Final Debate: McCain Brings Up Ayers, ACORN

McCain goes where he hasn't before in a debate: Bill Ayers. "We need to know the full extent of that relationship," he declares. Then he accuses the community organizing group ACORN of committing, potentially, "one of the greatest frauds of voter history in this country, maybe destroying the fabric of democracy in this country."

It is a wild accusation, not grounded in any bit of reality. Just asked Florida Gov. and McCain surrogate Charlie Christ, who says the allegation is being overblown.

Obama responds by explaining his relationship with Ayers: "Bill Ayers is a professor of education in Chicago. 40 years ago when I was eight years old he engaged in despicable acts with a domestic group. I have roundly denounced those attacks. Ten years ago he and I served on a school board funded by one of Ronald Reagan's close friends ... The fact that this has become such an important part of your campaign," he concludes, "says more about your campaign than it does me."

McCain glared and smirked during the exchange.

Here's Maude Hurd, of ACORN, responding to McCain's accusations:

"We appreciate that Senator McCain's effort to stir up the Republican base by attacking a community group that is trying to increase public participation in our democratic processes. However, these attacks reflect an increasingly panicky candidate; unfortunately the Senator McCain we saw tonight is very different than the Senator McCain who stood shoulder to shoulder with ACORN at a February 20, 2006 immigration reform event.

It is clear for us to see that John McCain was for ACORN before he was against ACORN; he was for reform before he was against reform; and he was a maverick before he became erratic. What is really going here is that Senator McCain and his allies are part of a coordinated effort to engage in what appears to be an unprecedented effort to suppress voter turnout."

Comments

[tlgeiger62]

I thought Obama bringing up the hateful rhetoric during Palin rallies really landed a punch and probably was used to bait McCain to bring up Ayers. I thought it was hilarious that McCain blurted it out without a segway.

[pinkyboo]

When mc said that all sorts of hateful things were being shouted at the BO rallies, I really would have loved to see him called out on it. Like what??? If anything like what has been shouted out about BO was said against mc liar I'm sure the media would have reported it.

[Antifascist-08]

Beatdown!

As G. Gordon Lilly might have said, "In a battle of wits, McCain was unarmed."

This was the biggest win of the year for Obama and McCain is toast.

Thanks for playing, we have a lovely parting gift- a weekend with Sarah and Todd!

[GenXer]

Double registering is hardly a great fraud. So many people have not voted in so long, they keep clicking on the register to vote buttons on websites and filling out applications by organizations like ACORN. A voter registered multiple times will only be able to vote once, that is what your county or township clerk does. In addition ACORN has worked with the Nevada state canvasing board and A G to turn in faulty registrations and people on thier staff they thought were committing fraud. The great fraud is this rediculous enuendos by the GOP.

[missjabez]

The GOP's strategy is obvious. They know they are going to lose the election, so now they are suddenly concerned about voter fraud. Since they are champs at voter suppression and stealing elections, their attitude is transparent and contemptible.

[HypnoToad]

milebob links are VIRUS SITES

DO NOT CLICK ON LINKS

[Whinger]

Even when Obama explained the situation, McCain seemed unable to adsorb what was said, and returned to his script.
It wouldnt matter what Obama sais, with McCain, day is night, down is up, he's seriously confused!

[kid5rivers2]

Only one way to describe the Mac and his whole campaign: "willy-nilly"! Look it up!
http://thesaurus.reference.com/browse/willy-nilly

[mamacat]

Unless I am mistaken, it was Obama who brought up the Ayers issue. He mentioned how important it has been to the McCain camp, thus giving Mac a chance to say something about it. Mac took the bait, and from that moment on the debate was over for him.

Once again, Obama illustrated how brilliant he is. Mac had successfully steered away from the whole Ayers mess, until Obama talked about it first. I imagine Mac's handlers in the back room were cringing when they saw their man try to bring up the Ayers thing on national TV. It's one thing to whip his base into a frenzy with lies, but we haven't gone so far down the road to National Socialism that the Big Lie sells in front of the whole country.

[suec03]

It was the MODERATOR who brought up the issue.

[Indie2008]

Would it be indelicate to ask McCain about the Palins' "palling around" with the AIP?

[naeldwyck]

he was a maverick before he became erratic
Did ACORN come up with that? Great line.

[NTO08]

Obama's childish goading of him to bring it up proves Obama is as sneaky as I thought he was...his dodging of the Ayers connection was so classic Obama, it made me howl with laughter.

[Indie2008]

That sneaky Obama!... Making nice Mr.McCain lose it in front of the whole world!

[luvobama]

I really think I like you!!!

[damebee]

Childish? McCain graduated at the bottom of his class!

[Avembe]

Come on guyz mc CAIN tried all types of negative attacks(smears, lies,etc..­.) and it just backfired!!!!!!!!!
isn't it time for the Reps to focus on what MATTERS to people since it didin't work...i mean , can't you try something else??????Smears just didn't WORK!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[TheBlackCat]

Dodged the issue? He DEALT with this issue TWO years ago in which he welcomed reporters to have a thorough investigation of his connection. He held press conferences in which he would not leave the room until EVERY SINGLE QUESTION regarding ayers that any reporter had was answered.

There is a WEALTH on information detailing EXACTLY what Obama's relationship to Ayers is. It's not his fault you're too lazy to bother looking this up on your own, if I had to bet I'd say you've never even been to Obama's website- you'd just rather believe McCain and Palin whent hey say he's "secretive" and "not forthright" about the issue. Every non partisan political fact check group in the nation has established that there is NOTHING untowards about Obama's association with Ayers. There are Rpeublicans working on Mccain's CAMPAIGN who were on the SAME BOARD with Ayers that Obama was. The Annenberg Foundation is a CONSERVATIVE foundation with close ties to Ronald Reagan who FUNDED the board that Ayers was part of. They have also rushed to Obama's defense and stated that it is ridiculous to try and associate him with Ayer's past when plenty of high profile Republicans and Democrats have worked with him on the extensive philanthropy and community work he did later on in his life.

[demeter eleusis]

McCain is s.t.u.p.i.­d. By bring up Ayers and ACORN, he allowed Obama to clear the air about his LACK of association with these two issues in front of a huge audience. Thanks McCainosaur!

[NTO08]

No air was cleared...­Obama can lie all he likes, but many see right through every lawyerly bob and weave he makes...no one but someone who has closed theirl eyes to sense believes a word this man says.

[vernonbc]

I'm really getting concerned about you and McCain and the rest of the right wingers. You've gotten so sure that all your lies and baseless accusations have magically become the truth regardless of what the facts are.

[damebee]

Hey losers are losers!

[damebee]

Who many? 29%

[kid5rivers2]

"...many..­."??? But, but, I thought your handle was " NTO08"????
See what you've done??? Now I'm as confused as your man is!!!! Enough!

[pinkyboo]

That's why he is whipping mc d ouche nozzle's @ss in every state poll.

[suec03]

Exactly right. Anyone who has ever paid attention to the problems of paying nonactivists to go out in the field to register voters understood just what Sen. Obama was saying. ACORN was the victim! They were defrauded by shoddy employees who filled out the forms to make a buck, and then ACORN was on the hook to turn in those forms to election authorities within the limited number of days required by state law. Want to risk being sued for depriving a voter of the right to vote because you decided the registration form he/she filled out was fraudulent and you threw it away?

[BIG JOHN]

WHAT EVER HAPPEND TO MAVRICK, REFORM AND MY FRIEND. HE'S LIKE SYBIL. TO MANY DIFFERENT MCSANES. NO MENTION OF THE MIDDLE CLASS, AGAIN.

AIR QUOTES OF THE IMPORTANCE OF A WOMANS HEALTH, WHAT IN THE HELL WAS THAT?

[suhud]

I think McCain grimaces, smirks, sneers, snorts, twitches, and tongue-darts just so we know his face can still move...

[BIG JOHN]

ACORN, SOUNDS LIKE PALIN'S BRAINS.

[NTO08]

200K votes up in smoke for Obama in Ohio...he needs to find a huge plurality to claim that state now.

[FACINGREALIT]

Losing hurts like hell-doesn't it? Your rants and raves are no better nor any more effective than your candidate McCain's have been/will be. Tonight was Checkmate - accept that reality and stop posting your stupid little comments for you nor McCain will change any minds.

Now run along and play with people who are more receptive to your bitterness - because over here we are partying our win - the series is over 4-0 is the score - you've lost 1 vp debate and 3 presidential - NOW GET!

[studio34]

Yeah right. Go back to your cave.

[damebee]

I'm sorry are you from Ohio, I understand McCain has pulled out, why can't win!

[kid5rivers2]

Why are you surprised that they're "...up in smoke..."? Have you forgotten that everyone is FIRED UP! :-)

[metropixie]

Fine. McCain wants Obama to come clean on his ties with "terrorists" and ACORN. Obama did, much to eye-rolls and "Darn" expressions on McCain's face. Tit for tat, why doesn't McCain come clean on his health records, and the POW records he had sealed in Congress as well as in Vietnam. Why John? What lies buried in YOUR past? You collaborated with the Vietnamese and served as their propaganda mouthpiece for 5 years. Your Vietnam "hero" status does not check out, and as long as the FACTS are under seal we can't be sure about your honesty, valor, and "country first" sloganeering. After 4 days in captivity you spilled the beans on bombing routes, ship positions, troop strength, and god knows what else. You've been getting away with your fabricated hero status for too long. Your POW record is suspicious and your veterans record abysmal. For more on McCain's "hero" status see http://hawaiihubbub.com