How does John McCain plan to revive the economy? How is John McCain’s plan different, more thought-provoking, more creative than George Bush’s plan? Watch as Republican South Carolina Governor Mark Sanford ‘draws a blank’ and falls off McCain’s short list for V.P. candidates.
Thanks to Bill Press for pointing this out to us.
A “senior adviser” to John McCain told Fortune Magazine that a terror attack would be “a big advantage” for John McCain. Charles R. Black, Jr. was forced to “recant” his opinion:
First, McCain said the substance of Black’s comments were untrue.
“I’ve worked tirelessly since 9/11 to prevent another attack on the United States of America,” McCain told reporters today. “If he said that, and I do not know the context, I strenuously disagree.”
Then, outside a fundraiser in Fresno, Black read a statement aloud to reporters from handwritten notes:
“I deeply regret the comments – they were inappropriate. I recognize that John McCain has devoted his entire adult life to protecting his country and placing its security before every other consideration.”
We’re all waiting for the infamous “October surprise.” Terror attack or no, however, we all know that McCain and his ilk are hoping for a bomb to go off. That would be so sweet for John.
Senator Joe Biden (D-Del.) put it best:
“For the McCain campaign to say it would benefit politically from another September 11 attack is disgraceful. That Mr. Black would even think in those terms, let alone express the thought publicly, is very sad. John McCain was right to disavow his remarks. The politics of fear have no place in our national life.”
But McCain’s camp is thinking in those terms. And, I would argue, deep down inside, so is John McCain. These remarks don’t just slip out. Somewhere along the line, the “insiders” were joking around, maybe tipping back a few, and in grand “group-think” mentality, convinced themselves that John McCain would, in fact, benefit from a terror attack.
Problem is, after the buzz wears off, you’re not supposed to say those things in public.
Unless, somewhere deep inside, you really mean it.
From HillaryClinton.com:
Dear Friend,
I wanted you to be one of the first to know: on Saturday, I will hold an event in Washington D.C. to thank everyone who has supported my campaign. Over the course of the last 16 months, I have been privileged and touched to witness the incredible dedication and sacrifice of so many people working for our campaign. Every minute you put into helping us win, every dollar you gave to keep up the fight meant more to me than I can ever possibly tell you.
On Saturday, I will extend my congratulations to Senator Obama and my support for his candidacy. This has been a long and hard-fought campaign, but as I have always said, my differences with Senator Obama are small compared to the differences we have with Senator McCain and the Republicans.
I have said throughout the campaign that I would strongly support Senator Obama if he were the Democratic Party’s nominee, and I intend to deliver on that promise.
When I decided to run for president, I knew exactly why I was getting into this race: to work hard every day for the millions of Americans who need a voice in the White House.
I made you — and everyone who supported me — a promise: to stand up for our shared values and to never back down. I’m going to keep that promise today, tomorrow, and for the rest of my life.
I will be speaking on Saturday about how together we can rally the party behind Senator Obama. The stakes are too high and the task before us too important to do otherwise.
I know as I continue my lifelong work for a stronger America and a better world, I will turn to you for the support, the strength, and the commitment that you have shown me in the past 16 months. And I will always keep faith with the issues and causes that are important to you.
In the past few days, you have shown that support once again with hundreds of thousands of messages to the campaign, and again, I am touched by your thoughtfulness and kindness.
I can never possibly express my gratitude, so let me say simply, thank you.
Sincerely,
Hillary Rodham Clinton
Full-speed ahead to the White House. Republicans are terribly overconfident, and Democrats have a ton of work to do. Focus must remain on policy differences: McCain/Bush II, or a strong voice for diplomacy and common sense in Barack Obama.
The candidates couldn’t be more different.
