The AP Jumps In the Tank for Obama

They were pretty much already there, but this piece in which the writer essentially calls Sarah Palin a racist and completely excuses Obama for his connections to unrepentant domestic terrorist William Ayers masquerades as a news its while it is in fact an opinion hit piece:

WASHINGTON (AP) - 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.

First, Palin's attack shows that her energetic debate with rival Joe Biden may be just the beginning, not the end, of a sharpened role in the battle to win the presidency.

"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."

Her reference to Obama's relationship with William Ayers, a member of the Vietnam-era Weather Underground, was exaggerated at best if not outright false. 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.

With her criticism, Palin is taking on the running mate's traditional role of attacker, said Rich Galen, a Republican strategist.

"There appears to be a newfound sense of confidence in Sarah Palin as a candidate, given her performance the other night," Galen said. "I think that they are comfortable enough with her now that she's got the standing with the electorate to take off after Obama."

What is racist about suggesting that one person's view of America is not the same as yours? That's just silly. Once again, if you criticize the Obamessiah, you're a racist. That's the media template. And when did Obama denounce Ayers' radical views and actions? I've never heard him substantially deal with the issue. And as far as the line about Obama being 11 when Ayers was setting bombs, that's true, but as Don Surber points out Obama's relationship with Ayers has continued long into adulthood.

It's clear now that as the McCain campaign's charges become more pointed and dangerous to Obama, his media shield will increase their efforts to defend him. It will be quite a battle from here on out.

UPDATE: Palin responds to AP.