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McCain and bin Laden: Unintentional Allies

Submitted by Ken Watts on Wed, 10/22/2008 - 21:33

A FEW DAYS AGO, I posted an article arguing that it was very likely that bin Laden would attempt to influence this election. His approach would be the same as it was when Bush was running against Kerry: do something that would push people toward the neo-cons, because their agendas fit his like a glove.

There's no question that McCain is the Bush-like candidate in this election, or that bin Laden would greatly prefer him to a candidate who enjoys a high opinion worldwide, would get us out of Iraq, and would pursue energy sources other than Mideast oil.

Nor is there any question that bin Laden enjoys manipulating American policy.

It's also pretty obvious that the McCain campaign has anticipated this possibility, and is preparing for it, by using dishonest robo-calls and emails to paint Barack as some kind of terrorist—even though it's been hurting them in the polls.

They clearly think there's a good reason to continue this approach, that something is likely to happen that will make it pay off.

While I can blame them for their dishonesty, it's hard to blame them for being prepared to make political use of a near certainty. On the other hand, it does bring into question both McCain's judgment and his desire to put his country first.

A man who had good judgment would not be pursuing a road to the presidency, especially a dishonest road, which made a terrorist attack on Americans more likely.

If bin Laden attacks, it will be to push the country toward a Republican. On the other hand, he might not attack if he thinks the strategy won't work this time around.

But McCain's attempts to paint Barack Obama as a terrorist makes it more likely that a terrorist attack would do exactly what bin Laden intends it to do.

So McCain's strategy is making an attack more attractive to bin Laden.

A bit complicated? Yes. And exactly the kind of complication a president should have the judgment to understand.

So, either McCain doesn't have that kind of judgment, or he doesn't care, which would mean that he puts his own goals ahead of the good of his country.

So which is it? Lack of judgment, or putting America second to his presidential ambitions?

Chief Bratton, of the LAPD, has announced that they have been gearing up for a terrorist attack for the exact same reasons I outlined: bin Laden does not want Barack Obama to be the next president, and thinks an attack will push voters into the McCain camp.

The Washington Post has actually uncovered chatter on terrorist related sites saying that McCain would be a reliable "Son of Bush" who could be counted upon to play into al Qaeda's plans as Bush did. They argue in favor of a terrorist strike to push the election toward McCain.

There is something you can do about this: tell your friends. Forward this post, if you like, or simply talk about the problem.

If enough people understand exactly what a terrorist attack at this time would mean, it could have two consequences:

  1. We might not be stupid enough to change our votes based on what bin Laden does. He could attack, and still fail to effect the election. No one, no matter who they support, should allow anything bin Laden does to affect their vote.
  2. Or, if it's clear enough that people are aware, and won't change their votes, bin Laden might not even try. He might not think it's worth it.

So tell a friend.