The connection between President Barack Obama and 1960s radical Bill Ayers has been scrutinized by political opponents. The Obama campaign indicated the relationship between the 1960s radical and the President has been greatly exaggerated by opponents to smear his campaign for president.The New York Times: Obama and '60's Bomber: A Look into.. (October 3, 2008)
In October 2008, one month before the 2008 presidential election, vice-presidential candidate Sarah Palin accused Obama of "palling around with terrorists."CNNPolitics.com: Fact Check: Is Obama "Palling Around With Terrorists"
Obama Ayers Accusations
Obama's link to Ayers came under fire in the April 16 debate between Obama and Hillary Rodham Clinton.
In the spring of 2008, Senator John McCain questioned Obama's character by saying, "How can you countenance someone who was engaged in bombings that could have or did kill innocent people?"The New York Times: Obama and '60's Bomber: A Look into.. (October 3, 2008)
McCain's running mate, Sarah Palin, accused Obama of "palling around with terrorists" a month before the election.
Obama Ayers Connection
When the link was first disclosed earlier in 2008, Obama sought to portray the connection as weak. It has since been revealed that Ayers was loosely involved in Obama's election as an Illinois state senator in the late 1990s. Obama also served with Ayers on the board of a philanthropic organization for three years.
References
Fast Facts
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Ayers has been a campaign contributor to Obama since the mid-1990sLos Angeles Times: Obama and the former radicals (April 18, 2008)
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When Obama first ran for the Chicago state legislature a supporter introductory event took place at the home of Ayers and Dohrn.
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In the early 1970s Ayers was a member of the Weather Underground
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Obama was eight years old when the radical group Weather Underground claimed responsibility for bombingsLos Angeles Times: Obama and the former radicals (April 18, 2008)
