Quote:
Originally posted by filtherton
Are some of you so politically naive to think that the president won't use the capture of bin laden to his utmost political advantage? I don't know if we have obl yet, but it really wouldn't surprise me if we know where he is and are just sitting on him until the admin can maximise the political capital gleaned from his capture. Furthermore, some of you who denounce conspiracy theorists seem to have no problem with such theories when they concern the link between saddam and obl.
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Ok now lets think about this rationally. Lets pretend we have OBL. Now I could understand us not releasing that info if we are 'encouraging' him to give us information. We could nab some of the other top operatives who would be unaware that OBL was in US custody. That I would have no problem with.
Now lets pretend we know where he is hiding but we are 'waiting' so Bush can give an October surprise. Boy that would sure help the president. But wait, lets take it from another angle. What happens if it comes out Bush did just that? That he knew where OBL was and didn't nail him? It would destroy his presidency and destroy the republicans for a good part. No one would stand for it.
Further if Bush gets OBL today, tomorrow, or next October it doesn't matter, he will win. The democrats will have NOTHING to stand on except 'hating Bush'. No one could claim to be better at national security, and the economy is fine.
While strategically it might be a bit better for OBL to be caught closer to the election, the risk is worse. While you happily assign the worst possible motives to the presidents actions, I can only wonder if this is a legitimate fear or just the bitter musings of another democrat without a prayer in 2004.