Presidential Race Getting Personal

Anger is building all over America, as many of us are uncertain about the ability of our government to control the economy and corruption.

Now, the reason I'm so engaged on this issue is that I understand how hard most of you work and how you trusted the system by investing your hard-earned dollars into it. So did I. And the system has let us all down, big. The Dow was down Thursday another 680 points.

But even with all the anger in the air, a number of sideshows away from the economy have become important in the presidential vote. The McCain campaign has just released this ad on the net:

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Do you know Bill Ayers ran the violent left-wing activist group called Weather Underground? We know Ayers' wife was on the FBI's 10 most wanted list. We know they bombed the Capitol, the Pentagon, a judge's home. We know Ayers said "I don't regret setting bombs. I feel we didn't do enough." But Obama's friendship with terrorist Ayers isn't the issue. The issue is Barack Obama's judgment and candor. When Obama just says "This is a guy who lives in my neighborhood," Americans say, "Where's the truth, Barack?"

(END VIDEO CLIP)

Now in reply, Barack Obama says this:

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

BARACK OBAMA: I am surprised that, you know, we've been seeing some pretty over-the-top attacks coming out of the McCain campaign over the last several days, that he wasn't willing to say it to my face.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

And Senator McCain should confront Senator Obama if he feels the Ayers deal is so important. I put Ayers right to Obama.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

OBAMA: This guy is not part of my campaign. He's not…

O'REILLY: He's…

OBAMA: He's not some adviser of mine. He's somebody who worked on education issues in Chicago that I know. The problem that your viewers, your guys, your folks, the folks you champion, the problem you're going through, the problems they're going through with trying to pay their bills, trying to keep their job, trying to move up in this world, their problem isn't Bill Ayers. It was Bill Ayers 40 years ago when he was blowing stuff up.

O'REILLY: They want a president who they can identify with.

OBAMA: They want a president…

O'REILLY: …they can identify with.

OBAMA: And they should be able to identify with me because my story is your story. My story is your story.

O'REILLY: But your associations are not my associations.

OBAMA: But…

(END VIDEO CLIP)

All right. The question is do you think Obama's associations are a primary issue? And do you think McCain is smart to illuminate them?

"Talking Points" believes that Ayers, Reverend Wright and now ACORN have damaged Barack Obama to some extent, but not enough to give McCain a victory. Now McCain must show passion on the economic corruption issue, which is by far the most serious situation in the country today.

Ayers himself is a disgrace, no question. But when entire families are put at risk by corrupt business people and incompetent politicians, that is the game-breaker.

Three and a half weeks to go. We'll see who takes charge on that issue.

And that's "The Memo."

Pinheads & Patriots

At a rally in Wisconsin, a guy said this to John McCain:

Click here to watch "Pinheads & Patriots."

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: It's time that you two are representing us, and we are mad. So go get them!

JOHN MCCAIN: Well, I think I got the message.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

I hope so. I bet that guy is a "Factor" viewer. He's also a patriot.

On the pinhead front, we have this:

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

PARIS HILTON, HOTEL HEIRESS: My fellow Americans, as you know I'm running for president. And I've sought out the advice of an expert. Running for fake president is a little daunting.

MARTIN SHEEN, ACTOR: I've got to tell you though, Paris, you know, being a fake president is a lot harder today than when I was a fake president. My fake administration started before the country took some hits.

HILTON: Nowadays sound bites not sound policy determine our country's course. I plan to bring a fake balanced approach to these real problems. For example, fo-po.

SHEEN: What is fo-po?

HILTON: Foreign policy, silly.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

I know there's a pinhead in there somewhere.

— You can catch Bill O'Reilly's "Talking Points Memo" and "Pinheads & Patriots" weeknights at 8 and 11 p.m. ET on the FOX News Channel and any time on foxnews.com/oreilly. Send your comments to: oreilly@foxnews.com