Fact check: Obama and William Ayers(AP and a Fox link)

[underpants]

http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5j7cAG1TxjwCG7Xv6Wdn5m7kp_RfwD903OQ001

THE FACTS:

Ayers was part of the Weather Underground, a radical group that claimed credit for explosions at the U.S. Capitol, the Pentagon and more. Originally known as the Weathermen, the group took its name from a Bob Dylan lyric: "You don't need a weatherman to know which way the wind blows."

In 1970, a bomb the group was making — to use against an Army base — exploded at a New York town house, killing three members. Ayers fled and spent years as a fugitive. He met and married fellow fugitive Bernadine Dohrn during that period.

The two surfaced in 1980. Ayers had been charged with various offenses stemming from demonstrations in Chicago in 1969, but those charges had been dismissed for prosecutorial misconduct. He never faced any charges related to the town house explosion. Dohrn pleaded guilty to two counts of aggravated battery and two counts of bail-jumping in connection with a 1969 anti-war protest.

Ayers now teaches at the University of Illinois at Chicago, and Dohrn heads the Children and Family Justice Center at Northwestern University. Ayers has advised Chicago Mayor Richard Daley on education issues.

Ayers and Obama both served on the board of directors of the Woods Fund, a Chicago-based charity that focuses on developing community groups to assist the poor. A variety of business executives, journalists and academics serve on the board.

When Obama was organizing his first race for the state legislature, the incumbent lawmaker he hoped to replace introduced him to her supporters and urged them to back Obama. One introductory event took place at the home of Ayers and Dohrn.

Ayers contributed $200 to Obama's legislative campaign in 2001, but there is no other sign that he has actively aided Obama's political career.

During Wednesday's debate, Obama argued that if the candidates are to be held responsible for distant connections to the Weather Underground, then Clinton would fail, too. He pointed out that her husband, just before leaving the White House, commuted the sentences of two members of the group who had been convicted of weapons and explosives charges.

Fox cut out some of the information but it is basically the same
http://elections.foxnews.com/2008/04/17/fact-check-obamas-relationship-with-william-ayers/

Oh and check out the video here to see how Fox News has (and will) spin on this
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/04/17/ayers-and-obama-what-is-t_n_97204.html

[panader0]

1. Thanks for the background.

Hell, I donated to Obama too. I hope the Clinton campaign doesn't get a hold of that connection. Oh yeah, I went to the same high school too. Oh yeah, I have two misdemeanor pot arrests. Sorry Barack, I hope they don't try to use this info against you.

[LSparkle]

2. The Clinton pardons are rich ... campaign should have done their homework

before going with this Fixed Noize line of "attack."

Heard Wolfson fumbled when asked about this by Keith O. last night ... !!!

[cali]

3. I have such contempt for the hillbots here on this.

Despite his past, Ayers is a respected member of his community. And his work and passion for early childhood education should be appreciated. Life is complex. The sixties were turbulent. I'm not excusing what he did, but he's not some raving lunatic terrorist, and anyway, Obama's relationship with him is slight.

[Bigleaf]

4. How dare Obama serve on the board of a charity that helps the poor? What an asshole!

He accepted a whole $ 200 campaign contribution from Ayers?

:sarcasm: Are these fuckers for real?

[underpants]

6. That's what I said

Ayers was wrong in the past but he sure seems to be making up for it

[Buzz Clik]

7. Hillary was always careful to check out the other members of the boards she was on.

Like Walmart.

[Cant trust em]

5. but, but, but they know each other

Grasping at straws was pretty obvious during the debate.