Fear and the GOP

On national security McCain wins. We saw how that might play out early in the campaign, when one good scare, one timely reminder of the chaos lurking in the world, probably saved McCain in New Hampshire, a state he had to win to save his candidacy – this according to McCain’s chief strategist, Charlie Black. 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.

That was Fortune magazine describing the words of Charlie Black, lobbyist and McCain’s chief strategist. Everyone, including Senator Obama, Senator McCain, and Charlie Black himself have denounced his statement as being “a complete disgrace” and “inappropriate.” It was certainly both of those, but what seems more interesting is whether or not he was correct. If one looks back over the last few years, one can’t help but notice that when the electorate was scared they voted for the GOP(2002, 2004) but that when the electorate is outraged about government corruption they vote for the Democratic party(2006, local 2008.) I’m not defending his comments and I think that it’s good Senators McCain and Obama denounced them and that Charlie Black apologized for them. However, the facts do support Mr. Black’s thesis which is something that should be noted and brought up by the media when a McCain allied 527 inevitably launches ads based on fear.