McCain aide apologizes for terror remark

Charlie Black, a top adviser to Republican John McCain, apologized this afternoon for suggesting that another terrorist attack on US soil would help McCain's prospects.

In an interview with Fortune magazine, Black declared, "Certainly it would be a big advantage to him."

According to media reports, in a statement read to reporters outside a McCain fund-raiser in Fresno, Calif., Black said: "I deeply regret the comments -- they were inappropriate. I recognize that John McCain has devoted his entire adult life to protecting his country...and placing its security above every other consideration .”

McCain had earlier distanced himself from Black's remarks, telling 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."

UPDATE: The apology notwithstanding, Barack Obama's campaign pounced.

“Barack Obama welcomes a debate about terrorism with John McCain, who has fully supported the Bush policies that have taken our eye off of al Qaeda, failed to bring Osama bin Laden to justice, and made us less safe. 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. Barack Obama will turn the page on these failed policies and this cynical and divisive brand of politics so that we can unite this nation around a common purpose to finish the fight against al Qaeda,” campaign spokesman Bill Burton said in a statement.