McCain Surrogate: Al Qaeda Blogger Using Reverse Psychology

The McCain campaign blasted back against a story in today's Washington Post reporting that an al-Qaeda official in a "commentary posted Monday on the extremist Web site al-Hesbah," had called for the support of the Arizona Republican.

In doing so, foreign policy adviser Randy Scheunemann attacked everything from the paper ("I use journalism in quotations marks when referring to this story"), to the controversial figures who have said nice things about Barack Obama, to a conference call questioner who asked him to reevaluate the history of the Iraq War.

The most interesting line, however, came from former CIA Director Jim Woosley, who sought to frame the al-Qaeda blog posting as some sort of attempt at reverse political psychology

"If one takes one individual Islamist blogger from one terrorist Islamist blog who has come up with this statement that it would be good to have McCain in the White House, I think one has to consider the motives," he said. "This individual knows that the endorsement of people like him is a kiss of death, figuratively and literally. So it seems to be that it is pretty clear by making this statement it would be a good thing for McCain to be president. He wants to damage McCain. He's not speaking from his heart."

How Woosley interpreted the musings of an al Qaeda blogger to be a foray into electoral strategy remains unclear. So is the idea that this endorsement shouldn't be considered honest but the "endorsement" of Obama by members of Hammas or Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, which Scheunemann evoked repeatedly, somehow should be regarded as sincere.

But it is important to recall that in the 2004 election, Republican officials were quick to interpret a late-in-the-election tape from Osama bin Laden as a surefire endorsement of John Kerry's candidacy. Even Kerry himself said the issue cost him the election.

Now, it appears, the standards are different, with al-Qaeda well-versed in electoral trickery and eagerly pushing a candidate that they think would, in the end, most harm its cause.

UPDATE: Greg Sargent at TPM offers an interesting reminder concerning this topic:

When discussing this topic, it's always useful to recall that journalist Ron Suskind reported that CIA analysts concluded that Bin Laden had released a tape of himself on the eve of the 2004 election in order to help Bush stay in power, partly because his presidency made such a handy recruiting tool.

Comments

[jaglon]

Of course Al-Qaeda wants McCain to win. It is a great recruiting tool for them (just like Bush). Al-Qaeda wants the war to continue in Iraq and upheaval to continue throughout the Middle East it is in their best interests - not peace. McCain wants the war to drag on Iraq (till he gets his 'victory'). He also is more likely to start others (what would he have done about Georgia if he had been president?). These all play right into Al-Qaeda's efforts, McCain is just to narrow minded to see it. He is doomed to keep repeating historical mistakes.

[cornagainstsorcery]

It must be opposite day in the Republican Party.

[Jeff1958]

Every day is Opposite Day in the Republican Party.

Jeff
October 22, 1984

[PatrickforO]

I don't think this is gonna work this time around. Reverse, reverse psychology.

[McChimp]

Look at it this way: would al Qaida want John McCain, a white dude who looks like all the other white dudes and is a hot head like all the other white dudes, or would they want Barack Obama, who looks like all the other Muslims out there?

And it's funny how the McCain campaign joked about Barack Obama being a Muslim and said that because H e z b o l l a h endorsed him, that makes him dangerous to this country... now that Al Qaida endorsed John McCain it's suddenly reverse psychology­... sorry John, time to eat cake, and I'm not referring to you eating cake with Bush while millions suffered during Katrina.

[izAriver]

"The poll, which found Obama at 44 percent and McCain at 43 percent, supports what some Republicans and Democrats privately have said in recent days: that the race narrowed after the third debate as GOP-leaning voters drifted home to their party and McCain's "Joe the plumber" analogy struck a chord. "

I thought this was so ridiculous and desperate that y'all would find it funny. I did.

[goldiekins]

How come if the reverse were said, then it would be the truth? I believe this person. McCain does promote war. I would think he would detest war since he was a prisoner of it. I detest war. I want out of the war and I think Obama will be the one to lead us out. McCain can't have it both ways.

[McChimp]

Barack Obama said he would take the fight back to Pakistan and Afghanistan, which scares the he11 out of them. John McCain just kept talking about the surge, and how we are winning, I guess Al Qaida felt that John McCain spoke for them more.

More unecessary wars that bankrupt the American economy: both goals shared by Al Qaida and John McCain.

[Kiabell04]

Here those Republican go again.

[ctman47]

No, No
This is double reverse psychology. They claim they support McCain, knowing full well that McCain will call it reverse psychology meaning that they really support Obama. But those dastardly clever cave-dwellers actually want a McCain Presidency because they heard how he gives $150,000 to families for clothing and makeup and they want in on the action.

[useyourbrain]

Well, I double down on your double reverse psychology and raise you another reverse. I would think team McCain would be proud of having some international support. Of course Al Queda wants McCain since his Bush screwup policies work for them in terms of recruitment and clearing out Iraq so they can move in. It was so nice of BushCo. to drop out of Afghanistan at the end of 2001. That's given them almost 7 years to rebuild themselves and take over Pakistan with their Nukes.

The Dems or a 527 should do an ad with all the expenses for their ladies:

$300,000 Cindy's one night outfit
$175,000 Palin shopping spree at Neiman Marcus, etc.
$14,000 and counting for make up
$6,000 and counting for hair stylist.

[eden4barack08]

You have to add $8,000/month make up for McCain as well. I know, I know, he's technically not one of the ladies, but he puts make up on nonetheless. ;>)

[Seven7s]

isnt McCain the one that said something to the effect of DONT VOTE FOR OBAMA BECAUSE AL-QUIEDA & HEZZBOLLA ENDORSED HIM?

So by his own logic...we shouldnt vote for McCain.

[Passenger57]

Standard Republican Operating Procedure.­..they'll say/do someting on Friday that completely contradicts what they said/did the day before.

[kiran888]

HA HA HA HA HA HA! This is the best october surprise ever! Bye bye McPalin.

[Lagniappe]

Does this remind you guys of when Bush tried to tell the joke about "Fool me once."..et­c.?

[Coinyer101]

i think the mccain surrogate was using reverse-reverse -phsychology.

[jamie461]

BWAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!

Sorry, can't help myself. Every time I see a Republican spinning himself or herself into a dizzy swoon, it makes me laugh out loud.

[KennaP]

you're allowed--help yourself!

[Lagniappe]

The GOP of the Spinocchios!

[sandpiper1]

Bay Buchanan comes to mind. Roland Martin was actually laughng out loud last night at her spining and spinningand spinning. She made herself dizzy and confused. Poor David Gergen kept shaking his head, left and right in disagreement with what she was saying. Too bad AC didn't allow him to speak, saying time was up. It was funny to watch. She's so desparate, she simply can't accept McFake/Failin is done.

[biabouman41]

Of course, the Republicans, with their non-diplomatic approaches make better recruitment tools. But more than this, I believe that Obama's threat to take the fight to Pakistan's border area scares the hell out of them. Bush just recently adopted Obama's idea and actions in the border area are already bearing fruit. The strikes in that area 2 weeks ago are believed to have caused significant Al-quida deaths.