Republican vice-presidential candidate Sarah Palin claimed that Barack Obama was "palling around with terrorists" during three separate speeches on Saturday, October 4, 2008. The following day, Douglass K Daniel of the Associated Press wrote that Palin's accusation was "unsubstantiated and carried a racially tinged subject that John McCain himself may come to regret." Daniel also claimed that the accusation "was exaggerated at best if not outright false."First Read (MSNBC): Palin: Ayers Link Not Racially Tinged' (October 5, 2008)

On Sunday, October 5, 2008, Palin defended her statement and said the AP's characterization was "wrong." The Obama campaign denounced Palin's comments, calling them "shameless" and "offensive."Political Radar: Palin Defend Ayers Comments (October 5, 2008)

"Our opponent ... is someone who sees America, it seems, as being so imperfect, imperfect enough, that he's palling around with terrorists who would target their own country, This is not a man who sees America like you and I see America. We see America as a force of good in this world. We see an America of exceptionalism."The Huffington Post: AP: Palin's Ayers Attack "Racially Tinged" (October 5, 2008) —Sarah Palin speaking in Englewood, Colorado to donors

"It’s important for Americans to know,” Palin said on the tarmac Sunday. “It’s really important for Americans to start knowing who the real Barack Obama is."'First Read (MSNBC): Palin: Ayers Link Not Racially Tinged' (October 5, 2008)'—Sarah Palin to reporters