Originally Posted By ecdc So if I'm to understand Republican thinking, it's totally cool to land on an aircraft carrier and give a big speech before a "Mission Accomplished" sign–even though it wasn't—but pointing out that you ordered the raid that actually did accomplish something is in bad taste. Got it.
Originally Posted By FaMulan Oh, puh-leez. You know that if bin Laden had been captured or killed during GW Bush's time, there would have been talk of allowing him a third term. Just because there's a man in office they don't like and have sworn to defeat, he's not allowed to remind voters of what he did? Ugh.
Originally Posted By DyGDisney >>>there would have been talk of allowing him a third term. <<< He was never even really elected to a first term --- and that's where the problems began.
Originally Posted By wahooskipper It is bush league ecdc but not unsurprising. EVERYTHING is political during an election year. But, I do think it is worthy to pause and consider the outstanding work of the Seal Team and all those involved in what amounted to a dangerous yet successful mission.
Originally Posted By 182 I think President Obama should take pride in this accomplishment. My favorite touch was tossing Osama off a boat into the sea. Thank you all involved
Originally Posted By Kar2oonMan Had the mission been unsuccessful, Obama would be "weak on defense." Since the death of bin Fishfood takes that issue off the table, they have to try and diminish the event any way they can. It was a great AMERICAN moment -- something that was a huge relief to all of us. But it seems we're not allowed to have anything in common with political opponents. Everyone choose a team and never, ever waver.
Originally Posted By wahooskipper Apparently Osama is now in Afghanistan after making an unannounced trip over there. It will be seen as a political move during an election year but any time a President spends time with troops overseas I applaud it.
Originally Posted By wahooskipper Sorry. Terrible slip. President Obama is in Afghanistan. Osama is swimming I believe.
Originally Posted By velo a few months ago weren't they complaining that he never visited the troops?
Originally Posted By ecdc Jon Stewart says basically the same thing my OP said. Great minds and all that.... Seriously, watch the Daily Show tonight, just for the faux Bush campaign ad at the end. Hilarious.
Originally Posted By ecdc I'm reading Peter Bergen's book, "Manhunt" on the chase for bin Laden. He writes: >>The notion that there had been a real opportunity to kill bin Laden [in Tora Bora] was a “wild claim,” Bush said, and Vice President Dick Cheney termed it “absolute garbage.” Nevertheless, from the totality of the available accounts, it is clear that when presented with an opportunity to kill or capture al-Qaeda’s top leadership just three months after September 11, the United States was instead outmaneuvered by bin Laden, who slipped away, disappeared from the American radar, and slowly began rebuilding his organization.<< Bergen makes it clear that Obama's call to go after bin Laden and to use Special Forces was far from easy or unanimous. It is hardly a call "even Jimmy Carter would've made," as Mitt Romney claims. Even Bush couldn't make the call when bin Laden was cornered.
