Finger-Wagging Smith Scolds McCain Rep Over NYT Ayers Article

Photo of Mark Finkelstein.

Good thing Nancy Pfotenhauer wasn't in the same studio with Harry Smith this morning. The Early Show anchor might have broken out his hickory stick.  Like a hectoring school marm, Smith scolded McCain adviser Pfotenhauer for what he deemed her insufficient citation of a New York Times article tracing Barack Obama's affiliation with unrepentant terrorist William Ayers.

Wagging a stern finger at Pfotenhauer across the airwaves, Smith repeatedly interrupted her, demanding "what was the conclusion, what was the conclusion?"

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HARRY SMITH: Nancy, you guys drudge [sic] up Bill Ayers, Gibbs & Co. [Obama campaign] is going to drudge up Charles Keating. Do either of these steps back into the past help answer the question who best to lead, which is the decision America has to make in less than a month?

NANCY PFOTENHAUER: Well you know Harry, I might just point out that we didn't dredge [N.B., Harry] this information up.  The New York Times spent 2,000 words on an article about it the other day.  The Wall Street Journal --

SMITH: And what was the conclusion, excuse me?

PFOTENHAUER: -- has written on it --

SMITH: Excuse me, what was the conclusion --

PFOTENHAUER: The Chicago papers also --

SMITH: Excuse me, what was the conclusion?  What was the conclusion? What was the conclusion of that article?

PFOTENHAUER: What the article also concluded is that if Senator McCain had hung out with somebody who bombed abortion clinics, no one would consider it illegitimate [to raise it].  And again I might point out Hillary Clinton raised this as an issue as well.

Smith was presumably referring to the Times' assertion that the men "do not appear to have been close."  But the article also found that Obama "has played down his contacts with Mr. Ayers."  

The invaluable Stanley Kurtz, writing at NRO, has labelled the NYT story a "whitewash."  Kurtz has spent countless hours researching Obama's seamy associations, and has been the target of an Obama campaign to silence him.

If Smith were seriously interested in getting the facts on Ayers-Obama, he'd have Kurtz on as a guest.  In the meantime, Smith's angry, finger-waving tirade evidences just what a sore point the Ayers-Obama connection is with the MSM and how far the liberal media will go to discredit those who raise it.

—Mark Finkelstein is a NewsBusters contributing editor and host of Right Angle. Contact him at mark@gunhill.net.


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Ayers

It's about time. I wish they had been mentioning this stuff earlier. Obama got his start at the home of ayers. Hopefully this makes it impossible to ignore and the media will be forced to at least report on his other associations like Rezko, Acorn, and the like.

Thou Shalt NoT!

Third Commandment of His Lord Obama:

Thou shalt not speak of my past!

Harry Smith and his cronies

Harry Smith and his cronies I am sure are furious that they have to talk about this now after doing such a good job of keeping it under wraps all this time with so little time to go before the election.   How dare Sean Hannity and the NYT bring this up!  (I bet the only reason the NYT did the story is because they new Hannity was going to run with it)  Smith and company are seething with contempt that they were forced to talk about this because of Fox News.  My biggest fear is that Hannity waited to late to do the piece becase so many people are under the almighty Obama's spell.

Hannity has been on it for

Hannity has been on it for a long while.Once it appeared Obama was going to win  the nomination, Hannity switched his focus from Hillary to Obama and started talking about  this. It's just that the MSM has decided to ignore Obama's past.

If the media put in half as much time on Obama's past as they did with  Pres. Bush's memogate story, Obama would have been finished no less than 8 months ago.

Smith wants to Replace Couric?

Smith is working on his bona fides to replace Katie Couric when she is bounced of the Evening News.

It's the ideological match

It's the ideological match that's important, not how many times Ayers and Obama have been with each other, or if he was 8 years old. They HAD to talk about ideology. Why doesn't Harry REALLY explore Ayres ideology and how much of that Obama agrees with?

Right on

Right on, NJ Dan. It's about ideology.The Obama's, Barry and Michelle, are indoctrinated left-wing radicals. Read, if you can stomach it, her "thesis". Listen to their words about America. Hey, you two, we want to form A MORE PERFECT UNION, not constantly point out its imperfections. Wake up America, these people and their ilk have wanted to destroy America for decades.

NEVER,NEVER trust a "liberal"

Mad

I love it when they are mad and foaming at the mouth. And when was the last time these truth seekers looked for a little truth for McCain O thats right never mind.

Great point!

Pfotenhauer makes a great point. If it had been John McCain with Barry's sleazy relationships, it would be front page news every day of the week. Barry is a Chicago thug. He lives in the neighborhood with Ayers and Looie F. He NEVER sees them, of course, but he lives in the neighborhood. He also says he was "influenced" by and had "discussions" with the anti-Isreal PLO professor at Columbia. Oh, and there's that Resko fella. But he can't talk with him now, because he's in jail. And Barry has "severed" his "relationships" with Wright and Pfleger, those wonderful people of God. He's also got a bridge in Brooklyn to sell ya'. Poor Barry, he's such a misunderstood liar.

NEVER,NEVER trust a "liberal"

Barry doesn't really get

Barry doesn't really get around the neighborhood much, seeing as the Obamas have only one car and all, and Michelle usually has it.

If it had been John McCain

If it had been John McCain with Barry's sleazy relationships, it would be front page news every day of the week.

No kidding.

Can you say "Halliburton"????

 

SMITH: Excuse me, what was

SMITH: Excuse me, what was the conclusion?  What was the conclusion? What was the conclusion of that article?

ANd the conclusion by the NYT was that "they weren't close."

Wow!  What a shocker!

Pfotenhaur should have answered him and said "What else did you expect from the NYT??????"

Right now Lanny Davis is on Fox and Friends doing his Tom Daschle imitation about how "disappointing" it is that McCain is going this route, after building a reputation as a respectful campaigner.

Right Lanny; if McCain had any honor, he would just withdraw from the race right now.

So much unnecessary mincing and prancing around

"Well, EXCUUUSE me..." 

What can't Harriet just come out and say what's already written all over his sleeve:

All guests must admit The Messiah is the only one fit to lead.

Reply

PFOTENHAUER's response should have been. "Harry you seem to defend this man as if you have a vested interest." I also agree with a previous poster. "Harry if you want to clear this up have Stanely Kurtz on, I'm sure he will clarify the situation" "oops my mistake I forgot you don't want to know"

Dancing back and forth

Suppose this NYTimes article had been a "strictly news" report. One wonders, then, why it had a conclusion, since a conclusion is what you give at the end of an argument. On the other hand, if it was an argument (otherwise known as opinion), it should have been labeled so.

You know, it's possible that we look at the same evidence and draw different conclusions. The liberals see the evidence of Obama's association with Ayers and, combined with their desire to see Obama elected, make nothing out of it. The liberals claim that there's no evidence that his association with him means that Obama agrees with the radical. Conservatives sees the same evidence, and wonder why Obama is consorting with radicals at all, never mind how much radicalism rubbed off on him. Given the evidence, that's as likely a conclusion to draw as the other.

Harry Smith, in his brick-quick mind, can't see that distinction. He insists that if you accept the article's evidence, you must agree to the article's conclusion. That's just a lack of distinction, a mental deficit.

My respect for the intelligence of these guys slips every time they speak.

Dancing

Well said. Kudos to you KC.

If it's not an argument then why the conclusion?

The problem you're going to have with that is it's too logical. My experience with liberals (and i live in NY so i have lots of it) has been that they reject logic and common sense in favor of emotion. So logic just seems to frustrate them and then they call you names.

I'm sure that's not the case with all liberals, but it's definitely the most common.

In-bred bias

Thanks. 

It's natural to ask questions from your own perspective. But perspectives are built by assumptions, and those assumptions come from many years of experience and thought. Since we don't all share the same thoughts, and we certainly don't all have the same experience, our assumptions and perspectives tend to vary widely.

But Harry Smith, based on this episode, reflects that same preference for emotion over logic that you speak of. There are plenty of liberals who can make those distinctions, but these liberals in the media lack that ability.

There's no fool like an old fool...

There's no fool like an old fool and Harry Smith certainly qualifies. Any real newsperson could make a radical connection between the Left, Soros, Progressivism, Black Liberation Theology, Marxism, Socialism, other isms, and Barack Obama. You can't be on the Annenberg committee and not have a working relationship with others who receive grants, hold meetings--whatever. You can't see this, you can't report on it, unless you are a deluded Leftist like Harry Smith--worthless as tits on a boar. to any and all of us. What does Harry do except stink up the planet?

There's no fool like an old fool...

There's no fool like an old fool and Harry Smith certainly qualifies. Any real newsperson could make a radical connection between the Left, Soros, Progressivism, Black Liberation Theology, Marxism, Socialism, other isms, and Barack Obama. You can't be on the Annenberg committee and not have a working relationship with others who receive grants, hold meetings--whatever. You can't see this, you can't report on it, unless you are a deluded Leftist like Harry Smith--worthless as tits on a boar. to any and all of us. What does Harry do except stink up the planet?

Four times he cuts her off in a matter of seconds

Jeez Harry we know your in the tank but at least be civil. You need a snorkel because your losing O2 to the brain.

I am

 I am sick of the news media and all the crap we have to put up with. As always the media won't actually report but keep attacking John McCain. I am worried that this will be hiden under the rug, unless John McCain  takes action during the debate.

Vote for McCain/Palin 2008 to get the real change and a chance to vote for Palin/whomever 2012.
No way, No how, Nobama 08. Keep your radical agenda to yourself

Hard to believe

I lived in Porter County, Indiana from 1997 to 2004.  Porter County is essentially a Chicago suburb.  My house to downtown was 45 minutes on a good day.  While living there I knew more about Chicago politics than Indiana politics.  All televised and most print media were from the chicago markets.

As a white professional male living in a 98% white community I knew what was being preached by Rev. Wright and Fr. Phlager (sp?).  It's no secret what goes on in the South Side far left political circles.  I'll admit I was not aware of Bill Ayres.

My point is this:  If BHO lived in that community and attended Trinity United twice a month as he claimes he would either have full knowledge of what went on in that church and comminuty, or be very dense and oblivious to the obvious.

Since I have had the opportunity to meet with and speak with BHO in person (see below) I can state with certianty that he is neither dense or oblivious to the obvious.  So, where does that leave us?

If all the questionable connections is his past are dismissed with "that's not the person I knew", what does that say about his judgement?  Personally, it scares the h*ll out of me.  BHO's campaign has all the traits of some of the most successful far left (socialist) rises to power in recent history, such as Hugo Chavez. 

I am not the biggest McCain fan, but the alternative is horrifying.

 

Footnote:  A few days before the Indiana primary BHO made an unscheduled stop to the VFW post in my town.  There were about twenty people there and we had opportunity to speak with him and ask questions.  I was on the local news with him.  I am still catching flack from all my consercative friends for that video.

 

There are 10 types of people.  Those who understand binary and those who don't.

I love the timing of this. 

I love the timing of this.  Enough time to get the word out, but not enough time for Team 0bomba to quell the fire.  Ain't October grand?

Alice Palmer confirms Ayers-Obama meetings

During the Cold War, Palmer supported the Soviet Union and spoke against the United States.

In the 1980s she served as an executive board member of the U.S. Peace Council, which the FBI identified as a Communist front group (and which was an affiliate of the World Peace Council, an international Soviet front).

In the mid-1990s, Palmer attended a number of political meetings at the Chicago-area home of her friends and ideological allies, former Weatherman terrorists Bill Ayers and his wife Bernardine Dohrn.

At those gatherings, Palmer developed a friendly relationship with another attendee, a young aspiring politician named Barack Obama.

As Palmer prepared to leave the state senate and run for the US Congress, she hand-picked Barack Obama as the person she most wanted to fill her newly vacated senate seat.

Toward that end, she introduced Obama to party elders and donors as her preferred successor, and helped him gather the signatures required for getting his name placed on the ballot.

Alice Palmer was defeated in the Congressional race and asked Barack Obama to withdraw from the race for her former seat.

Obama refused to withdraw so she ran against him and gathered the necessary signatures on her petition.

Obama promptly challenged the legitimacy of those signatures and charged Palmer with fraud.

A subsequent investigation found that a number of the names on Palmer’s signature list were invalid, thus she was knocked off the ballot.

“I liked Alice Palmer a lot, I thought she was a good public servant." Barack Obama
------------------------------------------------

Barack Obama will discard anyone when he is finished using them. I wonder how he would have treated her if he didn't like her?

Obama

Right on, Retired Geek. And just as he "discarded" his American name for an African one, he will attempt to "discard" American traditions, laws. culture, etc. if, God forbid, he gets elected.

NEVER,NEVER trust a "liberal"

Maybe The News Media Will Be Frontpaging Denials

The latest story I read was in today's AT, very interesting. It not only focuses on Obama's Ayres relationship but goes a step further tying Ayers and Chavez, a relationship which continues today. 

JDW


DAILY WAVE

'Hey Chuck, Stand Up!'

Obama's Angel of Light


Democrats are saying Palin doesn't even have experience as a 'Community Organizer' like Marxist Obama did, she wasn't even taught by Communist Saul Alinsky.

Democrats are saying Palin may have executive experience but Obama has speeches.

Democrats are saying Palin never left her babies to die in a 'Dirty Linen' closet like Obama has fought so hard for - how can she understand the 'Obama Hope'?

Democrats are saying Palin was never 'Mentored' by 'God Damn America' black racist Jeremiah Wright - how can she understand the plight of the ordinary black American?

Democrats are saying Palin never voted present 129 times - how can she bring the political experience Obama has to the White House?

Democrats are saying Palin doesn't understand the 'Bitter Clingers' like Obama - the typical whites who cling to 'God and Guns'.

Democrats are saying Palin doesn't even have 'Cult Followers like Obama, who believe Obama is the messiah and will heal the world.

Democrats are saying Palin has a husband who has always been proud of America, how can she understand those like Michelle Obama who was never proud of America.

Democrats are saying Palin thinks babies are wonderful how could she understand the 'Baby Mistakes' Obama talks about.

Democrats are saying Palin has worked at real jobs, how could she understand the plight of Obama who has never had a 'real job'.

Democrats are saying Palin might bring real values to America not the phony ones they believe in - Democrats are afraid!

Democrats are say Palin doesn't even send an 'Angel of Light' to guide voters like Obama does.

"... a light will shine through that window, a beam of light will come down upon you, you will experience an epiphany ... and you will suddenly realize that you must go to the polls and vote for Obama" - Barack Obama Lebanon, New Hampshire.
January 7, 2008.

Wrong finger, Harry!

I sense an urgency in these people. They are seeing this slip away-literally through their fingers. Desperation is obvious.

I love Newsbusters, but...

I wish we could do more to get this stuff out there onto the same mainstream channels that most of America watches.  I have been a long time reader but finally registered here.  Of course the meda is in the tank for Obama.  They not only are behind him ideologically, but stand to gain financially as well.

This new site allows for users to vote on videos and the ad revenue allows them to run the winning channel on a national cable network.  Here is their video on liberal bias.  Can you imagine what could be done with Newsbusters users/contributors backing?

http://www.clicktobr...

 

 

Harry, a quick question...

Harry, a quick question... If the two were/are not close, then why did Obama get tapped to head William Ayers $150 million dollar education grant foundation? Just a coincidence?

Fuhrer Obama Hitler Youth

 

 

Making Fun of AGW http://giovanniworld.wordpress.com/  

So much more out there

I wanted to comment on Sean Hanity's "Obama & Friends: History of Radicalism". This was on Hanity's Amerca Sunday night. It was powerful and had information that I din't know and I am a Nobama apostle. Would somebody tell Sean that he should put this on DVD and put it in every newspaper in the country? Also, I would donate for any expenses involved. See it guys. so many questions are brought up with this program.

fbies

Keating 5

Interesting that the Big O is going to counter this with the Keating 5 thing. McCain was completely exonerated from this scandal and even apologized for his involvment. Has Obama been cleared from his association with Ayers or has he said he is sorry...I think not!!!

Right Chipolito - It's the Keating 3 that matter

the ones found guilty - all three were Democrats.  McCain should be doing a commercial on the Keating 3 and how Obama once again ignores the corruption in his own party - just as he's ignoring the corruption of the Dems (including himself) who refused to agree to McCain's plan of regulating Freddy and Fanny

Golden Opportunity

By BHO counter attacking with the Keating 5 story he is essentially stating that associations matter.  Thus far he has fought the concept of people being judged by the company he keep.  Now that he has used that tactic against McCain, his associations are fair game too.

There are 10 types of people.  Those who understand binary and those who don't.

Good Point

What's said is that they know he was cleared on this, but will hope the media will focus on the attack and not 'fact check' it even though it is common knowledge.

Liberal Journalists: Illegal Lobbyism = Terrorism

A lobbyist caught breaking the law with ties to McCain is equal to a terrorist who planted bombs on Federal buildings with ties to Obama?

Liberals have their lines crossed.  As for the liberal media, can you say DOUBLE STANDARD?

Smith asks," what's the conclusion"?

The conclusion would be, Harry you're in the deep end of the tank, floating with all the rest of the enlightened ones. All these MSM'ers better hope there isn't a smoking gun waiting somewhere, it would be a major embarrassment. I've heard reported and read that at the time Obama was attending Columbia, Ayers was living in NYC, not far from the jivemeister. Isn't it funny that his time at Columbia is conveniently not documented, no history, no grades, no papers, hmmmm. Could Ayers have been one of Barack's instructors or dope smoking buddies. I know this is all speculation, no proof, yet.
I think about a little ditty I read, I can't take credit for it, but it goes like this----Barack approaches the podium, he begins unbuckling his trousers, drops them to his ankles, squats down and re-leaves himself, buckles-up and gives a speech. Media collectively sighs, "how presidential".