William Ayers

Bill Ayers is a professor and former member of the militant Weatherman organization. He currently teaches education at the University of Illinois at Chicago.

In January 2009, Ayers was denied entrance to Canada for unknown reasons. Ayers said he didn't know why he was barred access from the country, saying "If it were me I would have let me in. I couldn't possibly be a threat to Canada."TheStar.com: William Ayers turned back at Canadian border (January 19, 2009)

As a member of the left wing Weatherman organization, he had a role in the 1970 bombings of New York City Police Headquarters, the Capitol building in 1971 and the Pentagon in 1972. He came from an affluent background, living in an upper-class Chicago suburb. According to his autobiography, Ayers became a political activist after being radicalized at the University of Michigan. During his years there, he became involved in the New Left and Students for a Democratic Society.FOX News: Ayers Unrepentant for Radical Group’s Violence in 1960s, 1970s

Ayers has been a supporter and campaign contributor to Barack Obama since the mid-1990s, when Obama spoke at a political event at Ayers' home. There is consistent debate as to the relationship between the two men, with both John McCain and one-time Obama opponent Hillary Rodham Clinton mentioning the connection. Obama has distanced himself from Ayers, arguing that "he's not somebody who I exchanged ideas from on a regular basis."Los Angeles Times: Obama and the former radicals (April 18, 2008)

Obama's relationship with Ayers made headlines in October 2008, just one month before the 2008 presidential election, when Sarah Palin accused the Democratic presidential nominee of "palling around" with terrorists. Palin cited an article in The New York Times, which provided background about the link between Obama and Ayers.CNNPolitics.com: Fact Check: Is Obama "Palling Around With Terrorists"

"I don't regret setting bombs. I feel we didn't do enough."--Bill AyersThe New York Times: No Regrets for a Love of Explosives

"The notion that … knowing somebody who engaged in detestable acts 40 years ago, when I was eight years old, somehow reflects on me and my values doesn’t make much sense."--Barack Obama, on his relationship with AyersLos Angeles Times: Obama and the former radicals (April 18, 2008)