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McCain aide regrets terror remark Terror attack 'would help McCain'
(about 5 hours later)
An aide to Republican presidential hopeful John McCain has said he regrets telling a reporter that a terror attack on the US would be "an advantage". Republican presidential hopeful John McCain has distanced himself from an aide's comments that a terror attack on the US would help his campaign.
Charlie Black made the comments to a journalist from Fortune magazine. Charlie Black, who later said he regretted his remarks, told Forbes magazine that an attack on US soil would be a "big advantage".
Mr McCain has distanced himself from Mr Black's comments, saying he "strenuously disagree" with him. He also said the "unfortunate" assassination of former Pakistani PM Benazir Bhutto had "helped" Mr McCain.
Meanwhile, Mr McCain's Democratic competitor Barack Obama has announced he will be holding a rally with his former rival Hillary Clinton on Friday. Democratic rival Barack Obama's campaign condemned Mr Black's remarks.
Bhutto assassination Questioned about Mr Black's comments, Mr McCain told reporters: "I cannot imagine why he would say it. It's not true.
When asked whether a terror attack on US soil would help Mr McCain's campaign, Mr Black told the magazine: "Certainly it would be a big advantage to him." "I've worked tirelessly since 9/11 to prevent another attack on the United States of America. My record is very clear."
In the article, Mr Black also said that the assassination of former Pakistani Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto was an "unfortunate event" that had "helped" Mr McCain's presidential bid. Mr Black said: "I deeply regret the comments. They were inappropriate.
Mr Black, a senior adviser to Mr McCain, later told reporters that he "deeply regretted his comments". "I recognise that John McCain has devoted his entire adult life to protecting his country and placing its security before every other consideration."
"They were inappropriate and I recognise that John McCain has devoted his entire adult life to protecting his country and placing its security before every other consideration," he added. Mr Obama's spokesman, Bill Burton, said: "The fact that John McCain's top adviser 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."
Meanwhile, the Obama campaign, which has not commented on Mr Black's remarks, announced that Mr Obama would be attending a campaign event with his former rival for the Democratic presidential nomination, Hillary Clinton, in New Hampshire on Friday. Hillary returns
The row came as Mr McCain tried to focus on energy issues.
He said that if elected, he would offer a $300m (£150m) reward to anyone who developed a more efficient electric car battery.
Meanwhile, Mr Obama's team has announced that he will be attending a campaign event with his former rival for the Democratic presidential nomination, Hillary Clinton, in New Hampshire on Friday.
In what observers say is an attempt to bring the party together after the divisive primary battle between the two candidates, the event will be taking place in the town of Unity, where both Mr Obama and Mrs Clinton received 107 votes in January's New Hampshire primary.In what observers say is an attempt to bring the party together after the divisive primary battle between the two candidates, the event will be taking place in the town of Unity, where both Mr Obama and Mrs Clinton received 107 votes in January's New Hampshire primary.
The rally will be the first time Mrs Clinton has appeared on the campaign trail on behalf of Mr Obama since she suspended her presidential bid on 7 June. The rally will be the first time Mrs Clinton has appeared on the campaign trail on behalf of Mr Obama since she ended her presidential bid on 7 June.