Fear and Loathing

"P.S. Do we assume it's true that a big attack would help McCain? I think a lot depends on the particulars. Another failure of the homeland-security bureaucracy would further discredit Republicans. An attack clearly linked to anger over the Iraq war could also hurt. There's no way to know in advance; but here's hoping it's all hypothetical anyway."

At Chuck Todd's blog, the ruling is that "the impact of a national security crisis in October is unknown for this reason: It depends on who initiates it. If it's an outside force, then Black's probably right. But if it's something that President Bush sparks, then Obama could benefit."

Firedoglake's Christy Hardin Smith is appalled:

"Anyone who would publicly contemplate the pro and cons of another attack on this country for his crony's political calculations needs a big ole smack upside the head . . . That's just shameful and wrong on so many levels at once.

"It's also telling: McCain's best hope for election in November? The 'scare the bejeebers out of people' strategy."

National Review's Jim Geraghty goes the sarcasm route:

"Of course. There's no reason to think that after a terrorist attack, Americans would prefer the leadership of a war veteran who's spent his entire career dealing with national security issues. There's every chance that with Americans dead and more attacks possible, they would turn to the former community organizer who, when asked about his military response to terrorist attacks, gives a lengthy answer listing every action except the military response . . .

"No, of course, Black is wrong. The American people would eagerly want the guy whose foreign policy advisers contend that Osama bin Laden, if captured, should be allowed to appeal his case to U.S. civilian courts."

Hey now: Maybe that Newsweek poll wasn't off after all.

"Buoyed by enthusiasm among Democrats and public concern over the economy, Sen. Barack Obama (D-Ill.) has captured a sizable lead over Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) at the opening of the general election campaign for president, the Los Angeles Times/Bloomberg Poll has found."

Obama leads 49-37. If this keeps up, look for a flood of stories about how screwed up the McCain campaign is.

If we're electing a president for the age of terror, we're also picking one for the Internet age. After attending a conference, CQ blogger David Corn wonders how McCain could have no clue about computers: