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

[lthuedk 1]

Of course another attack would mean that a second catastrophe happened on the dictatorship's watch.

http://www.light-to-dark.com/benedick_bush.html

Comment, Mr. Black...?

[Veratruth]

Hey, we don't have to have 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 myself of that "FEAR" is to vote for Sen. Barack Hussein Obama. BTW: "Wear that flag pin, McCain cause I say so. Reason: Flag pin = patriotism; no flag pin = unpatriotic.

[realtalk]

What I find disturbing is that SOME who call themselves Christians in the Republican party, are the first to try to tear down anothers character through guilt by association tactics, and smears.

What I have find disgraceful, and the height of hypocrisy is the Republicans, who claim to be Christians, people like some of the people who work over at Fox News, who are really the most cruel, dishonest of people who are willing to try to ruin a persons character through guilt by association tactics, and smears. What part of the Bible teaches these Republicans, claiming to be Christians to do these disgraceful things to others?!

I mean just take this guy Charlie Black, who is a Republican, and a Christian, yet he is thinking, and openly saying that people dying because terrorist attack our country would be a good thing to win a contest.

[nonconformist2]

Dear Santa:

Is it too early to send you my wish list?

First, I would like that new home waterboarding kit from Matel. Cindy and I are excited to try it out on all our vice presidential candidates!

Second, can we please have a yummy war with Iran? I know that the last time you gave me a war with Iraq, I let little Dickie Ch-eney and Donnie Rums-feld play with it over and over again until they broke it. But I promise to be more careful with this war! We could start with some nice carpet b-ombs, and then maybe civil w-a-r for dessert?

Thirdly, now this is a big one, but I KNOW you can do it! can we please have another t-e-r-r-o-r-i-s-t a-t-t-a-c-k in October? Please please please?

I know it's a lot to ask, but I've been ever so good. I haven't called my wife a c--t in ages!

Yours in Anticipation,

Little Johnny M-c-C-a-i-n

[abdallac]

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA! Now THAT'S funny.

[edwarvir]

Who is John McCain?????? Why hasn't he fired Charlie Black???? There
are so many questions we need answered about him until you can't vote for him
without some these questions being answered these pundit s need to stop spending
so much of their time examining and over examining Senator O and give us
some answers. about John
.
The news media is , so hung up on Senator O until Charlie makes a
strong statement like this about us as American citizens and he doesn't
have to answer for it. John gave some weak reply about he doesn't know
why Charlie said it, but did not seem upset at all. and Charlie gets to keep
his job and two mintues is spent on this story by the news media if that
and they are back talking about Senator O. what's up with that???????

[Jahmekyah]

I find it amazing that this story has lasted the sum total of ONE DAY on the national news cycle....ONE DAY!!!!!!! If you go to msnbc.com, cnn.com, newsweek.com or watch any of the MSM channels to day, and you hadn't watched any news yesterday, you would be completely oblivious to this. You would not even know that this disgusting statement was even said. its amazing. Teflon John gets a pass by the media once again. Amazing....absolutely Amazing.

[Alethea]

Except for MSNBC. Kieth and Abrams are sure to pick this stuff up and stick it to McCain.

But for the other ones, you're absolutly right.

[schicklett3]

Well My Friends - the 911 attack was on the Republican's watch - so HOW would another attack serve to help McCain? Charlie Black is an idiot trying to use scare tactics and fear mongering to get McCain elected. Are people stupid enough to believe the likes of him and Bill Kristol? Never mind.......

[Alethea]

It's because when we get attacked, people get scared and do stupid things when they aren't thinking straight. And on top of it, when the people are scared, they are more willing to sacrafice their freedoms to ensure their safety. If the right strong "Daddy" figure comes along they are more willing to just hand over their rights. If that same "Daddy" figure has an ulterior motive, it's perfect timing to accomplish something that he never would have gotten away with otherwise.

Proof: the Iraq "war."

That's the whole point of terrorism. Scare people > people are in disarray > the one with the plan moves in and can do whatever they want. I think Bush just happened to be in the right place at the right time to take advantage of the 9/11 aftermath. But now that the Republicans have a taste of what it can do, I'm not so optimistic about their intentions... (and it doesn’t help that they keep trying to spook us with doomsday scenarios)

People have been using terror as a tool for centuries. You'd think we would have learned not to fall for it by now. I can tell you though, I won't ever fall for it.

[DeMaria]

Remember, an attack at this point would be on Bush's "watch" and would therefore mean that they didn't keep us safe. It would be exactly the opposite of what Black said, and we would make sure everyone knew it.

[GiveUsFree]

McCain secretly hopes for an attack on American soil, so that HE can win an election. And what do you hear from the puke ass pundits? Well, it's true, it's true though. But he shouldn't have said it.
Are these the type of people you want running the country? Frankly, I have had enough. I have aged so much in 7 years, partly due to this stupid ass administration and it's lack of respect for the Constitution,and it's fear mongering, and war profiteering right in broad daylight. And people, like David Gregory sat on their asses and let it happen. Wake up! The most blatant human rights abusers hide in plain sight and suffer no dissonance for being guilty of what they claim to be against.

[americanalien]

The Republicans are so desperate that they are now pandering to Terrorists to help them win the election. Charlie Blacks comments were incredibly insane to say the least. Anyone who would wish harm on the United States to advance their political agenda is an extremist who have no place advising someone running to be President of the country. John McCain's entire campaign is an absolute disgrace and a sick joke on history.

[gloriar8]

My translation: If the terrorist would kill a few americans on american soil, we could win this election. What a horrible thing to say and even think. This bum needs to be shown the door. NOW! If someone from O.'s camp had said that well the press would've had wall to wall coverage and that person would be OUT!

[JeffersonState]

From a CNN article:

"A McCain campaign official said Black does not explicitly remember saying the comment, but does not dispute it."

Notice how they tried to invoke the "I dont recall" defense as a first resort. Then they realized the interview was recorded.

[meanguy]

i wonder if obama's homeland security advisor remember saying that another attack would benefit obama's campaign...or does that get flushed down the 'memory hole?'

[4real]

If something does happen(God forbid) between now and November everyone should remember these words when they go into the voting booth and vote Obama.

My vote will not be stolen by fear.

[JohnTalbutt]

First Hillary pays Mark Penn million and he makes her look bad, then McCain give his partner Charlie Black million to make him look bad.

Next time give the money to me. I know how to make you look like a fool for much less.

[slope142]

If anyone knows of a more despicably cynical campaign quote, please post below. Where do these insects come from.

[JeffersonState]

You know Bobby Kennedy was assasinated in June.........

[idest]

Winner!