Should Obama use bin Laden's death as part of reelection campaign?
FROM CNN's Jack Cafferty:
Despite insisting we shouldn't quote "spike the football" when it comes to the killing of Osama bin Laden, President Obama has apparently decided to include the death of the terrorist leader in the narrative for his reelection campaign. Last night at a fundraising event in Austin, Texas, President Obama talked about his usual campaign topics - the economy, health care, new energy sources - but spent some of his speech talking about killing Osama bin Laden in Pakistan 10 days ago.
This was the president's first political speech since bin Laden's death... An audience member at one point shouted out, "Thank you for getting bin Laden."
Political analysts believe bin Laden's death will give the president a fundraising boost. Just as his approval ratings have gotten a nice bounce. But will the magic wear off? And is campaigning about it the right thing to do?
The Obama reelection campaign could point to the bin Laden raid over and over again to promote the president's foreign policy and national security credentials, the very ones that many people had questioned less than two weeks ago. But the president has got to tread lightly here.
In yesterday's speech, he carefully credited the troops and intelligence officers for catching bin Laden. Still, critics of the president say he's taken too much credit for the killing.
Here’s our question: Should President Obama use the death of Osama bin Laden as part of his reelection campaign message?
Here’s my question to you: Should President Obama use the death of Osama bin Laden as part of his reelection campaign message?
Interested to know which ones made it on air?
Susan in Idaho:
No, this was not a political action. This was an end to a project started by the Bush administration. What happens to the economy, jobs and our way of life should be the catalysts for re-election.
Paulette in Dallas, Pennsylvania:
Why not? He did get the job done within two years of being elected and without any loss of American life.
Bobby in Jackson, Mississippi:
It's national security and foreign policy all rolled up in one. Nothing can be off the table in 2012, but I don't think they should overplay it.
Robby:
No, but he will and some media liberals are already proclaiming his God stature. This will be used to deflect from his inability to constrain spending, create jobs or rein in Government or Wall Street corruption.
Randy:
No. He should get a jumpsuit and a mission accomplished sign.
Gregory in Dallas, Texas:
The president can't run on his campaign promises or his record. Portraying him as a Texas cowboy gunslinger is rather absurd. However, 51% of the population will believe anything seen on television as long as you repeat it 24/7. Yippee!
Pete in Milton, Florida:
Gee, should George W. Bush have strolled across an aircraft carrier flight deck, decked out in a flight suit like he'd just flown a mission against Saddam and proclaiming himself and Republicans as the only folks that could "keep America safe", while conveniently forgetting that 9/11 happened on his watch and he'd given up on catching bin Laden? Obama has earned his "tough against terrorists" spurs, and has every right to speak of his success and leadership during the campaign.
Larry in Springfield, Ohio:
Jack, he better. After all, it is only one of the three things he as gotten right since he was elected, along with killing the pirates and picking the right first dog (he needed help from Ted Kennedy to get that one right). So, yes, when a resume is this thin, he better use everything he can!
@jackcafferty on Twitter
Absolutely not. He should only mention that we continue the war on terrorism.
Jack: President Obama will use all his accomplishments while in office to win a 2nd term as president. Getting Osama bin Laden is just another part of the picture of leadership and confidence the President will display when running for another 4 years in the White House.
Jack he has to because Obama has nothing else positive to say about his presidency. He has been a liar ever since he has taken office.
Bmoney from South Florida
NO........And those so called public service people SENATOR"S see them either they work for me.
No, Jack, President Obama should focus on the economy unless he wants to be a one term president like daddy Bush. Bush Sr. won Gulf War One in 1991 and still lost in 1992. Besides, real men don't need to put on a flight suit and swagger!
He has no choice. That is the ONLY promise he has kept and the only thing he has to run on. While he keeps bragging about his so called healthcare reform, it is nothing to write home about. That has left us worse off (my premiums have skyrocketed since) and it has been a windfall for the insurance industry – all because he refused to include the only thing that matters, the public option.
If the incumbent President is challenged on his ability to make tough foreign policy or terrorism-related decisions, then whomever challenges President Obama opens the door for him to raise the OBL mission has proof that he can make those decisions. Otherwise, it's just another day in the job of living at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue. Occupants of the Oval Office make such decisions day after day, and the majority of the public are never aware of it. This time it involved checking Public Enemy #1 off the list. That makes it news; but, Obama is not the first (or last) US President who will violate the sovereignty of another nation in the name of National Security. It goes with the job.
Why not? Every one else seems to be doing so.
Get all the milage out of it that it will bare. Much cheaper than gasoline.
tampa, fl i'm sure as he gets further into the next election he will start pulling photos, video clips, and tours of the replica of obsama's $1 mil mansion (which most likely cost us taxpayers $2 mil) out of his closet of invisibility. mob mentality will eat it up (as the are now) and the timing perfect as most of America will have forgotten about how obama & bush avoided a public trial (and the embarrassment) of osama bin laden. we legal, american taxpayers will still not have our constitution and bill of rights restored by then either.
Absolutely not. This was not by any means a one man operation. The death of anyone, even bin Laden, should not be part of a political campaign. The lose of bin Laden was a good thing but not the end of his vast network, Despite the fact that Obama gave the order, I don't think he should boast about killing a person.
Rose Glendale, Az
Definitely,Republicans have labeled him "weak on foreign policy", he has done what they could not do. He should be very proud of himself and gloat to his heart desires. Bravo Mr President.
Why not.; I think he should. He did what he said he would do in a campaign debate-go after bin Laden if given the situation. If the mission had failed, the Republicans certainly would have used it in a campaign against him.
Why does the GOP think that different campaign rules apply to the Democrats than Republicans? Jack, I think you should pose this question sometime.
After more than two years Obama doesn't have anything else going for him, so, of course he'll use it..........
It doesn't matter much what we think. Politicians will use every bit of advantage they can – ethical or not. Bin Laden helped elect Bush to his second term and he might just do the same for Obama. I hope the name of this dead terrorist disappears from news coverage very soon. I really don't want the media to even publish letters and claims from this terrorists family and supports. Justice is done in the eyes of the American people and thats the end. Who cares what his family and supports think?
So you want to know if the guy that takes credit for killing someone that was reported dead back in 2001 should use it to try and get re-elected? I don't care what he does, I would not vote for that cheese ball
"Change"? all he changed is the crook sitting in the White House
If the whole gang of war criminals can come out on Sunday to take the credit for getting Bin Laden, and Newt can run on creating all the budgets and surpluses of Clinton, then PRESIDENT OBAMA can use anything he darn well chooses.
Grow up.
Of course. It was one of his accomplishments; why shouldn't he tout it?
I'm sure the other candidates will talk about their accomplishments... why should Obama campaign with one hand tied behind his back?
Absolutely not. He would be stupid if he did. A dead Bin Laden does not deserve that kind of interest. And there will always be controversy over the murderer's killing by "do gooders". He should focus on what he has done domestically, the big one was to not create a second depression like the late 20's and early 30's. The U.S. may be "hanging on by a thread" but things will get better, they always do and Americans are not "quitters"!
Should President Obama use the death of Osama bin Laden as part of his reelection campaign message?
It isn’t should I, could I, would I! It is a matter of fact that this is the only major stable win that he has had since he was elected! Everything else that he has done has been to rape our country of dignity!
of course, yes...but it is people to decide, he needs to fix economy, Oil prices and energy push...energy efficiency, oil independence and jobs, jobs, and jobs....it is people to decide, he can use one million defenses, any one can...Aren't GOP using????any thing...bickering on each other...nonsense....I still vote for Obama....at least he is working for the mess by George Bush-2, and Reagan....o.k, it is along awaited mess, not short one...
Jack, Obama would use finding life on Mars as part of his campaign if it meant votes.
There's very little he would not exploit for his one and ONLY mission in life, and that is not to govern but to get ELECTED.
Obsession.
It would make a great ad. I can see it now:
{background noise of jets, bombs and screaming children}
Obama standing at podium in front of adoring admirers reading from Teleprompter...
After only ten years and after spending only TRILLIONS of dollars and HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF LIVES, an untold number of civil liberties vanquished and thousands of citizens rights abused and denied, we've finally caught and killed one really, really bad guy.
nope it won't play into it casue all the other stuff going on like hig taxes and goverment waste and we the american people getting gouged att eh pump while they are in bed with big oil
Whether he should or not, he will, either directly or indirectly.
In my view, he should leave it alone. To his supporters, it's a flag to wave at naysayers. To those who oppose him, bin Laden was killed in spite of the President's policies. Either way, it had to be done and he knew it, it is neither to his credit or detriment.
If he does he will leave himself vulnerable to attacks by conservatives who will claim that by doing so Barrack Obama will only be providing another propaganda weapon to al qeda and Islamic radicals which will increase the likely hood of mass shootings and terrorist attacks in America.
Moot question Jack. These are politicians they will use anything to further their agenda and/or get elected. Our political parties will use anything to get elected. I once heard it said many years ago that," I would rather have a sister in a brothel than a brother a politician". Kinda touches your heart on the honor and character of most politicians, Obama included.
Gerry
Ash Fork, Az.
Yes. Anyone from another political party would use it to gain momentum and hopefully a win.
President Barack Obama succeeded where all others have failed. He found and executed Osama bin Laden.
Sure Jack. All's fair in war and politics. He wants another term, God knows why, so go for the gusto and use any and every tactic in the book, even lying. The Republicans will use dirty tricks and so will the Democrats, it's just the way it is in the war on each other.
NO SIR – That kind of "look what I did" rhetoric will get real old – and real fast. He's too smart for that anyway Jack.
Yes, President Obama should use getting Bin Laden but, he won't. He is the one who had brains enough to put the manpower behind trying to find the man. He found him and he took him out. He said what he would do in the debates and he followed through. If we had done this to begin with maybe we would not still be in Afghanistan and might not have gotten into the mess in Iraq. I think President Obama proved he is quite capable of being Commander and Chief.
Hey it's an accomplishment isn't it? Imagine if GWB had got Bin Laden? All you would hear is the Republicans claiming that they are strong of defense and if you elect Democrats you might as well vote for Hamas. You know, like they did in 2004 after starting a corporate war in Iraq.
I say make it a central tenet of the campain: Republicans gave up on Bin Laden and started a corporate war that has cost a Trillion and killed 5,000 soldiers. Democrats waited patiently, got the right intel, ordered the hit, and got Bin Laden.
Yes,Jack, he better,after it is only one of the three things he has got right since he was elected,along with killing the pirates,and picking the right first dog,(he needed help from Ted Kennedy with that one,when a resume is this thin he better use all he has!
Pres. Obama won't have to..... because he won already!! I'm thinking there's going to be a "House" cleaning of Kochplicans in '12!!
No because he would offend every Muslim in America and all the other minorities in this country as well. And, since they're the ones who elected him in the first place it would be a terrible mistake.
Gary in Scottsdale, Arizona
From Colorado,
Yes, I think anyone running for office would be smart to use their accomplishments to convince voters to vote for them. It was a campaign promise he made in 2008. Kind of a lame question to asking in the first place, don't you think?
Jack;
The president can't run on his campaign promises nor his record. Portraying him as a Texas cowboy gunslinger is rather absurd. However, 51% of the population will believe anything seen on television as long as you repeat it 24/7.
Yipppeee !
Regards,
Gregory Turman
Dallas,Texas
If George W Bush, or any other Republican President, ordered and succeeded in getting Bin Laden Republican media would declare that there was essentially no need for an election in 2012 because clearly only Republicans can fight terror and the Democrats are essentially Hamas who hate America. Comparing a vote for Democrats as a vote for terrorism is something the GOP has done since 9/11 anyway so I can only imagine the overdrive it would experience if Bush had actually succeeded.
With all of that in mind I hope the President bring this up every day, in every debate, and every time he takes the mic. He got Bin Laden. And, he got Bin Laden because he made it a priority instead of disbanding the group devoted to finding him in 2005 like Bush did.
Of course he should. It is a sorry reflection on the state of American politics, but if President Obama doesn't stake a claim to killing Bin Laden, the Republicans surely will. We've already seen this disgraceful behavior on the Sunday talk shows with Republicans talking heads rewriting history to take credit for an accomplishment they failed for 9-1/2 years to actually accomplish.
No Jack he shouldn't. I don't think Obama has a chance of winning re-election based on his accomplishments which are few and far between. Obama does not have George Bush to criticize this time around so he is left to stand on his own merits which quite frankly are nothing to brag about. We are over 2 years into Obama's term and we are 14 trillion dollars in debt, we are involved in not just 2 but now 3 wars with Libya being the 3rd. Gasoline is double what it was when he took office and our economy is in the toilet. That is not a platform for success if you ask me.
Absolutely. If there was a Republican in the White House now, you know they'd use it.
Jack, I just asked myself WWRD (What would Republicans do?) And you know they would use it. So Democrats should, too. They'll probably try to spin it to make it look like Bush did it anyhow.
Why not? It shows he has what it takes to defend us. Opponents have been saying he is weak and indecisive for years. Now he has an answer to that charge.
No, but you know he's going to take all the credit for it.
Certainly!
Had the OBL raid been a disaster, it would have been used against Obama.
I have a problem with the raid. Obama was amazingly lucky.
I don't like Obama's making such a gamble with the lives of those seal teams. I don't like field commanders who use the lives of a team in a diversion. Gambling with lives one way or the other puts my mind on edge.
Obama should have used a couple of smart bombs and then should have dealt with the questions of was it really OBL and the resulting collateral damage.
One man gambles (Obama) and is successful–and we praise him.
One man gambles (Carter) and is unsuccessful–and we condemn him. Carter's failed raid was used against Carter.
Yes, let Obama use it. But for me, a government official should never gamble with a citizen's life unless absolutely necessary.
Not unless he would be willing to admit that Pres Bush did not ignore going after Bin Laden. Since this operation was first planned four years ago with information worked up from just a kernel of knowledge gleaned during an interrogation process that Obama said was illegal, and would never work.
I don't believe it will be necessary to use bin laden's death as a campaign message, I think public opinion of the event will speak for it's self. It's not likely to be forgotten by 2012. the world knows the importance of this feat. And now if he can turn the economy around and start working on the rest of his campaign promises he might have a chance.
Dave from peterborough, NH.
Apparently, The death of Osama is a strong political tool for President Obama even if it is not used as part of his re-election campaign message.Divine Peace to America & the rest of the world.
'Laniyan Olumide,Nigeria.
Between now and the 2012 election President Obama's campaign credits will come from the intelligence seized at bin Laden's compound. Progress in the war against Al Qaeda will be what the voters see not the death of Osama bin Laden in 2011.
I do not believe that he will use Bin Scumbags death as part of his reelection Campaign but i hope that he does mention that the Bush Tax Breaks to the wealthy should end.
President Obama gained some political capital as a result of the Osama Bin Laden death and he should use that capital as judiciously as possible between now and the 2012 elections. Now that the birth-er issue has been put to rest the 2012 presidential race will be an excellent opportunity for President Obama to put to rest the questions around his leadership abilities and whether he as a Democrat is soft on national security and defense. President Obama got the job done. Not only did he answer the proverbial 3;00am phone call, he calmly ,collectively and intelligently responded to it in a way that made every American proud to an American!!
Jack,
President Obama won't need to say a word. The continued cacophony of former Bush administration neo-cons claiming credit for bin laden's death will speak volumes.
No. We know Obama, as Commander-in Chief, made the decision and gave the order to go get bin Laden. And, mission was successful.
Now, we'd like to hear about the economy, unemployment, Social Security, Medicare, border security....
Louise
Roanoke, VA
Yes. The only problem is the more information that is being put out is making it look like it was a play by the ear operation. Now they are showing members of congress the pictures and most Americans would also liked to have seen them. It would be only right seeings how we watched those people jumping out of the twin towers.
Duh, yes. However, I am quite certain that IF George Bush would have "accomplished his mission," he would certainly use it as a tool.
Use what you got.
I don't see why not, Jack. IF it was Bush or another Republican that had wacked the guy they would be blowing about it non-stop up to the election.
in fact they would have probably flown out to an Aircraft Carrier to celebrate with an OBL's body hanging from a yardarm photo-op
Well, I wouldn't but maybe he can pull the Wool over our eyes and dodge the real problems, such as High Un Employment, high Gas prices, High food prices, etc.
May 1, 2011 will be remembered as the day that the US told the rest of the world that if you kill our citizens we will kill you right back no matter how long it takes. I think that both parties will cautiously avoid the issue during the re-election campaign which is, if not already underway, certainly in the pre-game warm-up phase. Republicans will avoid it because they have no solid ground to stand on and Democrats will avoid it because Obama's actions during his first term will speak for themselves. More precisely, how he handles the deficit and economy now that Geronimo has been dealt with.
Everything Obama does is a part of the election whehter not he or anybody likes it. Bin Laden will be one of his pluses and he needs a lot more.
Not really. Unless he wants to show that all he is is the finisher. Franbkly from what the news networks have said, the hunt for bin Laden had been going on for 3-4 years. All the President did was give the "go ahead" to end the hunt. He didn't do anything that anyone else in that office wouldn't have done. He was more or less the care taker for the things Presidnet Bush had set up and set in motion. I doubt we would have found him if Obama had closed Gitmo, the off shore holding facilities, or everything else he had promised to do to get elected. So I'd just say he was damn lucky that's all.
Jack, he won't have to. Anything to do with bin Laden will be brought up by others. If Obama was a republican, PACs like Swift Boaters or the popular " Americans for a more American America" would raise & spend millions.
David, Las Vegas
President Obama should mention the victories which occurred under his watch in his election speeches. Meanwhile: He should fight every day for the economic recovery, and right now. Everything else needs to go on the back burner.
If he does focus MOST on the economy now and MOST on the economy at the time of the election, I feel President Obama has a chance at being reelected.
Barbara Lou Townsend
Palm Harbor, Florida
He'd be stupid if he didn't. You know damn well the Republicans are going to use it against him somehow.
Why not?....If I was him, I would airlift myself on an aircraft carrier and put up a banner.."Mission Accomplished"...Whoops, wrong guy!
Why not, Bush used the illegal wars to get reelected, Regan used the fall of Russia. These crooks will use anything to stay in office: old stories, lies, etc.
The electorate will be looking ahead and measuring the candidates on how well they foresee a brighter future with jobs and a robust economy for America. When November, 2012 rolls around a majority of voters will say, "Osama bin Laden, who?"
Sure, why not? The Presidents before him did. It shouldn't be any different for President Obama. It seems like people are against him on anything he does. I haven't figured out if it is because he is very intelligent or if it is because he is bi-racial. The first he worked very hard at becoming, but the second he had no choice. Let's all cut him some slack and give him the credit he deserves.
Obama has already started using the assassination of bin laden as part of his re-election campaign. According to the latest polls it does not matter what else obama does or does not do for main street now that bin laden has been assassinated Medicare will run out of money within 8 years, home prices are falling, unemployment is 9%, the wars in iraq, afghanistan, pakistan, and libya continue, every state in the u.s. is broke, the federal debt is 15 trillion and growing, wall street is making billions again, gas is $4. a gallon and climbing, the banks are ripping off the public with high credit and bank fees, but bin laden is dead. Yeah! Go usa!
Humility is a virtue. The President deserves to be humble about this. Really the President did his job and had the guts to say go. That is commendable. The heavy lifting was done over years of time by thousands of people.
Only when he is attacked for being "weak" or not really being "American" ..."sir, let me remind who risked much, to get ben Laden..."
IL
Of course he should jack. After all his supporters wholeheartedly believe the the Al Qieda Boogyman is real. You can't hurt the feelings of imaginary enemies.
I have mixed feelings about this. On the one hand, President Obama is the President who green-lighted the mission that got Osama bin Laden. On the other hand, the contributions towards getting him should be shared with policies and practices from the Bush Administration, the CIA, multiple intel agenices throughout the world, and most of all our military men and women who are still fighting to this day. To use it as a campaign tool for Mr. Obama's personal gain not only cheapens the accomplishment, but makes it seem like Mr. Obama's ego is out of control. However, you can bet your last dollar that if the Republicans had accomplished the same thing, they'd be touting it for all its worth. Perhaps, the best thing Mr. Obama can do is make it a part of his re-election strategy but not make it the sole accomplishment of his term to date. After all, both parties have failed us on the 2010 mandate: Jobs. Even the death of bin Laden won't deflect our attention to that continuing failure.
It depends on the republican and how they run their campacampain
Of course. There isn;t a candidate in either party that wouldn't use bin Laden's passing as part of their campaign.
No, why should he take the credit? He just rolled the dice and got lucky.
If anything he should be a discredited because of the fact that Obama bin Ladin was right under our noses in a country who, supposedly, is allied with us. The building stuck out like a Holiday inn located in the middle of death valley.
No credit for the bugle boy.
Jack,
Simply put, YES! His administration accomplished what the last administration could not. The death of Osama bin Laden is the bragging right of all bragging rights.
-Luke, Pittsburgh.
In so many words, he should not be shy about having gotten him. It all depends on whether there is backlash between now and November 2012.
Yes! Eventhough we should celebrate with bi-partisanship, it was president Obama who re-doubled efforts, was smart with intelligence, and brave enough to go into another country and get him. Bush had no choice but to set up sum laws but President Obama and Administration deserve highest praise for doing the un-doable.
Look Jack, every politician has used so much propaganda in order to be elected or re-elected, my eye balls are floating in all the sewage. Why should it change now? And why would Obama not use Bin Laden’s death as a ticket for reelection. After all, Bush used the War on Terror and what ever he could conjure up for the past 8 years. Every president in the past has used what they have done and some of what they have not done in order to be reelected. It seems to be the American way!!!
It's national security and foreign policy all rolled up in one nothing can be off the table 1n 2012but I don't think they should over play it or use it as a boogie man to incite fear like the republicans do
Obama is too modest a man to crow about an operation conducted by the brave men who climbed down the ropes into the jaws of hell. If the American electorate forgets this monumental achievement by November, 2012, then we're all in trouble.
The republicans are downplaying this promise kept and are more concerned for their own hides than ridding us of this scourge. Bush is pouting by denying to accompany the president to ground zero. The man that got W. re-elected is now dead and his party looks inept. Who's stronger against terrorism now Mr. Cheney?
Of course, some people have a short memory and some a selective memory. He should not hit anyone over the head with it–just send a gentle message that our troops did the job right. He should not seek any glory for himself since we all know he gave the "go order". By elevating others he enhances himself.
Why not? He did get the job done within two years of being elected and without any loss of American life.
Are you implying that any other sitting president wouldn't? He would be a fool not to. There is nothing presidential candidates will not use to win the White House. Especially in these cut throat political times. This is a genuine and well deserved victory for Obama and the citizens of the U.S. and the world. To criticize him for using it as a political tool, would be the sourest of grapes and small. Very small. Teeny tiny.
Thom Richer
Negaunee, MI
Why not? He's accomplished more in 2 years than Bush did in 8,
The President does not need to use the message in his re-election campaign. The World now knows about his success in eradicating a mass murderer affected with lunacy. No capture and trial. I doubt there is one American that would have been willing to pay more taxes to house, feed and pay an outrageous amount of money to hear bin Laden's lies at trial. He reaped what he sowed; and so will his followers. President Obama made the right decision about not letting the world know about the plan before making the actual move. The vermin would have been moved from his hide-out by his Pakistani protectors so they could continue to receive billions to find him. This is one major move the Republicans cannot take credit for. I hope the embittered Republicans and John Boehner do not start crying over this. After all, it was their 9-11 (supposed) plan to capture and kill bin Laden. But-–the Democratic President got it done instead. We now should admit the current President means to do right for this country. The Republican politicians are livid at this point. It would be a miracle if they would admit to the putrid mess they brought-about on this country during their administration. Republicans, don' t pretend to care now; it's only disgusting and way too late. Keep your heads in the hole it's been in for the last ten (10) years and this country may get back on the right path.
No, this was not a political action. This was an end to a project started by the Bush administration. What happens to the economy, jobs and our way of life should be the catalysts for re-election.
If and only if he's honest about it, including the key intel that was obtained by the Bush administration using enhanced interrogation techniques. And honest about his recklessness in that he didn't know whether it was Bin Laden or the Prince of Dubuai in that compound when he sent the military in guns ablazing.
No. He should get a jumpsuit and a mission accomplished sign.
I don't like it. What good did winning in Iraq do George H.W. Bush? He should ask the people to vote for Democrats so he can create jobs with a "Go to the Moon" national energy program. Democrats should issue an agreement that if elected they well do just that. People want jobs! Obama is always making promises to get elected and not keeping those promises. People want jobs and leadership, they do not want the status-quo.
It is a sad day when the president of our great nation has the stand up and pound on his chest so every one knows he save the world and at the same time letting the whole world know what all went on what was found all the Intel that could be used to possibly brought more of our enemies down just so the fool of fools could pat himself on the back hell yes he is going to use this as a prop in his re-election bid what else dose he have to tot as a success the number of parties or the number of vacation days he has taken he our president and we may not be able to be proud of him or his spending but he is ours till January 0f 2013
Perry Jones
Council Bluffs Iowa
Personally, I would find that more distasteful than the cheering in the streets we saw after the President's speech, and would hope he has more class than that. Here's to hope.
Jack,
The president has every right to counter persistent Republican carping about his leadership and backbone by reminding them and all Americans that he made the gutsy call that ended bin Laden and his murderous career. Do you really think a Republican president wouldn't be trumpeting the news from the rooftops?
Jim
Reno, Nevada
Jack,
Absolutely not. If he doesn't like "spiking the football", it would seem highly hypocritical. Although we're talking politics here, when has hypocracy stopped a politician.? It's kind of like saying we need to work together, stop the name calling, then going out and say the Republicans won't be happy even if we build a mote and fill it with alligators at what was supposed to be a policy (not campaign) speech.
Laura
Hawthorne, CA
When a bully calls you weak and you can't physically beat them down, they expect you to take your best shot. The death of OBL was a shot heard around the world and will be a major part of President Obama's legacy and should be used in his reelection campaign.
Don't tell that to members of the previous Administration. President Bush closed down the Bin Laden unit in the CIA. Now their slogan is :"I tortured, so give me credit."
The republicans sure would, but they wasnt able to find Bin Laden. The president made it a priority and got results. Why not use it, it sure
kills the weak on national security that the republicans been having a field day with since the 2008 election.
Probably not a good idea. It was a great act on his part. But, the far left will be reminded that their guy who wanted GitMo dismanteled and the prisoners tried with constitutional due process ordered the virtual assassination of an albeit heinous criminal without benefit of Miranda rights, legal representation, or trial except by public opinion. One wonders if the Nobel committee will ask for their prize back. If the FL doesn't bring it up, the FR certainly will.
Why not? Rudy Giuliani built his entire political career on 9/11. W built his on "Mission Accomplished". W's father built his on the Persian Gulf War. To say Obama made the call to go get bin Laden is a viable credential. It's not an easy decision to make.
Jack,
Obama won't need to use any mention of bin Laden next year.By then,he will be able to show that 'He wasn't that concerned' with the most notorious criminal to ever strike in US soil.Also by then, 'We won't have heard from bin Laden in a long time' anyways. Greg M. Florida
He will. too bad he wasn't involved in it.
Why not Jack, wasn't this one of Obama's campaign promises?
I'm certain it will be brought up, just as certain that whoever he runs against will bring up his seeming indecisiveness with Libya and Egypt. You know they're going to do it, so Obama should point out this event to show he is decisive and willing to take risks.
Absolutely not!
Politicians presenting things they have done that we all approve of will only lead to other politicians wanting to do things we approve of. The next thing you know we will have a government that works well only proving that public opinion and the media was wrong.
Bin Laden was an evil man who got what he deserved. Now the President should focus on the the evil in this country, namely the fat cats on Wall Street. They have and are doing more damage to this country then any terrorist could ever do.
Yes, wouldnt you? Isn't that what campaign about, especially re-election ones? He should remind America what he has accomplished under his watch and what he will do if re-elected. Since he did give the order and it was on his watch they killed OBL, it sounds like a good resume to me.
Jack,
Obama better start saying something now, because Trump is already trying to take credit for finding bin Laden.
He has every right to use the phrase "Mission Accomplished" but I doubt he uses it...
When it comes the death of bin Laden, President Obama should move on. I don't think it is wise to try to kill the same person more than once.
If it was considered acceptable for Bush to reference Bin Laden's successful attack in his stump speeches, shouldn't it follow that it's alright for Obama to reference Bin Laden's demise in his own?
Let's see... If it were Republican, you can bet your boots they'd use this information. However, since it's a Democratic president, he shouldn't dare. Can you say hyp·o·crite?
Why not? The Republicans would certainly have used it against Obama if the operation had been a failure.
Yes, he took a gigantic risk to get Bin Laden...so use it, the other side sure would.
I don't see why not. He campaigned on promises and listing the promises he kept seems like a good thing to do for someone seeking reelection. Now if only he could close Gitmo and pass immigration reform before November....
He has nothing else to rest his laurels on; it's the only thing he's done right. Hopefully, between now and the next election, people will come out of the fog and remember the mess he's putting us in. He didn't come into office under the best of circumstances, but he's done nothing to make it any better.
Obama didn't "get" OBL, but he did make the decision to send US warriors to get him.
Obama would have paid the political price if the raid went bad i.e. lost the next election.
He deserves respect for choosing to do what needed to be done rather than choosing to do the politically safe thing i.e. wait around to see if maybe someday somebody would somehow find out for sure if OBL really was in that compound.
you bet he should...obama has bin ladens scalp on his lodge pole and he has earned the right to use it.
president obama rose to the occasion in pakistan and to all the political hacks crawling through the gutter....what would you have done?
this issue is over and president obama did his job (period)
Of course he's going to use it during his campaign. Maybe Obama didn't want to be viewed as "spiking the football" but he will keep telling us about the gutsy touchdown pass that he threw. The QB can talk all he wants, but the team still has to deal with his Libyan fumble and the 3rd and ten situations that are Iraq and Afghanistan.
doesnt matter if he does or not the Republicans has nobody to beat Obama ...
Too late, Jack. The republicans are already taking credit for it. Didn't you know it was Bush that got bin Laden? Right after he took an 8 year, multi-trillion detour into Iraq.
Yes he should. Had the operation to catch and kill Osama Bin Laden failed the president would have been blamed and taunted as an incompetent leader. It amazes me to here the political bickering about who should get the credit. Remember the seals who deserves the ultimate credit are silent...think about it before you criticize what the president is speaking of.
He will use the Bin Laden death appropriately. He is a very smart man. I cannot believe the comments of some of these people though saying he is a liar and has not done anything he said he would I am over 50 and this is the first president in a long time to try to fulfill all of his campaign promises. We are so lucky to have him.
He should use all of his accomplishments. They will only be good for another 4 years.
Yes he should. With everything the President is rightly or wrongly being blamed for, if he doesn't take credit for the good things that happen under his watch, the Republicans will give the credit to President Bush.
Yes...because this time it really was "mission accomplished". If Obama was a Republican, the GOP would absolutely use Bin Ladens death a huge campaign winning issue. Please!
I don't think he should flout it, but if someone calls into question his decisiveness, leadership skills, or his ability in foreign policy, I would expect him to counter quickly and relentlessly by bringing up OBL. Going around and flouting it the same way he would with healthcare reform would be totally ridiculous though.
Bush used taking down Saddam in his campaign. Obama can use taking down bin Laden in his. He can't make it the centerpiece, but he can use it to show that he's deadly serious about fighting terrorists.
Saying President Obama doesn't deserve full credit for killing OBL is like saying Osama wasn't responsible for 9/11 since he didn't technically fly the planes into the WTC himself.
Yes, he should. The GOP, John McCain, Sarah Palin (ha!), and even Hilary Clinton kept saying that Obama could not handle terrorists, foreign policy, and the complexities of the presidency. I'd say he proved them all wrong. He said he would seek out bin Laden and he did just that. It was a goal and now it has been achieved. When I get a performance review at work, we review my goals and achievements. Why should this not apply to the president as well? He is doing his job, we are giving him a review, so let him bring it up, recall who said what, and remember what was accomplished. Obama has every right to use bin Laden in his re-election campaign.
I think that he has enough dead issues without worrying abou Bin Laden
Its definitely something you would include in your resume, because it speaks to his leadership and ability to get things done. Don't think for a second the republicans (the dirtier of the two campaigning parties) wouldn't have campaign posters showing Osama's head on a stick with crossed out eyes.
Obama didn't do anything except approve continuing the hunt for Bin Laden and approve the mission not knowing whether it was actually Bin Laden's compound. Not much to campaign on but let him have at it if he wants to.
Jack;
Mission was never accomplished 9yrs ago and it is still not accomplished so long as there are people who openly wish death on us.
Until we root those evils out, no one has right to brag or use OBL death on the campaign platform. Obama should rather focus on the economy and cost of living skyrocketting, that will get him re-elected.
Derick, Columbia MD
If bin Laden HAD been caught or killed under a GOP President they would not think for one second not to use it, so yes he will to throw it in their face how incompetent the GOP was for 8 years
Of course he should talk about it. Elections are about making distinctions between your party and the opposition. The Democrats caught OBL and the Republicans did not. Big distinction.
Yes, by all means he should. Especially after Bin Laden cost us over 15 trillion dollars and our last President who decided to look the other way during 911 and hide out in a classroom. See what happens when Daddy G.H. Bush and Daddy Bin Laden let their spoiled rich children play politics?
He can try. I'll vote for any candidate accept for Obama (even if it is Donald Trump) to ensure he's not my president again. If he thinks he can do nothing for the majority of his term and then bust his butt at the last minute, he's mistaken. He hasn't done anything to prove to me that he deserves to run OUR country for four more years. So he got Bin Laden, big deal! 1 down and God knows how many more Bin Laden’s are out there. Canada is starting to look really good to me Jack.
Jack,
Maybe off topic, but while I have no problem with him referencing his gutsy call to proceed with the mission that resulted in Bin Laden's death, do we REALLY have to listen to two years of campaign speeches for the 2012 elections? Why can't we limit campaigning to only six months so that our elected officials and representatives actually spend a little time doing the work we the people elected them to do.
Glen in Phoenix
He won't have to go out of his way to "use" it. People will not forget. Nor should they. Although some will try to downplay it, nailing OBL is major. Major! Besides Obama is not a Mission Accomplished kind of guy, Give him a frigging break.
The president isn't going to have to use the ex-terrorist in his campaign.
I'm a republican, I've seen our field, I'll most likely cast my vote for the president this year.
Of course Obama will use the OBL hit in his campaign – what else does he have to cheer about? In doing so, however, he runs the risk of intense scrutiny over what actually transpired during the mission – lots of unanswered questions.
For sure, a bad guy is dead but Americans tend to have a sense of honor about how these things should be handled. Killing an unarmed man in his residence in front of his wife (also shot) and daughter might not play too well.
Well, republicans milked 9/11 for all it was worth and didn't catch the bad guy, why wouldn't President Obama who actually accomplished the mission use it in his stump speech?
His critics need to remember how GWB landed on a carrier in a flight suit with a proud banner of "Mission Accomplished". I think Obama has every right to take some credit for killing Osama bin Laden. He's the one who kept special forces on the trail instead of pulling them to go fight a war of folly in Iraq.
Jack- he'll use it because it's good politics, and one thing that the Obama admistration has shown is that it's politically adroit and knows how to use a Win. The Right will rail and spin, but their biggest knock on the President – his lack of foreign policy toughness – is gone for good, barring some unforseen foreign policy nightmare. Prepare for the GOP to gear up on what they have left to wail about – Immigration and the repeal of Obama Care – but both of those will be small issues if the economy continues to improve. Bottom Line: Re-election for the President is looking like a much stronger bet than it did a month ago and his prospects may very well continue to improve.
thats all obama has got going for himself. funny how this operation came about when the bottom of his presidency was falling out.
No, he should'nt. He already gave credit where it was due. Besides, from the story about the Madrasas that was on right before your question, we hae a lot more to do in Afghanistan. If we can't win the Afghan hearts and minds we need to leave them to their 12th century ways. We finally got what we went for!
No. Since when did our great country resort to such things for a relection campaign? Come on! WAKE UP AMERICA!
OF Course!! If he dosen't the Repubs will twist the accomplishment.
Obama, rolled the dice and won with ordering our special forces to killed Osama and our President should use as often this message for whatever reason he sees fit.
Jack,
"Why NOT?" The MEDIA and of course the right wing zealots tore the President down for his not getting Bin Laden, and ( I might add) anything else they can "TRUMP-up"
Joe, Binghamton, NY
Wow, you mean he's actually got a choice?
Absolutely not. The fact of the matter is, President Obama was presented information that he had no hand in acquiring. He is using the hard work of the US intelligence system to boost his ratings and taking credit where credit is not deserved.
Of course he should you the situation to bolster his credentials.. Those same people who question him now tried to use foreign policy as his weakness. Obama has done very well in foreign policy. Sorry Dick Chaney.
The President should beat the GOP over the head with this success just like the GOP would've have beaten him up had this very risky mission failed to get Bin Laden.
In the words of Obama: "Bin Laden's body is not a trophy".......but apparently it is a re-election prop. Obama trying to take credit for Bin Laden's death is like the rooster taking credit for the sunrise. It was George Bush and Dick Cheney who set the wheels in motion which led to the raid that killed Bin Laden. As a matter of fact, Obama spent the entire 2008 campaign whining about the same intelligence-gathering techniques and methods that led to the raid. (Though after he became president, he quietly continued them.) Obama stood on the shoulders of giants to get Bin Laden, and now, as to be expected, he is trying to take full credit. What a classless narcissistic lightweight hypocrite.
Yes, he should use it, but he should be honest and give the credit where it is due. Most of what was done that led to OBL was done under the watchful eye of Bush, and his republican Whitehouse. If #44 gives credit where it is due, and admits he was an absentee president when it came to the actual mission to kill OBL, maybe then the American people would see him for what he is and not re-elect him.
Of course he should. Why not as the world is a safer place now and he deserves the credit for taking the risk.
If Obama decides to use Osama's death as a tool in the re-election then I say that he should also be held fully accountable for the Illegal execution and disposal of Osama Bin Laden.
Absolutely! If not for his extremely difficult decision to launch the raid, Bin Laden would be in another hiding place by now... Besides, it was Bush, et al who let him go at Tora Bora. A Bin Laden on the loose was just the boogey man terrorist that Bush/Cheney needed to keep America frightened and on edge with its "Terror Alert Color Chart", and to get re-elected....
Of course he should use it. The neo thugs said he was weak. They said America was weaker having Obama as president. Turns out we were weaker having Bush and his crew running things. Obama is bigger then all of them. While they are carping on the killing of Bin Laden Obama is planning the next "hit" to protect us. Four more years, Four more years.........
Absolutely not.
I say take the high road and keep to the important issues...the economy, jobs etc.
If the president starts rubbing this accomplishment in the noses of the opposition, he will be no better than them.
I'm not so blind that I think any politician is above such tactics...but they should be.
Sure, he should use ALL of his accomplishments. This is one of those because HE gave the okay. Im not saying he should boast about it, but he should use it.
YES! If G.W. Bush had accomplished the mission we still would be sweeping up the ticker-tat. Geez Rumsfeld is STILL on fox talking about how HE would have done it...and people watch(?)
Why shouldn't he use it as part of the campaign. If he hadn't gotten Bin Laden I am certain the republicans would use that against him as part of their campaign.
Yes he should....just as he would be open to liability if foreign policy goes wrong and creates unwanted results. He's the Commander-in-Chief.
The previous administration took their eye off the goal. Bravo to the Obama administration and all soldiers for this success.
The president is the commander in chief and the Seals were carrying out Obama's command!!!
If Obama wishes to win this up and coming election, he must bring use the bin Laden death in his campaign. The U.S. people have been celebrating the death since they found out about it. The United States people have been upset and frustrated by the economy but with this have been able to be very excited! Obama should and must use the bin Laden death in his campaign in order to be re-elected.
Yes, he should use it because if the mission had fail the republicans would have used it against him.
No just like now the media is going to throw it up in his face, thats all we need something else for the media to whine about.
Jack, I think George W. Bush is getting too much credit for the bin Laden raid. President Obama should use this in his re-election campaign because the GOP, and most notably Dick Cheney saying he doesn't have the toughness to be Commander-in-Chief. This proved he does and he made the right call knowing it could end good or bad.
Of course he should! The President has shown he is capable of taking decisive action against our enemies. I would expect any candidate to use something like this in their campaign.
Absolutely, why wouldn't he, he said what he proposed to do as far back as the campaign trail. He should share in the credit and credit those who risked far more than political clout.
Cecil, AL
As long as he claims it in the name of the United States of American, not in the name of "me and my administration."
President Obama will not strutt his success in GWB style, but he needs to remind voters that he is NOT weak on defense, which is what the GOP will try to impress on Americans. He needs to be more assertive about all his successes.
Of course he should! Capturing bin Laden is the most important foreign policy event to date in his administration. Hopefully it forces both sides to discuss the timeline for pulling the troops out!
Absolutely. This is an excellent way to reach out to Republicans and right-wingers since it was George Bush's policies, including enhanced interrogation, Gitmo, black sites, etc., that enabled Obama to kill Osama. Did I get that right?
Jack,
Why shouldn't Obama take credit? The Bush crowd is trying to give all the credit to themselves. And remember "Mission Accomplished?" All Presidents take credit for anything good that happens. and try to deflect anything bad that happens in their administrations.
why not? but even if he dosnt, people still know that he was responsible for bin ladens death and striking a " mortal blow to evil".
Take Wilson from Ontario
Absolutely. It's amazing how many politicians are trying to give Bush credit for the killing of Bin Laden. The republicans spent years defending why we went into Iraq and changing the reasoning. Most of all that Obama is dealing with is the mess that was left him: 2 wars, high unemployment, and a broken economy. Why not celebrate the successes of bringing the troops home, killing Bin Laden, and inching a way back on the economy.
I am shocked that Obama would use Obama's death as a campaign issue. Shocked! The Republicans would never stoop to such a thing!
Yes because if it was the Republicans, they would be boasting about this all the time. Obama did a great thing and should use it.
YES, Jack, he has to!!!! The Repigs gathered around FAUX News touting how Bush was MOSTLY responsible for killing Bin Laden. AND, do you remember Bush flying onto an Aircraft carrier and standing under the "MISSION ACCOMPLISHED" banner pounding HIS chest...AND DON'T FORGET......we are STILL fighting in Iraq!!!!
It absolutely AMAZES me that WHATEVER Obama does......it is TOO MUCH.....it is TOO LITTLE....it is NOT EVER just right!!!!
IF the mission would have failed.....I GUARANTEE....the Repigs would make Obama bear the full brunt of failure and MORE until election day 2012!
He may do whatever he wants, but as of right now, Americans are still more concerned about employment and how life is getting too expensive. He has the killing of bin Laden to brag about and that's about it. Jobless Americans watching the President on his campaign trail from their homes will not be willing to vote for him if things remain the way they are.
Absolutely not Jack... The debacle in Libya reflects Obama's lack of guts and experience as Commander-In-Chief. George Bush hardly said a sentence for 8 years that did not have 9-11 referenced, and until Obama earns his spurs as Commander-In-Chief he has not earned the right to brag. Returning our troops from the pointless morass in Iraq and Afganistant would be a good starter, as would killing Gadhafi.
Jack, President Obama took tremendous political risks in authorizing the bin Ladin raid. He had full responsibility for the success or failure of the mission. The ability to make tough decisions is a campaign issue, so yes it's appropriate to discuss it. The same critics who say he's taking too much credit are those who would be criticizing him if the raid failed, if Americans were killed and if bin Ladin was still alive and on the run on the 10th anniversary of 9/11.
Why not? The GOP falsely accuses him of being a Muslim, of being Kenyan, of being a Socialist. At least he's telling the truth - He got Bin Laden, Bush did not. I don't see a problem, Jack, do you?
Michael Tinsley, Birmingham AL:
Why wouldn't President Obama take credit ?
The decision was ultimately his, and it was the right one.
The gop is trying to figure out a way to discredit Obama
and they are grasping at straws.
party politics is the bane of the American taxpayer
and the republicans are disenfrachising the middle class
by protecting the rich.
I'm tired of it.
With the promise of withdrawing our troops from the Middle East in his first campaign, It would be appropriate to use the killing only if, and only if, the President brings our troops home.
To bolster his credentials as tough on terror, yes. To paint the republicans as weak on terror, no. He did what anyone would have done in his position. To say otherwise would perpetuate the same kind of partisan fact twisting he campaigned against in his last campaign.
Yes.
Bush used the war n afgan and iraq during his reelection.
Yes without question! It happened on his watch and you can be rest assured the other side will hold him accountable when something goes wrong.All Presidents right or wrong get to much credit when something goes right and get the blame when it doesn't.
Yes! It's just ridiculous not to credit the Obama administration with piecing together the intelligence that found him and putting together the plan that
took him out and brought back strategic information against current terrorist activities. It's equally ridiculous to continue to harangue away about how effective torture or indefinite incarceration of minor players is.
NO!
He should attempt to convince America he is a mam of integrity and stop being a drama king.
Yes Jack, Obama deserves the right to brag about making a tough decision on the Osama assasination. This is just like Jimmy Carter losing the election to Reagan because of his failure to rescue or negotiate the US embassy staff except Obamaa's tough decision succeeded. That gives Obama the right to crow about the success in his bid for re-election. In comparison, on the Iraqi operation George Bush was a veritable "pimp" when it came to beating his drum. Sorry about that "pimp" thing Jack, but I always call a spade a spade. Go Obama in 2012!
Ciao,
Bob Stiles
Of course Obama should use Bin Laden's death in his campaign! He should accompanying it with a film of Bush saying he would get Bin Laden "dead or alive."
The GOP used to claim they were fiscal conservatives and tough on terror, now we know neither is true! The Republican Presidential lineup looks more like a group of used car salesmen on convention.
Jack- WWGBD? (What Would George Bush Do?) I think we know the answer to that.... He would do the exact same thing. I see nothing wrong with reassuring the American people that we are making progress in the war on terror. After all, how many of our troops have died in the great quest for Bin Laden? Nothing wrong with spiking the football at least once or twice... Just my opinion....
No, he doesn't have to – everyone is well aware (without having to take the risk of seeming tacky or inappropriate). Brilliant !
West Hollywood, CA
No...campaigning for 2012, here in the U.S., should be about what can/will be done about our very real problems here in America! Bin Laden is dead. Good. Now let's bring home our troops, stop the flow of billions of OUR dollars to these extremist countries, and campaign on what those out-of-touch politicians will do to help US, before there is a second American Revolution!
Jack, No, he shouldn't and HE probably won't, but I don't think that's going to stop his political "handlers", and it definitely won't stop his campaign workers and supporters. Layne A. Antioch, Il.
Imagine if bush had done it. He would have crowed about it ad nauseum. So far, Obama has done everything exactly as bush would have, so why not this?
Absolutely! The Republican mantra since 9/11 was that Democrats were soft on terrorism, and if you elected a Democrat, the terrorists would wipe us out. They can't use this argument anymore.
This is a major accomplishment of the Obama administration that the Republicans couldn't accomplish while Bush was in office, and they can't take credit for and it infuriates them.... poor babies.
He accomplish a Major American Dream since 9/11 " Kill Bin Laden". We will not be denied EVER. We will never forget what Obama Accomplished.
He should be proud of his accomplishement as all American Celebrate.
Bush celebrated a NON Accomplishment and I never heard anyone complain. He did it and we should be proud of our President. Amen
I am a life-long democrat, and I don't think Obama should use the Bin Laden's death in his speeches unless he has been questioned about it. Lets move on to more pressing issues like gas prices and the economy.
I would certainly use such a major accomplishment it I were President. Obama did something that means so much to the world and for all time that I hope he touts this accomplishment throughout the rest of his life! I feel honored to live in this time with this President.
Of he should, it is what any republican president would do. George Bush used 911 to0 get reelected and take us into an unnecessary war. It would be naive if he did not put hyis spin on the killing and the mission since his critcs will use it too and take every opportunity to point out why he still is week on defense What american politican would not use it?
I am certain he wil take this success on the campaign trail with him.
Why?? It's about the only issue he has been successful in getting
accomplished since he was elected. So many promises were made
a few years ago that Obama hasn't fulfilled, especially our own
economy, our housing market in shambles, our unemployment is
at record level highs, and his spending spree at the expense of
our taxpayers. Its really the only issue he has that he can pat
himself on the back, with a whole bunch of that accomplishment
performed by CIA/Navy Seals/etc.
Does anyone remember "Joe the Plumber"??
From what I understand, the information that ultimately led to finding Bin Laden was garnered during the previous administration. Now Obama takes credit? He may have even been reluctant to "pull the trigger". Give credit to those who tirelessly worked since 9/11 to get this info and the Seals who carried it out.
Does he not know that it was employees under PRESIDENT BUSH who started tracking the courier? All he did was give the order to go into the compound to get him. THAT's ALL HE DID! It is the men and women in the service of this country who need to get the recognition, not Obama. He just doesn't seem to learn.
Until President Obama lands on an aircraft carrier dressed up in a flight suit, appears in front of banner reading "Mission Accomplished" and invites our enemies to "Bring it on!" – I'm not too worried that he's misusing his right to invoke the death of Bin Laden when speaking to a nation grateful that this President followed through on his promise to chase this thug to the ends of the earth.
Jack, President Obama deserves all of the credit for taking out Osama Bin Ladin since this action happened on his watch and under his guidance. President Obama made bringing Bin Ladin to Justice his priority whereas, with George W. Bush, this objective was not a priority. President Obama should make this issue a part of his re-election campaign not to just crow, but to assure the American people that he will protect our country from terrorists like Bin Ladin. There is no more idle talk about Obama being a weak and indecisive president now that he did something that his predecessor failed to do.Obama has demostrated that he is a strong and decisive president who is committed to America's defense and welbeing.
Why not Jack?
George Bush used the fear of Bin Laden, the fear of terrorism, and his bluster and swaggerability to win the war on terror to get reelected.
Why shouldn't Obama use the facts?
Why not? If the operation had gone bad and he did not order the killing of Osama, causing Americans to die and Bin Laden to escape, the Republicans would be using that against him in the campaign. I believe it is fair game for him to speak of it in the campaign. He should take all the commendations he deserves and use it to propel him back into the White House.
Jack,
I don't think it will make any difference in his campaign. He got a bump in his ratings for killing that mad man but he hasn't helped this countries economy at all. In fact he is killing it to.
This country is hurting and all he can do is give campaign speeches.
He doesn’t have a clue as how to fix this economy and it will show up at the voting box in 2012.
Killing Bin Laden will be forgotten at the voting places in 2012.
This country can't stand 4 more years of this guy.
Absolutely! If it were a Republican, they'd put him on such a pedestal that we wouldn't be able to see the President from here. Besides, they ran on terriorism for ten years.
The Republican's have been trying to run on his inexperience on foreign policy and he proved he could do a better job than the previous fiasco who let him escape in Tora Bora.
Yes he should include it in every speech between now and the election along with all his other accomplishments. Do you honestly think the Republicans wouldn't be talking about it to the exclusion of everything else if they had been the ones who did it. There needs to be a level playing field in the election when it comes to touting accomplishments and fund raising. Funny the Republicans find fault with what they themselves do.
Yes, If George Bush had killed him, the Republicans would have given him (Bush) a ticker Tape Parade!!
I believe that if used the proper way Obama could use the killing of bin Laden for his campaign. If he is skillful enough than he will not even mention bin Laden and use the rebounding public opinion to press his agenda and get some things checked off his list for once. Also the more he credits the troops and the CIA and people outside of his administration than people from those organizations will see him in a better light and might become his ally. This is certainly Obama's very own "Vicksburg"
Hell Yes! Why shouldn't the President be able to take credit for the killing of Bin Laden? He takes the blame for everything else that has happened since he has become our President and is even being blamed for things that happened under the bush administration! Bush claimed "Mission Accomplished" when truly nothing had been accomplished! President O'Bama should be given a great deal of credit for listening to his intel on this and having the balls to make the call to go in!
Yes, he should. Contrary to the spotlight grabbing Republican "spin machine", this was his mission, his call, his orders. I am well aware that it sticks in their craw and they keep trying to diminish his accomplishment–but, that is their problem. Our President was decisive and while it could have gone badly–it didn't. and, he has openly acknowledged it was a huge team effort. That also speaks to the people he chooses to surround himself with. Another judgement call. And, sadly, that is what the Republicans failed at. The back biting and leaks within the Bush White House were legendary. He performed like a Commander in Chief should and that is a part of an re-election campaign.Margot, Washington
Of course he can use it – he was the one that gave the orders. However, if you have listened to him at all you would find he and his administration has been more than willing to share the credit with all those involved – even the Bush administration. If you watched the Sunday news shows you would have thought it was all Bush with a parade of tired old Bush administration hacks trying to get Bush some credit that was in fact freely offered by Obama. This really highlight the difference between pumped up bravado and real action. Real action does not need to beat its chest. Bush, for once, has shown more class and stayed out of the debate trumped up only but his old crew. I still am not sure why he did not accept Obama's offer to go to ground zero together but I will give him the benefit of the doubt and say he just wanted to let Obama have his moment. Obama took the moment but kept it pretty low key – compare to Bush landing on an aircraft carrier prematurely.
Jack , he needs to use all he has in his arsenal as his oppentents will use all they have against him . Getting Bin Laden was an American victory over terrorism , and it happened on his watch . Do you think the GOP would sweep it away with a wink and a nod like they wish he would do if it was on their watch? Not a chance, so they will attack him for using it but they would too and they know it! Just political games is all it is. So let the games begin...
This is Shelly, from Orlando, Fl.
Of course President Obama can use Bin Laden in his Campaign speeches because he was the president who brought down this enemy. He deserves most of the credit because of how he scheduled and coordinated the preparation of our troops to go in and take him out. However, this should not be his major focus. He can mention it, but focus more on how during his presidency, he has set many goals and accomplished many of the, and will continue to do this, if he is re-elected.
As we know, capturing or killing Bin Laden was one of his goals.
So he can use Bin Laden, to show that he is a man of his word and is accomplishing the goals that he has set out to do for our country.
I don't see why he shouldn't. Republicans are always quick to say that Democrats are weak on defense. Using the capture and killing of Bin Laden as part of the reelection narrative is just political common sense...
Yes, of course. If the mission had failed like the "Carter" mission in Iran, it would have hurt his chances for reelection. Gutsy decision!
Definitely yes! He promised to bring him to justice in his first campaign. Obama got Osama, is a promise delivered. The real credit goes to our men and women who have paid the ultimate price, but Obama's administration should not be denied the bragging right for the significant achievement in the fight of terrorism. Make a promise, deliver, and blow your trumpet, that's not doing too much.
Hell yes. If the Pakistani army and intelligence couldn't find him for years, what does that say about the same years that the Bush administration was unable to find him. Reportedly he was living in the same place. Doesn't that make the Bush administration as incompetent as the Pakistanis? Obama deserves a significant amount of credit for pushing the search and following through on the task. And in a reelection that will be weighted towards the opposition due to unfettered contributions from business, as per the Supreme Court decision, Obama will need all the recognition and credit he can legitimately claim.
yes, but refering to bin laden's code name as geronimo was a major mistake
Why Not, if things wouldn't go bad Republicans will be using that against him, after all the decision of going and capture or kill Osama was President Obama that was very Presidential .
The President should be able to highlight the successes of his administration, just as any other candidate would certainly be expected to do. Catching Bin Laden is a monumental achievement in American history, so whether the President chooses to campaign on it or not, he will benefit from it greatly. It should be noted that citizens worldwide are thankful for Obama's action on Bin Laden, not just Americans.
I don't think Obama has ever tried to cash in on the death of Bin Laden, nor does he need to. He has in every instance applauded the actions of his intelligence team and the work of the US Military. He made the ultimate decision to start the raid which resulted in killing Bin Laden....and that should raise his credibility with those who have complained that he is not assertive enough or tough enough in affairs of national security. For that he can be proud, and so should the rest of us.
Without hesitation! This event should be listed in front of the DNC Reelection Handbook; in a section marked [ACCOMPLISHMENTS].
Jack, thank you for your thought provoking `questions`
Jack,
Thanks for the question. I am amused that so many Obama supporters say yes, and their justification is that the much despised President Bush would have done so. That is irony at its finest.
Jerry
It ain't spiking the football for President Obama to speak of a factual event that his decision made possible.
So yes. President Obama should make mention in context of discussing his Foreign Policy that he did indeed order the killing of Bin Laden, just like he said he would.
And if that drives the Bush nuts crazy – I'm all for it.
Jack: We should stop and ask ourselves "What if he had not gotten Bin Laden" or "What if the operation had failed" I bet his re-election would have been doomed. He made a bold decsion based on a huge gamble and it paid off. He deserves the credit and he should use the political capital the way he wants.
Frank
Mayor Juliani and George Bush shamelessly benefited from the 9/11 national tragedy. Why shouldn't President Obama take richly earned credit for bringing bin-Laden to justice, and use that tough accomplishment in his campaign for reelection? Jack, President Obama should indeed.
Absolutely,he should. He said in his 2008 campaign he would go after Osama bin Laden if elected, we elected him and he got him along with his wonderful team. By all means he should use it, a slogan he could use would be "YES, I DID' or ' YES, WE DID'. Thank you!
Hi Jack,
Of course President Obama should use eliminating Bin Laden as a part of his 2012 campaign. If he doesn't, Republicans will spin it so that Bush gets all of the credit. Republicans want President Obama to go down as the worst president in U.S. history. Admitting that he's a strategic hawk on foreign policy will prevent that happening. Now if the Republicans can just make that debt limit expire they will have the 2012 election in the bag. But, our "bluffing" Speaker of the House will not let that happen because it will also lead to economic problems for his rich Wall Street, oil, and insurance company buddies.
I think President Obama should be able to boast a little now, but it will be shadowed by bigger issues by 2012.
Heck yea!! If he had not given the order it would not have happen. Bush et al would not give the order to get him in Tora Bora. All they wanted to do was make money for Halliburton by going into Iraq, screaming WMD's. I hope intelligent Americans won"t forget the "Mission Accomplish' banner with the jet and flight jumpsuit. Also the republicains used the sky is falling with terror attacks in 2004 and "death panels" in 2010. The Republicans are the only people who seem to be UPSET that bin Laden is dead!!!
Why not ? He said it and he did it, unlike Bush who told us he knew where the weapons of mass destruction were but was unable locate them.
yes, but the code names should be kept secret for it may be offending for some people. as commander in chief he needs to correct
I don;t think any one should not claim credit. It took 19 years and after so much money was spent and so many lives were killed before they found this guy, America should feel ashame rather than to claim credit.
Part of his 08 campaign was he would do exactly what he did with OBL. Hopefully this action proves even better than expected. This is one action the Executive Branch can undertake without the increasingly ineffective divided Congress screwing up. He needs to run on the economy and jobs.
Do you believe for one minute that any pesident would not use this in his re-election campaign? President Obama would be crazy not to ... but he does need to keep it low key, which he has so far.
McCain campaigned very heavily on being a war hero 40 years ago,k it was almost his entire platform (yawn) so why not?
A very loud and definite NO ! OBL ,s death would not have occurred had we not pursued strong interrigation tactics ; which he opposed.
Why not,Jack? As long as President Obama sticks to the truth in the role he played in bin Laden's death and doesn't do any arm twisting to the CIA so people will believe he's the one who pulled the triger!
Well, he sure can't use the economy...or health insurance reform...or border security...or debt reduction...or...
A Canadian's point of view of Politics in the USA;
Obama: I need some funds to kill bin Laden, he is in Pakistan
GOP: Hmm, not unless you cut the "pork" of the request
Obama: Lets try to agree he needs to be captured or killed, in order to do that we need funds
GOP: Why not use the Pakistan soldiers to do that
Obama: The guys been living there for 7 years, you think they are capable of doing this
GOP: We think this is other way of getting some funds out of us, the answer is NO
When you ask the question should Obama use this as a feather in his cap for reelection, the answer is YES. Bush/Cheney and GOP failed.
For a huge country like the USA, coming out of a recession and financial fiasco as you have, you would think everyone would want to play a part in the healing process, not continue to tear the country apart by children who were elected to run the country.
There is really classy way that he can take that victory lap. He would dress up in a flight suit, and land on an aircraft carrier just off the coast. Then he would address the country under a huge banner that proclaims "Mission Accomplished".
What do you mean that's been done?
Yes, he should. The killing of Bin Laden has become a Republican nightmare, they seem more upset then the Taliban.
Why not? The GOP would have!
NO. Obama should run on his record of creating jobs, slowing foreclosures, keeping gas prices down, keeping inflation under control, keeping the dollar strong, closing GITMO (as promised), ending the wars (as promised)....err...never mind, he had best stick to the "I killed Bin Laden" narrative.
Jack,
Let him chat up this feat now, by the time the general election rolls around he'll have new trophies in his case to brag about.
Jack – President Obama never said he wouldn't talk about the success of getting bin Laden. He said he wouldn't "spike the ball" to the extent of publishing post-mortem photos of him. There is nothing wrong with Obama campaigning on any issue he or his people deem worthy of promoting his re-election. No one in his right mind should believe that bin Laden's death will be a wave so big that Obama could ride it all the way to re-election. But it is the wave of the day, and Obama can ride it all he wants for now. It will come back to bite him later, however, if, in retrospect, he is seen as having gloated too much while the economy et al. continued to flounder....kinda like that baseball first baseman who is proud and celebratory of the throw he just dug out of the dirt to nab the runner at first...so much so that he neglects the runner who advances from third to home amid the celebration.
No matter what Pres does or says it will be doubted and challenged. If he walked on water some groups would call it water pollution. I believe the hoard of adds placed by private groups with no law or requirement to be actually truthful, will begin a landslide of viciousness this election, that has not been seen since the Civil War era.
Why not. He kept the promise to America made by a Republican president. This only shows, party politics does not matter, it is what is just. He deserves kudos and should present this fact proudly to the voters.
Why not....I seem to remember hearing " we haven't been attacted again" over and over in an election not too long ago.
Reversely, he should use it to step down. "I have accomplished so little that I have promised, essentially lying to you for your vote. Since I loosely base my life and campaign on morality and hope, it is not in me to run for re-election as I have not earned it. Now go buy my book on how I killed OBL."
We have to Osama bin Ladin's annihilation as a reelction campaign, because no one ever thought we could get him the way we did. Obama for one was never expected to be this tough. So he should
There is a classy way to refer to OBL death and a non-classy way. Obama should refer to successes by our armed forces and intelligence agencies in general. Bragging about ordering the death of a person seems a little low class. Obama wanted to prosecute terrorists like criminals but has decided to bomb them from 30,000 ft with drones. How many terrorists has Obama captured and how many has he killed. He does not want to capture them (which is fine) because he has not place to put them politically.
You all crack me up:) I bet you'd be going crazy trying to get him to admit responsibility if things had gone poorly. But now that he was in command during one of our finest moments, you're trying all you can to marginalize his impact. Your logic is deeply flawed. It'd be like saying a pitcher can't take credit for a no hitter because the outfielder made a diving catch. So "Yes", while Newt is explaining his wives/ladies, Obama will be explaining how he got #1.
This is a slippery slope for Obama. He took a big, but necessary risk with the raid. He needs to improve his foreign policy image, especially with military issues and show that he is strong and confident leader. Yet boasting of mulitple murders can and will feed the fire of his detractors.
Jack,
The president will use Bin Laden's death next year as an accomplishment. However the Bin Laden death will be a thing of the past. The American people care more about our personal prosperity then foreign policy. The economy is the key to winning votes.
Absolutely, if the mission had failed it would have been used against him.
Gee Jack had John McCain been going for a second term do you think he wouldn't have used this? Of course he would have. That red phone rang at 3 A.M. and who answered? Of course this disturbs the right wing they claimed he didn't have the foreign policy know how.
I know the president when and if he uses this will do so with the utmost respect for the situation and that it will be with grace.
Carefully, yes, he should! Plus avoiding the use of the sentence: 'Mission Accomplished'!
Why not? He refocused this as a goal when elected and it lead to getting the mission done. Now, he isn't supposed to mention the accomplishment?
Why, because it pulled the rug out from under the Republican's "He's weak on defense" nonsense?
That's certainly a new rule some keep trying to establish, I suspect, because since they can't take this accomplishment away from him, they're trying to make is something we can't talk about.
No, because Obama didn't kill Osama. SEAL team 6 did. And Osama wasn't taken alive even though he was unarmed. Therefore, it wasn't an accomplishment he should be so proud of.