Obama campaign confronts WGN radio

It is ashame that Milt couldn't keep the show on track. Would have been nice to hear more details about the findings thus far.

This is "hope?" This is "change?" Shout down the opposition! Bully them! Make threats! How dare you question the great and powerful Obama!
Is this really what America wants? How does an action like this fill anyone with "hope?"

I thought he was going to move us away from the slash and burn style of politics. The more he tries to silence his critics the more he looks like Rev. Sharpton and Rev. Jackson organizing boycotts against Coca Cola and Denny's. Come on Obama - what are you affraid of. I idon't see McCain running around trying to silence his critics with call in campaigns. Buck up Barack. If you can't stand the heat, let Hillary take her shot.

$100,000,000 with no improvement in the problem?
What was done with the money?

I have no idea as to the veracity or accuracy of Mr. Kurtz's research, although it was clear he has spent a good deal of time researching primary and secondary sources.

The most disturbing aspect about this evening's show was that the overwhelming majority of calls from Sen. Obama's supporters were truly incomprehensible. There was no rebuttal to individual assertions or any specificity to exactly what points they found offensive, slanderous, or flat out lies. Unfortunately, this type of emotionally, uninformed ranting is par for the course among the blind supporters of both left- and right-wing politicians. It goes to show how little this election is about "change." Rather, it reinforces the long-standing tradition of too many Americans lapping up the soundbites of politicians such as Mssrs. Obama and McCain.

I was one of the Obama supporters who called the show. As a long time listener to the Milt's program, I brought up the fact that a week after the 9/11 attacks, Milt had on a prosecutor from Ohio who wanted Northwestern Law graduates to stop donating money to the school because Bernadine Dohrn, Bill Ayers' wife, was on the faculty. He was, in essence, comparing Dohrn to the 911 terrorists. Milt did have on a dean from the school that night, but all the dean could do was not comment because, of course, he was Ms. Dohrn's boss, and it would have been highly inappropriate for him to comment. To me, it sounded like "daming by not commenting".

I called into that program and voiced my opinion that it sounded like guilt by association. I believe it's the same now. I asked Milt to upload a copy of that show on his archive, and I hope he does.

Even with George W. Bush's popularity at it's apex, the prosecutor's campaign was an utter failure.

I think those who codemn Obama's association with Ayers should remember that many US soldiers behaved like terrorists during the Viet Nam war. I think the soldiers shouldn't be judged harshly today because of the actions they did at that time. Certainly, the soldiers' wives, co-workers, and co-board-members should not be judged as if they, too, were terrorists.

As Bill Clinton used to say "That dog don't hunt".

Milt always has terrific, informative, well balanced shows.

It's unfortunate that the Obama campaign people cannot deal with criticism. IF he's going to be president, they'd better get used to it, it comes with the job ...

Another sign of what a Socialist would do to personal Freedom and silence the truth.

Obama is not shouting down his critics or trying to restrict free speech. He just wants the media to be responsible and not peddle misleading innuendo. The problem with the people calling in was that Kurtz has few facts for them to refute. It is all false implications and accusations of guilt by association. Many Chicagoans have been associates with Bill Ayers through education reform including Mayor Daley. Does this make Daley unfit to be mayor? Does this mean its ok to insinuate that there is something sinister about Daley?
Another thing. If you want to see his "research", Kurtz referred listeners to articles that you need a subscription to read. Why isn't it publicly available?
Obama is asking the nation to rise above the politics of fear. He is not trying to restrict freedom of speech.

We can do better in America and President Obama shall enable us to do better. Which is why he needs to be reelected this November.

For example, the bottom 40% of wage-earners in America pay zero of the income tax received by the Treasury Dept. In contrast, the top 20% of wage-earners in America, those with incomes above $215k, currently pay 86.3% of all income taxes received. We can do better. We do not need 8 more years of the status quo. President Obama can return America to Americans by legislating that the bottom 80% of all wage-earners pay zero percent of all income taxes received, and making those in the top 20% pay 100% of all income taxes received at the Treasury. We can do better and we shall do better after President Obama wins reelection in November. 86.3% is the status quo and Bush/McCain represent the status quo meaning they are happy with the top 20% of wage-earners only paying 86.3% of all income taxes received.

Next, in agreement with what California Rep. Maxine Waters asserted at a House Judiciary Committee meeting last May 22, President Obama should seize all oil companies in USA since the U.S. Government can run them better than the oil companies. We can do better. We will do better. HOPE is the way forward.

(Source for the tax numbers, US Congressional Budget Office, Effective Historical Federal Income Tax Rates, 1979 to 2005, study released December, 2007.)

The Obama haters aren't pleased with the response to Stanley Kurtz.

Too bad. We have a Constitution in the nation that allows freedom of speech. Kurtz gets to spread slander. He also can address the pushback.

If Zack Christianson put this show together, he did poor work. The records have only been released a day or so. Why not wait until we see if there's any "there" there.

If there's a bombshell, Kurtz will share it. If nothing is found, Kurtz's fifteen minutes are over. Dr Milt, why do you let your producer submit work slopped together in haste?

A couple of years ago, I was kicked off DemocraticUnderground for voicing an opinion that they didn't like. 1,000 posts, cash contribution, a former democratic party office holder, but I wasn't a good enough democrat for them. I learned a very valuable lesson about the left -- they are no different than the right. They are big on free speech until it is something they don't want to hear.
O's campaign was asked to participate, they refused. Supporters should have gotten a clue when he promised to protect our speech/privacy rights and then voted the opposite on FISA.

So what did Kurtz say he found?

I see the " hope and a prayer" Bush-McCain Republicans are holding their collective breath, again!!! Maybe, there is a scandal here, with which, we can finally stop the Democrats!!!! Guys and Gals, take a deep breath and start studying the issues, because there are no scandals, other than the ones the Republican's have allowed to blossom, under the lack of their leadership. I will not remind you of that familiar list of their ineptitude, even school children know of their disregard for the average American citizen. We have clones of the clown prince of the air waves, Ruse sLimbaugh, slimming all over our radios, looking for a scandal !! Well, if they wanted a scandal, it would be their unrelenting hoping and praying for Senator Obama's downfall, at all cost. Even if they have to fabricate one, even if they have to pretend to have one. Now, how is that for desperation, how is that for despicable !!? Theirs is an endless quest, into the realm of fantasy and make believe. They will still be searching for a scandal when Senators Obama and Biden are installed as our President and Vice-President. Then, you can watch and learn how you search out and prosecute real scandals, that which the Bush-Cheney administration may have engaged in for the last 8 years.
SUPPORT OUR TROOPS, BRING THEM HOME, ALIVE AND WHOLE. NOW.

Obama had no relationship with Rezko until the Tribune backed him into a corner and his pastor was a "saint" until the video showed up. Ayer's just happened to live in his neighborhood according to Obama until Mr. Kurtz dug up these files. Three strikes and you're out!

Sounds like some one is trying to hide the truth-
This worries some of us; if Obama is elected, is America in for a Socialsim-

Williams Ayers once set a bomb to blow up the police memorial at Haymarket Square, yet years later Mayor Daley tapped him for his expertise in education to help lead Chicago's school reform. That he was a sixties radical would appear to be a minor consideration to people who need his knowledge and experience. Chicago has clearly moved beyond the culture wars of the 60s. It's what you bring to the table that matters. Obama is right to associate with people like Bill Ayers because they're the ones improving public education here, not the conservative media.

I think the show was great. If Obama did not have anything to hide he would not be worried about it. Things like this need to be brought out in the media. Obama is connected with Ayers in his past and people need to know what we are dealing with. Great show Milt as always.

Me thinks the Obama campaign mishandled this situation completely and have messed with the wrong guy. Milt may not have been gunning for Obama, but I bet he will now. Watch Obama lose Illinois.

This Obama tactic is nothing new. The old Soviet Union dictated what radio stations could air and offered free vacations to Siberia for those who disdained. It all worked so well.

America came together for a brief time after 9/11. What a good feeling that was during such a tragic time. I think most of America remains regretful that that feeling did not last. So what happened? Why didn’t it last? Well - it seems to me…. I hope you will consider Obama and The Media vs. Center Left, Center, Center Right, and Right “Thinking” America. This is found at:
http://zachjonesishome.wordpress.com/2008/08/08/obama-media-vs-thinking-america/

Yep, Obama complained about the New Yorker and his supporters tried to destroy them. A recent occurance of a reporter trying to shoot photos of Dems with some VIP donors in Denver has been arrested for being on a public sidewalk. The politician in Chicago complaining about Kurtz as this outsider trying to come in here and stir up trouble. The man was trying to get documents from a library regarding the time that Ayers and Obama worked together on a board..... the library said he could see them, at first.

The reason this subject even came up was because Obama commented about Ayers as just this man that lived up the street from him, as if they hadn't been as close as they were.

Now, without even hearing what Kurtz has to say, they are trying to condemn this radio station for allowing this man FREE SPEECH ha. I don't like Obama tactics. I don't believe he supports FREE SPEECH equally. I think he is a dirty dirty politician.

This is NEWS to anyone?

There are hundreds more CONSERVATIVE leaning radio personalities than liberal ones.

The Right constantly complains about the "liberal media," which includes those people who give us the weather. "How dare they tell us that Gustav might hit New Orleans!"

But the reality is that the airwaves are dominated by the Right. Even the blogs are dominated by the Right, when you consider which side of the political aisle has the time and resources (i.e. home computers) to blog.

My bet is that even this posting won't see the light of day, as most of my recent posts have been blocked for some unknown reason.

Stand tall and proud next to your long time friend, associate, runnin buddy, colleague Bill "the terrorist" Ayers, Obama....What's the problem?. You didn't really think you were going to get away with tryin to pass off your kindred spirit Ayers as some guy you occasionally pass on the street while out walking your doggie did you?

I've worked with Milt for years, and have had many interactions with him. The only thing more disappointing than his oft-skewed and self-sering opinions is the fact that people still bother to listen to him at all.
I did not listen to this program, as I have a few better things to do with my time that give air to a few tailcoat riders attempts to get a little press by uttering Obama's name. Having known Bill Ayers as an activist and educator, I can tell you that he is a throughly good and decent human being. He has made terrible errors in judgment in the past -- a viewpoint his autobiography makes plain -- and has paid for those mistakes. What right does anyone have to make him and his family a political issue? If this is truly the best character assassination attempt that the Right can come up with, it's rather obvious why they can't seem to maintain their waining grip on what congressional seats and executive positions they have. So very disappointing.

I love this country, but I am starting to seriously hate the people in it.

Obama's a socialist? really?

He's trying to bully him? The guy who's running a smear campaign against a presidental candidate is the good guy?

I have to remind myself that logic doesn't work when you are swimming in an ocean of conservative idiots.

The Obama campaign should have sent a representative to debate Kurtz, but it seems they can't counter with any facts so they declined. The left continues to react to criticism by attempting to shut down dissent. I think many are becoming aware of this tactic. And for those who believe that Obama isn't shutting down free speech, but instead just wants media to be responsible - would that be ALL media or just those that challenge him? I have yet to see him chastise his acolytes such as Keith Olbermann and Chris Matthews.

Obama does not stand for change.

If you can't stand the heat, get out of the kitchen.

The US voter will not be happy when Obama brings Illinois corruption to Washington.

"Lowering the standards of political discourse?"

I didn't know such a thing was possible.

Rosenberg is a good host and a good interviewer, but he is also a right-wing zealot, so the guest choice is no surprise.

As far-right loonies go, however, Rosenberg is much more intelligent than most.

For whatever that's worth.

Uh Oh.. attacking free speech already....not a good sign

First they arrest an ABC News producer for taking inconvenient photos of big Dem donors at the Dem Convention.

Now Obama's Dems try and censor radio programs.

Welcome to a glimpse at an Obama presidency.

Wow, modern Liberals trying to shut down free speech. I'm shocked.

Dr. Rosenberg has his favorite cadre of stooges and right wing experts on all the time. It's far from a balanced program and not surprised that he would lead any attack on Senator Obama.

The reassuring fact is that most of his diminishing audience were born prior to 1920 and will have trouble voting with assistance.

Mr. WB:

A resourceful supporter should have no trouble finding the articles to which Mr. Kurtz referred on the show, such as those below. There is plenty here to begin an intelligent, rational discussion on the issue. Alas, we don't ever seem to get that from the right or left these days...

In a constitutional republic, the so-called "politics of fear" is not something of which to be afraid. When the federal government is invested with the power which we have given it, citizens have a right to be fearful. Particularly when those on the right and left seek to impose their perspectives on the rest of us. I am fearful of both Mssrs. Obama and McCain... such as Sen. McCain's views on Iraq and abortion and Sen. Obama's views on the second ammendment and immunity for telecommunications companies. Thus, I hope scholars, researchers, and, yes, even, partisans will point out questionable associations and beliefs from their past. Then, let me decide as to their legitmacy. When we have much to fear in presidential candidates from all corners of the political arena, fear -- for me -- is more important than ever.

http://www.weeklystandard.com/Utilities/printer_preview.asp?idArticle=15386&R=13BA318AF5

http://article.nationalreview.com/print/?q=MTgwZTVmN2QyNzk2MmUxMzA5OTg0ODZlM2Y2OGI0NDM

What are they afraid of? It seems that they can dish it out but can't take it at all. Hey if you can't stand the heat get out of the kitchen.

Maybe we should also protest the Tribune's putting this stuff on the front page by canceling subscriptions to the paper. Why should Democrats give them any money when they will surely back McCain?

Maybe we should also protest the Tribune's putting this stuff on the front page by canceling subscriptions to the paper. Why should Democrats give them any money when they will surely back McCain?

WB, yes he is. I think Obama's associations with left wing radicals as well as his own voting record suggests further scrutiny. Kurtz is far from a scatter shot attacker, he tries to do his homework and dig into the records. Obviously Obama campaign knows what they are up against when they need to detail his arguments on prior subjects which they disagree with. So they disagree with his comments and analysis on gay marriage, we could all dig out multiple studies which would bolster our arguments on any number of topics. Obama has a skin so thin that even if he is lucky enough to win - and boy has he squandered what was once an imposing lead in the polls, with no VP choice bounce - he will find that his thin skin will tick off alot of people who might be willing to fight for what he believes in. If his campaign really wants to get involved how about asking for their chance to put someone on Milt's show to counterpoint this one. Why won't they, because they only have "he was 8 years old" argument to offer. This is a problem, yelling to shut up someone continues to demonstrate that the left's worship of individual rights stops when someone disagrees with them.

WB, yes he is. I think Obama's associations with left wing radicals as well as his own voting record suggests further scrutiny. Kurtz is far from a scatter shot attacker, he tries to do his homework and dig into the records. Obviously Obama campaign knows what they are up against when they need to detail his arguments on prior subjects which they disagree with. So they disagree with his comments and analysis on gay marriage, we could all dig out multiple studies which would bolster our arguments on any number of topics. Obama has a skin so thin that even if he is lucky enough to win - and boy has he squandered what was once an imposing lead in the polls, with no VP choice bounce - he will find that his thin skin will tick off alot of people who might be willing to fight for what he believes in. If his campaign really wants to get involved how about asking for their chance to put someone on Milt's show to counterpoint this one. Why won't they, because they only have "he was 8 years old" argument to offer. This is a problem, yelling to shut up someone continues to demonstrate that the left's worship of individual rights stops when someone disagrees with them.

I think Obama is finally revealing his true nature: win at any cost. Anyone remember how he won his first election, getting his opponent kicked off the ballot? His association with Ayers AND Wright AND Reczko speaks volumes of either 2 things:
#1-poor judge of character
#2-dirty player

Neither are qualities we want in a President.

This is nothing new. If you hadn't noticed, Obama has been like Bush for months in trying to control the press. It also hasn't just been during his "rock tour" of Europe and the middle east when the press was "embedded" with him. I think Karl Rove must be an Obama advisor--his "faith based initiatives" also mimic Bushs' political style.

The FACT is that Obama worked with Ayers to launch his political campaign.

No, this does not make Obama a criminal in any way, shape, or form.

But, it DOES call into question his judgement to be associated with and work with a person as disgusting as Ayers. This isn't politics of fear, it's simply questioning a candidates judgement in the people he choses to associate with.

Whoa, Obammmmmma must really be scared of some Honkey-in-the-woodpile if he wants WGN to silence any inspection of his alliances. But, we must remember, this is Chicago politics and da-mayor and his daddy honed this type of tactic for years.

Here in Canada my neighbors asked last night, "who the hell was that idiot from Illinois that was on FOX?" T'was your Emil. What an ad for the state, party and candidate!

jc

Obama is nothing but a fake. My mother always told me that if you bark like a dog, you walk like a dog...then you are a dog. If Obama hung around people like Resko, Wright, and Wiliam Ayers then he must have something in common with all this BAAAAAD people. Furthermore, for all those people that keep comparing McCain's military records to Obama's seal records....McCain's military records cannot harm this country...Obama's radical past can. Wake up and smell the coffee people. Obama is nothing but a FAKE!!

WB wrote: "If you want to see his "research", Kurtz referred listeners to articles that you need a subscription to read. Why isn't it publicly available? "

The articles I saw were all free.

Here are some links if it helps (and feel free to provide your links from Obama's staff refuting Kurtz's points):

"Barack Obama's Lost Years"
http://www.weeklystandard.com/Utilities/printer_preview.asp?idArticle=15386&R=13BA26C

"Chicago Annenberg Challenge Shutdown?"
http://article.nationalreview.com/?q=MTgwZTVmN2QyNzk2MmUxMzA5OTg0ODZlM2Y2OGI0NDM=

Hope it helps.

1984 anyone? If this article doesn't scare the bejesus out of the voters, as well as the followers of Obama, then nothing will save this Country. Imagine what he would do if he had the real power of the Presidency. Wake up America!

Obama's campaign has learned from Kerry's Swift Boat experience.

Had I not witnessed how taking the high road against baseless attacks can screw up the campaign by letting lies overshadow facts and issues over and over, I would also be among those questioning the Obama campaign's tactics in handling this.

But it makes sense now. You gotta do what you gotta do.

Obama states that he doesn't support the Fairness Doctrine, but he sure seems concerned about there being someone on this radio station that gives the opposing view to a reporters story about HIM that he doesn't care for.....I think it's a fair assumption that he WOULD support the FAIRNESS DOCTRINE, which would be a censorship of free speech in my view.

The media is already TOP HEAVY with LIBERAL MEDIA (tv and newspapers) and I've never heard him come out in complaint that he felt they should give a balance to any of it, not once ! He was built up by his friends in the FAR LEFT MEDIA who portrayed him as a CELEBERITY. Seems to me he was enjoying all that one sided attention from where we all sit.

His group are going after FOX NEWS trying to destroy them for reports they do about Obama that he won't like, they went after New Yorker for doing a cover that Obama made it clear he didn't like. He's encouraging them now to go after this radio station and this reporter.

Rowland Martin (also a leftie radio announcer) is a STRONG supporter of Obama's and he used tv leftie media to tell these Obama supporters that they need to be going after the conservative RADIO STATIONS. He's the same one that went after Imus the first time, saying he didn't think he would be fired (right) and then went after Imus the second time (when there was nothing there) and tried to get him in trouble for comments he made about a Black sports figure.

These people want to destroy anyone who says things they don't like.

Obama has surrounded himself with some very scary radical people. He hasn't left them all behind when he became president....look at Emil Jones, he's one of the mentors he's got right there by his side... what kind of position in his Administration will a man who tried to stop some anti-corruption bills in Chicago get I wonder. WHAT ON EARTH WOULD THIS ADMINISTRATION LOOK LIKE ugh!?

Typical obama!!! Try to silence dissenting opinions!!! Unbelievable.... He obviously wants to hide the fact that he's been friends with a known terrorist!!!!! Obama and his weirdo supporters don't want people to know this!!! Well, sorry folks..this is america...not communist china!!!

Sorry obama and all your blind supporters.... The truth is coming out and you're not going to scare anyone with your tactics!!!

Obama wants unity, as long as it's HIS kind of unity - nobody say anything bad about him anytime, anywhere, or he will put komrad in reeducation camp. I would like to know from all you obama-heads why he doesnt SUE the people making these "fear mongering terrorist smears"????? Perhaps because you can't sue somebody from telling the TRUTH?
Wake up America! This boy is right out of Orwell's "1984". And dont chastise me for calling him boy - Jimmy Carter did the other day, and it's on tape. TAKE THAT you lefties.

WB said: "Obama is not shouting down his critics or trying to restrict free speech. He just wants the media to be responsible and not peddle misleading innuendo."
What a crock. The Obama machine goes after anyone who dares take the name Obama in vain. Watch the show at the stadium in Denver and then tell me Obama doesn't consider himself a deity. Hubris squared.

Yep, WB, Daley is unfit to be mayor of Chicago. Yep there is something sinister about Daley. Daley is probably most qualified to be mayor of Cell Block 8.
Chicago was more honest when Harold ran the town like it was a barber shop!!!

Let the man speak his opinion. Then the voters can decide what is fact and fiction. The truth will prevail. That is what free speech is all about. if Obama is afraid of what this man has to say then it seems to me that Obama has something to hide.

So much for freedom of the press. His campaign was offered an opportunity to rebut and turned it down. Look out America, you put this guy in office and this is what you have to look forward to.

Right wing hatchet man? All Kurtz is doing is looking into public records Obama has been trying to conceal.

And don't they have to be lies to be smears? Kurtz is researching CAC's documents, not inventing something out of whole cloth ala Dan Rather.

BTW you don't need a subscription to read his articles, just go to the website.

It's interesting that every time someone asks Obama a question or asks to see documents like his those from his Ill Senate record, they're accused of smearing Obama. Me thinks Obma doth protest too much.

No surprise here. BO is against the 2nd amendment. Why shouldn't he be against the 1st as well.

Change:
1) Higher taxes
2) Bigger Gov't
3) Less freedoms...

Yup.. Change you can count on.

WB, who determines what's misleading innuendo? Ayers problems are not only "aired" by Kurtz but others as well. Shouldn't then the public make the determination if it's credible or not? This is historically the approach that socialists, fascists, and communists alike take i.e. silencing the media. America prides itself on liberty and freedom. Let the man speak.

Michael & WB:

What planet are you living on? What relevance to the show this week does some show a week after 9/11 have? Guilt by association? Then rebut what Kurtz is saying, not dismissing him for doing research. And if Kurtz has few facts to refute, state the fact that Ayers and Dohrn are such great people.

Ayers was not some Boy Scout that got got caught jaywalking. Name one Republican that could get elected dog catc her with such relationships in his background.

If this is how Obama rises above the politics of fear, by attacking the bearer of news he doesn't like, God help us should he become president. If Rove had done this, the screams of Bush/Hitler would be pouring forth from your lips.

The way to rebut things you don't like being heard is more free speech, not muzzling opinions you disagree with. If you want dissent quashed, there are a lot of other countries in the world that will be happy to oblige.

Typical liberal. Does as i say, not as i do. What a fake. Good thing is real AMericans are realizing what a fraud this guy is.

Bernadine Dohrn & Bill Ayers are unrepentant TERRORISTS (Buy their own words "We didn't do enough") They were not found innocent their charges were dropped because of prosecutorial mistakes. Ayers father was the head of Common Wealth Edison in Chicago that is the only reason his kid got away with his terrorism, MONEY!!!! Their group killed police officers when it blew up a police station and did in fact bomb the Capitol. why can't or shouldn't they be compared to the 9-11 terrorists?
Senator Obama says he did't know Ayers "That he was just some neighbor" This shows that was a lie. He worked with Ayers for at least 2 years spending one hundred MILLION DOLLARS or more. Why don't you Obama supporters ask him why he lied? If Ayers and his wife are now such good citizens why is Obama lying about their relationship? Senator Alice Palmer (ACP) used their house to tell constituents that Barrack was her chosen successor after Ayers and Obamas had a working relationship. It seems to me it is Obama who is slandering Mr. Kurtz not the other way around.

WB, you don't need a subscription. In fact a few days ago John Kass' column had a link to the articles that cost nothing to view. Is Daley fit to be mayor? How many people in his administration have gone to jail? I have lost count. Then you have the corruption of the Stroger family and Blago! These are all of the top"leaders" in this state. The most corrupt in the nation. This is where Obama cut his political teeth. If they objected to this man being on the air they should have had the guts to put one of their people on when asked.

Guess we don't really need free speach anymore.

BO will tell us what we need to know and think

If this guy is chronicling the relationship of Obama and Ayers from the time they began their association, that's fine (I doubt that's the purpose). But I have a problem with dredging up Ayers past when Obama didn't even know him. That's not relevant. What's relevant is if Obama participated in something unethical or illegal.

During the time of the Vietnam war, those who opposed it were considered radicals and un-American. Now, years later we know it was a mistake to go there. Were all these people actually radicals or humanistic?

Barack Obama, all for free speech, as long as it is positive about him.

Apparently Obama is promising change, a change from freedom of speech. What a disgrace.

The truth hurts!

Obama is not shouting down his critics or trying to restrict free speech. He just wants the media to be responsible and not peddle misleading innuendo.

Responsibility and accuracy as defined by Obama. That won't instill any fear...

Kurtz was explaining his research. You're free to dismiss it as irrelevant. You're invited to refute the argument with reasons it's irrelevant. What you're not free to do is shout him down and prevent him from making his case.

The Obama campaign was able to mobilize a campaign to jam the WGN phone lines, but they couldn't find 1 person to go on the air and challenge Kurtz?? Rosenburg made a blanket offer to have anyone from the Obama campaign on the air for any amount of time during the show -- including staying for the entire 2 hour show. He also extended an invitation to the campaign to come back at any time.

He was turned down.

Responsibility? I guess that's a one way street in Obamamerica...

Please WGN. We already have partisan WLS on the airwaves.

Here is an example of what partisan news coverage can do. UNREAL!

Fox News' Megyn Kelly noted that during her DNC speech Michelle Obama said, "The world as it is just won't do," and then Kelly continued: "If you replace 'world' with 'country', you are back to the same debate, arguably, that you have been having about Michelle Obama's feelings about the country."

Think of it---you can replace words with other words to change the meaning of a sentence. Sounds like fun! Let me try:

"Democracy is worth dying for, because it's the most deeply honorable form of government ever devised by man Satan."
–-Ronald Reagan
-
"Do not yield. Do not flinch. Stand up. Stand up with our President in stilettos and fight."
--John McCain
-
"Our economy is on the move and we are creating thousands of new jobs, but we need to keep our foot on the gas pedal poor people!"
--Mitt Romney
-
"America needs to be defended. We need missile defense to better police the skies Martians over the United States."
--Rudy Giuliani
-
"Tonight on Hannity Babykiller and Colmes..."
--Alan Colmes
-
"And that's tonight's Talking Points You Would Basically Be in the Shower and Then I Would come in and I'd Join You and You Would Have Your Back to Me and I Would Take That Little Loofah Thing and Kinda Soap Up Your Back, Rub It All Over You, Get You to Relax, Hot Water, and Um, Get Your Nipples Really Hard 'Cuz I Like That and You Have Really Spectacular Boobs, and Then I Would Take the Other Hand with the Falafel Thing Memo..."
--Bill O'Reilly

What fun! Thanks, Fox, for teaching us a new way to report the news

I don't see what Mr. Obama is so worked up about. If he has nothing to hide he shouldn't worry so much. This is just another reason to be concerned about an Obama presidency. He apparently thinks that news outlets must be controlled by the (liberal) government. That's no big surprise since he believes government should control every aspect of our lives.

Listen to yourselves: "media to be responsible", as judged by whom? Barack? Yes, that would be a change indeed. Thanks, anyway, I'd rather have mavericks like Kurtz around to get socialists and leftists squealing. Makes them easier for the masses to separate.

"US soldiers behaved like terrorists". Really? You mean like killing thousands of innocent non-combatants at a time, without warning and celebrating it by firing AK-47's in the air, once their cowardly butts are back in their communist supported lairs.
Yeh, right!

Milt's program that had a prosecutor's call for withholding funds from Northwestern, because of the affiliation of Ms. Dohrn's, and the timing thereof, had only coincidence to tie it to 9/11. You're the one making bizarre connections with a terrorist event. As for the prosecutor's success or failure, please leave that judgement to those with a less biased sense of justice.

I didn't read all the comments or the entire story, but I read enough to know that Obama and his group are trying to silence one person's right to free speech. To me, it more sounds like he's trying to censor what's said about him so only good things are broadcast. Sounds like other regimes through history.

What gets me is that a liberal hack job can say whatever they want on NPR and it's OK, but a conservative can't say what he wants because then it's crossing a line. What's fair for one side has to be fair for the other.

Obviously Mr. Obama and his campaign officials view Bill Ayers in a positive light and choose to believe that the past is past. Certainly Ayers and his wife Bernadine Dohrn have been an asset to the educational reform in Chicago and have been active in Hyde Park and around the state. However, it is short-sighted to believe that the domestic terrorism of the Weathermen can and should be forgotten. Robbery, shooting and covering up for those who commit those acts need to be taken in full context, including the context of the victims and of the society that suffered the fear such acts of terror instilled. As with his home purchase, Mr. Obama, in the case of Ayers and Dohrn, appears too arrogant to understand that the public trust entails more than a reassurance that Obama was sincere in his belief that his associations were not improper. Public officials must take the time and exercise the prudence to avoid the appearance of impropriety; they owe this to their constituencies. That Mr. Obama doesn't understand, to this day, why he should not have gone to the home of Ayers and Dohrn indicates a fanatical unwillingness to see another (and legitimate) point of view, that is, that those who disrupted the peace through acts far beyond civil disobedience without ever renouncing their acts of support for domestic terrorism are not fit hosts for a person with high political ambitions. Mr. Obama needs to demonstrate a firmer character by making wiser choices in the future. Obama's attacking Chicago institution Milt Rosenberg, rather than putting forward a surrogate to begin to make amends for the mistakes the candidate made in affiliating himself with Dohrn and Ayers, perpetuates the stereotype of a liberal elitist whose blinders prevent his considering other points of view.

Just wait until the democrats pass the 'fairness doctrine' and get rid of all opposition to their left wing platform. Think it will apply to Hollywood and the liberal main stream media?

Absolutely not!

Obama with a democratic house and senate will pass all kinds of crazy new laws.

So free speech is okay only if you support Obama?

What ever happened to providing a forum to those with differing points of view?

Rosenberg is well-known for his conservative slant. He's giving his core of listeners what they want to hear.

If Obama supporters do not want to hear, then they shouldn't listen.

I do not hear them protest when Obama supporters rant and rave about McCain "abandoning" his first wife.

Why won't Obama answer McCain's challenge to have joint town hall meetings? Is Obama afraid of others exercising their right to free speech?

Life under an Obama regime would not be pleasant. Do you know your Obama salute yet (Google "Obama salute")? The Obama campaign is undoutedly already at work on our citizen uniforms and armbands. Think China, who Obama already says has a "vastly superior infrastructure" over America.

Didn't some like this happen in Germany back in the thirties?

The constitution says nothing about this guy's right to a two hour chunk on WGN. Letting this guy on the air is about like letting someone have two hours to allege that McCain secretly worked with the Viet Cong while he wa a POW. It's irresponsible smear journalism that no self-respecting media outlet would mess with.

Amber M. What ground do you have to make the assertion that Obama will limit your freedoms? GWB expanded use of executive powers and the sidestepping of the FISA through the Patriot Act did more to limit your rights as an American. Not to mention the total disregard for the checks and balances put in place by our founding father in the document you are so concerned about.

So part of the "change" we are being promised is by whining about somebody using their First Amendment right to free speech...interesting. The whole mindset of the Obama nation scares me, even more than Dick Cheney because at least you know where he stands. His supports need to take a civics class and realize the President is only a figurehead of the group called Congress because the Prez cannot do anything unless they approve it. The Prez cannot lower gas prices either. And if folks believe a socialist environment would be best, list what rights they are the most willing to give up. Oh, for this whole fiasco to be over with.

By the way, John McCain had a sponsor of terrorists lead a fundraiser for him. Carl Lindner, former CEO of Chiquita, admitted to fnding groups in Colombia designated by the US state department as terrorists. But Lindner led a campaign fundraiser for McCain in Cincinnati. Isn't this worse than the Obama-Ayers connection???
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/07/02/mccain-fundraiser-oversaw_n_110354.html

More thug militant tactics from BO and his people...uh, hello...still a semi-free country here.

I've learned a lot listening to Extension 720 and Milt Rosenberg with his eclectic selection of guest and sometimes heavyweight topics ranging from astronomy to music to the occasionally offbeat. But when it comes to politics, the radio switch goes off. That's when whackjob right wing Milt emerges and engages in predictable hit jobs on Democrats and liberals with his cast of wingnut welfare "authors" and the like.

the indignant temper-tantrum of mr. obama again displays his ineptitude in confronting real adversity. if he has to "shutdown" the opposition instead, that tells us #1 he has something to hide, #2 his inexperience leaves him with no means to respond to criticism other than trying to shut it down, #3 God help us if this man becomes the leader of the free world and has to confront real world issues from countries that oppose his personal viewpoints.

Hmmmmm So Obama wants to stiffle speach. Has he tried to stiffle Oprah. Has he tried to stiffle Move on dot org.

Funny this man of change and new transparency will try to shut any opposing view.

At WGN they have a front row seat to HIS RECORD AND HIS ACCOMPLISMENTS.

Maybe he has a problem with the clear channel reach of the radio station.

Does Obama try to stiffe the New York Slimes or Washington Post et. ad nausium.

NO no no MR. Transparancy he wants to muzzle ANY opposition. Does the Soviet Union freedom of speach ring a bell?

I voted for Barack in the primary. Sorry I did. He is not what he would like you to believe. I think he's a huge mistake and has made it as far as he has because of his perceived and not real persona. The only thing he will change will be his undergarments. At least I hope he will.

Wow, do they make kool-aid in 666 flavor?

This is not just about what kind of relationship Obama has had with Ayers. Since Obama's resume is so thin it makes sense to look into whatever executive experience he has had. The CAC was a failure by all accounts (just because Ayers "cares" about education does not mean he is effective). If education policy is important in an Obama administration I think it would be in the public's interest to know if he can be effective. I think there may be more harm exposed by the ineffectiveness of the program than by any personal association.

Poster JB here is correct. The problem goes well beyond Obama and cuts to the core of the Daley Machine. We need to clean house in a major, major way. No Obama. No Daley. No Stroger. And for God's sake, no Bill Daley in the governor's mansion. This state is steeped in top-to-bottom corruption at the hands of the Daley Machine, which Obama is a product of.

WGN has several other hosts of talk programs who are favorable to Obama. These are all on during the daytime when the number of listeners is greater. Therefore WGN seems to provide fair and balanced coverage of the election and Senator Obama. Just because the Senator's campaign doe not like the coverage does not mean that the coverage is unfair

Obama this week: threatened the licenses of TV stations that ran the Ayers ad, asked the Justice department twice to investigate the sponsor of the Ayers ad, had an ABC news producer arrested for filming big money donors in Denver and now calls his people to barrage a radio station with phone calls. Free speech? What's that?

The more we get to know Obama, the more his ideas of "change" and "hope" ring more like what we currently have, just wrapped up in a fancier package. I want to like the guy and vote for him, but so far, all he has done is lie like the rest of the politicians.

So, if he really isn't any different in character than McCain, why should we vote for a man with no experience who is more interested in being a rock star than putting forth opinions on how to fix the country? I couldn't care less about his ties to Ayers or what religion he believes (he changes every day anyway). What does matter is that all he does is spew rhetoric through rock concert like speeches and has yet to put for any policy ideas.

You just gotta love the twisted logic of left-wing liberal idiots. They get their shorts in knot if the US introduces measures like FISA, to help protect Americans from those who would, and have, killed us, shrieking at the top of their lungs “It's unconstitutional!!!!”; but, if an American wants to conduct an investigation into the public record of “THE ONE”, and make that information known they resort to intimidation to try to suppress it. These people are either the worst kind of hypocrites as they don't even see their own hypocrisy, or they are neo-fascists trying to control thought – more lilely they are both.

waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhhhhhhhh....what a big baby....I'm just sayin'

Um, I thought we had freedom of speech in this country? Obama has been on the cover of every magazine and newspaper for months now - and you democrats are upset over 2 hours? You're arresting ABC reporters in Denver - trying to squash any expression of though or voice that doesn't conform to your ideologies. Wake up people - we're about to usher in a new era in this country - Socialism!

I listened to a few minutes of Extension 720 last night.

Mr. Kurtz made the interesting claim that Mr. Axelrod was a "Red diaper baby" (i.e., a child of CPUSA members or fellow travelers). I may have misremebered the context of this claim, but I believe Mr. Kurtz was claiming that Mr. Axelrod should be particularly sensitive to making inappropriate claims of McCarthyism re the Ayers / Dohrn matter, as his parents were potential victims of such smears.

In fact, Axelrod's mother was a journalist for PM magazine, and later an advertising executive. Mr. Kurtz may not realize that CPUSA membership was not required of Jews on the Lower East Side.

Of course, the none-too-subtle reason for Mr. Kurtz's having made his specious point in the first place was to make a variation of the Obama / Communism smear.

This smear, unchallenged by Prof. Rosenberg, was brought to Chicago listeners by the Tribune Company.

Why doesn't Obama explain why he befriended an unrepentant former terrorist? His reply ad is not a logical response -- it points out that Obama was 8 when Ayers blew things up. That does not explain why, as an adult, Obama BEFRIENDED the man. I can't think of any logical answer except (1) political expediency or (2) he secretly hates the USA like Ayers does. Which is it, Obama?

"Williams Ayers once set a bomb to blow up the police memorial at Haymarket Square, yet years later Mayor Daley tapped him for his expertise in education to help lead Chicago's school reform. That he was a sixties radical would appear to be a minor consideration to people who need his knowledge and experience. Chicago has clearly moved beyond the culture wars of the 60s. It's what you bring to the table that matters. Obama is right to associate with people like Bill Ayers because they're the ones improving public education here, not the conservative media.

Posted by: David | August 28, 2008 3:43 AM
"

It's Chicago, where the definition of improving education is pumping millions of dollars into the hands of cronies, becuase it sure wasn't about improving the kids.

Ayres got hooked up because his daddy is very rich and connected to the corrupt Chicago political machine.

Hello? Does anyone remember "Freedom of Speech?" Obama, you've got to be kidding...

And so the left-wing suppression of free speech begins!

The fact that Obamamessiah is jumping on this SO fast is indicative of how close to the mark his opponents are hitting with this Ayers thing. Obama can go pound sand. He's trying to stifle any dissenters. The only 'change' he's referring to is a socialist takeover.

Why is it that the Obama for President campaign is attempting to block the investigation itself? They don't appear willing to simply let the investigation take place and let the findings speak for themselves. Very troubling.