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

[Loisebby]

These remarks sound very familiar. VP Dan Quayle, remember him, said nearly the same thing
to Al Gore during their last debate. Again, the Republicans attempt to sell fear for votes. And again
they will lose...

McCain has nothing to offer the American people except fear...

How sad is that...

[Flagal]

John Mc-cain is a true patriot.....................as far as I know.

[AnotherTry]

If the republican strategy has worked so successfully for two presidential elections, why should they change now? Obama seems to be playing right into their hands. Why doesn't he set the agenda for once?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nzwict_PepE

[Lautenberg]

If a guy works for terrorists for millions of dollars, then do you think those people might help protect their wealth by aiding McCain attacking this country. No that would be a conspiracy. People don't like money that much, wait...

[AbstractImp]

Let's see. Rush Limbaugh wants riots in Denver.

Fox "news" has come out openly for shooting one candidate.

Another "voice of the GOP" has openly called for shooting anti-war activists. Hasn't asked for recruiting PRO-war activists into the army, though, huh?

And now this, bluntly hoping for massive terrorist violence against innocent Americans, in the belief that it will help the "security" candidate.

Well, a sick agenda requires evil means, and all means are "on the table" so as to advance their sick agenda even further.

Do you people finally see just what you are dealing with?

Seventy years ago, a certain German nutcake grabbed power and burned the Reichstag, and then came Kristolnacht. (Interesting that now, Liebermann is on the side of the fascists!)

Why is it that not one of these "people" has been held accountable?

Some people are totaling up two things:
1 The similar pattern of statements here and in the summer of 2001.
2 The curious sequence of statements coming out of the mouth of the moron in the white house while he was ostensibly "listening" to the victims in Iowa.

"Vote for me or you will die?"

I think I would rather die.

The only legitimate result of this election is a landslide victory for Obama. Anything else, a stolen election, a fixed election, or a bombed election, would make me an ex-American.

Good luck America, this is your last chance to save your nation.

[Pleidian]

Attack on US a big advantage.....wow, what do you know, that's what the 2000 report from the lovely people at Project fot the New American Century (the euphamism to end all euphamisms) said. And what do you know? They got one. so maybe you should talk to them...their big wig is this descpicable human being sitting in the Office of the Vide President, even though his lawyers havce managed to argue that he really isn't. Maybe you have heard of him. Many of us who are history geeks see him a a new Fritz Thyssen.

So good luck with that attack, I'm sure it wasn't a fluke last time. If nothing else, you people are goal oriented to say the least.

[olivia]

They want another Pearl Harbor so they can attack Iran.

[Vinca]

To olivia: I'm afraid you may be right, It bugs me so much that some think the republicans can protect us better than dems, IT MAKES ME WANT TO DO THE DEAN SCREAM

[sd4peace]

It seems we need protection FROM the Repubs...

[Bobby]

It's coming, according to someone who should know...

http://www.presstv.ir/detail.aspx?id=61161§ionid=351020104

[booksnmore4you]

Black is wrong.

If America is attacked again, it will prove Obama right that the past seven years have not made us more safe. That would more play in his favor than McSame's

[Crake]

Bill Burton sounds like my kind of dude, has his feet firmly on the ground :)

[Abycat]

I can't believe that the American people have forgotten how Karl Rove thought that 9/11 could be useful in the upcoming 2004 elections. Now we have this. So the 'war' is THE issue. Nothing else matters. Like Bush, McCain isn't any genius. The Dems should have no problem demonstrating this. Their job is to deflate the myth of McCain's Foriegn Policy/Defense prowess.

[Hastings]

Mr. Black is right. Any attack would focus attention on the vast difference between the experience of the candidates, or in Senator Obama's case his lack of experience. As a matter of fact the election is going to come down to the issue of experience attack or no attack.

[idest]

Maybe, or it might come down to judgment and consistency, or McCain's lack thereof.

[KYJurisDoctor]

John McCain needs to "Black"list Charlie "9/11" Black!

[JTyroler]

McCain's campaign doesn't qualify as a disaster on our soil?

[init]

I mean no harm by saying this. But McCain makes a better Popeye than Robin Williams ever could. This comment is not meant to be derogatory.

[BlueStateMan]

He'd be better as the Abominable Dr. Phibes.

http://www.imdb.com/media/rm2741213184/ch0023714

[vassyuta]

yeah not to be paranoid, but here is what our current president said on June 17 re: Iowa flooding:

" We've got what we called a Disaster Relief Fund. There's enough money in that fund to take care of this disaster. But what we're concerned about is future disasters this year. And therefore, we're going to work with the Congress. Jim Nussle is going to go up to work with Congress to get enough money in the upcoming supplemental to make sure that fund is -- has got enough money to deal with a potential disaster, another disaster this year."

This level of preparation is of course admirable but since when are we planning for potential disasters this year? (mentioned in two sentences out of three) What are these potential disasters? Just one week before this cryptic statement he was also "putting all options on the table" three times in one day re:Iran while in Europe, and without having been asked about Iran either.

[lizr]

Oh my God thanks for pointing this out!!!

[DrFitz]

I wouldn't get too paranoid about that particular comment. We are still in the early part of the hurricane season, and I believe they're forcasting up to 4 major storms. That's likely what he was talking about.

[rucognizant]

$$$$$; Yeh! Problem? just throw money at it!
OUR MONEY!
All the money in the world isn't going to replace the LOST, POLLUTED, TOP SOIL along the Mississipi!
Or clean up the DEAD ZONE in the Gulf, when the trash hits that point!
Or heal the emotional trauma of all those who have lost everything!
SInce the Bush neos think any thing is possible; HOW ABOUT rolling the clock back 8 years and signing the Kyoto Treaty,along with the SANE members of the world Community!
I watched that meeting on cspan back in the spring of 2001. The World
was ALREADY FURIOUS with the American refusal to sign.
IMPEACH,
IMPEACH,
IMPEACH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

MPEACH!

[111]

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