Obama Campaign Rips McCain Adviser For Politicizing Terror Fight
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.
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.”
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.
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.”
On the conference call this morning, Ben Veniste and foreign policy adviser Denis McDonough said that while McCain had been a supporter of the 9/11 commission, the Bush policies in Iraq that he supports have kept the US from going after the real threats to the United States - Al Qaeda and the Taliban.
“We’ve seen the political play that was manifest yesterday by Mr Black’s candid comments, so what we want to do is get back to what will make this country safer,” said McDonough. “That has not been the record of this administration or what Senator McCain appears ready to continue for the next four years.”
Ben Veniste, however, stopped short of calling for Black’s head — saying only that his remarks “call for some recalibration in the thinking and perhaps a greater adherence to principle here in staying away from the politics of fear.
“I would suggest it would be a good idea to caution those whose candid thoughts have created this turmoil with Senator McCain,” he said.
McDonough also refused to argue that Black’s comments reflect McCain’s thinking — and neither man would comment on how Black’s remarks were different than Hillary Clinton’s last August, when the NY Senator said that a terrorist attack could help the GOP, and that she was the best Democrat to counter that political impact.
But McDonough did accuse McCain of falsely claiming that Obama’s policy against terrorism would use a strictly law enforcement approach, arguing that only Obama has a comprehensive anti-terror strategy. “We welcome a debate on the merits of how to keep this country safer,” he said. “Line up the policy judgments that have been made by President Bush and Senator McCain and the facts of 9/11, those steps have not made us more safe.”
On a somewhat unrelated note, McDonough defended Obama’s support for the FISA compromise to a Huffington Post reporter, denying that Obama has moved to the right on the issue. He argued that the Illinois Senator supports the bill because it does, in fact, have an accountability measure on the president’s use of executive powers to wiretap american citizens in the wake of 911: it calls for an Inspector General’s investigation into any misuse or abuse of those powers. That’s not likely to be enough for the party’s left flank, which has criticized Obama for his support of the compromise measure.
Tags: barack obama, john mccain, terrorism, Charlie Black
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Obama, just go away. I don’t see what your problem is. You are using race to put fear in the blacks.
What? Obama feels sorry for the poor terrorist suicide bombers?
The fact is, Obama has no idea about foreign policy and will throw away sixty years of internation deplomacy to have his own system. And you think that won’t open up the U.S. to terrorism?
It won’t be 9/11 anymore. It will be 1/1, 1/2, 1/3, 1/4…
Go McCain!
Obama is egotistical and an idiot. I guess the truth hurts, Obama has no clue on how to protecti this great country, but what do you expect from someone who thought there were 57 states in the US, shows how intelligent he really is! when he is confronted by his lack of experience and patriotism, all his campaign can do is smear others. Clearly Obama does not understand the threat this country faces and he continues to hide behind his words. I want to hear him in a debate with Mc Cain on these issues, but as Obama is proving he is afraid to face someone with real experience. The more I learn about Obama the less I respect him, he is a coward and liar.
What is Obama’s comprehensive counterterrorist strategy? I’m waiting for it.
Fear is terrribly underrated, maybe if we had been fearful enough of terrorists to effectively counteract them 9/11 doesn’t happen. A return to the 1993 form of counteracting terrorism does make me fearful of more American pain.
This McCain advisor is fear-monger. This is the same kind of tactic used to justify our going into Iraq. What is wrong with these people? Do they want us to get attacked, just so John McCain can win the election? Haven’t we had enough of the failed policies of George Bush?
Yes me too - Go away Obama!! - I agree with every one of the comments posted here.
All you people you are twisted like the republicans , How can That fool say that , Its shocking
I am still amazed by this group of Fox people. Thank God for Obama and thank God for Oberman.
They keep insisting OBL and al Qaeda was responsible, however, CNN interviewed him on 9-17-2001. It’s funny though, all of our military might and intelligence, and our government couldn’t find him but some stupid reporter from CNN could. If you look on the FBI’s most wanted web site, Usama Bin Laden isn’t even wanted for the attacks on 9-11. In fact, the FBI recognizes that seven of the 9-11 hijackers are alive and well. For some of which, our government claims, their passports were found in the wreckage in New York as well as at the Pentagon. So, how’d they survive these plane crashes?
There’s one simple solution: 9-11 was a lie. Now the Repuglicans proudly use “terror” as a political device. You’re okay with that?
Obama has a point. We won’t stop terrorism! We haven’t done anything for the past few years, it’s gonna be the same waste of our time and money for the next 4 years with mccain. Let’s not waste our time and put our efforts into our nation’s economy. I’m not trying to be selfish but it’s true. I know some iraqi people and they have said there is more chaos in their country now than before with saddam. Most al qaeda is in afghanistan and unfortunately rising in pakistan, my home country. The US is all about getting nuclear weapons out of countries like iran while we can have that here. Obama is willing to meet with leaders from countries like iran which mccain will not do. At least the effort will be put in. Save our troops, bring them home!
RE: Comment by South Beach June 24 at 11:24 am
You ask…”What is Obama’s comprehensive counterterrorism strategy?” Easy…he was a “Chicago Community Organizer.” Obama is the worst possible choice for our next President…WAKE UP VOTERS!
Wow - a republican is hoping for another terrorist attack for support for McSame and all you RNCers can do is weep about Obama. And you say dems/libs hate America?
Fox news, biased and to the right
I read all of your posts and have yet to hear anything even remotely resembling an accurate or objective response to Obama’s politics. In fact, McCain’s supporters do the same thing. Do any of you believe that one of them is actually better than the other? The Republicans have had 3 decades of increasingly irresponsible judgment and actions involving international policies; Democrats have similarly failed to adequately enact proper policy. Do any of you know why? I’ll tell you:
It’s because they’re all too busy vying for power and making stupid, irrational judgments of others. Just like all of these posts have done. Shame on all of you.
Realistically, the US cannot (and shouldn’t even bother) trying to police international conflicts. I’ve -lived- in the Middle East (which is more than I bet I can say for any of you) and know that they should take care of their own affairs, just as we should. You ought to be asking yourselves: “which Presidential candidate has addressed, responsibly, the issues concerning the state of the nation?” McCain hasn’t, as his attention has been generally focused on oil production in the Middle East and how that will gain him more power. Obama has addressed it well enough, but hasn’t done much about it yet.
So, before any of you start condemning a Presidential candidate, how about basing your reasoning on facts and responsible attitudes.. as opposed to this entirely fear-based torch waving.
And US citizens wonder why we’re reviled worldwide…
To Roger:
Get a life my friend!!!
Go Obama!!!!!
Oh you with short memories. Clinton said the same thing in the primaries. No one
took offense to it then. By the way its the truth. God help this Country if Obama is
in office on the next attack.
BO will get all the help he needs from the terrorists because they love him and no he has no back bone
John McCain indicated that he has worked hard to ensure that another terrorist attack would not happen and if another terrorist attack would happen on American soil, this would be the second time on a Republican watch. So, would that not prove the Republicans may not be as strong on terrorism as they proclaim?
Rock on Repsident Obama!
I just love you “Christians” and your undying, unwavering love of war. I’m sure Jesus would have wanted it this way. Hypocrites. If this war continues please send your in-bred children from the right to fight it. We on the correct side of the aisle (left) aren’t sending anymore of our kids or money for your war for oil. I’m sure glad that after 35 years of oil companies being banned from Iraq they’re finally back. Wow how did that happen. What a bunch of chumps you are!
Top Three Issue of the Republicans
1. God
2. Gays
3. Guns
Nothing more.
The statement is sort of true though isn’t it. Just recently I read articles from the Newspaper from September 12 2001, and the special issue TIME released shortly after 9/11.
People seem to have forgotten a lot about how America felt. At the back of the TIME article the guy was pretty much saying how Americans should be POed and go kick some a$$.
The hope is a terrorist attack doesn’t happen again on American soil, but if it did people would remember the importance of National Defense which McCain has emphasized slightly more than Obama.
Obama 08 Change that you can believe will destroy our country.
He didnt come out and say it. he was asked in an interview if he thought an attack my help the McCain campagne, and he said yes. its his oppinion and it is CORRECT. Hillary Clinton herself saidd that if there was an attack then she is best to go up against John McCain because Obama has little experience. So dems also agree that McCain is stronger in foreign policy then Obama.
Obama always has to cry faul over any little comment. Just stop it and you might gain a little bit of credibility back as so far you have shown you have no backbone for the grit of politics.
I don;t see anything wrong with what he said. I too think another terrorist attck on american soil would make people remember 9/11. Of course the Obamaites will accuse him of fear mongering and twist what he said around to make the idiots think that he said he is hoping for another attack on amercian soil so the GOP can win the elecetion but he didn’t. He spoke the truth. Something the Obamaites and their leader Barry have a problem with evidently. I believe there will be another attack on amercian soil. Does that mean I am a fear monger? No it just means I remember 9/11 and the 6000 dead people. Any candidate today who doesn’t to deal with that is truly out of touch with not only this country but the world as well. This is a prime example of Obama campaign rhetoric. Isn’t it pathetic that the only campaign they can run is how bad the other guy is? But I guess when you’re chosen Rock Star has very little experience in politics, very little history, no proven track record and conveniently lost or misplaced all of the records of his state senate experience and refuses to make them public and refuses to make his list of campaign lobbyists public they certainly can’t run a campaign based on his qualifications and accomplishments since he has none. Everytime I hear his life story I am reminded of Steve Martin’s movie “The Jerk” “I was born a poor black child” We’re all getting a lttle tired of that storybook of lies too.
The Obama campaign slogan should be: “A teleprompter speech the fools can believe in”
NOBAMA in 2008.
This country can’t survive another empty suit liberal Puppet like Barrack Obama Carter
Not sure who Oberman is ? but I do know olbermann is a maggot…………………….
You people that watch foxnews’ fear-mongering propaganda and actually believe it are EXACTLY THE REASON WHY EVERYONE HATES AMERICA. You are all blind…
P.S. good job these last 8 years… the country is doing GREAT!!
Hey Sid, Hillary said it too. Demo talking heads say it is said in their circles all of the time. Would a terrorist attack help the “wave the white flag” liberal Obama or the experienced military McCain? What do you think, do you at all?
McCain may be old in many people view but the guy just makes more sense than Obama does. McCain at least has an energy plan and an economic plan we can understand - he says clearly what he’ll do - It a lot more than ‘Change’ and ‘Hope’ message without substance.
Does McCain campaign makes mistakes - sure does - there is no perfect campaign - but then again look at the other ‘alternative - Obama’. Obama is hot air - full of mistakes and flip-flops - Obama has more holes than the Swiss lace cheese.
When electing a president it all comes to trust, character and judgment. McCain is a better choice than Obama. If I cannot have Hillary I’ll vote McCain - very simple.
I don’t like the polics of fear Rove/Bush used to get him re-elected - but it did work. As much as I don’t like Bush we have been safe here at home sine 9/11. Look at the train bombs and what happened in London - we at least are safe. I look at McCain as a republican who many times voted with the democrats. He had the best to say about Hillary and they went to Iraq together - Obama never ever voted with Republicans (such an example of unity!!)
America wake up and see the ‘true’ Obama and the disaster he will be for this county. With Obama in the WH we will become the new Socialist USA
obama is still trying to figure out what terrorists are.
VOTE OBAMA 08
not someone who wants another terrorist attack (McCain).
This advisor should be fired…Read a little History..the best way to control people is with fear and convincing them they are under constant threat….Grow a set you cowards and open your eyes.
There is more hype and more political superficial trash overdose “in Hollywood style” that goes-on in the American election processes, than most people should want to happen. Ironically, it is the formulation of conserted opinions, which helps us as human beings to achieve a balanced pool of thought, for the better good of the mayority. Conserted opinions can help us arrive at solutions. Trash-like sound bites destroy our focus as a nation.
The intent of offering opinions should not be, to reflect upon our self-serving particular prejudices , but to help in the formation of an intelligent and or fair evaluation on a subject, where, we, as persons are able to separate ourselves from the subject at hand to evaluate it impartially.
No wonder almost only 50% of the American electorate voting population actually votes in a Presidential election. Why doesnt the media explore this fact. That speaks loudly of opinions. So much for the fanfare and a travesty for the substantive matter to be dealt with for our own benefit as the greatest nation on earth.
There are so many more qualified Americans out there, who are not even in politics nor have ever been–moreso, than the current two candidadtes OBAMA and McCain–and who would help run our nation better than stale politicians who make there lifelong livelihood from B.S., rather than substance and reality.
Perhaps what the American people ought to do, is, find a true American candidadte who´s never been in politics and who has taken-on more responsibility in his or her professional life, than any politician (they just talk all day long) and elect him or her into the Presidency.
There is so much mystisism about the highest office in the land and the Executive, that if one actually reflects the reality and the U.S. were a private company, there would be immediate mass firings and terminations, from the Executive on down, for lack of performance and incompetency.
Any Executive and his staff, in private enterprise who runs a company on a trillion dollar deficit as the U.S. government does (UNBELIEVABLE!!!) would be fired on the spot. And these Bozos then act like real clowns–glad handing people all over–or like Monarchy with job security.
Real successful people shy from the limelight, suceed in their professional endeavor whatever that be, and work for the better good of the job at hand.
The key mission of the politicians is to work for the people of the United States, soemhow it just doesn´t work that way and its not their office, it´s themselves who make it bad for the very people their mandated to work on their behalf.
People of the caliber of Lee Iacocca, Jack Welsh, Warren Buffet, among others, should run and become our presidents and not the light weights “barbie dolls” or “Kens” who are more worried about the latest stupid poll, than running the real business of the U.S. government, which is: the true welfare of its people.
Most people on here who support McCain always speak of being safe. It is the fear that make you vote for him. I am sorry but terrorist did not see Clinton, Bush, and I pretty sure McCain as a threat to stop them. If so why haven’t they solve the issue by now. McCain has been in the senate for years and we are still waiting for an result.
I cant believe most of you idiots dont find this statement disturbing, this is after 9/11 and he is simply stating that a terrorist attack would benefit the republicans. You cant even admitt to something this obvious, what is wrong with you fools? If Obama’s advisors would have said something close to that, oh my would this country would flip and he would catch hell….
To Whomever Edits These Comments:
I am now FED UP with the tactics here on foxnews.com. I visit the site and send in comments (always in civil language) and I never get my comments posted. However, it seems any one with extreme views (often anti-Obama) gets their comments posted even before they finish writing it and no matter how colorful the language. I don’t know think we have learnt anything from 8 years of George Bush. We have to hear all voices or else we will be deaf to the truth and believe me, this is the worst form of terrorism.
God Bless America
Perhaps another terrorist attack on a great landmark of this nation will help emphasize to the Obama lovers that such will be commonplace if Obama becomes ruler (not leader, ruler) of this once great nation. It takes traitors to be willing to subject an entire nation to such barbarianism.
To those who wish to compare presidents, reactions to terrorism:
Clinton IGNORED terrorism because he was preoccupied with his cigars.
Bush is FIGHTING terrorism because Clinton ignored it.
McCain WILL FIGHT terrorism because Clinton ignored it.
Obama WILL INVITE terrorism because that is his heritage..
I wish you would have printed the entire discussion so I could have seen in what context Charlie Black made those comments.
Its funny how its all the obamabots throwing the personal attacks and making up statisitcs in every blog I see
June 24th, 2008 at 12:30 pm
I read all of your posts and have yet to hear anything even remotely resembling an accurate or objective response to Obama’s politics. In fact, McCain’s supporters do the same thing. Do any of you believe that one of them is actually better than the other? The Republicans have had 3 decades of increasingly irresponsible judgment and actions involving international policies; Democrats have similarly failed to adequately enact proper policy. Do any of you know why? I’ll tell you:
It’s because they’re all too busy vying for power and making stupid, irrational judgments of others. Just like all of these posts have done. Shame on all of you.
Realistically, the US cannot (and shouldn’t even bother) trying to police international conflicts. I’ve -lived- in the Middle East (which is more than I bet I can say for any of you) and know that they should take care of their own affairs, just as we should. You ought to be asking yourselves: “which Presidential candidate has addressed, responsibly, the issues concerning the state of the nation?” McCain hasn’t, as his attention has been generally focused on oil production in the Middle East and how that will gain him more power. Obama has addressed it well enough, but hasn’t done much about it yet.
So, before any of you start condemning a Presidential candidate, how about basing your reasoning on facts and responsible attitudes.. as opposed to this entirely fear-based torch waving.
And US citizens wonder why we’re reviled worldwide…
________________________________________________________________________________
WOW - a smart person on fox…
Today an Obama adviser gave a pretty weak defense of the bill; audio’s there, too. Says the Inspector General will prevent abuses. Right.
You forget, Obama’s heritage is that of a lot of people around the world. He is more worldly wise than many others, and so much less narrow minded. It is this very mentality that has invited terrorism in America. How you treat your neighbors reflects on you. And Obama is one of our own. Help him out, he’s trying to change things for the better! Go WhyObama08.org.
Go Obama! WhyObama08.org
therealmccain.com
My do all the small town uneducated folk care about terrorist attacks? You wont ever be attacked. The smart people of New York are going to vote Obama and they were the ones who were attacked. Why is that so?
Old Obama had a farm
E-I-E-I-O
And on his farm was Reverand Wright
E-I-E-I-O
With a quack quack here
and a gobble gobble there
Bittergate cling to bible and and gun
E-I-E-I-O
Obamas farm is alot of fun!
[...] on the now-infamous Charlie Black quote, Obama called the argument that a future terror attack helps McCain factually incorrect. “This [...]