But I think you will allow that the relationship between Ayers and Obama is more than simply between a politician and an “unrepentant” friend. Obama served on CAC with Ayers. Chaired it in fact. Had his candidacy launched from his house. Had a long-term political relationship with Ayers. Ayers is important because he is a marker for what Obama may truly believe in. That’s why the CAC papers are so interesting. Because they reveal what the two men jointly aimed to achieve in Chicago educational politics. It is a record of correlation between Ayers and Obama.

We may not care a hoot about Ayers. But Ayers gives us a window into how Obama thought, before he came under close media scrutiny. The other difference, even admitting a parallel between Ayers and Keating, is that while Keating might have been sleazy, he was no ideologue. He was not committed, as Ayers avowed he once was, to the principle of destroying America.

Should McCain be taken to task for Keating. Doubtless he will be. And there are probably many voters who will say, “any friend of Keating is no friend of mine”. But why then can’t the same be said of Ayers?