Ayers says relationship with Obama 'exaggerated'

MONMOUTH _ Former 1960s radical William Ayers says his past relationship with President-elect Barack Obama was often exaggerated during Obama's bid for the White House.

Ayers, a University of Illinois at Chicago professor, addressed students at Monmouth College in west-central Illinois Thursday.

He says references to him as a "terrorist" bothered him.

Obama was scrutinized for his ties to Ayers, who was a founder of the radical Weather Underground and once served on a school reform board with the president-elect.

Ayers says he maintained a low profile during the election. But has since appeared on ABC's "Good Morning America" and spoken in public.