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McCain adviser says terrorist attack would boost campaign

by Dave Keating | June 24, 2008 at 01:30 am

507 views | 12 Recommendations | 5 comments

Looks like one of John McCain's advisors let loose a little too much "straight talk" in an article published yesterday in Fortune magazine, saying that a terrorist attack would be a blessing for the McCain campaign. While undoubtedly true, it's not the kind of thing you can say out loud.

A senior adviser to the US presidential hopeful John McCain has apologised after saying a terrorist attack on American soil would be a "big advantage" to the Republican candidate's election campaign.

Charlie Black later expressed regret over his "inappropriate" comments, and McCain said he disagreed with the claim.

McCain's presidential rival Barack Obama called the remark a "complete disgrace".

Discussing national security in an interview with Fortune magazine, Black was asked about the impact that another terrorist attack on US soil might have on McCain's campaign.

"Certainly it would be a big advantage to him," said Black.

He said the assassination of the former Pakistani prime minister Benazir Bhutto in December was an "unfortunate event" but had helped McCain to win the New Hampshire primary, a state he had to win to save his candidacy.

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generaldecay

flagged this story as Good Stuff

at 02:53 on June 24th, 2008

Dave Keating, it absolutely would be great for his campaign. But, yes, don't say it out loud! I dare say someone's about to be 'removed' from a campaign!

azzayindia

flagged this story as Good Stuff

at 07:25 on June 24th, 2008

Dave Keating, I like this story. It's good stuff.

politisite

at 11:53 on June 24th, 2008

Dave,

This was a big blunder by not just one of his advisors, but his top advisor. Today he is not on the campaign trail with McCain. In the conferance call there was some complaints about how the situation was handled but none asked for his resignation. Senator McCain was one of the Few Republicans who supported the 9/11 Commission. He also has been very active in anti terriorism legislastion. I do not think that this was Sen. McCain own view. He was for a surge when he was going to run for president. Not what a top advisor would sugguest.

These advisors are Public relations and crisis management people. We call them spin doctors. You would think they would know how to keep their mouth shut.

julianw

at 12:00 on June 24th, 2008

There will probably be many more blunders if the proposed un-moderated "town hall meetings" happen and both candidates are forced to speak without a safety net.