Ex-radical Ayers distances himself from Obama
@whiteheather39 (24403)
United States
November 14, 2008 5:23pm CST
IMO This could just be a good friend protecting his buddy and I doubt if it was Ayers idea or decision. What do you think?
CHICAGO – Vietnam-era radical Bill Ayers said Friday that he doesn't know President-elect Barack Obama any better than "thousands of other Chicagoans" and that the two never talked about Ayers' anti-war activities. In a television interview on ABC's "Good Morning America," the college professor disputed the contention that in the new afterword of a paperback edition of his 2001 memoir "Fugitive Days" he describes himself and Obama as "family friends."
"I'm describing there how the blogosphere characterized the relationship," Ayers said. "I would really say that we knew each other in a professional way, again on the same level as say thousands of other people."
In fact, Ayers said he didn't even know Obama when he hosted a coffee early in Obama's political career at Ayers' home in the Chicago neighborhood where the two live. Ayers added that he agreed to have the meet-the-candidate event after a state senator asked him to.
"I think he was probably in 20 homes that day as far as I know," said Ayers, who has declined interview requests from The Associated Press. "But that was the first time I really met him."
Ayers said that he and Obama also served together on a Chicago school reform board and a foundation board, but that their discussions were limited to issues before those boards.
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20081114/ap_on_re_us/obama_ayers
2 people like this
7 responses
@ClarusVisum (2163)
• United States
15 Nov 08
"IMO" there is no reason not to take the man at his word. Has he been caught lying about his associations in the past?
Guilty until proven innocent, I see. 
1 person likes this
@irisheyes (4370)
• United States
15 Nov 08
I think the politics of fear has taken a very nebulous connection and blown it out of proportion. Anyone in this country who lives in the vicinity of a major college or university (as I do) knows that it is not at all uncommon for a stranger to host a politician from the same party. In this respect Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania is not any different than Chigago Illinois. It may seem strange to someone who has never lived near a activist college or university but it is actually quite commonplace.
@anniepa (27955)
• United States
15 Nov 08
I can see no reason not to take Ayers at his word. It's pretty much the same thing that's been said all along, except for by those who have been trying to take Obama down. I really can't think of any reason why they two would have discussed Ayer's Vietnam era activities since Obama was just a child at the time.
Annie
@whiteheather39 (24403)
• United States
15 Nov 08
I do not think that their relationship is or perhaps was quite as casual as Ayers is now saying. Of course if I was in Obama's shoes I would get myself as far away as possible from some of his more controversial associates.
1 person likes this
@Yestheypayme2dothis (7874)
• United States
15 Nov 08
There is proof that they were more than they say they are. But like more issues, someone is told to shut up..and Obama followers believe everything he says. I guess they will trust him until he has them make personal changes in their life that they cannot relate to...or will they still be saluting him.
@Yestheypayme2dothis (7874)
• United States
15 Nov 08
I wonder how many times Obama looks at the American people and just laughs. He just has to.
@whiteheather39 (24403)
• United States
15 Nov 08
You are the first person to say just what I have been thinking! I not only think he is laughing at most of his followers I sense an aura of disdain from him. He is handsome, eloquent but IMO there is no genuine warmth or caring for the American people coming from him or his wife. I feel he thinks he is above, or better than, the people who make up his adoring fans. I know many will disagree with me but that is and has always been my gut feeling about him.
@Yestheypayme2dothis (7874)
• United States
15 Nov 08
Isn't true? And the masses cannot see it. There is nothing warm about him. But many people who voted for him are not warm....many are cold just like he is..and so many are bitter...I really hate the way he c*cks his head.
@spalladino (17891)
• United States
15 Nov 08
What would Ayers be protecting Barack Obama from at this point? The election is over...he won. Oh, that's right...Palin is still using him as a Boogie Man.
@whiteheather39 (24403)
• United States
15 Nov 08
The man want to keep his invented squeaky clean messiah image intact. I think he wants to keep his adoring fans faithful. He could have the type of narcissistic personality where he thrives on adoration and does not want any negative publicity.
1 person likes this
@twoey68 (13627)
• United States
16 Nov 08
It's funny how one minute they can be just about strangers and the next they are family friends. I would think that since 0bama wanted a political career that as soon as he realized who Ayers was and his attitude that he'd want nothing to do with him. Afterall he is supposed to be serving this country and yet he's friends or associates with someone who has bombed this country and his only regret is that they didn't bomb more.
[b]~~IN SEARCH OF PEACE WITHIN~~
**AGAINST THE STORMS, I WILL STAND STRONG** [/b]
