Frank writes in the Journal of his friend Bill Ayers: โ€œI do not defend the things Mr. Ayers did in his Weatherman days. Nor will I quibble with those who find Mr. Ayers wanting in contrition.โ€ Thatโ€™s the harshest condemnation of Ayers youโ€™ll find in the column. Republicans, meanwhile, are โ€œvileโ€ for raising the issue of his past.