McCain: At Wednesday's Debate I Plan To Bring Up Ayers

Taegan Goddard reports that John McCain confirmed this morning he would try to bring up William Ayers at Wednesday's debate. McCain appeared to blame Obama for the move:

In an interview on a St. Louis radio station, McCain said Obama's comments that "I didn't have the guts" to talk about William Ayers in the last presidential debate have "probably ensured" that the former 1960s radical will come up in Wednesday's debate.

The Huffington Post's Seth Colter Walls wrote Monday that Ayers was "expected" to come up at the debate.

When asked if McCain plans to "go after" Obama on these topics this Wednesday, Bounds added: "So much of a debate is determined by the moderator and the questions that are posed to the candidates. I expect it could come up and I expect John McCain will ask Barack Obama to speak truthfully about his relationship with friend and unrepentant terrorist Bill Ayers. I think that voters deserve to know, deserve to vet these candidates to the fullest extent... Certainly, Bill Ayers raises questions. Certainly, Tony Rezko raises questions."

If it is McCain's intention to raise the issue of Ayers -- with or without moderator Bob Schieffer's prompting -- it would serve as something of an answered prayer to many of the Arizonan's town hall attendees, one of whom even begged McCain to bring on the character attacks in the last presidential debate of the season.

Comments

[CTtransplant]

Hey, great! Sure McCain can bring up Ayers - Ayers is not a member of Obama's campaign! But bringing up Ayers is the perfect opening to bring up someone who IS a member of McCain's campaign:

"The Washington lobbyist John McCain has named to head his presidential transition team aided an influence effort on behalf of Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein to ease international sanctions against his regime.

The two lobbyists who McCain aide William Timmons worked closely with over a five year period on the lobbying campaign later either pleaded guilty to or were convicted of federal criminal charges that they had acted as unregistered agents of Saddam Hussein's government."

[Kalamama]

You betcha!!! Add to this his own Pastor problem, Keating 5, Gordon Liddy, voted with Bush 90% of the time.....Oh Gosh....Say it ain't so Johnny.............THEN we could start to talk about
Palin. Retch!!!!!

But true to Obama's form, he will talk about the important things..you know..ISSUES??????????

But if Grandpa has to..BRING IT ON!!!!!!!!!!!!

[ArmyCentrist]

How nice, he's playing tough after Obama already called him out for being a coward!

[demjustice]

The McCain campaign is a rudderless ship going nowhere. John McCain believes all the stuff that his yes men tell him. He believes that if somehow he brings up Ayers at Wednesday's debate, that all voters will see the light and flock to the "Maverick". Americans care about the economy ot McCain's campaign talking points. His new economy plan today was nothing more than an attempt to pander to certain voters in swing states. How pathetic. He only cares about winning this election. Nothing else matters. His slogan of "Country First" is a complete fallacy. He is no maverick, just a sad man on a losing streak.

[khiva]

Senator McCain: It says in the Bible "Before you worry about the speck of dust in your neighbor's eye, you ought to worry about the piece of timber in your own.

(Matthew 7:5 "You hypocrite! First remove the beam from your own eye, and then you will see clearly enough to remove the speck from your brother's eye.")

Do you really want to have a conversation about the past? About associations? About Keating 5? G. Gordon Liddy? Cheating on your wife because she became disabled?

[Serious Lee]

AMEN

[grizhead63]

This is virtually unheard of in the theory of modern politics. The more negative McBain/von Palin become, the higher Obama's ratings soar. Same way with Hannity and Limbaugh. The more rac ist and ig no rant their atta cks the lower McBain/von Palin's ratings drop. It will be nu clear for the Repub Party if they continue on their current course with the Ayer, Acorn, Wright and kitchen sink diatribe. Bill Kristol along with many other conservatives understand that.

Some polls even have Obama up by as much as 14 points today. I'm not celebrating anything until after the election is over, but it sure is heartening to know the vast majority of Americans are endorsing a forward looking, TRULY PATRIOTIC son of America, Barack Obama!

[butchie65]

McCain left Michigan and gave up there. He wanted to come to Wisconsin and try to win here. Guess what ? According to the Milwaukee Jouranl today, Obama is up 17 points here in Wisconsin. Don't bother coming here McCain, your done ! We already started voting here.

[Emlyn]

The Republicans are so afraid they are going to lose - they're do anything to win - even sell their mothers!

[cheena1]

Griz, I totally agree with you! This US election is the dirtiest, nastiest, low-hitting, mud-slinging I have ever seen, and I've seen quite a few of them.
I am so very heartened by this wonderful man you Americans are lucky enough to have running for your Pres. He is bright, human, caring .... all those things that the US USED TO BE admired for.
Up here (Canada) , most of us are so looking fwd to seeing him win. If he does, I honestly believe your country will be returned to its' previous glory. I see BO as a man of, for, and by the people, and I hope he wins by a landslide - such as your country has never seen, so that all this 'vote-rigging', hanging chad crap can never be claimed.

I believe this is a man who, like me, knows that there are enough educated, intelligent, civilized brainiacks in this world - that there is no need for war and bloodshed ... not in 2008! He's smart enough to call on all of them if need be, rather than start a war - as it should be! Just think - no more body bags coming home from Iraq, no more 10B $/mo going to a stupid, greedy, and senseless war, while your hard-working countrymen are losing their homes ....and jobs, b/c they are shipped overseas..
Oh, could you just picture that!! I can, I pray your country does the right thing in this election -
God

[pdxcollect]

Well, today I saw on the CBS news stats board, Obamma has 305 delgates definite... 270 required to win the election.. so what does that mean??? ;)

[Zyzzygowski]

Sen McCain is being so set up.

Sen Obama knows this is coming and no doubt he will be more prepared. Sen McCain is leading with his chin.

The only question is how hard Sen Obama will hit him. Having seen Sen Obama campaign over the past two years, I suspect he will be as gentlemanly as he has always been. And Sen McCain should be grateful for recieving a standing eight count vice getting knocked out.

[Gene1]

Let’s not be stupid when we’re making our judgments. Both Wright and Bill Ayers are adults. Americans know where they are Wright is an ex-marine; Bill Ayers is a great professor. What has Sen. Obama got to do with them? My closest pal in a girls high school (catholic) where both of us taught, is a homosexual, does that make me one?



John McBush likes to put his country “first” why did he allow Bill Ayers to teach America ’s youths all these years? These pair are pure phonies. He did the same with Osama Bin Laden. He knows how to get him but he has to be a president first.



When Sarah Palin was terrorizing her brother-in-law and even went so far to get him fired from his job as a police officer. No one called her a ‘terrorist’ by association. Bill Ayers is a free citizen of America .



The expression “lurching from one idea to the other” is very apt for McCain and Palin. This is a campaign that has absolutely no relevance to 2008 crisis. They want to use negativity to justify wasting 84 million dollars of tax payers’ money to give the campaign some sense of relevance. In fact such waste is “economic terrorism” par excellence America ought to disassociate herself from this heinous act and ticket.

[MeiLing]

Actually, Palin never really did fire her brother-in-law. She fired the guy (Monegan) who was might have been able to fire the BIL because he wouldn't he wouldn't fire him. BIL is still a state trooper and now has grounds for a lawsuit against Palin because she wouldn't take the advice of Monegan to let the appropriate folks deal with BIL and his alleged violations.

[imsosure]

This is another contradiction for Johnny, announcing ahead of time what you plan to do to your opponent. I can remember clearly him denouncing Obama for saying what he'd do about terrorist if he were President. Now McCain flip flops again, it's over Johnny, you blew it and you'll never win, especially not with Palin as your sidekick, what a pathetic joke you have become. Your legacy is starting to wreak of a Bushish like stench.
McCain has devoted his political career to fighting against everything we care about: peace, justice, jobs, education, health care, the environment, civil rights, voting rights, and honest government.
Say good noght John Boy, you're history.

[AlaskasRevenge]

If Michelle Obama was part of an organization that wants to "Become a separate and Independent Nation." America would be outraged. If Michelle Obama even gave a speech to such a group Obama would be about 10% in the polls. America wold not tolerate it.

What about Todd Palin? He has really "palled" around with the Alaska Independent Party? Where is the outcry from this? I never see him where a flag lapel? But we demand Barack Obama wear one to show his patriotism. Are we so hard hardened that we will accept anybody with lipstick and any secessionist? Just as long as the person is not of color.

America, your heart will be tested on Nov. 4th. The world's eyes are on you. Be very careful because it could be Todd Palin answering the White House phone at 3am.

[khiva]

Palin herself made a video in support of this group in 2006. Advocating the overthrown of the U.S. Constitution (i.e. advocating seccession from the Union), or aiding and abetting those who do (such as making videos for them) is a federal crime called Sedition which is punishable by a sentence of life in prison.

[CTtransplant]

Thank you, khiva! I couldn't remember what it was called! And, yes, that is true! Palin became guilty of Sedition the day she opened her mouth and stated 'keep up the good work' knowing they were a group advocating succession from the Union!

[proudloudlib]

You are so right. Obama "palling around with a domestic terrorist" is laughable, but especially so when she is literally "sleeping with the enemy." Anyone who ever belonged to that group, or supported that group, is arguably a domestic terrorist.

[imsosure]

More of the same old angry McCain. McCain has devoted his political career to fighting against everything we care about: peace, justice, jobs, education, health care, the environment, civil rights, voting rights, and honest government. Now he's gonna try to start another fight and redirect the subject away from any substantive discussion, why? Because he is an ignorant member of the good old boy club and when they're wrong they lie, cheat and otherwise distort the truth and make efforts to talk about a whole lot of nothing and call it a debate. No way it'll work these days, he's simply out numbered, plain and simple.

[GSMRaleigh]

"oh yeh? oh yeh?? I'll show you buddy boy..tell me I don't have the guts to say it to your face!! Oh yeh, oh yeh??? just lemme at 'em!" McClueless says.

So, then maybe they'll also talk about the Keating 5 and McCain's campaign advisor who had ties to Saddam Hussein.

[Zyzzygowski]

It will not be necessary to bring up the Keating five.

Sen Obama's response could include asking what is meant by 'palling around'. I am sure what ever definition is used, the conclusion can be drawn that Sens Obama and McCain have palled around in the Senate ... dining room, or gym.

Talk to anyone who has served on a board of directors and suggest that each member has knowledge of what the others did in their twenties.

Who meets anyone for the very first time and says, "Hi, I am Bill Ayres and I was arrested in my twenties for domestic terrorism." I think that is right up there with, "Hi, I am bill Ayres and I wet the bed during high school."

Explain exactly what the lie is Sen McCain. Yes, Sen Obama may not have been, and could have been, more forthcoming. But, it is true Ayres is a guy from the neighborhood. Yes, they both served on a boards together. And, yes Ayres held a fundraiser for Sen Obama. Where is the lie?

Is Ayres not a guy but a gal? Was it not a board, but a club for swingers? Was it more than a fundraiser, possibly a tupperware party? As for palling around, does Sen McCain have proof that Ayres and Sen Obama went to girlie bars? Road tripped across their home state? Went to Bear and Cubs games together? What?

Sen McCain you brought it up, explain yourself. Where is the lie?

[ZDuck]

Ah heck he will just blame the moderator that he didn't get enough time.

[FloaterBall]

Yes, John, please bring it up! Does he think Obama doesn't have both barrels loaded and ready to go!? Wow, he's got himself painted into one hell of a corner, damned if he does, damned (by his supporters) if he don't. Tommorow night should be most enjoyable.

[midknightryder13]

Exactly what I told a co-worker tonight. When you are training in the martial arts -- one of the FIRST things they teach you is never to respond when your opponent 'invites' you to attack him. It is usually a trap and they have a countermove ready and waiting. Now unless YOU have a strategy to counter the countermove -- you don't spring the trap. There is NO WAY Senator O DOES NOT have responses (plural) ready and waiting on any and all of these questions.

[SimJack]

My g*d, does this mean John McCain ate William Ayers?

[VPN]

The idea that McSame really wants to bring up Obama's associations like Ayres says volumes about his LACK of judgment, Who in their right mind would do that knowing full well that his own associations could pull the rug out from under what little is left of his own campaign. Go ahead John roll those dice!