McCain Adviser: Another Attack on U.S. Would Be "Big Advantage" For McCain

***READ BELOW FOR UPDATES - McCain's response, Black's Apology, Obama's Response***

Fortune Magazine is running a profile on John McCain titled, "The evolution of John McCain." McCain's chief advisor, Charlie Black, is interviewed in the piece. Below is a choice quote from Black on why he thinks another terrorist attack on US soil would help McCain win the presidency.

On national security McCain wins. We saw how that might play out early in the campaign, when one good scare, one timely reminder of the chaos lurking in the world, probably saved McCain in New Hampshire, a state he had to win to save his candidacy - this according to McCain's chief strategist, Charlie Black. The assassination of Benazir Bhutto in December was an "unfortunate event," says Black. "But his knowledge and ability to talk about it reemphasized that this is the guy who's ready to be Commander-in-Chief. And it helped us." As would, Black concedes with startling candor after we raise the issue, another terrorist attack on U.S. soil. "Certainly it would be a big advantage to him," says Black.

McCain responded to Black's quote during a press conference today. The Senator told reporters, "I strenuously disagree":

At that same press conference, Charlie Black apologized to reporters for his comments:

Black, interviewed by reporters as he stood outside McCain's fundraiser, said: "I deeply regret the comments. They were inappropriate. I recognize that John McCain has devoted his entire adult life to protecting his country and placing its security before every other consideration."

Barack Obama's campaign issued a response to Black's comments:

"Barack Obama welcomes a debate about terrorism with John McCain, who has fully supported the Bush policies that have taken our eye off of al Qaeda, failed to bring Osama bin Laden to justice, and made us less safe. The fact that John McCain's top advisor says that a terrorist attack on American soil would be a 'big advantage' for their political campaign is a complete disgrace, and is exactly the kind of politics that needs to change. Barack Obama will turn the page on these failed policies and this cynical and divisive brand of politics so that we can unite this nation around a common purpose to finish the fight against al Qaeda," said Obama campaign spokesman Bill Burton.

Comments

[bigmikecraft]

For anyone to equate another terrorist as beneficial to a sitting Senators bid for the White House is inane, stupid an a terriorist remark. I am the only holder of an anti-terrorist contract in America, with the Treasury Dept. I can not get the Treasury to work. I take any snide comment by a civil servant who doesn't work any way as an insult to all those who gave their lives. Sincerely Big Mike Craft

[geber22]

Ask the republicans how many of those "terrorists" at Gitmo they have been able to prosecute? 0 zero, donut, zilch, zippy. They claim they had 730 of the world's worst terrorists in Gitmo. Now they have let 500 go, plan to lose another 180, etc... and have 80 left. Boy, they sure sound great to me! Flat out amazing.

[Cactusflower]

Shame on the McCain adviser, and shame on McCain by association, for thinking in those terms. Are the republicans so desperate that they may stage a terrorist attack on our own country? McCain had also thought of assassination as a possibility in our elections. When Benazir Bhutto was assassinated, he mentioned something of that sort. I don't know the exact quote, but it was mentioned on Keith Olberman's show tonight. This is totally disgraceful and McCain needs to be called on that.

[unhipcat]

Information Awareness Office

[unhipcat]

So, the DARPA Information Office is alive and well. I was wondering what Poindexter had been doing lately.

[caldarone]

I don't get it? Another terrorist attack on a REPUBLICAN WATCH.. will make Americans more secure to vote for Republicans..... huh???? well its true AMERICANS ARE DUMB AS HELL..

[Adamwestiii]

Well I think it's fair to say since Israel is so inclined to state if the US doesn't stop Iran from continuing it's Nuclear program, Israel will. To me that says there is a possibility that should Israel decide to attack Iran, Iran will fight back and this will escalate a war that the US will get involved with. Remember McCain & Libermann went to Israel a few months ago for support and campaign finance plea. Both are very strong supporter of Israel, though in my opinion all aid to Israel should be stopped and forced to comply with the resolutions that have been vetoed on a number of occasions. Remember AIPAC is the strong arm of the Israeli Government and has much control of our politicians in Washington. They donate a hell'va lot of money to those who support Israel and will do their damdest to insure the opponent doesn't get selected or elected.

[lucylou]

Thank You. Why Americans think that they're 'safer' with Republicans when we have turned an entire country into a training ground for terrorists while the real enemies (Al Qaeda leadership and Saudi Prince monies funding fundamentalist terrorist schools, aka 'madrasses' worldwide) are living it up is beyond me.
Do they really think that checking 4 yr olds' shoes at airports is really 'making us safer'?????
Americans deserve their leadership.

[VotingMom]

If he really wants to boost his electibility, he should consider 2 words

Cosmetic Dentistry...

Everytime he grins, I swear off corn and reach for a breath mint.

[F33bs]

Bravo, ma'am. Bravo..

[Rumplestiltskin]

Americans voted for great teeth when they voted for jim my car ter and look where that got us.

[mbh78213]

Not that his teeth have anything to do with his politics, but I have thought the same thing. With all the money Cindy has, and she can't buy him WhiteStrips?

[Veratruth]

Charlie Black: We don't need another terrorist attack to keep "FEAR" alive in my heart. McCain sends "FEAR" up and down my spine when I see his face or hear him speak. I FEAR his Bush related experience, and the fact that he might even come close to sitting in the Oval Office. I FEAR him more than Bin Laden. The only possible way to rid ourselves of the "FEAR" that CONTINUES to plague this country is to vote for Sen. Barack Obama. BTW: "Wear that flag pin, McCain, cause your boss wants you to. Reason: Flag pin=patriotism; no flag pin=unpatriotic."

[RealityBeatsDenial]

Don't think for a minute that the young people of this country (may include those up to the age of 50, the way things have been going) - or the sane majority - are going to stand for that one!

"Anti-war protests" and "conscientious objectors" wouldn't begin to describe the outpouring into the streets and the ensuing melee. The government and law enforcement officers would have to be commandeering Hummers from housewives to run down all the protesters on the streets. (Hmm - importing more from China than baby food?) And hell – all the National Guard are in Iraq.

Yep - a revolution in the 21st Century to stand out in the history books.

Use your sense .... Vote Obama '08 ..... Skip the continuation of all this craziness .... and "inquire" of your DC reps how this can be averted now (since November - or January - aren't here yet!).

[LaurenceFlorida]

He's losing his edge; Black should have wished for a couple of majority-Democrat districts to get taken out in a swing state. That way, McCain gets the immediate poll bounce plus the Election Day pay-off. What I believe strategists like to call a "win-win".

[ApolloSpeaks]

m

[johnwinner]

>The assassination of Benazir Bhutto in December was an "unfortunate event," says Black. "But his knowledge and ability to talk about it reemphasized that this is the guy who's ready to be Commander-in-Chief. And it helped us." <
This remark is actually far worse than the childish "terror attack" quote. And I don't hear any apology for it.

[jackieblu23]

I don't get either. The planes crashed on Bush's watch, I'm pretty sure he's republican, so is McCain, or has he changed that too now? The first thing Bush said when the plane hit the tower, "the guy's a lousy piolit" (so is McCain but that's a different story, 0 for 5) - genius. If McCain is such an expert, why didn't he see it coming, he's genius too. These old guy's were sleeping on the job!!! Then we invaded Iraq?

[mamamay]

I see nothing to laugh about in speaking of "another attack on American Soil". If the 9/11
attack was to allow Bush to remain in the WH, so be it but all the McSames, guilianies,et al, incl CB, JL and rove, should not allow another attack in America just to get an angry war monger of a street fighter elected as President.to continue wars for Bush. No more McSame Bush. so wipe that 32 teeth grin off your face. We are listening and we are watching these wise off remarks made that are supposedly have McSame so hip on terror tactics. We have heard enough of the BULLY talk that JMc doesnt need the CIA to protect him frp, the terrorist, NO we need to protect JMc from JMc, We really need to save him to finish out his Senate term, and leave the office of the President to the oncoming Presidencial candidates who realize the need for respecting the American People and ones who understand the need for really protecting America.

[robjh1]

The truth hurts and reality kills.