So far, ever stinking attack from the McCain/Palin campaign against Obama has turned out to be false, misleading, or groundless. But Obama’s connection to ACORN in the past and today (see this McCain Web Ad) could be problematic, since ACORN is a left-wing organization that has tolerated, supported or lead criminal activities, namely voter registration fraud.
I found the article from 1995 they’re referring to – it’s very interesting, and I encourage you to read it. It is actually very positive about Obama’s community organizing work. It quotes the ACORN lead organizer:
Another strong supporter of Obama’s work—as an organizer, as a lawyer, and now as a candidate—is Madeline Talbott, lead organizer of the feisty ACORN community organization, a group that’s a thorn in the side of most elected officials. “I can’t repeat what most ACORN members think and say about politicians. But Barack has proven himself among our members. He is committed to organizing, to building a democracy. Above all else, he is a good listener, and we accept and respect him as a kindred spirit, a fellow organizer.”
Obama has worked inside the community organizer scene for many years, and has repeatedly criticized some of the contraproductive or even racist policies of his “fellow organizers”. Of course you find bad guys in a grass-root spectrum, maybe even more than in established political institutions. ACORN seems to employ some really bad guys. But I think Obama has proven to be one of the good guys, and one with the potential to lead a country. Obama should stop working with ACORN, and it seems he thinks the same.
The article continues with the part the McCain ad is apparently referring to (“He taught classes for ACORN”):
Obama continues his organizing work largely through classes for future leaders identified by ACORN and the Centers for New Horizons on the south side.
So he taught people “identified by ACORN”. What’s that supposed to mean? Well, I hope the fact checkers out there help us to identify the truth.
Update: Here’s a satiric view of the matter.
Update 2: The fact checkers spoke.