Maybe it would be more patriotic to focus on the thousands of positive things Barack Obama brings to the table – like intelligence, competence, ability to inspire, thoughtful, charasmatic, great listener and uniter, etc. etc.???

We’ve had ENOUGH DIVISION! Let’s support change and help our new President solve the monumental problems we face as a nation.

Please.

Here is the exchange as best as I can find:

STEPHANOPOULOS: A gentleman named William Ayers, he was part of the Weather Underground in the 1970s. They bombed the Pentagon, the Capitol and other buildings. He’s never apologized for that.

And, in fact, on 9/11 he was quoted in The New York Times saying, “I don’t regret setting bombs; I feel we didn’t do enough.” An early organizing meeting for your State Senate campaign was held at his house and your campaign has said you are “friendly.”

Can you explain that relationship for the voters and explain to Democrats why it won’t be a problem?

OBAMA: George, but this is an example of what I’m talking about. This is a guy who lives in my neighborhood, who’s a professor of English in Chicago who I know and who I have not received some official endorsement from. He’s not somebody who I exchange ideas from on a regular basis.

And the notion that somehow as a consequence of me knowing somebody who engaged in detestable acts 40 years ago, when I was 8 years old, somehow reflects on me and my values doesn’t make much sense, George.

Knowing him wouldn’t, but endorsing his book might; attending a coffee hosted in your honor might.