Barack Obama’s campaign held a conference call with former 9/11 commissioner Richard Ben Veniste to excoriate McCain adviser Charlie Black — accusing him of engaging in the “politics of fear” by speculating that a terrorist attack could help McCain in November.
It is true that any conversation about international affairs helps McCain, as it's the one area in which polls indicate voters trust him more than Barack. But in the world of Gotcha, it was a dumb thing to say. He certainly wasn't engaging in any politics of fear - more the politics of self-destruction.
Black, a long-time senior aid to McCain, told Fortune Magazine that a new
attack “would be a big advantage to him,” saying that the assassination of Pakistani leader Benazir Bhutto last December helped McCain win the GOP nomination.“His knowledge and ability to talk about it reemphasized that this is the guy who’s ready to be Commander-in-Chief,” he said. “It helped us.”
McCain, of course, realized the mistake and offered an attempt to preempt the silliness that he knew would be forthcoming from the Campaign of Same Old.
Asked about his aide’s remarks, McCain said “I strenuously disagree,” adding “I cannot imagine why he said it. It’s not true.” Black himself said he deeply regretted his comments, calling them inappropriate. “I recognize that John McCain has devoted his entire life to protecting his country,” he said.
In Barack's world, speaking the truth is disgraceful.
Obama’s campaign released a statement last night calling Black’s comments a “complete disgrace.” Spokesman Bill Burton said “Barack Obama will turn the page on these failed policies and this cynical and divisive brand of politics.”
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