FLASHBACK: McCain Declared Osama Bin Laden Threats Are ‘Very Helpful’ To Bush’s Campaign

[ProSense]

FLASHBACK: McCain Declared Osama Bin Laden Threats Are ‘Very Helpful’ To Bush’s Campaign

Yesterday, Sen. John McCain (R-AZ) sought to distance himself from adviser Charlie Black, who told Fortune Magazinethat another terrorist attack on the United States would be “a big advantage” to McCain’s campaign. McCain rejected the comments, saying, “If he said that, and I do not know the context, I strenuously disagree.”

However, McCain himself has made similar assertions in the past. In 2004, just three days before the presidential election, McCain argued that a recently-released video-tape by Osama bin Laden would prove “very helpful to President Bush”:

U.S. Sen. John McCain, campaigning in southwestern Connecticut on Saturday, said Osama bin Laden’s video message to Americans will likely energize President Bush’s re-election campaign.

“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)

In the 18-minute video, bin Laden declared that al Qaeda was still motivated to attack the United States again.

More recently, McCain indicated that the terrorist attack that killed Pakistani politician Benazir Bhutto would help him politically, as CNN’s Dana Bash recounted on the Situation Room yesterday:

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The idiotic, useless media trying to give McCain's strategist a pass for his despicable comment





edited typo

[ErinBerin84]

1. ooh, good find thinkprogress

Seriously, the MSM gave cookiegate more coverage than this. Also, McCain just released a web ad "attacking Obama on his 'broken promise!' of public financing", which I'm sure they will give plenty of free air time to, they are eager to rehash that debate.

[blondeatlast]

2. OUCH. That's gotta hurt--

except the "brave" m$m will take the arrow for McSame.

[ProSense]

7. Obama's campaign should keep talking about it for days to come

The media is allowing McCain to continue his nonsensical spin on Obama's decision to opt out of public financing.

[tanyev]

3. Isn't it great how Republicans can always find a silver lining (for them) in the midst

of a horrible tragedy? Why, if catastrophes didn't come along often enough, it almost makes you wonder if they would try to create some.

[cbc5g]

4. Good find .. the MSM won't air it.

Too hurtful to McCain after what happened yesterday.

[ErinBerin84]

6. Haha, if the MSM ever did air this, their spin would be

"Aww, more straight talk. Gotta love it!"

[grantcart]

5. k and r

[Kadie]

8. K&R n/t

[DLnyc]

9. So, apparently, bin Laden wants Republicans elected.

Personally, I suspect bin Laden lives DC and draws a salary in the high six figures from the RNC. But if one accepts the myth of Mr. Evil plotting in the hills of Pakistan, one has to figure he is either

a. Completely ignorant of American politics or
b. Times his releases and tapes to help Republicans get elected.

So, it seems fair to say that:


* * * * * BIN LADEN ENDORSES MCCAIN * * * * *

Repudiate that, McCaint!

[blondeatlast]

11. He's on dialysis, though--would he come to America for the health care?

Except he can AFFORD it, so I guess he would.

[PresidentObama]

10. If you have to scare the American people with fear to win, that's sad.

I think McCain knows he has a small chance of beating Obama, and is praying for a terrorist attack.

[ProSense]

12. Analysis: Chiding aide, McCain forgets own remark

Analysis: Chiding aide, McCain forgets own remark

By GLEN JOHNSON, Associated Press Writer

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. - John McCain wasted no time disavowing comments by an aide who suggested a terrorist attack on U.S. soil would boost his presidential campaign. McCain may have wanted to take a moment to consult the history books before he spoke.

In ways both overt and subtle, the Republican presidential contender has been making much the same point as senior adviser Charlie Black, who backed off Monday after he was quoted as saying an attack "certainly would be a big advantage to him."

Black also told Fortune magazine that last December's assassination of former Pakistani prime minister Benazir Bhutto "helped us" amid the final run-up to the Iowa caucuses and New Hampshire primary.

The day Bhutto died in a bombing and shooting attack, McCain told reporters, "My theme has been throughout this campaign that I'm the one with the experience, the knowledge and the judgment. So perhaps it may serve to enhance those credentials to make people understand that I've been to Pakistan, I know (President Pervez) Musharraf, I can pick up the phone and call him. I knew Benazir Bhutto."

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[ErinBerin84]

13. Anyone watching Hardball right now?

Chuck Todd, Andrea Mitchell, and Chris Matthews are bemoaning the thought that someone is being punished for his "honest comments". Chuck Todd at least said that the thought could have been phrased better, but he had a really sad look on his face at the start of the segment and Chris Matthews said "What's wrong? You look sad!" and Chuck Todd said "Charlie Black is known as a straight shooter, someone who speaks his mind, and now maybe he won't be such a straight shooter with the media anymore."


Oh, CRY ME A FUCKING RIVER. They're also bizatching that he was "baited into it".

[wowimthere]

14. The media is full of it. McCain doesn't have the credentials to lead this country

Anyone who trusts the Republicans on National security ought to have their heads examined.

[Smear Talk Express]

15. I hope Obama reads DU...

Stuff like this is gold.