NPR: McCain Attacks Obama on Ayers

McCain Attacks Obama on Ayers

Sen. John McCain attacked Sen. Barack Obama Friday for his association with former 60s radical Prof. William Ayers. Talking to conservative bloggers, McCain said that "I think not only a repudiation, but an apology for ever having anything to do with an unrepentant terrorist is due the American people," McCain said.

Ben Smith at Politico.com speculates that McCain has chosen Ayers as his line of attack, rather than Rev. Jeremiah Wright, "perhaps because he has his own troublesome pastor." Smith is referring to McCain's problems over the past few days after comments made by Pastor Jim Hagee.

The Obama campaign was quick to respond via e-mail, saying "McCain's use of 'the politics of association' undermines his credibility." The e-mail quotes McCain Senior Adviser, Charlie Black: "What Senator McCain has said repeatedly is that these candidates cannot be held accountable for all the views of people who endorse them or people who befriend them ... But John McCain believes is that Barack Obama or Hillary Clinton should be held accountable for their public policy views, the things we've described before, big government versus smaller government."

7:46 AM ET | 04-26-2008 | permalink

Comments (Send a comment)

If we're going to discuss Williams Ayers can we PLEASE also discuss Charles Keating and the Lincoln Savings and Loan's collapse which cost taxpayers $3.4 billion?
If attending one party is fair game then nine trips on a corporate jet should be on the table.

Sent by Maddie | 9:06 AM ET | 04-26-2008

Sweet! McDole is STILL fighting the 60's culture war. Maybe, as Maddie suggested, we can revisit the Keating five scandal that is all the more relevant what with the current housing crisis.

Sent by flo | 10:52 AM ET | 04-26-2008

I urge all to listen to the transcript of the conversation between Jeremiah Wright and Bill Moyers on "NJow" Friday, April 25, 2008 to put the above comments in contex.

Sent by Doug | 11:05 AM ET | 04-26-2008

oops there goes the high road. guess that only works when you know the carolina mudslingers are gonna say "thanks,but no thanks."

sad, really. mr mccain is one of the few conservatives who (mostly) seems to stick by his principles. hate to see candidate mccain become just another.

Sent by tim in exile | 3:14 PM ET | 04-26-2008

Who is he kidding? Obama only throws non-radical leftists under the bus for his political gain like his typical white gramma and his friend Senator Tom Coburn.

Anyway's it's funny that the only thing that assuages leftist sins is the mere passage and time and of course a job in academia. You could be the most horrific mass murderer in history and BING! it all goes away once you become a professor. You don't even have to repent.

I think the best thing for Bush and Cheney to do after about 5 years is become professors and teach leftist ideology. That's seems to be the instant salvation card.

Sent by deek | 12:25 PM ET | 04-27-2008

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