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| Version 2 | Version 3 |
|---|---|
| Terror attack 'would help McCain' | Terror attack 'would help McCain' |
| (10 minutes later) | |
| Republican presidential hopeful John McCain has distanced himself from an aide's comments that a terror attack on the US would help his campaign. | 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, who later said he regretted his remarks, told Forbes magazine that an attack on US soil would be a "big advantage". | Charlie Black, who later said he regretted his remarks, told Forbes magazine that an attack on US soil would be a "big advantage". |
| He also said the "unfortunate" assassination of former Pakistani PM Benazir Bhutto had "helped" Mr McCain. | He also said the "unfortunate" assassination of former Pakistani PM Benazir Bhutto had "helped" Mr McCain. |
| Democratic rival Barack Obama's campaign condemned Mr Black's remarks. | Democratic rival Barack Obama's campaign condemned Mr Black's remarks. |
| Followers of Mr McCain - a former US Navy pilot and Vietnam prisoner-of-war who has travelled the world while serving in the Senate - say his extensive grounding in foreign affairs gives him an advantage over the less experienced Mr Obama. | |
| Thus, they argue, he benefits any time national security matters are the news of the day. | |
| But questioned about Mr Black's comments, Mr McCain told reporters: "I cannot imagine why he would say it. It's not true. | |
| "I've worked tirelessly since 9/11 to prevent another attack on the United States of America. My record is very clear." | "I've worked tirelessly since 9/11 to prevent another attack on the United States of America. My record is very clear." |
| Mr Black said: "I deeply regret the comments. They were inappropriate. | Mr Black said: "I deeply regret the comments. They were inappropriate. |
| "I recognise that John McCain has devoted his entire adult life to protecting his country and placing its security before every other consideration." | "I recognise that John McCain has devoted his entire adult life to protecting his country and placing its security before every other consideration." |
| 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." | 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." |
| Hillary returns | Hillary returns |
| The row came as Mr McCain tried to focus on energy issues. | 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. | 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. | 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 ended 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. |