Charlie Black Just Said What Everyone Already Knows [UPDATED]
The Obama Response Says More Than Charlie Black
By Erick Posted in 2008 | 9/11 | Barack Obama | Charlie Black | John McCain — Comments (7) / Email this page » / Leave a comment »
John McCain's campaign strategist, Charlie Black, dared to speak the obvious to Fortune magazine:
On national security McCain wins. We saw how that might play out early in the campaign, when one good scare, one timely reminder of the chaos lurking in the world, probably saved McCain in New Hampshire, a state he had to win to save his candidacy - this according to McCain's chief strategist, Charlie Black. 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.
John McCain, being an old style politician, has distanced himself from Black.
Luckily for Charlie Black, Barack Obama is a candidate who transcends politics. A normal, prototypical Democratic candidate for President, like say John Kerry circa 2004, would decry Charlie Black's statement, say the Republicans are resorting to fear and warmongering, and demand Charlie Black's head on a silver platter.
Instead of that, the Obama campaign's spokesman said Senator Obama recognizes in post 9/11 America, the Republicans have a security advantage over Democrats because . . .
the public sees the GOP as more aggressive in combating terror. The Obama campaign also said they recognized there is a perception that Senator Obama has minimal foreign policy experience and has routinely, publicly fought the Bush Administration on things like FISA, the PATRIOT Act, troop funding, etc. Not to mention, Senator Obama's spokesman added, Senator Obama supported the recent Supreme Court decision that terrorists should be given habeas corpus rights, while Senator McCain and over 70% of the American public oppose that decision.
The candor of Senator Obama and his new style of politics is refreshing. You should hear in the campaign's own words. Obama campaign spokesman Bill Burton said
The fact that John McCain's top advisor says that a terrorist attack on American soil would be a 'big advantage' for their political campaign is a complete disgrace, and is exactly the kind of politics that needs to change."
But Burton also said Obama "welcomes a debate about terrorism with John McCain, who has fully supported the Bush policies that have taken our eye off of Al Qaeda, failed to bring Osama bin Laden to justice, and made us less safe."
Oh, sorry, you really believed that about Obama's new style? Nah, he's already out playing the race card just like a typical Democratic candidate. If you really think he's some sort of new candidate, you need to seek mental help now.
No, the Democrats who actually recognize that the GOP has a security advantage that would be enhanced by an attack are the Democrats' own campaign consultants.
**[UPDATE:]** Hillary Clinton is more of a new politician than Obama. She's willing to admit the truth:
"It's a horrible prospect to ask yourself, 'What if? What if?' But if certain things happen between now and the election, particularly with respect to terrorism, that will automatically give the Republicans an advantage again, no matter how badly they have mishandled it, no matter how much more dangerous they have made the world," Clinton told supporters in Concord. "So I think I'm the best of the Democrats to deal with that."
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Charlie Black Just Said What Everyone Already Knows [UPDATED] 7 Comments (0 topical, 7 editorial, 0 hidden) Post a comment »
Accurately quoting and citing the record of Barack Obama will ensure his defeat, especially including his opposition to all the measures that have been taken By Bush that McCain supports, that has prevented, deterred and thwarted any and all attacks since 911.
I do not hold the intelligence and good judgment in such low esteem that I think they need to be reminded of the threats we face by another attack to understand that Obama would make further attacks more likely.
McCain needs to fire Black and hire Gamecock.
Mike DeVine’s Charlotte Observer columns
www.theminorityreportblog.com
"The way to stop discrimination on the basis of race is to stop discriminating on the basis of race." - The Chief Justice
I do not hold the intelligence and good judgment of the American people in such low esteem that I think they need to be reminded of the threats we face by another attack to understand that Obama would make further attacks more likely.
Mike DeVine’s Charlotte Observer columns
www.theminorityreportblog.com
"The way to stop discrimination on the basis of race is to stop discriminating on the basis of race." - The Chief Justice
Accurately quoting and citing the record of Barack Obama
It's called swift-boating. Hopefully, four years from now, it will be called "Rev. Wright"-ing.
"No compromise with the main purpose, no peace till victory, no pact with unrepentant wrong." - Winston Churchill
You had me going there. Ha! Awesome!
But Burton also said Obama "welcomes a debate about terrorism with John McCain, who has fully supported the Bush policies that have taken our eye off of Al Qaeda, failed to bring Osama bin Laden to justice, and made us less safe."
They must realize they have nothing meaningful to say on national security since all they can talk about is what was the most pressing issue roughly 5 years ago. OBL has been neutralized as a global terrorism threat. The absence of a major (or even minor) terrorist attack in the U.S.A. since 9/11 indicates that we are indeed safer than we were, and that Al Qaeda has been thwarted and reduced as a threat since that time -- it simply isn't plausible to imagine that Al Qaeda and others have simply stopped trying to attack us in large ways. I really don't understand what on earth the Dems mean when they say we're "less safe" and they talk as though Al Qaeda and OBL are the only bad guys on earth who may wish us harm...
If they want to be taken seriously on national security they really at least need to talk seriously and soberly about security issues of 2008 and beyond (e.g., an energy policy, Iran), not the ones that have been recognized and effectively managed for the past 5 years.
Besides, based on their praise of granting habeas corpus to enemy combatants, the phrase "bring Osama Bin Laden to justice" has a less-appealing ring, bringing with it images of a noisy, drawn-out courtroom battle in Alexandria, VA, with OBL on our own soil able to sneer at us and use our media as the willing stooges they are. Diane Sawyer would get an exclusive jailhouse interview with him. Countless hours of cable news would monitor his every move. *shudder*
Nah. I prefer the current status quo: he's stuck in some hole in Afghanistan or Pakistan, his network doesn't extend beyond the reach of his two-way radios, his assets are frozen, and his name is mud in much more of the Islamic world than it was in 2002.
"Do not fear, only believe." (Mark 5:36)
some advice for Barack and his campaign; sit down and shut up.
Why don't they go to Iraq and ask AQ how they are doing (if they can find any)? Next try Afghanistan and ask them about that daily shrinking feeling? Nobody buys the "we taken our eye off the ball, OBL is still breathing". nonsense. It's ok, you can say it.
The facts are thus; what President Bush has overseen is working. Democrats have overwhelming voted against, or tried to forestall almost every action which forms that protective barrier we enjoy today.
Barack wants to return a mindset which views terrorism as a law enforcement issue. We see how well that worked in a pre September 11th world. He applauds the extra Constitutional decision which awards terrorists rights in US courts; unprecedented in our history. Actually in retrospect let them keep talking, it is a discussion which reveals the stark contrast and dangerous nature of Barack's proclivities.
As a practical matter, Charlie was right and frankly quoted out of context. That Mr. McCain treated him so dismissively is somewhat shameful.
"Nec Aspera Terrent"
bene ambula et redambula
Contributor to The Minority Report
But Burton also said Obama "welcomes a debate about terrorism with John McCain..."
Just not a Town Hall debate. *roll eyes*