Supporters say Obama-Ayers tie is nothing

CHICAGO, April 18 (UPI) -- The fuss made about Barack Obama's link with a former member of a U.S. radical group has stirred a strong defense of the Democratic presidential candidate.

Sen. Hillary Clinton, D-N.Y., brought up the tie between the freshman senator from Illinois and Bill Ayers, a member of the violent Weathermen, during the Philadelphia debate.

Noting the two served on a Chicago-area foundation board, she warned, "This is an issue that certainly the Republicans will be raising," the Los Angeles Times reported.

Laura Washington, Woods Fund chairwoman, said it was "ridiculous to suggest there's anything inappropriate" about Ayers and Obama being board members.

"Bill Ayers is very respected and prominent in Chicago as a civic activist," Washington added. "He has a national reputation as an educator. That's why he's on our board."

Chicago Mayor Richard Daley also commented on the flap.

"There are a lot of reasons that Americans are angry about Washington politics," Daley said in a statement. "One more example is the way Sen. Obama's opponents are playing guilt by association, tarring him because he happens to know Bill Ayers."

Dailey said he doesn't condone Ayers' actions 40 years ago, "but those days are long over."