guy who lives in my neighborhood.' Americans say, 'Where's the truth, Barack?'"

Well, as it happens, the "neighborhood" line was not all Obama said about Ayers at the time of the quote used in McCain's new ad. In response to a question from ABC News' George Stephanopolous, Obama described Ayers's past acts as "detestable" in almost the same breath.

Comments

[NJmikeV]

Is it just me or does Sen Obama's complexion always look a little bit darker in McCain ads ?

[Petey131]

Its the McCain ads. That is there intent.

[kwdb]

Are you implying that if Obama were darker he would be less appealing as a candidate?

[Last-LiberalRepublicans]

EXACTLY!!

[stpthemadness]

Whatever happens on 11/4, Obama will still be a US Senator, Ayers will still be a Professor but Joe Six Pack will still be unable to get a job, health care insurance, and food on the table and wondering what the H**l happened.

[Chillinout]

Excuse me, but Obama will be president-elect.

[vanhy]

McCain proved what a coward he was when he was on the same stage as Obama and did not bring up the Ayers issue.....­..he is like one of those annoying kids in high school that constantly run their mouths and when confronted shrug their shoulders and say "wasnt me". Mccain needs to review his past shady business dealings and personal moments of judgement and shut his mumbling mouth.

[reliant1]

McCain has been a coward his entire life. From boyhood to right now - he has hidden his cowardice behind bullying and the use of his family for cover/protection and on and on.

He has no honor. He never did. He has a mythology he has helped to create.

He is a sociopath.

[Chillinout]

This is going to so backfire on the McCain campaign. I don't think this is what the American people want to talk about right now.

As an aside: Tucker Bounds is real piece of poopoo.

[bexier]

Tucker Bounds looks 12 years old. McCain Hiring children to work for him? No Thanks John McCain.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yQZPp9iSIdU

[DeeDeeDaGumby]

oh goodie a way to get in my daily post on TB.. for those who have followed some of my past posts I am sure you know just where I am going with my thoughts on this guy. For those who are new to my posts this is something I feel the need to post everyday so my head does not explode. here we go..

Tucker B is a T0OL......­.......the­re it is and thank you guys for letting me have my say.......­......

[AlwaysFairDem]

McCain...w­hat will you do to turn this Economy in the process help me?

[DeeDeeDaGumby]

that all depends on what tax bracket you fall in. If you are broke just let me put it like this, plan on staying in that bracket. if you have bucks, then you will do just PEACHY....­..........­.

[AlwaysFairDem]

thanks pal...that is what I thought too!

[nellie]

I'm sure the Annenberg Foundation is not happy about this.

And with that, I'm done with this issue.

[saus]

Everyone knows Mr. Obama was playing with his Tonka truck when Ayers was being a bad boy. Heck, John McCain was in his eighties.

[jurornumber13]

You wanted pictures? Heres a video

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XE3jLCC_rwo

[mesmerize]

Senator Obama never knew this man when he was into terrorist acts. He met Ayers at a different stage in his life. They need to blame Ayers misdeeds on white government. They need to stop blaming Senator Obama for something he didn't participate in. It's a sad day when a man comes into an election with all this so-called experience have to turn around and try to demoralize a persons character just to make himself look good. I guess McCain being a POW is his best trait. Maybe he should stick with what he's good at.

[optech007]

Can anybody name one person that Obama knows from Chicago who is beyond reproach?

[atciii]

you can pose the same question about McCain, and he is a LOT older so has a LOT more shady people in his life

[Chillinout]

Michelle Obama.

Now go away.

[atciii]

when will mcCain denounce Sara Palin and her husband for hating America?

[TylerRose]

@@@ Heres Palin from THIS year addressing the Alaskan Independance Party.... Alaska First! not country first.

http://www.akip.org/conv08.html

[DaveC19]

Without John McCain, the Keating 5 would have been the Keating 4...

[zenlikejen]

Sure!


.....if you can explain in detail the revelance of such a st upid question..­...

[optech007]

Sure, I'll explain.

So far, everybody from Chicago(Ayers, Wright, Rezko, Phleger) have been either a crook or a kook.

[mad as hell]

The issue is Judgement.

Judgement of Bush, Cheney, Rumsfeld, Powell, Rice, Wolfowitz, etc. In short - the republicans!!

Can ANY of the people above look at themselves in the mirror and honestly justify to themselves:

1. the loss of over four thousand American and perhaps hundreds of thousands of Iraqi lives.

2. the financial cost and ruin they have brought to the American economy and its people for perhaps generations to bear.

3. the cost in American prestige and moral authority around the world - it could perhaps be excusable under the cold war, but regretably this was AFTER the cold war.

4. the incompetence and lack of basic decent humane treatment of natural disater victims - these were perhaps the poorest of Americans but Americans none the less!

5. The current US adminstration has lost its crediblity with not just the American people but the rest of the world as well - all within a decade.

If they can justify all of the above with a straight face, then they should be tried for treason.

McCain supoorted Bush/Cheney over 90% of the time. McCain voted for the Iraq war.

OBAMA DID NOT.

It's about judgement. YOU BE THE JUDGE.

[JCampbell]

Transcript quote:

"George, but this is an example of what I'm talking about. 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. "

We don't need more liars at the Huffington Post.

[Erland]

Somewhat longer quote:

George, but this is an example of what I'm talking about. 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, George.

[tokitori]

I agree, no more liars, so let's continue with the REST of what Obama said immediately following the part YOU decided to include.

"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, George. "

Ayers gave him a check for $200.00. The children's education board they sit on was founded by Walter Annenberg, a Reagan supporter. Annenbergs' widow is a McCain supporter -- he touts her in a recently released list.

There's nothing here guys. This is a dead end. Hillary Clinton found that out during the primaries. For people who think this is something "new" -- you just haven't been listening; probably because you didn't follow the, what, 19 Democratic Primary debates?

[renatam]

http://www.esquire.com/features/esquire-endorsements-2008/esquire...

Esquire Endorses Barack Obama for President
We thought this election would be a serious fight over the future of this country, but only one candidate showed up.
By: The Editors

[demfriend]

A question I have had fro a while now isn't asking Ayers about the relationship but about thos others who also served on the board with the two. I know we can never say to the doubters that it would be the olnly contact no matter what is said but to have others asking if Obama is a terrorist for being on the board, are they too? Valid question and would stop a bit of the crap. But this is the stinky slime that McCain wants to go down in history as running the worst and most negative campaign ever for president. That says a whole lot as we have more society restraints than they had many years ago and it would have been much worse way back would we not think? It is amazing that Obama and camp have not dragged out the old really horrid slams Mccain himself endured in 2000. He has forgotten as so many who now follow him just how deep and nasty the rove/bush/cheney machine was.

[birdiegirl123]

McCain, Palin and all of the rest of you Repubs. Do you think the American people are stupid?
I've got news for you my friend, we're not. We're also not going to be fooled and distracted by your smear tactics. Talk about the ISSUES! CAN YOU? We don't care about these gutter distractions. We can see through this. Thank GOD for Obama. Keep talking about the issues Obama. I'm losing my home and filing bankruptcy. I don't want to hear about smears and I'm sure I'm not the only one in this situation! Help me and the rest of Americans out of this ECONOMIC CRISIS!

[mesmerize]

They will not get away with the smears this election year. Americans are smarter and wiser. They are fact-checking everything. The Republicans will not just smear their way into the White House again. Americans have found their senses and their voices.