Obama: We don’t need ACORN’s help

[WhiskeyGirl]

Obama: We don’t need ACORN’s help

By KENNETH P. VOGEL | 10/14/08 5:03 PM EDT 

OREGON, Ohio — Barack Obama for the first time on Tuesday addressed the ACORN controversy that Republicans are seeking to attach to his campaign, minimizing the impact of alleged voter registration fraud linked to the activist group and stressing ACORN is not advising his campaign.

“We’ve got the best voter registration and turnout and volunteer operation in politics right now, and we don’t need ACORN’s help,” he told reporters at the secluded leafy resort outside Toledo where he is preparing for Wednesday’s debate.

(snip)

Obama in the 1990s represented the group in a lawsuit, and on Tuesday, he said that “as an elected official, I’ve had interactions with” the Chicago branch of the group, which he said has “been active,” according to a pool report.

“But they are not advising our campaign,” stressed Obama, who himself worked as a community organizer in Chicago before attending law school.

Nevada authorities last week raided ACORN’s state headquarters after the branch submitted voter registrations with the names of celebrities including Dallas Cowboy stars Tony Romo and Terrell Owens, and other voters came forward alleging they were asked by ACORN employees to submit multiple registration forms.

Obama’s Republican rival John McCain pounced on the controversy, releasing a statement last week asserting that given “ACORN’s recent efforts to engage in voter fraud and to disrupt our political system, Obama’s affiliation with this group raises serious questions about his judgment and ability to lead this nation.”

McCain’s campaign has also called for an investigation of Obama’s ties to ACORN.

ACORN’s political action committee endorsed Obama’s campaign, which paid $832,598 to a consulting firm affiliated with ACORN for get-out-the-vote efforts, though it initially miscategorized the purpose of the payment.

(snip)

http://www.politico.com/news/stories/1008/14574.html

My concern would not be that Obama needs ACORN at this point in time to register voters.  That is a 'red herring' - imho.

My questions would relate to Obama's past relationship with the group and its past and present activities. 

What does Move-on do for Obama?