Tapes 'N Tapes

Kevin Drum reminds us that not only does al-Qaeda want us to stay in Iraq, they also want the Republicans to stay in office and time the release of their bin Laden videos to advance GOP electoral fortunes. It's important to keep that in mind. John Kerry didn't suffer from "bad luck" in terms of having his campaign partially derailed by a late-October bin Laden tape, that happened intentionally and had the intended effect. It's only reasonable to assume there's a large probability something similar will happen over the next month or so and folks need to get the message out in advance that this is al-Qaeda's game.

Comments

Our intelligence services say Bush is increasing worldwide terror risk, the politically astute al Qaeda behaves as if keeping the Republicans in power is to their benefit, terror attacks have been the salvation of the Republicans in the last couple elections.

Bush is trying to hurt America for political gain. He had nothing to do with 9/11, except botching the response, but he and al Qaeda gain from terror.

One could normally be criticized for saying such a thing, but since the Republicans began with the finger pointing, it is fair to try on the idea that, not Democrats, but Republicans, are increasing the risk of terror. And that they benefit by it is obvious to all.

Posted by epistemology | October 4, 2006 8:56 AM

An enemy of my enemy is my friend. Since Bush is so obviously an enemy of the United States and Bin Laden is Bush's enemy I guess that means Bin Laden is a friend of the United States.

Posted by steve duncan | October 4, 2006 10:18 AM

How sophisticated is al Qaeda about midterms? I'd think they'd be most concerned to keep hawkish Presidents in office. So they might figure that if the GOP goes down in November, that will improve McCain's chances for the nomination and in the general election in 08.

Posted by Pithlord | October 4, 2006 10:56 AM

Can we please just end every Democratic stump speech with...

"Where is Osama bin Laden? Why isn't his head on a stick on the White House law?"

That way when he does talk it will remind everyone of how the administration has failed to get the person who accepts responsibility for Sept. 11, which is what brought us into this "War on Terror" anyway....

Sorta the Carthago delenda est! for the Democratic Party.

Posted by usheen | October 4, 2006 11:51 AM

"Like Harvard Square holds all inane."

Posted by JW | October 4, 2006 12:44 PM

usheen, I think the reason Democrats don't pound the "Where's Osama?" line harder is because they're afraid bin Laden could, in fact, be apprehended tomorrow, and then they'd look like idiots.

Posted by Chris | October 4, 2006 12:52 PM

I love the reference to an obscure indie rock band. Yglesias is all about the indie cred.

Posted by brayden | October 4, 2006 12:53 PM

If Osama is found tomorrow Bush and the Republicans win anway. At least attempt to pin him with the 5 years of no progress on getting him... It also makes the democrats look tough on terrorism and I doubt there is anyone who doesn't want Osama... It's cheap talk to make a point...

Posted by usheen | October 4, 2006 1:08 PM