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McCain Flack: Terror Attack Would Help Mac
By Tommy ChristopherJun 23rd 2008 6:34PM
Filed Under:eJohn McCain, Breaking News, 2008 President, Gaffes, Terror
"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.The Obama campaign holds a conference call with 9/11 Commission member Richard Ben-Veniste today to discuss Black's remarks.
John McCain is doing damage control today after campaign adviser Charlie Black told Fortune magazine that a
major terrorist attack on the U.S. could benefit his candidate. From Reuters/AOL News:Fortune Magazine said Black, in discussing how national security is McCain's strong suit, had said when asked about another terrorist attack on U.S. soil that, "Certainly it would be a big advantage to him."McCain quickly denounced the remarks, and, of course, wondered about the context:
"If he said that -- and I do not know the context -- I strenuously disagree," McCain told reporters at a news conference in Fresno.What's really eerie is that McCain and I are in agreement here. I had planned to write a story today about McCain's dimming electoral chances, and the headline I thought of yesterday morning was, "Even an Orange Alert Can't Save McCain."
"I cannot imagine why he would say it. It's not true," McCain said, adding that he has worked hard since the September 11 attack to prevent another such attack.
McCain was already losing badly on policy issues, and took devastating criticism for his speech on June 3. He seemed to be holding out hope that somehow, he'd end up looking better than Obama by standing next to him in a seires of weekly debates. But then, this weekend came that Newsweek poll that showed Obama opening up a cavernous 15-point lead.
McCain has so far been unable to get any traction against Obama, and is in a tough spot where he can only go so negative without hurting his own image. One reason that I thought Obama was wise to stay out of public financing is the free help that Fox News can give to McCain, helping to manufacture a narrative of threat and fear.
However, I really think most of America is wise to that fear game, and are weary of being terrorized into voting a certain way. I don't think any actions by terrorists would affect many Americans' votes.
Where does that leave McCain? His best bet is to play it safe, not lose any ground, and be ready to pounce if Obama stumbles. Right now, that looks like the only way Obama can lose.
Recent Comments
(Page 1 of 4)suzanne6:04PMJun 23rd 2008
Who made the "statement" Tommy Christopher?
tfitz10176:14PMJun 23rd 2008
Yeah, but I do worry. Kristols got Bush attacking Iran. How hard would it be for them to flub another 9/11?
tfitz10176:14PMJun 23rd 2008
Yeah, but I do worry. Kristols got Bush attacking Iran. How hard would it be for them to flub another 9/11?
Steve7:07PMJun 23rd 2008
Charlie Black made the comments. Obama advisors have said the same thing. Jake tapper said it on his blogs. This seems like an interview from a while ago and he was talking about Bhutto and it helping then. It was in the primaries context. Clinton the candidate herself in 2007 in a debate said a terrorist attack would help the gop and the media was silent.
suzanne7:29PMJun 23rd 2008
Thank you Steve
tfitz10178:30PMJun 23rd 2008
Officials: Iraqi councilman kills U.S. soldiers
The Iraqi official fired an AK-47 at U.S. troops after they entered the City Council building in al-Madaen, about 25 miles (40 kilometers) southeast of Baghdad, according to one Interior Ministry official. The councilman killed at least three people and wounded four, a ministry official said.
U.S. forces returned fire, killing the councilman, according to two Interior Ministry officials.
The shooting happened after U.S. soldiers and local officials had attended a ceremony to open a park in al-Madaen, also known as Salman Pak, an Interior Ministry official said.
http://www.cnn.com/2008/WORLD/meast/06/23/iraq.main/index.html
MJG229:39PMJun 23rd 2008
Mr. "Foot In His Mouth" Obama fumbles on a daily basis and his 10,000 press agents stumble all over themselves to cover for him. The campaign of 2008 will go down in history as the worst sham ever perpetrated on the American people.
atelierdc10:10PMJun 23rd 2008
If God is to really bless America, Obama will win...
If McCain does, then the words of the infamous Pastor Wright will become a reality and we will be damned. First Bush for 8 years and now McCain???? ay, ay, ay!!!
m martin10:23PMJun 23rd 2008
stop obama now . I cnat' believe that this country would vote for an ex muslim with a racist an sooty wife that has come out of the blue with who knows what kind of and who contributed to his campaign. John Mccain gave most of his life for his country just because he ain't young rich and black .doesn't make him a bad candidate. Mccain is knowledgeble and serious about our free lfestyle and protection. who is barack obama , a used to be muslim ,his wife is snooty , and a racist, . idon't care if a person is black or any color ,i do care about his politics and i do't think obama has the countries best interst in mind . I believe he is a puppet from the terror within
tfitz101710:24PMJun 23rd 2008
Man, look at this crap. A shit storm of John-Bots!
atelierdc10:24PMJun 23rd 2008
This land we call ours was stolen and the success of this country is stained with the blood of the weak and the tame. We need to atone for the sins of our ancestors.
electign Obama will be the beginning...There's a quote that says, "Lead, follow, or get out of the way." Republicans had their chance to lead for 8 yrs. and look where we are... now it's either follow or...
tfitz101710:25PMJun 23rd 2008
Lots of posts disappearing and reappearing for days now and I'm using Firefox.
tfitz101710:28PMJun 23rd 2008
Look at this, a shit storm of John-Bots!
tfitz101710:30PMJun 23rd 2008
If these people had any faith in their candidate at all they would be busy working on that battery instead of posting all of this crap. $300mil can buy a lot of gas!
m martin10:33PMJun 23rd 2008
name calling of anyone on a public forum suggest that some people need more education. believe when i say we all got names up our sleeve but this is our country and we do' need vile words we need truthful even if we don't agree on canidates
m martin10:34PMJun 23rd 2008
VOTE
Richard10:53PMJun 23rd 2008
John McCain see's fear as a way to get elected as Bush used fear to get elected in 2004. Why did the code red warnings from home land security at election day? Because Bush did not need them any longer. I voted for John Kerry but most americans cried with fear everytime Bush said" VOTE FOR ME OR THEY WILL COME GET YOU". John McCain hopes for the same thing, to find some way to use fear to force people to vote for him.
Brian McNamara11:20PMJun 23rd 2008
This speculation benefit no one. This is another is a series of mistakes by the McCain campaign. This is unfortunate for Senator McCain and his campaign who touts experience. This only makes Senator Obama more presidential, while the Republicans cling to fear mongering.
Hopefully Senator McCain can bring his campaign under control before it is to late.
Mr. Clark12:35AMJun 24th 2008
Tommy Christopher,
There is at least one article a day in The New York Times about a stumble Sen. Obama has made. They just don't seem to be "newsworthy" on the PM or blog sites in general.
Today's offering by The New York Times:
Obama Camp Closely Linked With Ethanol
By LARRY ROHTER
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/06/23/us/politics/23ethanol.html?_r=1&th=&adxnnl=1&oref=slogin&emc=th&adxnnlx=1214280643-I0SzY/VRkD2TON97yuQ0kg
Print media, unless it serves a purpose other than to inform, is largely ignored. I was watching ABC World News tonight and they mentioned that Sens. Clinton and Obama will be meeting at week's end to discuss retiring her debt and making their first campaign appearance again. What was missing was that Hillary's part of the deal is to introduce Sen. Obama to her big donors to help with his General Election campaign. All three events were posted together in print over the weekend. (A few different sources.) They even explained that Sen. Obama was using this opportunity to diffuse the flack about him not taking public money in the general...going back on his word. The AP asserted that is why he announced the joint appearance a full seven days ahead of time.
So, if you look at a few papers, you will find at least one questionable thing Sen. Obama has done every single day. You can find out from pundits and blogs every bad move Sen. McCain makes. These stories don't run about Sen. Obama's exploits...sort of like how the media worked with Sen. Obama vs. Sen. Clinton.
The bias is there and not very hard to find.
Sincerely and respectfully,
Mr. Clark
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Jo in SoCal5:34PMJun 23rd 2008
Yeah, I agree Tommy. I have yet to think of anything that could save him from Obama's trouncing lead including the "McCain/Jesus" ticket.