Does someone's associations matter in a political campaign?

I really think that it does. I have always heard the old saying that birds of a feather flock together.

I feel that it is important for the American people to know about Obama's relationships with others. His association with Bill Ayers, Reverend Wright and Acorn brings lots of questions to my mind on how they would influence him if he becomes president.

People are always trying to say he has good judgement. That he doesn't make snap decisions on things. Well, it did take him 20 years to leave his church. You can't convince me otherwise that he didn't know the hate speech was going on at his church.

Does someone's associations matter in a political campaign?