Deeply buried subtext
A rather bizarre AP analysis piece finds a “racially tinged subtext” in Governor Palin’s attack on the Obama-Ayers relationship. See if you can locate it (video here):
By claiming that Democrat Barack Obama is “palling around with terrorists” and doesn’t see the U.S. like other Americans, vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin targeted key goals for a faltering campaign. And though she may have scored a political hit each time, her attack was unsubstantiated and carried a racially tinged subtext that John McCain himself may come to regret…Palin’s incendiary charge draws media and voter attention away from the worsening economy…
“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,” Palin told a group of donors in Englewood, Colo. A deliberate attempt to smear Obama, McCain’s ticket-mate echoed the line at three separate events Saturday. “This is not a man who sees America like you and I see America,” she said. “We see America as a force of good in this world. We see an America of exceptionalism.”
The AP piece carries the usual disclaimer about Obama and Ayers: “No evidence shows they were ‘pals’ or even close when they worked on community boards years ago and Ayers hosted a political event for Obama early in his career. Obama, who was a child when the Weathermen were planting bombs, has denounced Ayers’ radical views and actions.”
The AP piece of course makes no reference to the fascinating and lengthy New York Times article of September 11, 2001, in which Mr. Ayers is quoted saying, “”I don’t regret setting bombs…I feel we didn’t do enough” — and many other memorable things as well.