Skip to: Content
Skip to: Site Navigation
Skip to: Search

November 22, 2008 12:17:08 PM CST

Learn about Newser Points »

« Back to the grid | Next story »

How Obama Crossed Paths With a Radical '60s Bomber

Posted Oct 4, 08 10:04 CDT in Politics 

(Newser) – Bill Ayers' past as a bomb-planting '60s radical has been largely forgiven in Chicago—even the mayor says, “He’s done a lot of good in this city and nationally”—but it keeps popping up to haunt Barack Obama, the New York Times reports. The pair live in the same neighborhood and served together on the board of a charitable organization, but have never been close, though a new ad from the McCain campaign this week highlights their links.

Ayers, now an education professor, is "somebody who engaged in detestable acts 40 years ago, when I was 8," Obama says. Conservatives claim Obama plays down his relationship with Ayers. Times interviews with people who know the men suggest the candidate has indeed understated the dealings he had with Ayers, but the pair have had little contact since 2002, and there is no indication Ayers' radical beliefs had any influence on Obama.

Source New York Times

1 comments | Print E-mail | Digg Seed this on Newsvine Add this link to Del.icio.us StumbleUpon

Related Newser Stories

  • Constitution May Sink Hillary's State Chance

    Nov 20, 08 12:35 PM CST
    Constitution May Sink Hillary's State Chance Should Barack Obama nominate Hillary Clinton for secretary of state, the confirmation process could be the least of her worries, the Washington Post reports. The Constitution prohibits any member of Congress from assuming a federal post whose salary has been increased during the lawmaker’s term; cabinet salaries have risen by about $15,000 since Clinton’s current term began. More »

  • Beyoncé Wants to Serenade Obama

    Nov 20, 08 11:25 CST
    Beyoncé Wants to Serenade Obama Beyoncé has her eye on her next big performance: Barack Obama’s inauguration. “Of course I’d love to,” she told People when asked about performing at the event. “Who wouldn’t?” Sasha Fierce will definitely attend the swearing-in, whether performing or not. “I want to be there to witness it,” she said.
    More »

  • Finally: Mac Wins Missouri

    Nov 19, 08 1:55 PM CST
    Finally: Mac Wins Missouri Missouri, the last state up for grabs, looks to have gone Republican by less than a 1% margin, leaving John McCain with 173 electoral votes to Barack Obama’s 365, the Kansas City Star reports. There are still 3,000 uncounted provisional ballots, but McCain’s margin is large enough to declare him the winner of the state’s 11 electoral votes. More »

  • Obama Taps Holder for AG

    Nov 18, 08 3:38 PM CST
    Obama Taps Holder for AG Eric Holder, a former US Attorney, judge, and deputy attorney general under Bill Clinton, will be Barack Obama’s nominee to head the Justice Department, Newsweek reports. Sources say Holder has been considered for the post from the beginning, and he ran the Democrat’s vice-presidential search along with Caroline Kennedy. If confirmed, Holder would be the first African American Attorney General. More »

  • Clinton at State Troubles Obamanauts

    Nov 18, 08 9:55 CST
    Clinton at State Troubles Obamanauts While a Hillary Clinton appointment as secretary of State has been greeted with enthusiasm worldwide, Barack Obama’s own team of believers is feeling some confusion and dissonance, reports Politico. “These guys didn't put together a campaign in order to turn the government over to the Clintons,” says a Democrat close to Obama. "I can't stand her," said another—"but I think she's a great choice."
    More »

This May 17, 1982 file photo Bill Ayers, a former member of the Weather Underground, walks with wife, Bernardine Dohrn, and their son, Zayd Dohrn, 4, outside Federal Court in New York.   (AP Photo/David Handschuh)
Democratic presidential candidate Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., puts his jacket on before he climbs the steps to his campaign plane at the airport in Philadelphia, Pa. Friday, Oct. 3, 2008.   (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow

If Barack Obama says he’s willing to talk to foreign leaders without preconditions. I can imagine he’d be willing to talk to Bill Ayers about schools, But I think that’s about as far as their relationship goes. - Former '60s radical Tom Hayden

If you’re in public life, you ought to say, ‘I don’t want to be associated with this guy.' If John McCain had a long association with a guy who’d bombed abortion clinics, I don’t think people would say, ‘That’s ancient history.' - Tribune columnist Steve Chapman

« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow
Our editors also recommend:

Threads (
1
 of 4)

Tags

Barack Obama • Election 2008 • Bill Ayers • radical • anti war movement


Loading...

Premium Articles from HighBeam

Find more articles like this

Today's Most Popular

Loading...

Other Politics Stories

What is Newser?

2008 Codie Finalist

Face it: there's too much news. At Newser a team of editors and writers culls the most important stories from hundreds of U.S. and international sources and reduces them to a headline, picture, and two paragraphs. It's the Newser guarantee: we can take any report or column or video and pack what you need to know into 120 words or less. Newser's short-form aggregation, visual format, and unique information tools help you get more of the kind of news you want, in a quicker and more entertaining way. And we do it 24/7—you can come back morning, noon, night (and in between) for something new that matters. Read less, know more.

Learn more »