McCain Rejects Aide's Terror Remark

Top Adviser Told Magazine That A Terror Attack "Would Be A Big Advantage" To McCain

(AP)  A top adviser to John McCain said another terrorist attack on U.S. soil would be a "big advantage" for the Republican presidential candidate, drawing a sharp rebuke Monday from both the presumed GOP nominee and Democrat Barack Obama.

Charlie Black, already in the spotlight for his past lobbying work, is quoted in the upcoming July 7 edition of Fortune magazine as saying such an attack "certainly would be a big advantage to him." Black said Monday he regretted the comment.

Black is also quoted as saying the "unfortunate event" of the assassination of former Pakistani leader Benazir Bhutto in December 2007 "helped us."

Questioned about Black's comments during a news conference, McCain said, "I cannot imagine why he would say it. It's not true. I've worked tirelessly since 9/11 to prevent another attack on the United States of America. My record is very clear."

Citing his work to establish a commission to investigate the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks and his membership on the Senate Armed Services Committee, McCain added: "I cannot imagine it, and so, if he said that - and I don't know the context - I strenuously disagree."

Obama spokesman Bill Burton said in a statement: "The fact that John McCain's top adviser 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."

The remarks caught McCain flat-footed on a day when he focused on energy issues - first in a speech, then at a town-hall meeting and then during a news conference as he stood beside two $100,000 electric cars. McCain offered $300 million to anyone who develops a revolutionary automobile battery, and he predicted such incentives would lower alternative energy costs.

Moments later, he was befuddled when reporters asked about Black's comments. Black was similarly surprised when reporters happened upon him outside a later McCain fundraiser.

Speaking quietly, Black read from handwritten notes. "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," Black said.

Black repeatedly has argued that McCain - a former Navy pilot and Vietnam prisoner of war who has traveled the globe while serving in Congress - benefits any time national security matters are the news of the day. By contrast, Obama has less than four years experience in the Senate and has paid only one visit to Iraq. He plans a second trip before the November election.

During the 2004 presidential race, President Bush, Vice President Dick Cheney and other Republicans argued that Democratic nominee John Kerry was soft on terrorism; the argument resonated with voters. The GOP also questioned the Democrats' record on national security in 2002, with White House political adviser Karl Rove saying Republicans should not shy away from citing terrorism concerns as a reason to vote for their party.

The approach also paid dividends at the polls during that year's congressional elections.

The GOP line - that Democrats had a pre-Sept. 11 mind-set - failed in the 2006 midterm elections as Democrats wrested control of Congress from the Republicans.

More recently, former White House press secretary Scott McClellan wrote in a memoir that during the run-up to the 2003 invasion of Iraq, Bush and his team tried to make the weapons of mass destruction "threat and the Iraqi connection to terrorism appear just a little more certain, a little less questionable than they were."

For his part, McCain has tried to portray Obama as naive on national security and foreign policy.

On Monday, McCain told reporters he was stunned that Obama has never been briefed by Gen. David Petraeus, who is leading U.S. forces in Iraq, yet Obama is calling for a U.S. troop withdrawal.

"Remarkable how someone can make an assessment of the situation without asking for a briefing from the commanding general," McCain said.

[deacon20081]

Let me venture a guess.......Black is a former Aide to Cheney

[cold777]

That photo of mccain is hysterical! Looks like he''s a senior citizen resident or something!

[broadwayphi]

Fire him.

Straight talk is fine. Prove it by straight walk.

Fire him.

My friend.

[libre23]

Black = Rove.

[trishab4]

CBS: Charlie Black, an adviser already in the spotlight for his past lobbying work, is quoted in the upcoming July 7 edition of Fortune magazine as saying such an attack "certainly would be a big advantage to him." Black said Monday he regretted the comment.

-And Charlie sat at his table plotting the attack, with deep inspiration form Roves'' plans

hhtp://www.zeitgeistmovies.com

[skyk-2009]

Every Veteran Knows the type! They LOVE the Military, the Military is the ONLY thing they know. The Military way is the ONLY way. John McSame would be LESS concerned with the Constitution than Bush my friends. He''s also, in LOVE with the idea of WAR. The talk of War, the mention of attacking someone, the idea of going to war, those are the subjects when he seems alive. Economy? No concern of his, any of the other issues that confront us... Not important to Commander McSame! He can''t wait to get his hands on our Military!!

[demwatcher]

"Every Veteran Knows the type! They LOVE the Military, the Military is the ONLY thing they know. The Military way is the ONLY way. John McSame would be LESS concerned with the Constitution than Bush my friends. He''''s also, in LOVE with the idea of WAR. The talk of War, the mention of attacking someone, the idea of going to war, those are the subjects when he seems alive. Economy? No concern of his, any of the other issues that confront us... Not important to Commander McSame! He can''''t wait to get his hands on our Military!!

Posted by skyk at 07:08 PM : Jun 23, 2008"

You just love throwing out claims with absolutely no supporting evidence, don''t you?

You only spew leftist propaganda and prove that you are a brainwashed Liberal weasel.

[kansas1946]

(AP) John McCain distanced himself Monday from a top adviser who said another terrorist attack on U.S. soil this election year would benefit the Republican presidential candidate. Barack Obama''s campaign called the comment a "complete disgrace."

**********************************************

Actually, I believe McCain on this. I don''t think he is that kind of a guy, but you know there are thousands of neo-cons down on their knees praying for some sort of attack. They are so afraid of an Obama presidency, anything would be better than that. This advisor is just repeating the neo-con dream.

[epitome4]

Clinton made the same remark

Fri August 24, 2007 Clinton: Terrorist attack would help GOPStory Highlights
Sen. Clinton said a terrorist attack would help the Republican candidates

Democratic front-runner says she is the best candidate "to deal with that"

Rival Sen. Chris Dodd calls Clinton''s statement "tasteless"
Next Article in Politics ;



By Alexander Mooney
CNN Washington Bureau


WASHINGTON (CNN) -- She says she is the Democrat best equipped to fight terrorists, but White House hopeful Sen. Hillary Clinton told New Hampshire voters Thursday that another attack on the United States would likely help Republican candidates at the polls.

[kansas1946]

You just love throwing out claims with absolutely no supporting evidence, don''''t you?

You only spew leftist propaganda and prove that you are a brainwashed Liberal weasel.


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Posted by DemWatcher at 07:13 PM : Jun 23, 200

***********************************
Bomb..bomb...bomb...bomb.bomb.Iran.

I actually like John McCain and respect him, but I think skyk is exactly right. McCain has one interest and that is military. He has no interest in economics or anything else.

[epitome4]

Clinton said the same thing

Fri August 24, 2007 Clinton: Terrorist attack would help GOPStory Highlights
Sen. Clinton said a terrorist attack would help the Republican candidates

[epitome4]

Clinton said the same thing.
Friday August 24th 2007
Sen. Clinton said a terrorist attack would help the Republican candidates

[macusweil]

These Repubs are really idiots. We were already hit once hard on their watch. It has not been pretty to watch their bumbling.

Finally last week we saw the real "mission accomplished" as for BIG oil companies got the "no-bid grab of Iraqi oil.

McCain will be happy to attack Iran to get the gas price over the $10 a gallon mark.

[notopennshut]

It is not that McCain is saying that an attack will help him win the WH - but this is what the GOP and all his supporters believe. They are hoping for an attack on american soil so that he can point to the fact the the republicans are stronger in defending this country!! Admit it McCain, in your heart of hearts, you are hoping for this to happen. It is a known fact, so even a denial will not lay to rest these claims. Of course, no one wants an attack, but it would certainly be to his advantage if it did happen. God forbid that this would, but GW has done so much harm that it is not out of the question that terrorists would take any opportunity to do this at any time. We need to get out of Iraq and focus on destroying all these terrorist cells in Pakistan/Afghanistan. But no, all the money and attention is focused on Iraq, a useless cause because we are in fact helping to strengthen the terrorists in Iraq and the other countries which we are ignoring. We definitely need a change in our administration so that McCain will not keep us on a 100 year war in Iraq, while the rest of the world is being taken over by the terrorists.

[jack3213]

Yes, CLinton did say the same thing, so lets move on- they call that a "PUSH"

[nanc12]

So, is McSame finally going to jetison this idiot? Not only does he say things like this, but his firm lobbied for Ferdinand Marcos, Mobuto Sese Seko, and Iran. If someone on Obama''s staff had even one of those ties, or said anything even close to this, all the Republican bloggers would be outraged and point to his "terrorist ties." Funny how it''s just fine and dandy for McBush to have him on his team, and a chief stategist at that.

[smashwl7]

Get real McExxon is talking about honesty, McFlipper, McFlip, McFlop, McFlopper! McChange with the wind. McKill Women and Children with Napalm! McLeave my wife while she was dieing on her death bed! McNAFTA; giving American jobs away.

My friends; you must excuse me I need to change my depends!

My friends we do not need health care, we need to Bomb the sick with Napalm! It worked well in Vietnam. I torched many women and children during the Vietnam War. They were never sick!

My friends my wife is a "C", now that%u2019s change you can count on!

[smashwl7]

If a major terrorist attack occurred in the U.S. prior to the election, that would mean that, despite his unsustainable trillion-dollar military spending, the Republican president George W. Bush had failed to protect the American people from terrorists for the THIRD time in his tenure. The clear message would be that Republicans cannot be trusted to protect the nation.
Perhaps it should be Obama''s advisors who talk about how advantageous a terrorist attack would be for their candidate. i can just imagine how well-received that line of talk would be among the right wingers.

[smashwl7]

I guess the advantage would be all the additional billions of dollars that would be pumped into Halliburton, Blackwater and all the other "defense" industry coffers. We may not see it as an advantage, but I''m sure they would. It''s all a matter of perspective.

[smashwl7]

In their maniacal agenda to prevent a Black President, I will not doubt for a second that they will either initiate or allow a terrorist attack on the United States! Do you remember what happened during Katrina? While Blacks were dying and suffering, Republicans were on CNN analysing how the displacement of Blacks from New Orleans would advantage them politically. This is sick! But, we are the best country in world, right? A place where some citizens find joy in the death, destruction and suffering of their fellow citizens. What makes these people any different than the terrorists, since both groups are hoping for the destruction of America, for either political or religious gains. God help us!

[noloyalisti]

Well the neo cons did set up the first 911 attack which convinced a LARGE number of very ignorant Americans that terrorists were out to get us. Little did we know the real terrorists were the ones we selected and they did all the attacks themselves. You can''t make this stuff up. I don''t think it would work in any other country but America.

[smashwl7]

The more I think about it the more infuriated I am. David Gregory and the panel on his show including Rachel Maddow really glossed over this whole issue. They were more concerned about debating whether a terrorist attack would help or hurt McBush rather than calling Charlie Black out for bringing up the specter of terrorism just to say his candidate is more trusted to fight the terrorists. We have spent 8 looooooooooooong years with these criminals in office.

Let''s not forget the truth of how the American people were NOT protected by the Republicans the last 8 years.

-B USH and company gave up the biggest terrorist attack in American history which resulted in more dead Americans then the bombing of Pearl Harbor.

-B USH and McBush lied America in our first unprovoked war in American history which has made us less safe.

-B USH and McBUSH brought us the escalation in Iraq that has resulted in minimal political progress and one year plus more back sliding in Afghanistan.

-If we are attacked again it will be B USH and McBUSH''s fault because we did not kill or capture Bin Laden and his Al Qaeda organization.

[rowdywicca]

In a statement, Obama spokesman Bill Burton said, "The fact that John McCain''s top adviser 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."

Need to change to what? More racists'' attacks on the American people by the Obama campaign? More sicko victimized bull *****!

[smashwl7]

WASHINGTON (CNN) %u2013 A federal judge Monday promised to rule "as soon as possible" on a Congressional demand for White House documents and testimony, but not before expressing reluctance to do so, and scolding both parties for refusing to compromise.

"I didn''t volunteer for this," lamented U.S. District Court Judge John Bates during a contentious three-hour hearing focusing on the balance of powers between the executive and legislative branches.

The battle stems from the House investigation of the controversial firing of nine U.S. attorneys by the Justice Department.

[rudy654-2009]

Need to change to what? More racists'''' attacks on the American people by the Obama campaign? More sicko victimized bull *****!




--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Posted by RowdyWicca at 08:15 PM

Sad thing is, you invent lies by the second about Obama.

[smashwl7]

How could a terror attack at any time, any where in our lifetimes or when we are dead be to anyone''s advantage? There is an advantage to promoting peace to all citizens. There is no winning with war. This statement by Mr. Black was past low and is just further evidence that the republicans want to scare us into voting for McCain. There is no other reason that anyone would vote for him. Even if we had an attack, I would prefer Obama. One attack should not start WWIII and that is what McCain would have on the table.

[rudy654-2009]

Imagine if this person had worked for Obama. Oh my gawd, hate radio would be at an all time high. Pat Robertson would say something stupid like, "But he''s known this fellow for years, how could he not know that he hated America." Rowdy would be having a holiday and claim that a Muslim wants to be President and is already planning terrorist attacks.

But no, because he''s white, Rowdy and the rest give him a pass. He didn''t mean it.

[standlee5]

I hope to god America is never attacked again. One thing you can say about the Bush administration is that their policies have prevented another attack despite all the experts agreeing we would be attacked again after 9/11

[moneymcbush]

Republicans are some sick s. o. b. ''s these days. First, McNutso wants 100 years war, now he wants terrorists to kill Americans just so he can win. These whacko conservative war mongers are soul-less sociopaths.

[standlee5]

McCain doesn''t want a 100 year war. He wants to make sure the war has closure and America doesn''t the area unstable

[hungry1968]

In a statement, Obama spokesman Bill Burton said, "The fact that John McCain''''s top adviser 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."

Posted by RowdyWicca at 08:15 PM : Jun 23, 2008





Exactly Rowdy - I agree 100%!!! It IS a disgrace - no better than Hillary calling for Obama''s assassination like happened to RFK.

These "experienced" politicians are nothing but DANGEROUS!!!!

[trishab4]

Republicans are some sick s. o. b. ''''s these days. First, McNutso wants 100 years war, now he wants terrorists to kill Americans just so he can win. These whacko conservative war mongers are soul-less sociopaths.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Posted by MoneyMcBush at 08:41 PM : Jun 23, 2008

-Yep, watch it in
http://www.zeitgeistmovie.com

[skyk-2009]

McCain doesn''''t want a 100 year war. He wants to make sure the war has closure and America doesn''''t the area unstable

Posted by standlee5 at 08:46 PM : Jun 23, 2008

It''s like so many other things this tired old man say''s... he mean''s one thing in one meeting and another in another. One day he''s going to stop ALL pork barrel spending, something he NEVER was able to do in the REPUBLICAN LEAD Congress and the next he''s proposing we give 300 MILLION to an inventor who MAY help us in 10 years with a new battery! He''s just all over the map and who knows what he means by all this. My HONEST opinion?? He''s serious! He''d have this nation tied up in Iraq for 100 years IF it help his lobby friends... like Mr. Black or Gramn, who by the way is responsible for the Enron Loophole.. The one that''s responsible for the PRESENT crisis!!

[skyk-2009]

Exactly Rowdy - I agree 100%!!! It IS a disgrace - no better than Hillary calling for Obama''''s assassination like happened to RFK.

These "experienced" politicians are nothing but DANGEROUS!!!!

Posted by hungry1968 at 09:04 PM : Jun 23, 2008

I agree! IT''s like there is NO extent they will not go to in order to keep feeding the Military Industrial Complex!! This is beneath ANY human ESPECIALLY someone who will have the ability to send our kids off to die. What this says as LOUD as it can be said it, If your kids dying will help my election, I''ll kill them! There''s no other way to read it folks!!

[vet_sk]

RowdyWicca,
The hate is going to eat you up, if it hasn''t already. Obama won fair and square. Do you want him to just dropout because Hillary and some of her followers Believe she is the better candidate?

If Hillary has not voted for the war I would have voted for her too. ...If you say she was mislead, then I don''t want her either if it is that easy to mislead her.

[skyk-2009]

Is it true that 1 of Obamas 6 African fathers said that canibalism is an established cultural tradition?





Posted by MCVet- at 09:15 PM : Jun 23, 2008
+ report abuse

What kind of foolishness is this?? You try to take a great American''s Name and spew Hatred with it!! For those of you who don''t know him the REAL MCVet is a combat Veteran of the United States Marines... We were in country together and he lost 15 of his outfit in TET! To have someone pretend to be an American like that guy and say trash like this about Obama... it''s beneath even these creatures!!

[rowdywicca]

RowdyWicca,
The hate is going to eat you up, if it hasn''''t already. Obama won fair and square. Do you want him to just dropout because Hillary and some of her followers Believe she is the better candidate?

If Hillary has not voted for the war I would have voted for her too. ...If you say she was mislead, then I don''''t want her either if it is that easy to mislead her.


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Posted by Vet_SK at 09:20 PM : Jun 23, 2008

Sorry, but I don''t hate the MAN! I hate his ACTIONS! When you present yourself as something you''re absolutely not...and then expect to have credibility...you can kiss my vote goodbye!!!

I have never seen such a fake with such a slick marketing campaign trying to shill people into believing he''s something he''s NOT!

[skyk-2009]

RowdyWicca,
The hate is going to eat you up, if it hasn''''t already. Obama won fair and square. Do you want him to just dropout because Hillary and some of her followers Believe she is the better candidate?

If Hillary has not voted for the war I would have voted for her too. ...If you say she was mislead, then I don''''t want her either if it is that easy to mislead her.

Posted by Vet_SK at 09:20 PM : Jun 23, 2008

I''ve noticed the same thing!! He doesn''t come out in support of McCain but instead seems to have the very deep hatred for Obama. Must be the way he was brought up. I grew up in the South Myself and I can tell you that in my generation we were taught, almost from birth, to hate black people and to always consider them beneath us.

[rowdywicca]

In a statement, Obama spokesman Bill Burton said, "The fact that John McCain''''''''s top adviser 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."

Posted by RowdyWicca at 08:15 PM : Jun 23, 2008





Exactly Rowdy - I agree 100%!!! It IS a disgrace - no better than Hillary calling for Obama''''s assassination like happened to RFK.

These "experienced" politicians are nothing but DANGEROUS!!!!


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Posted by hungry1968 at 09:04 PM : Jun 23, 2008

lol, if you think by changing my post YOU have any credibility for your whack job promotion of this shill, you can think again!

Nice try, though!

[skyk-2009]

Sorry, but I don''''t hate the MAN! I hate his ACTIONS! When you present yourself as something you''''re absolutely not...and then expect to have credibility...you can kiss my vote goodbye!!!

I have never seen such a fake with such a slick marketing campaign trying to shill people into believing he''''s something he''''s NOT!

Posted by RowdyWicca at 09:23 PM : Jun 23, 2008

You''re just letting your upbringing talk for you. YOU know the man is NOT a fake and he has presented his plan for the nation very clearly. Let go of your hatred... I know from where I speak... let it go!!

[ofbyfor1]

These "experienced" politicians are nothing but DANGEROUS!!!!

Posted by hungry1968 at 09:04 PM : Jun 23, 2008

hungry, I think you''ve seen my posts here before. I know this is off-topic, but I was really hoping that people would respond to my post about my nephew with the heart transplant.

(Posted by ofbyfor1 at 08:39 PM : Jun 23, 20)08

It would mean so much to him. Do you think you could pass this on to people that you know? It would be so cool to see my nephew''s smile if his favorite got on the team. I''m not a sports person myself, but I know how much it would mean to him. He''s been through enough already. It would be great if he got this little thing. It''s no joke. Thanks so much if you can.

[rowdywicca]

I''''ve noticed the same thing!! He doesn''''t come out in support of McCain but instead seems to have the very deep hatred for Obama. Must be the way he was brought up. I grew up in the South Myself and I can tell you that in my generation we were taught, almost from birth, to hate black people and to always consider them beneath us.


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Posted by skyk at 09:24 PM : Jun 23, 2008

What a crock of *****!

[rowdywicca]

You''''re just letting your upbringing talk for you. YOU know the man is NOT a fake and he has presented his plan for the nation very clearly. Let go of your hatred... I know from where I speak... let it go!!


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Posted by skyk at 09:25 PM : Jun 23, 2008

Another crock of *****! You haven''t a damned clue!

[rowdywicca]

These "experienced" politicians are nothing but DANGEROUS!!!!

Posted by hungry1968 at 09:04 PM : Jun 23, 2008

Which INEXPERIENCED candidate managed to bring the Jews and the Arabs almost into riot with one of his stupid speeches????

Oh, oh....Jerusalem should belong to the Jews!!!!

Oh, oh, no....waittttttt...that needs to be negotiated!

Which damned candidate lost all credibility with both of these peoples???

[skyk-2009]

Which INEXPERIENCED candidate managed to bring the Jews and the Arabs almost into riot with one of his stupid speeches????

Oh, oh....Jerusalem should belong to the Jews!!!!

Oh, oh, no....waittttttt...that needs to be negotiated!

Which damned candidate lost all credibility with both of these peoples???

Posted by RowdyWicca at 09:31 PM : Jun 23, 2008

What is with you and this hatred. The article is about the McCain Champaign USING fear and Terrorist Attacks to win elections. You can''t give up your hatred for Obama long enough to even discuss the topic. That''s very sad!

[karela33]

That was a vastly unsettling and deeply disgusting comment. Charlie Black is sorry he got called on it, but the fact is that that''s how these guys think. The death of Bhuto is good and killing a few thousand Americans would help a bunch. What absolute creeps. We let them successfully drag us around by the nose the past two elections by telling us lies and smears and it got us Dubya and people who think like this. Despicable. I hope America won''t be so foolish this time. They will surely try it again because it worked so well for them before. Don''t listen to their lies this time. It only works for them if we vote the way they want us to. Do we actually have to live through another attack--that might be allowed to happen--in order to make John McCain look good? The people that brought you the propaganda lies that took us to Iraq are the same people that think like Charlie Black. They have no place in the American government or even close to it. Why is Charlie Black still working for McCain tonight? That''s the worst thing anyone has said during all of this election season. And John McCain still keeps him closer than a mother''s arms. I think that says something about McCain and it isn''t something good.

[cold777]

RowdyWicca- A Mccain blogger who offers nothing but swear words every five seconds.

[skyk-2009]

Another crock of *****! You haven''''t a damned clue!

Posted by RowdyWicca at 09:27 PM : Jun 23, 2008

Oh no my friend! I was born and raised in the South. YOU Ain''t foolin'' me!! Maybe you can''t see it but rest assured EVERYONE else on the site does!

[skyk-2009]

Posted by karela33 at 09:36 PM : Jun 23, 2008
+ report abus

I think you pretty much have put the whole thing in context! How can we elect a man to lead our Country who has this attitude about American''s AND other leaders dying. It''s certainly NOT healthy for the nation that''s for sure.

[cold777]

Is it true that 1 of Obamas 6 African fathers said that canibalism is an established cultural tradition?








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Posted by MCVet-
===================================
The crazies are coming out of hiding........