IN THE NEWS: McCain Camp Uses Terror Fear Tactics

In a recent Forbes Magazine article, top McCain strategist Charlie Black said that a terrorist attack on American soil would be a "big advantage" for their campaign.

McCain distanced himself from Black's remarks, but in the past, McCain has also indicated that acts of terrorism would politically benefit his campaign.

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Charlie Black said that a terrorist attack on American soil would be a "big advantage" for the McCain campaign:

"The assassination of Benazir Bhutto in December was an 'unfortunate event,' says Black. 'But his knowledge and ability to talk about it reemphasized that this is the guy who's ready to be Commander-in-Chief. And it helped us.' As would, Black concedes with startling candor after we raise the issue, another terrorist attack on U.S. soil. 'Certainly it would be a big advantage to him,' says Black." [Fortune, 6/23/08]

John McCain condemned Black's statements, yet McCain has made similar claims himself in the past.

According to CNN's Dana Bash, in the wake of the assassination of Benazir Bhutto, John McCain personally indicated that the terrorist act would benefit him politically. Watch the video:

http://my.barackobama.com/AWCharlieBlack

And as the blog Think Progress points out, John McCain was also quoted in the AP, days before the 2004 election, saying that a just-released tape from Osama bin Laden would be "very helpful" to George W. Bush:

"'I think it's very helpful to President Bush,' said McCain, R-Ariz., while stumping in Stamford for U.S. Rep. Christopher Shays. It focuses America's attention on the war on terrorism. I'm not sure if it was intentional or not, but I think it does have an effect.'" [AP 10/30/04]