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It has more to do with how Obama, Clinton or McCain react to certain issue along with who they say is the people they take advise from.

So when Obama says that Wright is his mentor not just spiritually but as a very good friend, then that is important. Why? Because what are the views of Wright who is able to give advise which Obama has said time and again developed his positions about society in general.

Then you have the others like Ayers pop up then you gotta know that this is not some isolated issue. It is a systemic one.

I like John 2000 think that Obama does not respect America and its troops because of the issues of the Flag pin and the disrespect in public concerning the national anthem.

The flag issue would not be an issue except that it was to show support for our troops. Thus why Obama was questioned about it.

As Commander and Chief of the military and leader of our country, Obama can not disrespect our military and can not disrespect the nation as a whole. To do so is to disrespect each and every American.

I could have given Obama a pass on just one of any of these issues and moved on. But there is a pattern of choices and behavior that just cannot be ignored anymore.

I am not arguing that Wright or Ayers should be decisive for or against Obama. But I disagree that that they "do not help us know anything about how the candidates will govern." They tell us something about the intellectual milieu in which Obama is most comfortable. I consider Wright and Ayers as character witnesses on his behalf. He cast his lot with them, and they with Obama. They add another dimension toward understanding what the candidate is about.

It isn't about flag lapel pins. But association counts for something.

I look at the choices that the democrats have made. I had an open mind to all the candidates until a last week.

Obama lost me for good. I found his character lacking.

Its not just character but the choices he has made in connection to his now more visable character flaws.

Bush may have a generally good character but his choices have been poor because of who he has associated with.

Thus Bush has failed America not because of his character but because of the people he associated with and took advise from.

So when you have Obama with a lacking character and associating with Terrorist, Racist and other less desirables then I see a presidency of horrors should be get elected.

Not because of anything in General about Obama personally but because we as humans are defined by where we came from and whom we associate with.

Just as Drug dealers and criminals associate together and work for an evil intent. Its true in the political and yes the presidential arena that has shown brightly under the Clinton years and even more so under the Bush years.

Thus because Obama associates with Terrorist and racist and others who hate American and refuse to change their views, then Yea its extremely relevent and one which people should lose the general hatred of their fellow man.

Its time for America not to be divided. I listened to a lady on TV say I am a democrat thus I can never support any candidate for the Republican party. Its like water and oil and thus the two can never mix.

How sad! I could care less about which party a person belongs. Its more important to me if the guy I elect will improve my way of life or make it worse. Parties be damned.

Elect the best person for the job. Do not elect a person based on Race, religion, creed, ecconomic background, party affiliation or some personal supressed hatred for another whom had nothing to do with the former.

But tempor that person with whom they associates with because that is more telling what kind of a president they will be. So if that person accociates with Terrorists, Racists, Those who hate America openly then just what does that tell you about the upcoming presidency. It will become a presidency out of Hell not some disguised hope message.

Rom:

I take your point. My point was that, viewed in a certain light, George W. Bush has impeccable character. But he's been an awful, awful president. Which, to me, raises questions about the idea that character defines a good president.

Hard to write a long comment on a blackberry. Sorry!

"Anonymous" in this case is Joel, who forgot to log in. But as he was commenting on his Blackberry, from a concert venue of some kind, we can forgive him.

I'll give you that one Wright question and add, "So what?" The question was so preposterously simple to answer that Obama could have dispensed with it in three words and moved on. Those words are: "Yes, of course!" ("Of course he does!" which would have been four words, not three, would also have been an acceptable response.) The question and answer, while not decisive one way or the other, is nevertheless illuminating. Obama's response tells us something about himself, and his beliefs, and whom he chooses to trust.

Of course George W. Bush has had embarrassing friends. He's even had an embarrassing relative -- a certain brother named Neil, who made a bad bet in the '80s with a savings-and-loan and got bailed out.

Americans deserve to know what kind of man (or woman) they are voting for. Obama, a largely unknown quantity 12 months ago, is getting the scrutiny he -- and the voter -- deserves.

The magic of 21st century technology is that I can read this and respond between sets at the spoon concert. Yes, I'm lame.

I might agree with you more, Ben, were it not for this question: 'do you believe Jeremiah Wright loves this country as much as you do?' What, exactly, does that tell us about anything? It's a silly, 'what kind of tree would you be?' Question that elicits nothing BUT tour evening news soundbites. And to what end? What does that tell us about how Barack Obama will deal with that 3 am phone call? Or how he'll handle health care? Or balance the budget?

I'm sure the George W. Bush never had an embarrassing friend - except for the ones, of course, who ran s and ls or energy companies into the ground - or ever had an incorrect thought, but you know what? He is a really, really bad president. I'm less and less interested in what kind of person our president is, and more and more interested in their plans for the country and how they intend to implement those plans. And to the extent that spending precious air time asking a person whose decisions will mean the difference between life and death to many Americans to speculate on another person's patrotism distracts from figuring those questions out, yes, it's a distrqaction.

Spoon is taking the stage. Gotta go. Tell me why I'm. Wrong; I will be back in a couple of hours.