OK PEOPLE - GET A GRIP!

[whosinpower]

The release of the Bin Laden tape IS politically motivated - but what is ultimately critical is that Americans are united in fighting terrorism and Al qaida.

THIS IS NO TIME TO FALL BACK INTO PARTISAN BACKSTABBING OR ANY ATTEMPTS OF ONEUPSMANSHIP. I CANNOT EMPHASIZE THIS ENOUGH. DO NOT POLITICIZE THE TAPE. As tempting as it is - and it is REALLY tempting to lay the blame - it simply does not matter in the long run.....keep your eye on the ball - and Al qaida is a sworn enemy period. Blaming Bush now will backfire. President Kerry SHOULD REACT presidentially...and now more than ever - this is his chance to unify the nation.

THAT is how you win an election. THAT is how you show leadership. THAT is Al qaida's biggest fear....a unified America.

I know everyone here has "boot Bush out" fever....I understand that - BUT DO NOT BLAME BUSH NOW. Kerry's BIG shot is upon him - this is IT. He has to be ABOVE the fray - and unify the nation better than Bush can.

[lancdem]

1. He did react presidentially

Did you see his statement? I thought it was perfect.

[carolinalady]

21. not only did he say the perfect thing but our current

"commander in chief" was the one who added a hint of politicing when he inserted JK into his statement.

[specter]

2. Just saw the tape

It was so blatently staged. What dont people understand about a caucasian speaking for Al Queda??? In perfect english.

[cubsfan forever]

3. JFK did act presidentially

did you read his response to the OBL tape. Strong and to the point.

Professor 2

[Roland99]

15. Exactly...and Kerry didn't get into positing about the timing of the tape.

[seafey]

4. But the US is *not* unified...

When it's not election time, you aren't allowed to criticize the madman at the helm, and when it is election time, you're supposed to keep quiet to appear to be taking the "high road" or something. This *is* Bush's fault and the more people hear that the more they will actually try and think it out for themselves.

(And America is a continent by the way.)

[KingChicken]

5. Kerry is taking the lead on this

I totally agree, I think Kerry is handling this correctaly, OLB is running around still while Bush is unable to stop him.

[The Wielding Truth]

6. I disagree. He should show a reaction that will cause us to follow.

He should take the reigns and tell OBL that he has 4 days to surrender or He will face the next President head to head . He will be gone and his followers will see how week he really is.The new President will get him sooner than he can send another tape.President, John F Kerry, will see you dead for what you have put my country through.I'm not alone I'm coming with the World at my back!

[CAcyclist]

7. This isn't going to change anything for most people

I think people have made up their minds and aren't changing them and the ones who haven't made up their minds probably are the hardest of all to sway . I doubt most people on hearing about this will freak out in any way.

The people who aren't political junkies are too busy going to Halloween parties tonight and this weekend to follow this story and by Monday, it'll be dead.

[Fluffdaddy]

8. I can't get a Grip. This got me worried. Maybe tomorrow but not now

[goodhue]

9. what tape?

the KSTP tape?
that is what is gripping
osama been there

[stevedeshazer]

10. THANKS FOR TELLING ME WHAT TO THINK

[fugop]

11. Kerry's doing what he should tonight

First reaction has to be this. So he won't be accused by the media ho-bags of politicizing it.

Tomorrow, Sunday and Monday, however, he should get everything else on the table. The explosives, the war, the incompetence. But right after the tape, he needs to just show the he knows when to take charge and show optimism, not politics. Do not fear. He'll do this perfectly.

Then it's up to the American people to be smart. I think the Osama thing will get lost this weekend. World Series parade, Halloween, Daylight Savings. Seriously, I think most people will just take this news in and vote the way they intended.

Undecideds will .... God knows what. Keep being undecided until Tuesday. If they make up their minds even then.

[drmom]

12. It makes me so mad that * hasn't caught this guy in 3 YEARS! ...

...why on earth would anyone think * can get OBL in the next four. All these tapes do is remind me what a failure * has been!

[DuaneBidoux]

13. Kerry's response was perfection incarnate

Now we need to get a 527 to come up with the ad that was suggested on another thread. It was perfect.

[drmom]

16. That would be great! We need something to bring this into focus.

[ciaobox]

14. SPIN IT BACK

You have all the media email addresses and phone numbers. Hammer them:

Cheney said the other day that if John Kerry had his way, Saddam Hussein would still have these weapons -- and of course, the weapons would still be under UN lock and key.

Well, Bush GOT his way and now that we have PROOF that OBL is alive, the explosives may be in OSAMA's hands.

So is Bush saying it is better for Osama to have the explosives and be on the run where he can kill Americans than it is for Saddam to have the explosives and have them constantly being monitored by the U.N.?

[sandnsea]

17. Except THEY WILL

In a sane world, you're right. But we are not in a sane world and it is critical to remember they are already trying to spin this against Kerry. It is important for Kerry, himself, to approach this Presidentially; but it's also important to win the spin and the spin is "How did Bush let this happen?" Failure is the only thing that will defeat terror, terror, terror.

[tsuki]

18. I see it as an attempt

to get the munitions story out of the headlines.

[Carni]

19. Bullshit on all that--

Why the hell is Bin Laden still trolling around making tapes?

BECAUSE OUR *LIMP PRESIDENT* LET HIM GO WHEN HE TOOK HIS EYE OFF THE BALL!

This IS the time to lay blame where the buck stops... which is WITH BUSH.

I couldn't disagree more with your premise!

[nonconformist]

20. I disagree

While Kerry should act presidential, that doesn't mean we all should.

Bottom line is BUSH LET OBL GET AWAY. Bush SAID HE WASN'T WORRIED ABOUT OBL AND HE DIDN'T CARE WHERE HE WAS. It's not like this is an afterthought or some way you can spin this to fit a political agenda. It is what it is, and what it is is a glaring example of Bush's incompetence.