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October 7, 2008
MCCAIN AND THE U.S. COUNCIL FOR WORLD FREEDOM.... On "Meet the Press" the other day, McCain "does not want to play guilt by association or this thing could blow up in his face," Begala concluded. And what is the U.S. Council for World Freedom? To its credit, the AP ran an interesting report on the subject this morning.
Retired Army Maj. Gen. John Singlaub created the group, and McCain became associated with the organization in the early 1980s, ultimately joining its board of directors. The U.S. Council for World Freedom became controversial when it became the public cover for the White House's covert operation to fund the Contras without congressional approval, with Singlaub working in secret with Oliver North to raise money from foreign governments. McCain has said he resigned from the council in 1984 and asked that his name be removed from the group's letterhead in 1986. Singlaub doesn't remember McCain ever doing that, and neither does the person who ran the group's day-to-day activities. But whether McCain is being truthful or not about how, whether, and when he dissociated himself from the group is only part of the problem. Sam Stein explained in a good piece that the real focus here is that McCain associated himself "with a group that reportedly circumvented law, financed right-wing military institutions, and engaged in sometimes brutal anti-communist tactics." Obama has spent quite a bit of time over the last two years explaining his associations with various figures. Perhaps McCain could extend voters the same courtesy by explaining his ties to this controversial group. —Steve Benen 9:00 AM Permalink | Trackbacks | Comments (28)Comments
What about Sarah and Todd's association and membership, respectively, in the Alaska secessionist party? If she is going to bring up Obama "finding America so imperfect" that he "palled" w/ Ayers, what about wanting to secede from the country? Posted by: forthebirds on October 7, 2008 at 9:06 AM | PERMALINKTom Brokaw...not Ted Koppel. Wrong old network geezer. Posted by: peej on October 7, 2008 at 9:07 AM | PERMALINKThere is a far greater likelihood that Mister Brokaw will ask about William Ayers tonight than either Keating or the World Anti-Communist League. We'll set the odds at 85 to 1, as that seems to correspond with the age of members of the "Greatest Generation". Posted by: Merry mother of odds on October 7, 2008 at 9:08 AM | PERMALINKGOP presidential nominee John McCain has past connections to a private group that supplied aid to right-wing death squads seeking to overthrow the elected government of Nicaragua in the Iran-Contra affair. Democrats will never get their message across until they learn how to talk in bumpersticker-ese. Posted by: SteveT on October 7, 2008 at 9:09 AM | PERMALINKI'm not going to hold my breath that Brokaw or anyone will broach this subject tonight. But I expect it to get legs over the next couple of days. Nice move by the Obama team. Guilt by Guilt > Guilt by association Posted by: Keith on October 7, 2008 at 9:10 AM | PERMALINKLet me just point out here that McCain would like nothing more than this sort of thing to be discussed. If the focus of discussion is on past associations, McCain has a chance of winning. If the focus is rather on the stuff that actually matters, he loses. Posted by: Jake on October 7, 2008 at 9:12 AM | PERMALINKMaybe we could see front page articles on this in the NY Times, Washington Post, etc just like they have done to Obama over the Rezko and Ayers bullshit ? Posted by: stormskies on October 7, 2008 at 9:14 AM | PERMALINKI disagree with Jake & shout a "Hell Yes!!" for SteveT. I say Obama should pull a Palin. If the right-wing leaning BROKEkaw decides to ask Obama about Ayers et.el., he should change the subject. Better yet, answer the question and then return to BROKEkaw and say, "now in fairness Tom, why don't you ask John about his association with te US Council for World Freedom and their association to the iran Contra affair and death squads in the eighties and his position on it's board of directors." What fun... Posted by: stevio on October 7, 2008 at 9:19 AM | PERMALINKNot sure this works for Obama. This falls into the baby boomer war category from which Obama has sought to distance himself. There is also way too much complexity in this and the Keating Five fiasco for the story to stick on McCain in many undecided voters' minds. If it takes a 13 minute documentary to push that message then it won't work. If there are to be any negative attacks from Obama then there is plenty of character issues front and center that are currently visible with both McCain and Palin. Why dredge up the past when McCain's lies, erratic behavior and histrionic character disorder are so immediately visible? And Palin? Jeez, the people are vetting pretty damned well already. She is a joke and a disgrace to America's image at home and abroad. Posted by: lou on October 7, 2008 at 9:29 AM | PERMALINKNot sure this works for Obama. This falls into the baby boomer war category from which Obama has sought to distance himself. Ok, well, then, if Brokaw/McCain brings up Ayers along with that BS about how "he gave Obama his start in politics", then maybe Obama should begin by repeating his condemnation of Ayers' association with a radical group when he, Obama, was an 8 year old, then move on to point out that Ayers was never convicted of any crime - unlike the man who gave McCain his start in national politics - who was in fact a convicted felon who had done time for his crimes. Sure, it's Cindy's dad, but McCain is the one who wanted to play this game. Posted by: JennOfArk on October 7, 2008 at 9:37 AM | PERMALINKThe AP seems to be falling off the tire swing quite frequently of late. Is Ron Fournier on leave or something? Posted by: Steve LaBonne on October 7, 2008 at 9:39 AM | PERMALINKIf it takes a 13 minute documentary to push that message then it won't work. Actually, I think this is a good example of how Obama has run his campaign. You have to reach out to large numbers of people, but it is just as important to educate the most interested. Information trickles down. People gravitate to people who understand the more complex issues. Obama gave a great speech at Nasdaq in March. He got endorsements from Paul Volker and three former SEC Chairmen. The goal here isn't to reach suzi six-pack directly, but rather to those she respects. But whether McCain is being truthful or not Aw...that's cute. Obama's wispy decades-apart connection to a rehabilitated former radical is prime-time fodder for both the Clinton and the McCain campaigns with the generous assistance of Big Media but McCain's DIRECT, REALTIME ties to the murder of thousands of Latin-American peasants and students has thus far been off-limits?!? Nobody does moral relativism like the American political establishment. Posted by: henry lewis on October 7, 2008 at 9:45 AM | PERMALINKApples and oranges. Ayers attacked property here in the wholesome, God-fearing US of A. No one will be swayed by this argument who wasn't on our side already. Communists aren't people, after all. Reagan taught us that and if Reagan said it, that's almost as good as it being in the Bible. (maybe better, if we only consider Old Testament) Anybody want to bet that Tom Brokaw spends a full minute framing a softball Ayers question for McCain but falls totally silent on Keating? The old man is a national disgrace. NBC should be ashamed. Posted by: Ron Byers on October 7, 2008 at 9:51 AM | PERMALINKThe U.S. Council for World Freedom was part of an international organization linked to former Nazi collaborators and ultra-right-wing death squads in Central America. To paraphrase Tom Lehrer: MCCAIN-OBAMA DEBATE I wouldn't bet on slime-free debate tonight. McCain has a nasty streak that may lead him to repeat the recent sleazy attacks by his campaign. Meanwhile, surrogates, Fox news, and Palin broadcast the lies and innuendos. Portraying Obama as a man of mystery is beyond belief. The man has written two forthright books about his life and his beliefs and political philosophy, attended two U.S. universities, served as President of the Harvard Law Review, has been in politics for over 10 years. and survived grueling primaries. I hope that the American people will not fall for these unwarranted and unsubstantiated attacks. homer www.altara.blogspot.com GOP presidential nominee John McCain has past connections to a private group that supplied aid to guerrillas seeking to overthrow the leftist government of Nicaragua in the Iran-Contra affair. Shouldn't that read "a private group that supplied aid to terrorists seeking to overthrow...."? Posted by: Stefan on October 7, 2008 at 10:12 AM | PERMALINK"Actually, I think this is a good example of how Obama has run his campaign. You have to reach out to large numbers of people, but it is just as important to educate the most interested. Information trickles down." Danp Dan, I appreciate the response. But please consider that McCain's last stand is in the rural districts of a few battleground states. Many if not most undecided voters there do not read daily newspapers. Most of the campaign news they hear are a few sound bites along with the 30 second campaign ads. If any news trickles down to them it is from others hearing the same condensed news that can be distorted by either side. So, Obama's best hope now is to do well at the debates and continue to craft very good TV ads. And keep the message short and focused on building the foundation to get us out of this terrific mess. Posted by: on October 7, 2008 at 10:12 AM | PERMALINKApples and oranges. No. More like apples and rotten-to-the-point-of-poisonous apples. Too angry. Must stop now. Posted by: henry lewis on October 7, 2008 at 10:15 AM | PERMALINKObama should straightforwardly tell of his minimal contacts with Professor Ayers - then say that now that he's cleared the air on that, would Senator McCain care to explain his board membership on and association with USCWF? He should also say, I don't think John McCain pals around with terrorist death squads in Central America because he belonged to and supported USCWF, any more than I'm palling around with terrorists because I met Professor Ayers a couple of times. Senator McCain, what do you see we agree to tone down the rhetoric and drop the smear tactics over the final month and concentrate on the economy and how to help the American people deal with their difficulties? Posted by: colonpowwow on October 7, 2008 at 10:21 AM | PERMALINKMcCain associated himself "with a group that reportedly circumvented law, financed right-wing military institutions, and engaged in sometimes brutal anti-communist tactics." The difference between this and the Obama-Ayers story is that McCain's supporters will see this as a good thing. Posted by: Jonas on October 7, 2008 at 12:03 PM | PERMALINKLet's just tell the younger generation that McCain is an evil, blood-crazed Nazi sympathizer who helped screw their parents out of alot of money 20 years ago. There .. that didn't take 13 minutes! Posted by: Mike on October 7, 2008 at 12:08 PM | PERMALINKHey - am I right in my observation that McCain turned his back on the black woman asking the question about environmental issues WHILE SHE WAS SPEAKING? Posted by: g on October 7, 2008 at 10:43 PM | PERMALINKHow could McCain ever be a friend of Israel if he belongs to groups that are not only anti-semitic, but actually old-time NAZIs??? Posted by: myles on October 8, 2008 at 6:27 PM | PERMALINK
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