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Subscribe to RSSAs we wrote earlier tonight, the news of Osama Bin Laden's death -- and its implications for President Barack Obama's legacy and his re-election race -- is almost certain to change the contours of the 2012 race.
Here's some responses from potential 2012 GOP contenders to the news that the al-Qaeda leader has been killed in a U.S.-led operation in Pakistan.
Facebook post from former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney: "This is a great victory for lovers of freedom and justice everywhere. Congratulations to our intelligence community, our military and the president. My thoughts are with the families of Osama bin Laden's many thousands of victims, and the brave servicemen and women who have laid down their lives in pursuit of this murderous terrorist."
Written statement from former Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty: "This is terrific news for freedom and justice. In the hours after the 9/11 attacks, President Bush promised that America would bring Osama bin Laden to justice — and we did. I want to congratulate America's armed forces and President Obama for a job well done. Let history show that the perseverance of the US military and the American people never wavered. America will never shrink from the fight and ultimately those who seek to harm us face only defeat. Today, justice is done, but the fight against radical Islamic terrorism is not yet over."
Tweet from former vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin: "Thank you, American men and women in uniform. You are America's finest and we are all so proud. Thank you for fighting against terrorism.
Written statement from former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee: "It is unusual to celebrate a death, but today Americans and decent people the world over cheer the news that madman, murderer and terrorist Osama Bin Laden is dead. The leader of Al Qaeda--- responsible for the deaths of 3000 innocent citizens on September 11, 2001, and whose maniacal hate is responsible for the deaths of thousands of US servicemen and women was killed by U.S. military. President Obama confirmed the announcement late last night. DNA tests confirmed his death and his body is in the possession of the U. S. It has taken a long time for this monster to be brought to justice. Welcome to hell, bin Laden. Let us all hope that his demise will serve notice to Islamic radicals the world over that the United States will be relentless is tracking down and terminating those who would inflict terror, mayhem and death on any of our citizens."
Written statement from Minnesota Rep. Michele Bachmann: "I want to express my deepest gratitude to the men and women of the U.S. military and intelligence community. Their persistence and dedicated service has yielded success in a mission that has gripped our nation since the terrible events of 9/11. Tonight’s news does not bring back the lives of the thousands of innocent people who were killed that day by Osama bin Laden’s horrific plan, and it does not end the threat posed by terrorists, but it is my hope that this is the beginning of the end of Sharia-compliant terrorism.”
Written statement from former Sen. Rick Santorum: "This is extraordinary news for all freedom loving people of the world, and I commend all those involved for this historic triumph. Americans have waited nearly ten years for the news of Osama bin Laden's death. And while this is a very significant objective that cannot be minimized, the threat from Jihadism does not die with bin Laden. As we were vigilant in taking him out we need to demonstrate we will continue to be vigilant until the enemy has been subdued."
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Rot in HELL Osama!
Gadhafi - YOU'RE NEXT!
If they would have congratulated the president in these circumstances if he had come from their own party, it is disengenuous of any politician to refrain from congratulating the sitting president now. I have new-found respect for both Pawlenty and Romney, but can only wonder at the behavior of the others who would pretend there is no president while he is not from their own party.
I am generally a supporter of President Obama. However, I am not at all happy with the killing of Osama Bin Laden and his subsequent burial at sea. No questions, no body, some DNA, I know I feel reassured. How convenient. I would love to send kudos Obama's way, but the efficient way Bin Laden's death has been handled leaves me with chills. I hate the idea of giving consertatives ammunition to go after President Obama with, but killing Hussein and then Bin Laden is just plain wrong from a forensic investigation standpoint. Hussein and Bin Laden were perhaps the two most important witnesses regarding 9/11. Now they're both dead. Brilliant! Forgive me, it's just a bit much to swallow that Bin Laden is dead and now his body is gone, found, killed and disappeared all in one news cycle. Scary, very scary.
Giveit a rest loser!
John, He is correct! However I dont think they really buried him at sea! I mean we have to tell the Arab nations something. The reports said he was shot in the head. Most anyone with military weapons training would know that here would not be much of his head left. (depending on the Cal.) they maybe wrapped his clothes up and dumped them..... but he is in a freezer on his way here, Im sure!
Hey GOP/BAGGERS + TRUMP
Need a CERTIFY LONG FORM for this?
So, only Romney and Pawlenty give any credit at all to the president. The rest are total crap as far as I'm concerned!
It won't be long before the wing-nuts will say there is no proof of Bin Laydens death. Where's the body they'll scream? This is a scam. Obama lies. Conspiracy theories will be buzzing all over the fringe noise machines of Talk radio. The right will never give Obama credit for anything.
He doesnt deserve it.......the JSOC team does!
Thanks for proving my point, jollyoldsoul.
I didn't prove any point, I just told the truth! He should get credit for saying "yes" and authorizing the team to take him out on foreign soil. But thats it! The JSOC team did all the work!
Had this mission failed, all you dittoheads would be blaming the President. You jsut can't stand the fact that this President accomplished something Bush only talked about.
The flag I hung on my front porch this morning didn't praise Democrats or GOP/GOTP. It's there to praise the USA and to say "thanks" to our well-trained troops.
Here Here! First intelligent statement today
For today, WE NEED TO CELEBRATE AS A VICTORIOUS NATION!! Wave your flags in the air to show the world our passion and dedication to hunt all terrorist down, no matter who they are! We can battle over partisan politics tomorrow! HOORAY, FOR THE RED, WHITE AND BLUE!!!
SOUR GRAPES GOP...you defend W tirelessly for falsifying intelligence so that you can wage an unnecessary war in Iraq, out a CIA agent because her husband knew the truth, and letting Bin Laden get away when he was cornered in the mountains of Tora Bora. However, you can't say one good word about President Obama and his tenacity in finding and killing the true Mastermind of Terror - Osama Bin Laden. As an American, I want to say I'm proud of the CIA, the Navy SEALS, and President Obama for doing what the Bush/Cheney Administration couldn't do. I can't wait to vote for Obama in 2012 and have him be our Commander in Chief until 2016/2017. USA, USA, USA!
The JSOC group and all the planners and weapons teams get a hardy thank you. Mr. Obama gets a thank you for saying "yes" to a request to send a team on foreign soil to hit a target! They could have ordered a Cruise missle hit or a Drone attack, but the military wanted to have a confirm on this! All of this and you think they dumped his body in the Indian ocean? Hardly!
The death of Bin Laden is symbolic. In his wake are the deaths of 3000+ on 911, American Servicemen, and many more thousands of his own people in Afghanistan and Iraq. He bit the big dog and the big dog went berserk. I hope there is a lesson there.
It is only right to give praise and congratulations where praise and congratulations is due regardless of politics. Those w/ any class and character at all will do this regardless. It's like oxygen. Those like Palin and Bachman are totally clueless lack character and cleass and are inexplicably irrelevant.
I am a Rebublican and I offer my congrats and kudos to Obama, his staff, and the incrediblly brave emn and women who made this outcome and all outcomes successful.
I might just consider Pawlenty. He is the only one with the grace to give Obama credit. Sick of the lack of grace and decency in the GOP lineup.
I am SO PROUD OF PRESIDENT OBAMA!! His leadership, National Security Advisors and our incredible military have all brought us the biggest gift at just the right time for our nation! As a NAVY veteran who has worked with SEAL Team 1, my appreciation can not get any higher for the superb job SEAL's always do! On the sea, in the air or on land, NAVY SEALs DO IT ALL!! GO NAVY, GO BLUE!!!
BTW: The NAVY SEALs were created by Democratic President, John F. Kennedy!! I'm just saying... :P
Sarah Palin a potential 2012 Presidential Candidate? A little humor is usually a good thing but she is just a bad joke on the country! And Michelle Bachmann with her Sharia law nonsense. Oh, please!
Palin's pissed because 1. she didn't get a shout out from Obama 2. he didn't confer with her prior to authorizing the action 3. he didn't call her after to inform her and 4. it's impossible for her to say anything nice about any of the Obamas because it's outside her vindictive, vile nature
Wasn't it George W. Bush who said "If it's on my watch, I'm responsible."?
This wasn't on his watch - noty by a measure of over two years.
So, why don't you right-wing folks stop trying to deny this President any credit for this completely successful action?
Of course once again Payland, Batsh$$itman, and other right wing froth at the mouthers give no credit to Obama, they can't because to do so would acknowledge that he is THE PRESIDENT of all of the U.S. and they simply can't stand it.
Bush said he wasn't so interested in where Bin Laden was, only the oil in Iraq. And of course who can forget the landing on the carrier, the decks of cards, the constant color coded alerts, the news conferences daily touting this bombing in Iraq or that, the total underfunding and undermanned Afghanistan War. When Obama ran he said, we will stay in Afghanistan (the true terrorist of 9-11) and we will find Bin Laden! When our forces did, and he ordered him killed not captured, no fly over, no landing on the ships, with the flag behind him, just a simple news conference stating "he's dead". Maybe that's why the right always has their shorts in a knot, because instead of talking and touting, the President simply ordered it done and it was!
GODDAMN, GODDAMN, I SAY...GODDAMN!! PREACH, MOFO, PREACH!!! I got goose bumps reading that one!!
Presidernt Obama said GET 'EM!! He could've say, "MISSION ACCOMPLISHED", but he didn't because the man is just too refine for that. Instead he said "Osama Bin Laden is dead", and went back to work! Obama is THE MAN!! WOOOOO!
Not to get too personal, but you know Michell and Barack got down to business after this one!!!
soooo hard to thank the president for a job well done??????
god bless america. thanks president oboma for a job well done. it does not matter where u a republican or democrat we haved prevailed as a nation today. the worlds most wanted man is dead and there is a sigh of releif.whats sad is this comes on the hills of the birther mess. we need to thing before we speak from now on. because u never know whats going on behinds closed doors. on sarah ( mad dog palin). it is a crying shame that a percon can have so much hate and bitterness and malice in there heart first because they lost an election and second she is a sore loooser. i hope the american people can really see and shoud have seen her true colors from the beginning. she hates the president so much she could not give him some of the credit for an accomplishment well done. america open your eyes and dont be fooled or mislead by bigortry or hate by a select few of ignorant so call defeated politicians in this great country.we as a people are much smarter than that . GOD BLESS AMERICA AND PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA AND THE ARMED FORCES. SEE YOU AGAIN IN 2012
Thank you President Obama and the Armed Forces.
God Bless America!!!!!!!
Obama 2012!!!!
Here's what the the GOP field should read every day in front of a mirror
" I'm sofa King we todd did"
This will help give them the insight and wisdom needed to fight the good fight against Obama.
a job well done
The thanks goes to the people on the ground, Obama did his job as I would hope any President would have, having the info that he had. This is not about Bush, Clinton or Obama and who gets credit how demeaning and belittling to the victims of 9/11. So first and foremost THANK YOU to our troops and our agents on the ground who have been and continue to risk their lives daily, and then THANK YOU to Obama for keeping up the fight and doing your job. Now we need to get our troops out and focus on the issues at home because trust while I'm happy about this I hope it is not used for political means and we focus on the US.
Big up to the President, to our intelligence and to our troops. No if people don't think that the people in the White House don't have proof of Ben Laden, please have a little memory on the birther issue. That can put a whole lot of eggs on people faces.
Its very good to know there are still a few common sense republicans out there,the rest of them need to take a few lessons from Romney & Pawlenty.