Putting It Out There

by dday

If anyone thinks Charlie Black is sorry for saying this, they’re nuts. This is completely calculated.

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.

He’s backtracked on it now, and McCain strenuously disagreed, but the target for that comment were media types. The only reason it is conventionally assumed that a terrorist attack is good for Republicans is that Republicans keep saying it, and when they say it, the media listens. They’re perfectly willing to risk sounding ghoulish in the short-term so that they’re prepared for every talking head explaining in the wake of a terrorist attack how the Republicans have been enhanced. I’d call it mind control but it’s not nearly so difficult; more like that scene where Crocodile Dundee raises two fingers in front of the bull and makes him go to sleep.

Does this mean Republicans welcome terror attacks? More like it means they like to be ready for the eventuality. And they know there will be no time for reasoned discourse in such a moment. So they’re hitting the hammer under the knee to make sure it’ll jerk when circumstances demand it.

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