McCain adviser Charlie Black was quoted in a Fortune magazine feature story saying that another terrorist attack would help McCain's chances in the November election.

From Fortune:

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.

McCain was asked his thoughts on the statement at a press conference in California, and, apparently unaware that Black had said that, responded with: "I cannot imagine why he would say it. It's not true."

TPM's Greg Sargent received a statement from the McCain campaign stating that Black regreted his own comments:

Charlie deeply regrets his comments. They were inappropriate and he recognizes that the candidate we work for has devoted his entire adult life to protecting his country and placing its security before every other consideration.

Obama spokesman Bill Burton has released a statement on the subject:

"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."