At the top of CNN.com’s most popular stories at midday Wednesday was a commentary by CNN contributor Roland Martin, a relentless unpaid Obama spin controller and host of a series of weekend specials. Martin's commentary argued that the Bill Ayers issue is a "smokescreen" and that if Barack Obama is tarred by working with Ayers, McCain is just as tarred by working with....Strom Thurmond, Jesse Helms, and Robert Byrd, who was "once a member of the Ku Klux Klan, a domestic terrorist organization!"
The McCain camp, along with their right-wing media comrades, want to convince you that Obama should not have decided to serve with Ayers, who was named the Citizen of the Year in Chicago in 1987 for his education work, and who is a professor at the University of Illinois at Chicago.
Now, if someone was seen as an acceptable figure by business, political and education figures, many of whom support both Democrats and Republicans, should Obama be faulted for sitting on a board with the guy?
So, let's use that same logic and apply it to McCain.
Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr., a Democrat from Chicago who serves as one of the national co-chairs for Obama, told me on The Tom Joyner Morning Show that if we are to use the association tag as evidence of a candidate being unfit for president, what about McCain serving and working alongside people with virulent bigoted pasts like Sens. Jesse Helms, Strom Thurmond and Robert Byrd?
Do we have evidence that these individuals committed specific acts against African-Americans during Jim Crow? No. But we do know that their hateful words, and willingness to uphold laws that were absolutely anti-American, did not represent the best of this nation.
Thurmond ran for president as a Dixiecrat in 1948 with a platform of maintaining segregation. Based on Helms' policies, he didn't see blacks as full Americans.
Bombing the Pentagon is horrible and indefensible. But declaring yourself a patriot while you speak such hateful and venomous words against your own countrymen, who just happen to be black, and then trying to oppress them, is just as indefensible.
So, did McCain work with them? Did he not speak with them? Should McCain have declared that he would not work alongside these men because of their past? Should the self-described maverick who believes in integrity and character have taken the honorable stance of resigning from the Senate to protest these hateful characters serving in the U.S. Senate?
No. And this is why this association argument is so weak and impotent.
For goodness' sakes, Byrd was once a member of the Ku Klux Klan, a domestic terrorist organization!
Martin did not seem to consider that if these associations were suspect, then Sen. Joe Biden would also match McCain in the bad-associations department. But the difference between these men and Ayers is obvious: unlike the politicians, Ayers is completely unrepentant about his past.
Despite Martin's service in the tank for Obama, he resists being categorized as a liberal. On CNN's Election Center on Tuesday night, deputy political director Alex Wellen promoted CNN.com/forum by noting you could create your own political badge on the site, and used Martin as an example:
Roland Martin has crated his badge. Let's annotate this. There is his name, he's a political analyst. He's a political junkie. And we see that his top three issues, and you will have your own three issues, social issues, the economy and Iraq. Where does he stand on Iraq? He is way left. But when it comes to social issues, he leans to the right.
How can anyone who leans right on social issues be such an Obama partisan? In addition, a peek at RolandSMartin.com finds this hilarious article from Editor & Publisher from March, when Roland was furiously spinning for Obama during the Reverend Wright controversy, noting that Martin objected when Creators Syndicate decided to categorize their columnists as conservatives, liberals, libertarians, and unaffiliated. Martin insisted he was the last one:
Columnists can change their categorization, Fryrear emphasized. For instance, Roland Martin was originally labeled as liberal but asked to switch to unaffiliated. Creators quickly complied.
Brent Bozell is syndicated by Creators, and happily accepts a "C."
—Tim Graham is Director of Media Analysis at the Media Research Center.
Editor at Large
Comments Policy
Roland should stick to fishing
October 8, 2008 - 14:57 ET by ArminiusOf the three men Roland Martin listed, only one, Robert Byrd, was a KKK member. He is also a Democrat (the KKK once was essentially the militant arm of the Democrat Party--study the Wilson administration years) and a supporter of Obama's. CNN needs to give this boob Martin more airtime. He's hurting Obama's cause.
Arminius,
October 8, 2008 - 15:06 ET by R D HelmLOL, Every time I hear that name, this is the first person I think of.
Makes it doubly hard for me to take CNN's Martin seriously about anything.
I hope the MSM keeps this lunacy up, too, as McCain needs all the help he can get, unfortunitely.
-Dave
I believe the 0 was the
October 8, 2008 - 17:59 ET by Davester65I believe the 0 was the first black person Sen Byrd ever endorsed for anything, sort of. If anyone remembers watching the endorsement on tv, it looked like the old redneck was in physical pain or having a stroke while he did it. Somebody must have really put the pressure on him to do it (can we say Democratic Primary challenger?). I say, let them dims try and bring up McCains past and who he's worked with. It'll just remind people that he has a record to stand on, unlike the 0.
if Barack Obama is tarred by
October 8, 2008 - 15:03 ET by allamericangirlif Barack Obama is tarred by working with Ayers, McCain is just as tarred by working with...
Interesting because Gibbs used this tactic on Hannity. Now I see Gibbs was giving the liberal media their talking points and instructions on how to handle the Ayers situation. I know they already have to some degree Started attacking Fox news. I bet this is just the beginning of an all out attack to smear anyone that says anything that is not worshipful about Obama.
"Liberalism is a mental disorder" -Michael Savage
Big difference
October 8, 2008 - 15:04 ET by LionKingMcCain did not have a choice. They were elected to the Senate and it was McCain's JOB to work with other Senators. If McCain had Byrd over to his home and they shared KKK stories, that would be an incriminating association.
The LIEberals are desperate to diminish the Obama-Ayers connection.
Biden worked with Thurmond Helms and Byrd
October 8, 2008 - 15:07 ET by MexNobama...as well, as did most of the senate while all three men were there.
(Byrd of course is still there because of his pact with Beelzebub)
Fact:
Ayers is white, so any charge of racism by the Obama camp and MSM has no foundation in truth.
Fact:
Ayers is still a rabid anti American socialist. Barry O's weak claim that he was just a child when Ayers commited serious crimes and got away with it does nothing to erase the fact that Ayers is still very outspoken about his Anti American and Anti Capitalist views.
Are we supposed to believe that Obama is so clueless that he had no idea about the extreme political views of both Ayers and Rev. Wright?
Still looming on the horizon are questions about Rezko and the Kenyan scadal.
I guess Obama didn't know about that either.
OK fine. He knows nothing. Then he is too naive to be President.
Great Point
October 8, 2008 - 15:13 ET by LionKingDouble standard on McCain and Biden. In fact, Obama is guilty of associating with Byrd also ... he is still in the SENATE.
MexNoBama,
October 8, 2008 - 15:22 ET by Indiana JoeHere, you can decide for yourself if Obama knew about Ayres.
Tell two friends. Word will get out. ;^)
"... smells like.... victory." - Robert Duvall, Apocalypse Now
Putting On Ayers
October 8, 2008 - 15:10 ET by NoMoreClintonsMcCain has really touched a nerve with the Ayers thing, and rightly so. The MSM would love to see this issue just go away because it can hurt 0bama badly. That's why they are tearing their hair out over it and railing against McCain for even mentioning Ayers. If I were McCain I would turn up the heat even more. I hope he's going to run commercials showing that 2001 photo of that piece of scum stepping on the American flag. The latest Zogby poll shows only a 2 point separation, with almost 8% undecided and this would surely help them decide. This election is NOT over folks, no matter what the Carvilles of the world and the MSM would have everyone believe.
I hope he's going to run
October 8, 2008 - 15:47 ET by Dan The Man 2I hope he's going to run commercials showing that 2001 photo of that piece of scum stepping on the American flag.
Obama : I dont wear the flag pin because I believe there are other ways to show your patriotism.
Picture Ayers stepping on flag : William Ayers in 2001 - I dont think we did enough...
Obama picture showing cupped hands in crotch other Dem's saluting flag, and in music background and flag waving.
Then the information Obama has not released yet.
Great commercial
Nuke em til they glow then shoot em in the dark.
...Ayers, who was named the
October 8, 2008 - 15:16 ET by HypocriteHater...Ayers, who was named the Citizen of the Year in Chicago in 1987 for his education work...
Well that changes everything! If Chicago, the most corrupt democrat run city in the US, can proclaim this former terrorist Citizen of the Year, then who are WE to dare judge him as anything but a saint!
Education work
October 8, 2008 - 15:34 ET by KC MulvilleWhen people hear "education work," they leap to the conclusion that Ayers was whispering Mr. Rogers-type happy thoughts. Ayers' agenda is to radicalize through education. He doesn't bomb anymore, but he radicalizes.
This is not a sweet, gentle, reformed whacko. He's just a more prudent whacko, which makes him more dangerous.
KC,
October 8, 2008 - 16:57 ET by Indiana JoeExactly. A more clever, subtle, mature whacko.
And extremely dangerous, for that very reason.
"... smells like.... victory." - Robert Duvall, Apocalypse Now
Boy, talk about throwing
October 8, 2008 - 15:29 ET by jdhawkBoy, talk about throwing people under the bus! Senator Byrd (aka sheets) is a dimocrat!
So, can we expect that there will be a censure in the senate for Byrd? Will the leadership begin the process of "impeaching" him? When will the ethics committee rule that he is unfit to continue as a U.S. senator?
Where was the press all this time? Who knew? Why weren't we told?
dimorats = insane
Roland Martin: Insensitive to those with special needs?
October 8, 2008 - 15:30 ET by ArminiusI e-mailed Roland Martin at roland@rolandsmartin.com to remind him that Robert Byrd was a Democrat and an Obama supporter. I received this response:
"And yóu still take the short yelloqw bus to school you fool."
Incredible. Was he channeling Mr. T?
Martin response
October 8, 2008 - 15:35 ET by Matthew BalanThat sounds like one of Roland Martin's responses. He's posted here on NB from time-to-time.
Matthew.. and he said a mouthful. But about Byrd
October 8, 2008 - 20:08 ET by Gary HallSen. Robert Byrd. Since 9/11 (or was it just since the election of Pres. Bush) the MSM, and I suspect CNN, has held Byrd in high esteem. He became the media's stalwart constitutional expert of the Senate in his long winded oratories attacking the Bush and his administration on issues involving the economy, war, civil rights, human rights, the Supreme Court, torture etc. Where was he when Clinton/Gore ordered the CIA to establish the US policy of Extroadinary Rendition in the mid-90's? Where was the MSM?
Byrd's disdain for anything Bush sent the media into a love fest every time he opened his old rambling hypocritical mouth. Byrd had become an isolationist - perhaps a pacifist.
That same Sen. Robert Byrd was also no fan of President Clinton. It was said that he never attended a SOTU address of Clinton's because he could not stomach the man. Byrd was disgusted at Clinton's behavior in the Lewinski affair. However, Robert Byrd always came to the defense of the Clinton war machine. "It was only the US" - he would say. For the Democrats, Byrd was a unilateralist. For Bush he became a liar to himself. For the media - he was only to be heard during the Bush years - and silenced during the Clinton era.
Where was this Byrd in 2003:
It just goes to figure that this pathetic media would stay silent on Byrd's sorid past, until they could figure out a way to use it against the most unlikely target - John McCain. (;~/ gary
I love this
October 8, 2008 - 15:34 ET by Indiana JoeI love when the left goes into total meltdown mode. Shows they feel the heat.
And this clueless wonder. Geez, what pretzel logic. The mental contortions indicate a total lack of principles, ethics, and professionalism.
Serving in the Senate is the same as befriending a known terrorist? Make no mistake, these two were (until about a week ago, I'd wager) pals, buddies, I've even heard neighbors! Ayers hosted Obama's political "coming-out" party in 1995, and served on the Woods fund board with Obama from '99 until '02. And during '01, Ayres' biography of his Weatherman years was published! How could Obama posssible have not known about his past?
Don't doubt they are worried about this. If they weren't, they wouldn't be completely burning the little credibility they have left. They're going all out to try to make this go away, because they know this could sink them with the voters. And we can't let them get away with it. The next month is make or break time.
The final push.
"... smells like.... victory." - Robert Duvall, Apocalypse Now
Obama recruited by Ayers
October 8, 2008 - 16:01 ET by toucheMore and more is coming out about O and Ayers. Bob Owens has a nice article over at pajamasmedia about the O's early years. It seems Ayers daddy Tom got his son's wife a job with his companies attorney at Sidley & Austin law firm. It seems at the time poor sonny's wife was in trouble with the law and had trouble getting a job. So daddy fixed it for old B. Dorn... What does this have to do with anything?? Well guess what Chicago Law firm young O was able to get a job with..yes you guessed it Sidley & Austin...wow what a small world....
So
October 8, 2008 - 16:14 ET by NorthCoasterSo Mr. Martin, by logical extension, Barak is a racist against blacks because of Democrat Sen. Robert Byrd having been a KKK member? This is interesting. What a conflicted man Barak must be since he has called his white grandmother a "typical white person" he must be a racist against whites as well. He must be angry, bitter and mad at the world.
Oh, I guess he is.
MAD
October 8, 2008 - 16:35 ET by LionKingObama is MAD.
He is also angry with the USA.
Factoid: From the liberal musings of wikipedia, it reports that early slavery in the United States was often indentured servitude and lasted for several years for white and black alike...
It's true
October 8, 2008 - 16:48 ET by ArminiusMy ancestor, Matthew Lyon, was an indentured servant after he came here from Ireland. He later went on to become a U.S. representative and was the first person imprisoned under the Sedition Act of 1898.
I suspect if Obama is elected president, we'll see something similar to the Sedition Act in the future. He is already working to silence critics.
roland martin is one of my
October 8, 2008 - 16:33 ET by ONUVroland martin is one of my most disliked TV analysis.
This must be getting under their skin
October 8, 2008 - 16:40 ET by GlubberThe subject line just sums it up. I have noticed a complete vitrolic response to the William Ayers linkage to Obama. The MSM is completely trying their best to cover for 'The One', (I called him 'The One', not 'That One', so I can't be called racist..).
So this linkage must be starting to make some headway. They, (MSM) keep harping that "People want to hear about the economy, that this Ayer's story is an non-issue with people..."
REALLY? Then WHY all the fuss? If it was a NON-ISSUE, why all the concern and verbiage going around. You would think that if it really was a non-issue that the MSM would just let it go, snickering that McCain was wasting his time...
You are the company that you keep. You add this story up with the newly discovered, (but unverifed, I am holding my breath) story regarding Obama's membership in the New Socialist party in Illinois when he was running for state senator, it explains why Obama hung around with an unrepentent terrorist.
I guess Rush was right, what do Barack Obama and Osama Bin Laden have in common? They both knew somebody that bombed the pentagon....
Racists, Bigots, Sexists, and Bigots
October 8, 2008 - 16:47 ET by MSD6If a candidate, party, or their surrogates (paid or MSM) try to intimidate others with claims that those with differing opinions must be racists etc. I will always vote for the other candidate and party. This despicable attempt by Obama and his team to limit criticism by the threats of racist stigma will not work. I'm voting for McCain and Republicans from the top down. There is no class on the left. At least our senators don't spit in opponents ear pieces.
Just looked at the comments
October 8, 2008 - 17:07 ET by Indiana JoeHooo-eeeee!!! What an eye-opeing glimpse into the mind-set of "we will not be swayed." I was going to comment, but why bother?
Might as well try to convince the U of Michigan glee club to root for Ohio State.
Sheesh!
"... smells like.... victory." - Robert Duvall, Apocalypse Now
Hell Indy, that'd be
October 9, 2008 - 10:43 ET by Lord ElicaniHell Indy, that'd be easier!
Heads are turning
Towards the sky
Towers crumble
Heroes die
Who would wish this on our people
And proclaim that his will be done?
Scriptures they read have misled them
All praise their sacrificed sons
All praise their sacrificed sons
- James LaBrie, Dream Theater's "Sacrificed Sons"
Defending the indefensible
October 8, 2008 - 17:07 ET by CobraMan"Bombing the Pentagon is horrible and indefensible."
Yet you just defended someone who helped bomb the Pentagon by calling him "an acceptable figure by business, political and education figures." So I guess that if enough people believe that a domestic terrorist is "acceptable," we should forgive that traitor for his "horrible and indefensible" actions and forget that this man was a member of a group who declared war against the United States of America, correct?
Nope, sorry, there's no way I'm going to define a man as "acceptable" if that man was a member of a group of traitors who participated in past criminal actions that you, yourself, call "horrible and indefensible."
Obama: My job is above my pay grade
Cobra,
October 8, 2008 - 17:14 ET by Indiana JoeYeah, wouldn't you love to lead this idiot to the logical conclusion of his POV:
If Osama bin Laden gets tenure, he's just as "acceptable" to this partisan moron hack.
"... smells like.... victory." - Robert Duvall, Apocalypse Now
Another "acceptable" terrorist
October 8, 2008 - 17:29 ET by CobraManIt wouldn't surprise me if Martin believed that Yasser Arafat was an "acceptable" terrorist too. The left thinks that terrorism is "acceptable" if done for the right (read Left Wing) reasons.
Obama: My job is above my pay grade
Cobra,
October 8, 2008 - 22:40 ET by Indiana JoeSince Yes-sir Arafat is dead, he'd only be an acceptable voter for the Dems. ;^)
"... smells like.... victory." - Lt. Col. Bill Kilgore, Apocalypse Now
Roland Martin used to be a
October 8, 2008 - 17:36 ET by cocodrieRoland Martin used to be a white man but he is so full of BS his skin turned brown and his brain decayed.
cocodrie,
October 8, 2008 - 17:47 ET by R D HelmThat also is what happens when you spend too much time on a bass boat. :-^)
-Dave
That's one of my problems, I
October 8, 2008 - 18:24 ET by cocodrieThat's one of my problems, I used to do that. The beer also claimed some brain cells.
What a joke this guy is...he
October 8, 2008 - 18:41 ET by d1carterWhat a joke this guy is...he fits right in at CNN...
Strom Thurmond
October 9, 2008 - 12:09 ET by AvitarThis is Esie Mae Washington's father right? I was not surprised that large numbers of Washington reporters did not know that Strom Thurmond's eldist child was black when she published her book but that Roland Martin does not know that now is surprising.
Also does Roland Martin know that Robert Byrd, mamber of the US Senate, who was "once a member of the Ku Klux Klan, a domestic terrorist organization!" is currently still a Liberal Democrat like the vast majority of all Ku Klux Klan members?
I have to say that as a Republican I resent the Democrat Ku Klux Klan for the Republicans they lynched in the 19th century.