An OBL attack would ensure a * win? Or no?

[TexasSissy]

I think if OBL orchestrated an attack before the election, it would help * win, not lose. People may not want to change horses in the middle of a stream, and * will give that stern "we're gonna smoke 'em out" look. * was most popular after 9/11.

Of course, Kerry made clear on Larry King last night that any change in administration would not alter America's commitment to the war on terror or seeing that Iraq ends up a success, that Americans are united in that. He was more or less sending a message to the terrorists. I thought that was a good message to send, and he was very firm and clear when he said it.

But....do you think OBL would really think that an attack would push * out like in Spain and not catch on that the situation in America is different than in Spain and other countries, that an attack would ensure * be re-elected? Or maybe that's what the terrorists want, for * to be re-elected, since he's been so helpful in their recruitment efforts?

[Nicholas D Wolfwood]

1. I don't think so at this point

But you never know how scared people can react. I think it will further drive people towards Kerry, personally. It would show Bush is incapable of protecting us, nullifying his entire appeal (if he has any).

[tjwash]

8. It should in theory, drive people to Kerry.

"I don't know where bin Laden is. I have no idea and really don't care. It's not that important. It's not our priority."
- G.W. Bush, 3/13/02

However the American people are not known as the sharpest knives in the drawer. They will probably blame it on the Clenis if it happens.

[shoelace414]

2. the party was pushed out of power

because of how they reacted to the attack. not the attack itself.

[porphyrian]

3. Why Would Osama Attack Before The Election?

It doesn't make any sense. Considering how much he hates the Bush's, I don't think he'd do anything to help him get elected. The only attacks I see him making would be in Iraq.

[tjwash]

9. Because he wants the B* administration to remain in power.

His ranks have swelled since Bush* started his crusade. Bush* is the best friend OBL has ever had.

[Beetwasher]

4. It Would Destroy Him, Which Is Why They Are Going W/ The

Vote for Kerry=Terrorists win angle...and floating the cancellation/postponment of the elections stuff...

[mikehiggins]

7. Cannot cancel the elections

Isn't the general election laid out in the Constitution?

Even in the case of an across the board attack in many states (all but impossible) how would that justify cancelling the election?

If the election is postponed, then the terrorists have won.

[Beetwasher]

10. You Think The Constitution Matters To These Thugs?

Think again...Martial Law carries lot's extra-constitutional "priveleges"...Nothing, no action, is below, beneath or beyond them...

[bullimiami]

5. Would it???

Would it scare more people to vote for him = trust him.
or
Would it make more people angry at his utter failure.

[soothsayer]

6. Nope

Forced Spain the other direction, as it would here. It would just show * to be a complete and utter failure (as he indeed is)

[DaveSZ]

12. Yeah

It will become Clenis' fault.

[wadestock]

11. Just keep in mind.....

OBL got 1000 times more than he ever hoped for in 911.

The net effect was as if we lost potentially 3 wars...with a total of about 1 Trillion total in damage.

As an extra bonus....he could sit back and watch the US have it's head up its a@@ and try to take over and occupy IRAQ. He had no ties with Saddam...no love lost there....and the net effect of having world opinion turn against the US has to have him gleaming with pride.

We got this whole thing wrong on terrorism. We overreacted and didn't honker down and really protect the homeland....go on defensive....because we turned it into a "world war".

These are a bunch of people....that could appear here or there at ANY random time....they don't necessarily have political agendas or look at things the way we do.

Odds are, they are planning something very insidious....that will take perhaps another 5 or so years to put together....that will come around us blindside because we still think tanks and missiles seeking out and "killing all of them"....is the best strategy.

[NewJeffCT]

13. huge swing towards Bush

1) The corporate media will beat the "rally 'round the president" drum very loudly;
2) Fox & Joe Lieberman will say that its because we criticized Bush's War in Iraq that it happened;
3) natural coming together in a time of tragedy - voting for Kerry is voting for change.

[MallRat]

14. If OBL attacks, Bush wins, and here's why.

1. The GOP is already planting the meme in people's minds that the "terrorists won in Spain," because an incumbent was voted out of office in the wake of the Madrid attack. Never mind the fact that it was Aznar's LIES about the attack, and not the attack itself, that prompted his defeat. All that matters is that the RW talking heads are insinuating that a vote against Bush in the face of a new attack is a vote for Bin Laden.

2. Nascent anti-Europeanism will drive many Americans to do the exact opposite of what Spain did, just because "WE'RE NOT SPAIN." With only a couple of months or even weeks between an attack and November 2nd, average American voter isn't going to calmly draw the logical conclusion that, "Bush isn't keeping us safe," or "Bush's belligerence in foreign policy has made the world MORE dangerous." The knee-jerk reaction is to do whatever Europe did not, however self-destructive that may be.

3. If, heaven forbid, there is an attack of 9/11 proportions, there will be GOP calls for unity. The Democrats would then find themselves in a lose-lose situation. Here would be their awful options:

a) They could join hands and sing Kumbaya with *, making him look like a 'uniter, not a divider.' This would restore Bush's standing with undecided voters who otherwise would have abandoned him because of his ugly partisan ways.

b) They can tell the GOP to fuck off, and then go out and tell the truth, that such an attack was the direct result of Bush's infatuation with Iraq, which took the eye off the ball with Al Qaeda. While personally satisfying, the GOP could easily paint the Democrats as bitter, divisive, hyperpolitical traitors who hate America and who were HAPPY THAT WE WERE ATTACKED BECAUSE THEY LOVE TERRORISTS.


Put it in the bank. If there's a terrorist attack on American soil before the elections, Bush wins. Unless the press miraculously grew stones and went after Bush's policies in the wake of such an attack, I would have very little faith in the American electorate to see clearly through this on their own.

-MR

[bossfish]

15. Did the AQ attacks in Spain really turn their election?

I don't know. What were the poll numbers there prior to the train attacks? I know the polls against Spain signing up for Iraq were substantially anti-war.

How was Anzar's party doing before March 11?

[toddzilla]

16. he would have won anyway..

The press likes to paint it that the terraists changed the results, but remember the massive protesting of the war there, they wanted a change, period.

[rman]

18. If true, then Bush has motive to Let It Happen. n/t

-

[NewJeffCT]

20. don't forget the media

As I posted above, Fox News will beat the "rally 'round the President" drum very loudly and the rest of the media will follow suit.

[Wapsie B]

17. An "attack" is about all they have left

to even think about winning this time.


"Of course, Kerry made clear on Larry King last night that any change in administration would not alter America's commitment to the war on terror or seeing that Iraq ends up a success, that Americans are united in that. He was more or less sending a message to the terrorists."

Yes and thanks to chimpy and the neocons we've got a whole new batch of people who hate America.

[rniel]

19. If so...

Then OBL will be attacking asap. I really feel he wants to have bush in office. Didn't I see a quote from someone in Al Queda that stated that they would rather have bush.