Okay, this is what I think JK should say. . .

[eileen from OH]

frank and heartfelt. . .

"There's been a lot of buzz about how the Bin Laden tape will affect the campaigns and whether or not President Bush or I get any kind of advantage out of it. I'll leave the pundits on cable news shows to hash that one out - and the voters will decide. One thing is for sure - this newest tape reminds us once again of the horrific acts that were perpetrated on our country on Sept. 11. Americans will no doubt be reminded, not that they ever forgot - how we cried and shared our pain and how we were united, not just within our country, but with the world.

One of the reasons I'm running for President is because that terrible day also showed the full glory and generousity of the American spirit. Another reason is that I was proud to be part of the Senate and lend my voice and support to the war in Afghanistan, where the Taliban government aided and abetted and sheltered Bin Laden and Al Queda.

But another reason that I'm running is that, sadly, President Bush, did not truly seize the opportunity to unite the world in a smashing, tough, no-holds-barred fight against global terrorism. And terrorism IS a global problem. Not only did he not show true statemanship and an understanding of the world and how terrorism affects ALL citizen of the globe - not just us - but he fractured and shattered decades old alliances with his go-it-almost-alone war into Iraq. A country that had nothing to do with 911.

Think about it. Yes, Saddam was a cruel and horrible dictator. No one is more pleased than I that he is in prison awaiting, hopefully, the righteous justice he deserves.

But while we await that justice, our soldiers are dying every day, tens of thousands of Iraqis have died, our treasury is being sapped, and we have earned the scorn and distrust of those same countries that were ready and willing to stand shoulder to shoulder with us to fight terrorism. The war was won by the bravery of our soldiers. The peace is rapidly being lost by ineptitude, incompetence, and a stubborn blindness that values consistency above facing reality.

Yes, Saddam is in prison. But at the same time Osama Bin Laden, the man responsible for unspeakable crimes against us, is not. President Bush maintains that Iraq was not a diversion from the war on terror but a central piece of it. He continues to maintain this, even as Saddam sits in prison, and Osama Bin Laden, the monster who masterminded 911, makes movies."

eileen from OH

[NEOBuckeye]

1. Very well written, eileen!

Personally, I don't think that bin Laden's reappearance is going to help Bush any among undecideds. And even some of his borderline supporters are going to have more doubts. There has been too much shit hitting the fan with these guys, from the explosives, to Halliburton, and now bin Laden again. But whatever Kerry can say along these lines to drive Bush's ineptitude home will only prove even more that he is a closer, and Presidential.

[Cats Against Frist]

2. Yes, well-written -- but as to the first paragraph

why play their little Rudolph-the-Red-Nosed-Psy-Op game and even SUGGEST that either camp might get "traction" out of the OBL tape? I would just take it for what it is, without worrying about all the "OBL on the couch" stuff.

But the rest of it is great! :)