Energy Focus on the Trail
National security can quickly change that
June 23, 2008— -- For right now, the focus for John McCain and Barack Obama, as well as an assorted cast of surrogates and spokespeople, is on energy. Both candidates want to own this issue and present new ideas and leadership to address short and long-term relief from soaring energy costs.
McCain will hold a roundtable briefing on energy independence in Santa Barbara CA on Tuesday and will be joined by Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger. Expect McCain to continue to attack what they deem as Obama's "do-nothing energy policy."
The McCain campaign hammered on that theme on a conference call today, ABC News' Gregory Wallace and Bret Hovell report. Sen. Lindsay Graham and campaign advisor Doug Holtz-Eakin both characterized Obama's approach to energy issues as "just say no" in comparison to McCain's plans for results.
In their own conference call, Obama advisers Jason Furman and Jason Grumet called McCain's record on energy "unstable" and said his proposals will bring America "back to the future," ABC News' Wallace reports. Obama will hold an energy event in Las Vegas on Tuesday.
While energy may be getting all of the attention on the campaign trail right now, a few quotes in a magazine article show that for McCain and the Republicans, national security is still considered the trump card.
In an interview with Fortune Magazine, McCain adviser Charlie Black says that a terrorist attack on U.S. soil would be "a big advantage" for the presumptive Republican nominee, ABC News' Bret Hovell, Teddy Davis and James Gerber report.
"Certainly it would be a big advantage to him," Black told Fortune Magazine.
The senior campaign official pointed out that McCain was "helped" and "probably saved" in New Hampshire by the December 2007 assassination of Benazir Bhutto, which he deemed "one good scare, one timely reminder of the chaos lurking in the world."
"The assassination of Benazir Bhutto in December was an 'unfortunate event,'" Black said in the interview. "But (McCain's) 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."
At a press availability in Fresno, CA, McCain sought to distance himself from Black's comments. "I cannot imagine why he would say it," said McCain. "It's not true. I've worked tirelessly since 9/11 to prevent another attack on the United States of America."
After the Outside McCain's Fresno fundraiser, Black read a statement to the traveling press, from handwritten notes: "I deeply regret the comments—they were inappropriate. I recognize that John McCain has devoted his entire adult life to protecting his country."
The campaign is not disputing the comments, but a senior campaign official said that Black did not recall making them to Fortune. The explanation is that he was arguing that McCain has an advantage on national security issues (which is not just spin – this is reflected in polling) – so when that is in the headlines, it's advantageous for McCain.
Together At Last. . .
The Obama campaign announced today that Sen. Obama and Sen. Hillary Clinton will campaign together this Friday in. . . wait for it. . . Unity, New Hampshire. It gets better -- the Obama campaign notes that both candidates received exactly 107 votes in this town in the primary. Over to you late-night comedians. . .
On the campaign front. . .
BARACK OBAMA
-- 1:15 pm ET: Attends discussion on energy, Las Vegas, NV.
As for the Republicans. . .
JOHN MCCAIN
-- 12:00 pm ET: Attends energy independence briefing with California Gov. Schwarzenegger, Santa Barbara, CA.
-- 4:30 pm ET: Attends private fundraising event, Riverside, CA.
At the White House. . .
PRESIDENT BUSH
-- 9:45 am ET: Meets with the President of the Philippines in the Oval Office.
-- 1:10 pm ET: Meets with the Prime Minister of Vietnam in the Oval Office.
-- 4:05 pm ET: Meets with the 2007 and 2008 NCAA Sports Champions on the South Lawn.
-- 6:35 pm ET: Attends a private Republican National Committee reception.
POLITICAL NEWS STORIES ON ABCNEWS.COM
ABC News' Jake Tapper: Obama, Clinton Look to Set Aside Differences, Campaign Together LINK
ABC News' Bret Hovell, Teddy Davis, and James Gerber: McCain Adviser Sees Terror Attack as 'Big Advantage' LINK
ABC News' Jennifer Duck: Obama Attacks McCain on Oil LINK
ABC News' Gregory Wallace: Graham: Obama Policy Is 'No' To Energy Challenge LINK
ABC News' Jake Tapper: McCain Adviser: Terrorist Attack Would Help McCain in Election LINK
ABC News' Nitya Venkataraman: Versace Dedicates Fashion Line to Obama LINK
ABC News' Jake Tapper: Clinton Emails for Cash to Retire Debt, Manages to Mention Obama's Name Once LINK
ABC News' Matthew Dowd: Obama Brand: Truth or Consequences LINK
ABC News' Jake Tapper: Rove: Obama's the Guy at the Country Club Holding a Martini Making Snide Comments About Everyone Else LINK
ABC News' Jake Tapper: Clintons Return from Vacation, Barely Mention Obama in Public Statements LINK
ABC News' Jake Tapper: McCain's $300 Million Prize …and Other Matters from His Santa Barbara Energy Speech LINK
ABC News' Jake Tapper: "A Satiric Humorist Named George Carlin Recorded a 12-minute Monologue Entitled 'Filthy Words' Before a Live Audience in a California Theater." LINK
POLITICAL VIDEO ON ABCNEWS.COM
The Energy Crisis
What will Congress and the 2008 candidates do about the energy crisis? LINK
Can Obama, Clinton Unite Dems?
The two senators try to bring the party together. LINK
Elizabeth Edwards 'Backing...
Former Sen. John Edwards' wife weighs in on the presidential race. LINK
Race in the Race for '08?
A new poll takes a look at the racial attitudes of Americans. LINK
Obama Targets Evangelical Voters
The Democratic candidate is going after the largely Republican Evangelical vote. LINK
Vets Fight For Education
Vets fight for college money 64 years after Roosevelt instituted the G.I. Bill. LINK
Show Him the Money
After declining public funding, where will Sen. Obama get funding? LINK
The Big Money Battle
Obama and McCain claim to be taking stand against special-interest money. LINK