Hotline After Dark -- Casting A Black Shadow?
A lot of last night's TV coverage focused on the comments made by John McCain's adviser, Charlie Black. In an interview with Fortune, Black said a terrorist attack on U.S. soil would be a "big advantage" for McCain, and that the assasination of ex-Pakistani PM Benazir Bhutto in Dec. was "an unfortunate event," but it helped the campaign.
Time's Klein: "It is perfectly fine to talk about your candidate's national security credentials. And John McCain certainly has a ton of those. But there's been a pattern in the Republican Party, going back to Karl Rove briefing the Republican National Committee in 2003 on the fact that the war in Iraq was going to be good for Republicans. This is another step along that same path" ("AC 360," CNN, 6/23).
Dick Morris: "Crazy choice of words, of course, but the point that he meant, which is basically true, is that anything that reminds us of the severity of the danger that we face from terrorism is going to help McCain because he's seen as better able to deal with it. ... It's appropriate to attack Charlie on it but I think it's important for us to understand the broader meaning of what he was trying to say" ("Hannity & Colmes," FNC, 6/23).
Independent Women's Forum pres. Michelle Bernard: "It probably hurt John McCain for 24 hours. The statement -- it's almost analogous to Hillary Clinton when she was giving arguments about why she should stay in the race and she made the huge faux pas in referencing the assassination of Robert F. Kennedy. Because of our nation's history, people will remember that. People will remember 9/11. We're also four months out before the election. I think this issue will have a very short life span in the news cycle. ... No American will attribute this misstatement by Charlie Black to John McCain. In the long run, it's not going to hurt him" ("Hardball," MSNBC, 6/23).
More after the jump.
(KATHERINE LEHR)
CNN's Crowley, on how damaging the comments are: "It plays into Democrats perfectly. There is no doubt about that, because what they like to do is say, that's the politics of fear. ... So, insofar as it plays into that, I think it's harmful. It's always a drip, drip, drip process. And this is a drip" ("Election Center," 6/23).
Washington Post's Milbank, asked if Black will be fired: "They are certainly going to hope that this becomes a 24-hour thing that blows over. Which it well could be, depending on what events happen in the coming days. But if it keeps being brought back to them, they'll have to take some action here. The irony here is that Charlie Black is a very soft spoken, well-liked figure and this does seem rather out of character for him to sound off in this way" ("Countdown," MSNBC, 6/23).
Sigh, Dana, Dana, Dana. Charlie Black = "well-liked"? Um, I suppose it depends who you talk to. If you talk to his friends, that is probably a fair statement. If you talk to those who disagree with him, even Republicans, and even on core Republican issues, not so much. Kind of like. . . John M. . . . oh, never mind. Back to snarky for Milbank.
Well, maybe Charlie Black will get his terror attack and McCain will get in office. I guess the McCain boys will be counting on Al-Qeada to come through for them.
With sincerest apologies to the I-man, it looks like Black trumps old on many levels this year.
Anyone see the Milan show? The "Obama Look" is all the R&R (rave and rage for those in the fly-over states). Maybe the Daytona show will offer the "Prune Look".
Charlie Black is the worst, most despicable lobbyist in Washington DC.
Incredibly the MSM once-again trumpets the "yeah but McCain's foreign policy experience..."
He has minimal foreign policy experience. He doesn't know the difference between AQ in Iraq, Sunnis, Shiia.
It is a FALSE argument. John McCain only has those credentials b/c the press hands it to him on a silver platter.
Barack Obama has the same credentials as John McCain (U.S. Senator) except he has far superior judgment. Look at the Iraq War, look at Iran, look at oil drilling, look at economic policy, look at the Enron Loophole, look at a million issues.
The only thing McCain excels in is changing his tune to suit political expediency -- and sucking up to Neoconservatives.
I'm not worried though, this "foreign policy experience" narrative will crumble as the General moves on and gaffes like this continue to emerge from McCain and his camp. It's just sad.
Ethan-
Do you really think this is a gaffe?
Its either wishful thinking or its the raw truth right out of the horse's mouth.
Just shows how the Republican Party (John McSame) relies on fear to influence votes. The same way McBush used it to get his second term. All they rely on is fear. In fact, according to published reports, John McSame, the so called war hero, scored at the bottom of his military class…. John McShame, you are basically incapable of being in charge of any thing at this point and time. Be careful John McBush, you are on the verge of being exposed!!!!
Just shows how the Republican Party (John McSame) relies on fear to influence votes. The same way McBush used it to get his second term. All they rely on is fear. In fact, according to published reports, John McSame, the so called war hero, scored at the bottom of his military class…. John McShame, you are basically incapable of being in charge of any thing at this point and time. Be careful John McBush, you are on the verge of being exposed!!!!
Just shows how the Republican Party (John McSame) relies on fear to influence votes. The same way McBush used it to get his second term. All they rely on is fear. In fact, according to published reports, John McSame, the so called war hero, scored at the bottom of his military class…. John McShame, you are basically incapable of being in charge of any thing at this point and time. Be careful John McBush, you are on the verge of being exposed!!!!