Iron shapes iron.

There is a Hebrew proverb which states "Iron shapes iron, friend shapes friend."

So, yes, it matters with whom one chooses to associate with especially as friends. It matters, Senator Obama, stop trying to pretend it doesn't.

Left-wing radical bigot Reverend Jeremiah Wright, unapologetic terrorist Bill Aires, convicted developer Tony Rezko. It matters.

If you had fifty friends you could point too and say "Look, these friends of mine are alkl good folks" fine. But so far the three individuals I named are virtually the only friends we know about.

Iron shapes iron.