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

[LITU]

Worth repeating:

For those who weren't paying attention the first time, a terrorist attack was used as the instrument of rejuvenation for the GOP. Before the brilliant prestidigitation that was the 9/11 event, the GOP, under Bush II, were like an auger in the ground, spiraling down, down, down.

Here we go again. As before, stupid Americans will watch with dumbfounded awe and wonder.

[ChiGuy]

"Before the brilliant prestidigitation that was the 9/11 event..."
____________________________________________________

*yawn*

Actually, none of it was worth repeating.

[TommyBobama]

"...a terrorist attack was used as the instrument of rejuvenation for the GOP. "

Stupid statement. In the days before 9/11 the GOP controlled the WH, both houses of congress, and the majority of state governorships and legislatures. The GOP was not "spiraling down."

[LITU]

Not stupid, historically accurate.

You and ChiGuy - the twenty-percenters. Yawn!

[robbor]

love the picture, here's the caption, " and now for all my friends, I'm going to ram may thumb straight into my right eye."

[gladys46]

Mc thinks "terrorism" is his stellar national security strength! He does not think tacidly or blantanly teeming that translates ramming his thumb into his eyes ... noppers!!

[gladys46]

This was no gaffe! This is a continued repub political tactic! Keep the masses peering for terrorists! One could say, Mc, et al (by his obvious complicity) are as terrorizing as any so-called terrorist!! Why would Black, Mc's paid advisor blantanly state such a thing, this is what they discussed on the bus, this oops was to stick, this oops was no oops! It's a scare the hell out of already scared americans, a vote getter!

[ofbbg]

I find this "outrage" to be absolutely laughable. Her Highness, Her Worship, Her Majesty Hillary Rodham Clinton used almost these exact words during her campaign to protect her imagined entitlement to the nomination. The hypocrisy here is so typical. If a Lefty says it, it's OK - if anyone else, it's a "Moral and ethical crisis." PLEASE!

[pinkyboo]

Quote please?

I do not remember HRC saying that a terrorist attack would "be good for her campaign"

What kind of meds are you on?

[billrott]

As I have attempted to state on three posts already that have been deleted, statements such as Black's are reckless, false, and should not be tolerated. Black is basically arguing to the world that terrorists can impact our populace and in turn the election. Such false assertions can only embolden are enemies.

Black should resign for what he has done. He has made us all less safe due to his comments.

[Bozwellian]

uh and mmm, need to differ with the statement "Black should resign for what he has done. He has made us all less safe due to his comments"....Cheney and Bush and other neocons have made US LESS SAFE in this world due to THEIR decisons..Black is merely reflecting the Rove/Atwater sort of POLITICKING that the GOPS have been able to use to successfully to "secure/'win' selections/elections from masses of voters who actually vote against their OWN best interests and fear is used as a prie motivator for those seeking a "daddy" state existence...Few want to engage in the details, they far too self absorbed with own lives and like to pretend their is a higher power looking out for them so as to make them free to be whater their au current whimming is !!! Blak actually just sinned by acknowledging part of the forulae that allows them to maintain "controllership" of the reins of power/empowerment which in turn allows those powers to do THEIR whimmings !!! Some claim he was but being honest, some see the arrogancy in that excuse as well !!! WE are TOLD, NBFD so get over it and move on..they plan to do that as well !!!)

[Phil123]

I agree with your comments about emboldening the enemy. About half of the Democrats in Congress should resign for the same reason.

[ThunderclapNewman]

You should be out somewhere trying to find a clue.

[NuOrigin]

You are aware that several McCain advisors have lobbyied for tyrannical leaders, that is, the ones who aren't lobbyists for big oil?

[PAposter]

What religion does McCain "practice"?

[gladys46]

Try VooDoo!

[dadw5boys]

DECEIT!!!!

That is his religion.

[billrott]

Does anyone have the contact information for the McCain campaign? I think we all should start calling and emailing his campaign to demand the removal of Black and a disavowing of his comments. By stating what he did, Black is saying the terrorists can impact our election and populace. Does not such a stupid statement embolden our enemies?

[schicklett3]

Morning Joe basically gives John McCain a pass.
I'll telling you people - we best flock to the polls to vote in November, otherwise, John McCain will win.
The Republicans are desperate, and they will stop at nothing to win.
Will another attack on our country happen before November? Who knows (I pray not), but, I'm getting deeply suspicious of all the attack talk.
Another thing (possibly off topic), but Senator Obama best watch his P's and Q's and not change any of his promises - he's being scrutinized to the nth degree and one slip-up will ruin him.
He must stay above the fray and stick to his original promises.

[dadele]

I think these men are capable of anything. The comments were inappropriate, but they offer us an insight which is truly frightening.

[dawlishgal]

What else can be expected from an administration that is willing to kill hundreds of thousands of civilians (and over 4,000 of our own troops) in order to get back oil production facilities for the big oil corporations. There is NO regard for the sanctity of human life (except for their own lives and those of THEIR loves ones...you don't catch THEM volunteering for anything dangerous).

It will have taken my lifetime for people to catch on to the REAL economic motivations of the GOP, but if people are finally catching on, it will be at least partly due to the blatant arrogance of people like Black, people who assume that EVERYBODY will understand that another terrorist attack will be a good thing because it will advance the GOP's political agenda. Just like last time, only this time maybe people will refuse to let them get away with making propaganda hay out of human tragedy.

[NuOrigin]

"blatant arrogance of people like Black"

And the mass IGNORANCE of half of the voters in this country.

[Henk]

In off record comments Black went further saying: "In campaign terms an attack would be fairly cheap, as well. I mean, look what Bin Laden got for 300 Grand. Shoot Cindy could put it on the American Express card." The McCain campaign is currently looking for 19 maybe 20 "volunteers."

[LivingStardust]

THIS ACCOUNT DEACTIVATED BECAUSE OF HUFF PO CENSORSHIP, PROTECTIONISM AND CAPITULATION TO BIG MONEY INTERESTS.

[billrott]

To the moderators,

Thank you for cracking down on the Trolls that have jumped onto the boards.

[PAposter]

Mika just referred to Charlie Black's comments as a "low level statement", she is so ineffective? Please get rid of her, OMG!

[billrott]

Give it a rest. She is the only one willing to disagree with Buchanan, Scarborough, and the other old fart on morning joe each morning. She should stay.

Also, relax. msnbc will play up the comments all day until black resigns.

[PAposter]

I hope you're kidding, about her ability to counter the arguments of the the conservatives on the show, LOL! They totally ignore her, and she caves every time, so they'll let her back into the conversation. She should be replaced with a strong woman, period!

[gladys46]

Joe S. would never return if suddenly R.Maddow appeared on that set! That show needs a serious journalist not a silly surface thinker!

[gladys46]

She is pissivity personified!

[billrott]

Thee statements by charlie black have done nothing more than t embolden our enemies domestic and abroad. Black basically said to all terrorist groups that if you attack us you can impact our populace and in turn the election. Such a statement is absurd and reckless.

Today we are all less safe due to Black's comments and mccain's candidacy.

[TLV]

The international banking systems - with the Bush team's blessings - were responsible for 9/11 so if the economy continues to go south, I highly doubt they will stage another one.

[OnTheOtherBeach]

Your tinfoil hat cutting off circulation to your brain again?