The Ugly Implications of McCain and Palin's Questions

Sarah Palin keeps asking people to ask more questions about Barack Obama. Now McCain has joined in on this refrain. But I don't get it. What more do they need to know? They keep saying he has to answer more questions about Bill Ayers, for example. But he has answered every ridiculous question on this topic a hundred times over. So, what are they really looking for?

It's not the McCain and Palin really think there is some deep and pertinent question that the media just has not gotten to yet about Obama's so-called relationship with Ayers. Otherwise, why don't they ask it themselves? Why doesn't John McCain take the next debate as an opportunity to ask Senator Obama about any profound question he has about Bill Ayers or any other disturbing connection Obama has?

The reason they don't do this is because there are no real questions there. This is a ploy to raise doubts in people's minds about Obama. They have nothing, but it's easy to say, "What else is Obama hiding?" The implication is that Barack Hussein Obama has more terrorist connections he is not telling us about. But since that is patently ridiculous and shameful, they can't say it out in the open. So, they hide behind the implications of questions like, "What else is he not telling us?"

What I want a reporter to ask Sarah Palin and John McCain is, "What is that you think Senator Obama is hiding? You keep asking the question, so you must think there is an answer. What is it? What is Senator Obama not telling us about Bill Ayers or anyone else?"

They don't have answer to that. Because they're real objective is to smear Obama as "the other." Palin has said several times in her rallies that Barack Obama is not like the Americans she knows. Someone should also ask her what she means by that. Then she brings up Ayers and "palling around with terrorists." It's not hard to see the picture she's drawing. Obama is not one of us. Look at his name; be careful, he is one of them.

They don't have the nerve to say it out aloud, so they hide behind their questions and implications. It is a despicable strategy and it has turned this into the ugliest presidential campaign I have seen in my lifetime.

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Comments

[betheliza]

i got into an argument with my father about the ayers subject the other day. my dad, who is, by the way, voting for obama, thinks that he has not done enough to distance himself from ayers. my question is, what more can he do? he has denounced the man's actions and told about the extent of their very limited relationship. obama can provide no definitive documentation to disprove the relationship. he can show photo after photo of himself WITHOUT ayers, but he can never prove that something didnt and doesnt exist. mccant knows this so he continues to sow mistrust, fertilized with bs.

[Michale32086]

}}}}
told about the extent of their very limited relationship
{{{

Sorry, I am with yer dad on this one.

I don't think Obama HAS spoken to the full and complete extent...

Obama has personally stated one or two VERY generalized comments. The rest he has had his surrogates..

It's really quite simple. Obama needs to address the Ayers issue in the EXACT same manner as he addressed the Rev Wright issue.

Fully, completely, honestly and with a passion that leaves NO DOUBT in even the BIGGEST detractors' mind as to what is what..

THAT is what Obama needs to do..

I cannot understand WHY he won't...

Michale.....

[JMBrodie]

Sure. As soon as Palin explains the AIP.

[betheliza]

there's simply nothing to tell.

[ChimesOfFreedom]

>> Obama needs to address the Ayers issue in the EXACT same manner as he addressed the Rev Wright issue

Why? Apparently it's because YOU'VE decided, as per the latest talking points and against all evidence to the contrary, that Ayers is still a terrorist (I last smoked pot thirty years ago when I was in college - I guess that means I'm still a pothead), and that Obama has a close personal relationship with him.

You see, he actually DID have a close personal relationship with Wright, whereas Ayers is someone, according to a statement from Barack last month, whom he barely knows, and whom he last met as they passed each other on the street a year and a half ago.

[philsy]

You keep repeating this as if we are ignorant to your purpose here..

How is that Republican economy coming?

[marasha]

Do people really have so little confidence in the CIA or FBI for example that they actually believe that Senator Obama "pals around with terrorists"? Do they really believe that during these past two very long years Senator Obama has been keeping a secret that he is in anyway involved in terrorist acitvities? The answer is no they don't believe that............. It's just plain old fashion prejudice!

I hope in my life time I can see an end to this. It is so ridiculous!

[RRG64]

The end is near for the McCain campaign. Buckle your seatbelt and keep your arms inside the vehicle. We are about the hear the primordial death neigh of a self-proclaimed Maverick over the next few weeks. Nothing they do will work, everything they try will fail.

[philsy]

Yeah they would have to believe that despite the best Intel in the world, Intel that won us the cold war, the FBI and NSA would be too stupid to weed out potentially dangerous candidates before they even ran.

Oh yeah, how's that economy coming Republicans?

Tick tock, tick tock, tick tock... the election timer is getting closer

[Michale32086]

@ajax2

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I believe Obama stated his relationship. If you do not accept it, then you think he's lying.
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I believe he wasn't complete. Senator Obama never made the distinction as to whether he knew about Ayers' past when he (Obama) chose to associate with Ayers. The statements from his surrogates and spokespeople have been contradictory..

{{{{{
Was Ayers a terrorist during their relationship?
}}}}}

Not to my knowledge

{{{{
What is Ayers' legal status?
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It's my understanding that Ayers evaded responsibility for his actions by remaining in hiding until the SOL had run it's course..

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Do you agree with the judge, prosecutor, and the legal system?
{{{{{

Insofar as... what?? That there should be as set Statute Of Limitations on terrorism crimes? No, I do not. I think it should be as it is with murder. No SOL...

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I don't believe you have come clean on these issues?
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That is your right..

{{{{{{
Can you prove to me that you are a Christian and Obama supporter?
{{{{{{

I never claimed to be a "christian".. I am as agnostic as they come and believe that orgainized religion is the biggest scam in the history of the world.. But that's just my opinion..

As for proving that I am an Obama supporter, all I can point to is my consistently stated intentions.. I don't vote Party, I vote for the person. In 2006, I voted for Nelson (D-FL)...

Michale.....

[caterpol]

How do you feel about McCain "associating" with G. Gordon Liddy?

How do you feel about Palin not answering questions about ANYTHING?

How do you feel about Tod Palin and his membership in the AIP?

How do you feel about Palin abusing her office and being found guilty of an ethics violation?

How do you feel about McCain and the Keating Five scandal?

How do you feel about Davis collecting a salary from FM up until a few months ago?

And around and around we go. People in glass houses shouldn't throw stones.

[ChimesOfFreedom]

It's a mistake to engage in this line of argument, for two reasons. One, it's essentially the same as saying "the other guy did it too," which doesn't excuse bad behavior. Two, it equates Obama's behavior with McPalin's, and they are not equivalent by any means. Obama has been open and honest about his very minimal relationship with Bill Ayers, while McCain and especially Palin have been as obtuse and opaque as you would expect from candidates who have a lot to hide.

[caterpol]

G. Gordon Liddy.

[ChimesOfFreedom]

>> The statements from his surrogates and spokespeople have been contradictory..

Have they really? The story in the NY Times, for which I gave you a link, is quite unequivocal - as was Barack during the April 16 debate with Hillary:

"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 with 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."

This was in response to George Stephanopoulos' misquotation and misrepresentation of Ayers. Barack knows this guy so well that he referred to him as a professor of English instead of Education. That, I suppose, is the "lie" that McCain now accuses Barack of in his latest TV ad.

>> It's my understanding that Ayers evaded responsibility for his actions by remaining in hiding until the SOL had run it's course

Your understanding is incorrect. The charges against Ayers were dropped, at least in part, because of malfeasance by the FBI in their investigation of him. The evidence against him was tainted, in other words, and was therefore thrown out and the case dismissed.

[demfriend]

As it's been said over an over, 20 plus months of vetting by the very best who can dig hasn't shown up anything new or horrible in the background of the Obama's. The Clinton's first were to dig and they are the champs at finding the dirt. Then Rove got involved through the GOP nothing new. Then the MSM and the GOP and McCain's lobbyists group and Rove wannabe's again dug the same ground and still? Nothing. So the questions about "who is Barack Obama" appears to be like he must have something deep and dark still there or he is black and Palin McCain are racists. The lies and phoney questions to raise doubts in those who might be on the fence are a slap in our face. In this day and internet/tv is world wide the world has been watching us and it embarrasses me to think after 8 years of Bush and the world laughing at us we have these two come out and openly lie and act as if we are a third world country.

[ChimesOfFreedom]

Yes, the fact that they've resurrected this stale smear from months ago (and are about to resurrect Jeremy Wright in a big way, according to what I've heard) is most revealing.

[joshuahmcdonald]

As much as Michale32086 may have a skewed perception of the relationship between Obama and Ayers and of the potential character issue that relationship might represent, he does make an incredibly valuable point...one which Senator Obama himself has made on numerous occasions. Senator Obama is NOT a perfect man and President Obama will NOT be a perfect President.

I have already disagreed with several of his statements and votes in the Senate. Does that mean that I hate him or even that I do not support him in this endeavor to be President? ABSOLUTELY NOT!

What it means is that I have the capacity to think for myself and to question people's actions and motives...EVEN WHEN THEY ARE MY CANDIDATE OF CHOICE! In fact, I think that it is our obligation to be even MORE diligent in scrutinizing the actions of those we support than it is to scrutinize the actions of those we do not.

Michale32086, personally, I believe that the type of civil disobedience conducted by the Weather Underground (yes, perhaps even terrorism, although there are specific motives behind terrorism, namely terror as an end rather than violence as a means to reform, which I do not feel are appropriate to apply to Ayers) will pale in comparison to the violence which would follow the election of John McCain. And yet, I support, nay applaud, you in questioning the candidate you support. That is our right and our obligation as responsible American citizens.

[ajax2]

"So, you think that ANYONE who wants to know the fully extent of Obama's relationship with a terrorist is a racist??
How completely and utterly bigot'ed of you... :"
Michale.....

I believe Obama stated his relationship. If you do not accept it, then you think he's lying. Was Ayers a terrorist during their relationship? What is Ayers' legal status? Do you agree with the judge, prosecutor, and the legal system?
I don't believe you have come clean on these issues? What is your real motive? Can you prove to me that you are a Christian and Obama supporter? Why not?

[ThePeacemakers]

Here's a question for McCain and Palin:

Why do you think you're above being questioned period?

What kind of privilege is it you think you enjoy? (And we know what it is BUT I dare you to say it !!)

[WmC]

I recall a McCain spokesman recently saying that Obama has not been forthright about the Ayers "connection" because he had given about 10 different explanations for it. So, apparently they want him to give an eleventh one . . . which they will then accept as true?

[justoverit333]

I heard him on the radio explaining it. Now let's move on.
But they can't move on because they have this economic
mess staring them in the face and they don't know what
to do about that. So Ayers is all they have and that is
very pathetic.

[Michale32086]

@Squirtapotamus

Interesting posting Nick.. I don't think I want to know how you came up with that one. :D

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How do you know this? Have you ever talked to the man? Do you really trust your sources? Notice you couldn't help but insert the slanderous "coward" judgement in there, just for effect.
}}}}}

If I had, we wouldn't be having this discussion.. As for how I know, this was from Ayers own words... Check out his wikipedia entry and his NY Times 2001 Article..

{{{{{
I happen to believe that the real "terrorists" want us to demagogue because they know we will over-react when we are fearful
}}}}}}

May I ask what training or expertise allows you to make such a determination??

Wishcasting doesn't count..

Michale.....

[begabug]

don't have to be a trained doctor to belive that a cancer is bad

[begabug]

by the way. always enjoy, though might not agree with your postings. usually conducive to rational thought and arguement. only concern i have is your propensity to fall back to a position of requiring some kind of authoritative creditials to engage in critical thinking and opinion.

[Michale32086]

Thanx and you are correct. Especially when the discussion turns to threat assessment type conversations regard terrorism specifically. In that regard, common ground IS difficulty to come by..

But it's by no means exclusive..

Witness discussions I have involved myself in with regards to the economy and economic issues. Granted, I am no less opinionated there than here :D, but I concede to others who obviously have more expertise in the sector than I do..

I try NOT to stick my nose in the air TOO much with regards to my credentials. I fail a lot more than I would like, but....

Michale....

[ChimesOfFreedom]

Ayers' Wikipedia entry starts with this disclaimer

"This page is currently protected from editing until October 16, 2008 or until disputes have been resolved"

so you probably don't want to rely on it too much.

As for the NY Times article, which ran on 9/11/2001 on the occasion of his memoir's publication, it was inaccurate at best as a representation of Ayers' views at the time or before. Ayers said of the interview for the Times that while he didn't regret opposing the Vietnam war, he did have "a thousand regrets" about the actions of the Weather Underground. Ayers' widely quoted statement "we didn't do enough" has been egregiously taken out of context to mean that he felt they didn't do enough bombings. This is absolutely wrong. His meaning in context is clear: he felt his generation didn't do enough to stop the war. Ayers wrote later, "my memoir is from start to finish a condemnation of terrorism, of the indiscriminate murder of human beings, whether driven by fanaticism or official policy." Ayers would also point out that while he was in the Weather Underground, their bombings were always carried out after advance notice was given. They did not intend to inflict bodily damage, nor did they inflict anything but property damage.

[Michale32086]

@GrainOSand

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Call it what you will, but the result is always the same, massive death and suffering.
{{{{{{

I am in NO WAY mitigating the sufferage of those who have been victimized by racism or terrorism. I merely state that it happens that many will play the Racism card where no racism exists. And it happens often enough that, by doing so, it does a grave disservice to those who well and truly DO experience racism.. Surely you can see the logic of that.

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Surely what happened to the natives of this land was terrorism by your definition.
{{{{{{{

That would be a tough call. Just as it is possible to make the case that the firestorm bombings of WWII might constitute terrorism. Or the nuking of Hiroshima & Nagasaki could be construed as terrorist acts. However, the case could be made that the infrastructure of the given cities were reasonable targets in war.. The further one goes back, the harder it is to make a firm determination, as it is unknown exactly what occurred.. Unless, you happen to have a temporal viewer handy.. :D

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Concerning your other assertions, read my comment about steel toed boots.
{{{{{{{

Apparently you have been the victim of racism. While I do empathize, I mean, sympathize with you, surely you can see how that might make you less objective..

Just as I simply cannot be objective when it comes to recognizing a "nice" terrorist, due to my background and expertise..

Michale.....

[GrainOSand]

"victim of racism"

Attempted victim is more the case. As for objectivity, allow me to tell you how I remain objective. I level all criticisms I make against myself first. I clean my house before I accuse. The racist and the terrorist are the same. They both seek to ruin life through hate. The other component that allows me to be objective, I truly love everybody, which means that if I can do anything to help someone, to make him or her stronger or better, to make them joyful versus fearful, I will do that. The racist and the terrorist know not this discipline. I am into the human family. The racist is into human defamation. I want to be a drum major for peace, for love, and for moral excellence. The racist and the terrorist want to lead the parade of hate, division, destruction, and pain. I can count on one hand how many times I have overreacted to an incident concerning race. I lost count of how many incidents of “real” racial prejudice I have experienced.

I think the last thing to leave you with is no one wants to talk about the ugly subject of racism. I never wanted to talk about it. I was fortunate to have people teach me the meaning of agape love starting with my parents. Most are selfish I find and can only extend love to their comfort zone. The Right contends African Americans play victim. Who would want to be that?

[Michale32086]

I ask everyone to put aside political bigotry and simply think about the issue logically and rationally.

Would ya'all be saying such nice things about Ayers if he was a child molester instead of a terrorist??

Would ya'all be lauding laurels upon Ayers for his civil work and how he is an esteemed professor etc etc if he was a child molester in his past and merely waited out the SOL on those charges?

If ya'all can forget about political bigotry and partisanship and were HONEST with yourselves, you would concede the point. You would agree with me that ANYONE who knowingly associates with a child molester, no matter how far in the past it was, would have some serious judgment issues..

So, this being the case, can ya'all not allow that there are those out there (myself amongst them) who view terrorists in the same vein that ya'all would view a child molester??

Again, if you were honest with yourselves and can get past political bigotry, I would wager you could see the point.

Michale.....

[speeddeeps]

I agree but the thing is, how come he doesnt raise the same questions about his fellow Repubs, who were also on the Anneberg Board( btw Anneberg was a Repub and an ambassodor during the ''Raygun'' administration)

[justoverit333]

Because they don't have funny names like Obama
and aren't running for President. I just cannot
believe what an embarrassment McCain has
become. I've never voted Reput but I really liked
McCain in 2000. I don't know who he is now.

[Michale32086]

I assume by "he" you mean John McCain.

Probably because he is acting like a hypocrite and is desperate to win the Election..

Obama SHOULD be better than that...

Wouldn't you agree??

Michale....

[CarmanK]

Ayers is a respected professor and a former Board member of the distinguished Annenberg foundation. The Ayers issue is so nonsensical.
I teach "sex education" in a Catholic Sunday School class grade K. It is an awareness program for little ones and it is good. The idea that Obama would promote a sex education program harmful to children is rediculous. And as for that question "about when life begins"? Obama's lame answer was "it was out of his pay grade'". Actually he was correct. When life begins is a matter of faith. What sets man apart from animals is the "immortal soul" and no human, knows at what point the human embryo is endowed with an immortal soul which is an act of God, an act of faith. Obama is not a scientist but he is a true christian,putting action into words. Democratic Party values believe all life is precious. What could be more telling than the fact that the Democratic Party says that an economy should serve the people, lift all boats, not just the priviledged few. The Pope in Rome says the same. The repugs took this nation into war and enriched their friends, while thousands of innocents have died. It's like Nero, who sent his soldiers out to kill all infant boys aged 2 and under to secure his throne. It is time for the Democrats to take back this country and restore moral authority in the world .

[Michale32086]

}}}}}}}}}}
Ayers is a respected professor and a former Board member of the distinguished Annenberg foundation. The Ayers issue is so nonsensical.
{{{{{{{{{{

Whatever else he is, first and foremost, Ayers is a terrorist.. That's a fact.

The rest of your post deals with other issues that I won't go into right now. Mainly because they are of a religious nature and I am as agnostic as is possible.

Michale....

[frizzlefry]

Buyer beware

You can still be "honest with yourselves and can get past political bigotry" and not concede this point. You could just simply not agree with the assessment that the relationship is as close or mysterious between Obama and Ayers as Michale believes it to be to be.

You either think Obama is hiding something and buy into the narrative being pounded into you. Or you think it's trumped up nonsense and noise.

[Squirtapotamus]

"Ayers, like the coward he is, refuses to even CALL his crimes terrorism," [Michale]

How do you know this? Have you ever talked to the man? Do you really trust your sources? Notice you couldn't help but insert the slanderous "coward" judgement in there, just for effect.

"Would you be so quick to dismiss the association if we changed AYERS to BIN LADEN??" [Michale]

The word here is "demagogue". Wikipedia says the definition is "a political strategy for obtaining and gaining political power by appealing to the popular prejudices, emotions, fears and expectations of the public "

The Republican strategy is be a demagogue and use slander to stoke doubt and fear.

I happen to believe that the real "terrorists" want us to demagogue because they know we will over-react when we are fearful. Reacting to Bin Laden in fear has only produced instability in our nation. Bin Laden's attack became a gift to the Neocons to begin their fleecing of America. Remember, Republicans have made billions of dollars in the process of fighting this GWOT. They privatized the military so that Halliburton, AT&T, KBR, Blackwater, and now the bankers all have their shot at making big profits during this crisis.

There is no more effective terrorist than the demagogue who claims righteous vengence. Bush has scared me much more than Bin Laden ever will.

[speeddeeps]

Spot on

[justoverit333]

The Repubs just can't seem to admit that "intelligent"
Americans can see right through the little smear tactics
of McCain & Palin. Obama was expecting it and was
ready for it. The idiots at the McCain rallies are just
that, idiots. They will believe, and want to believe that
Obama is not an American, blah blah blah. So they
have the idiots at the rallies yelling out stupid stuff
as usual. What an embarrassment for the McCain
campaign. They've got some lady up mentioning
Obama is an Arab. LOL. These guys are all just
so silly. Plus, none of it worked. It all backfired on them.

[Lou38]

one day Mccain will look back and realize what a mistake he made with his campaign,
honestly he probably realizes it now.

First Mistake: Sarah Palin.

[joshuahmcdonald]

He made many many mistakes before choosing Palin.

[IndependenceDame]

Perhaps, Wednesday night, Senator Obama will lead off on offense and once more turn the McCain Campaign on its head with something like, "The McCain Campaign has implied I'm a terrorist because I once served on a board with Mr. Ayers, whose past actions, when I was 8, I've already condemned. Well, folks, I answered the question but they didn't hear my answer because they were too busy ignoring the economy to find new ways to play that old game, the politics of personal destruction. They don't want to hear the truth from me any more than they want to hear what the voters are telling them, that it's the economy that matters. But, Senator McCain, if you want to ask me about Ayers or anything else, now is the time, right here in front of Ameria and I'll answer you truthfully, just like I've answered these allegations in the past. Then maybe we can move on and concentrate on what the American people want and need in these tough economic times." Looking at Senator McCain should be quite effective for this approach, especially if he can make eye contact with him. It's a basic put-up or shut-up offense.

[Michale32086]

I would LOVE to see that...

I well and truly would...

That is EXACTLY what Senator Obama should do...

Michale.....

[NYCSocialWork]

Agreed...100% that's a great approach! I would love it!

[Michale32086]

@ChimesOfFreedom

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You don't have to guess - it's clearly not on the board.
{{{

Touche' :D

}}}}}}}}}
No possibility of rehabilitation for someone like that, eh? After almost 40 years of non-violence, a man who's never been tried for much less convicted of a crime is still guilty in your eyes ... what a sad, myopic, uncharitable view of the world you have.
{{{{{{{

Nope.. Just someone who has seen the aftermath of what cowardly scumbags like Ayers has done...

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And I would wonder mightily why all those Republicans chose to serve on the board of the CAC with him.
{{{{{{{{

Interesting..

Your concern is not about public safety, or ANY OTHER issue beyond politics...

When asked about this "what if", you immediately leap to making it a POLITICAL issue, IE " why all those Republicans"

Without intending to, I am sure, but you prove my point for me.

To you, the ONLY consideration is political consideration.

You, obviously, are a Democrat first and an American second.. Maybe not even second, eh??

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Sorry, but that is NOT a serious question, due to the ridiculous implication that there's no difference between Ayers and bin Laden.
{{{{{{{

For many people who have worked and trained as I have, there IS no difference between Ayers and Bin Laden.

And THAT is a concept you obviously simply won't see..

Michale.....