Although coy with Churkina about the nature of his relationship with Obama, Ayers was likely telling the truth when he told her, "I wish I were a close friend, and I wish he would call me for advice, but of course it is not going to ...

They shared, and likely share, a deep affinity for what the Obama camp calls “race based” approaches to education and other aspects of American life. Ayers and Obama were both active in lobbying for local control of the Chicago school ...