"People keep trying to align [Bill Ayers] with Barack Obama. It's really unfortunate. They're friends. So what? People do make mistakes in the past. You move on. This is a new century, a new time. He reflects back and he’s been making a strong contribution to our community."

This won't fly because as recently as last fall Ayers was filmed ranting about the fascist America of today.  Ayers is an unrepentant terrorist, and Obama's friendship with him calls the nominee's judgment into question, no matter what "contribution" the terrorist has made to his community.

As many have pointed out, this is like a Republican buddying up with Eric Rudolph.  Both Ayers and Rudolph are terrorists, and both have never repented or sought to make amends to their victims.

Here's the video of Bill as the SDS Teddy Bear Picnic: