McCain´s advisor apologizes for "inappropriate" comments

Source: Xinhua | 06-24-2008 11:16

WASHINGTON, June 23 (Xinhua) -- One of U.S. Republican presidential candidate John McCain's advisors made a public apology on Monday for his "inappropriate" comments, saying a Sept.11, 2001-style attacks would be favorable to McCain in the November general elections.

Charlie Black, one of McCain's most trusted advisers on politics, said in a statement that he "deeply regret" the "inappropriate" comments.

"I recognize that John McCain has devoted his entire adult life to protecting his country and placing its security before every other consideration," he said.

Black was quoted by Fortune Magazine saying when discussing McCain's advantage in national security affairs that another terrorist attack on U.S. soil would "certainly be a big advantage" to the Arizona senator.

According to McCain's campaign, Black made the comments in the context that any day on the campaign trail with the theme as national security was a good day for McCain.

When asked about the Black's quotes by the magazine, McCain said he "cannot imagine why he would say it."

If Black had made such a comment, "I strenuously disagree" with it, he added.

Black's comment provided bullets to Obama's campaign to launch another attack on their Republican rival.

"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," Obama's spokesman Bill Burton said.

Editor:Du