June 24, 2008, 12:03 pm
By Michael Falcone
On a conference call organized by the Obama campaign this morning, Richard Ben-Veniste, a member of the Sept. 11 Commission, stopped short of calling for the resignation of Charlie Black, a McCain campaign senior adviser, but accused him of politicizing terrorism.
Mr. Ben-Veniste, a surrogate for Senator Barack Obama and a campaign adviser, said Mr. Black’s comment in an article in Fortune magazine that a terrorist attack on American soil between now and the election would be a “big advantage” for Senator John McCain provided a “very disappointing glimpse into the thinking of one of McCain’s closest advisers.”
But Mr. Ben-Veniste declined to go a step further and suggest that Mr. Black resign or be fired for his statement.
“I don’t think it’s up to us to suggest how Senator McCain staffs his campaign,” Mr. Ben-Veniste said. “I think the remarks were so out of place that they call for some recalibration in the thinking and perhaps a greater adherence to principle here in staying away from the politics of fear.”
more Richard Clarke: Charlie Black Should Be Fired (VIDEO)