Terror Card Again?

24 June 2008 |permalink | email article

John McCain thought he was on message in Fresno yesterday when he focused on energy issues before his chief Republican strategist dropped a bombshell into the simmering presidential campaign.

Charlie Black, already in the spotlight for his past lobbying work for foreign dictators, said that another terrorist attack on U.S. soil would “certainly be a big advantage” for McCain.

Black was quoted in the upcoming July 7 edition of Fortune magazine.

A stunned McCain said “it’s not true, insisting that he has “worked tirelessly since 9/11 to prevent another attack on the U.S.”

Black, who apologized, has repeatedly argued in the past that McCain benefits whenever national security matters are in the news – something that Bush campaign pushed in 2004 by suggesting that Democratic nominee John Kerry was soft on terrorism.

White House political director Karl Rove made clear that terrorism concerns were the reason to re-elect Bush. But that argument failed in 2002 when Democrats regained control of Congress.

The Obama campaign reacted swiftly, suggesting the candidate would spotlight failed GOP policies and “unite the nation around a common purpose to finish the fight against Al-Qaeda.”

It also signaled that Obama is eager for a debate on national security and foreign policy issues, clearly the new campaign refrain.

Quote of the Day

“They’re going to try and make you afraid of me. He’s young and inexperienced and has a funny name. And did I mention that he’s black.”– Barack Obama, declaring he’s ready for Republican scare tactics.

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