McCain Flack: Terror Attack Would Help Mac

Update: The Obama campaign released this statement last night, via email:

"Barack 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. 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. Barack Obama will turn the page on these failed policies and this cynical and divisive brand of politics so that we can unite this nation around a common purpose to finish the fight against al Qaeda," said Obama campaign spokesman Bill Burton.

The Obama campaign holds a conference call with 9/11 Commission member Richard Ben-Veniste today to discuss Black's remarks.

John McCain is doing damage control today after campaign adviser Charlie Black told Fortune magazine that a major terrorist attack on the U.S. could benefit his candidate. From Reuters/AOL News:

Fortune Magazine said Black, in discussing how national security is McCain's strong suit, had said when asked about another terrorist attack on U.S. soil that, "Certainly it would be a big advantage to him."

McCain quickly denounced the remarks, and, of course, wondered about the context:

"If he said that -- and I do not know the context -- I strenuously disagree," McCain told reporters at a news conference in Fresno.

"I cannot imagine why he would say it. It's not true," McCain said, adding that he has worked hard since the September 11 attack to prevent another such attack.

What's really eerie is that McCain and I are in agreement here. I had planned to write a story today about McCain's dimming electoral chances, and the headline I thought of yesterday morning was, "Even an Orange Alert Can't Save McCain."

McCain was already losing badly on policy issues, and took devastating criticism for his speech on June 3. He seemed to be holding out hope that somehow, he'd end up looking better than Obama by standing next to him in a seires of weekly debates. But then, this weekend came that Newsweek poll that showed Obama opening up a cavernous 15-point lead.

McCain has so far been unable to get any traction against Obama, and is in a tough spot where he can only go so negative without hurting his own image. One reason that I thought Obama was wise to stay out of public financing is the free help that Fox News can give to McCain, helping to manufacture a narrative of threat and fear.

However, I really think most of America is wise to that fear game, and are weary of being terrorized into voting a certain way. I don't think any actions by terrorists would affect many Americans' votes.

Where does that leave McCain? His best bet is to play it safe, not lose any ground, and be ready to pounce if Obama stumbles. Right now, that looks like the only way Obama can lose.