I'd like to offer my own perspective on this if I may... Take it for what it's worth.

[cherokeeprogressive]

Osama is dead.

I cannot see this fact as a failure by the previous administration to make it happen sooner nor a success by the current one that it happens now... I see this as the success of CAREER intelligence and military personnel whose dedication cannot be measured by any objective means. They put their heads down, pushed forward, risked their lives, gave up their lives, and kept an unspoken promise to us. That promise was and is that they, as our Servicemen and Women would always be there doing the job their government (and by extension US) asks of them no matter what it is. Kudos to them!

I love my President though many here see me as being critical of him. I loathed the last President though many here have interpreted my posts as supporting him.

Osama is dead. In this we owe VERY MUCH to a VERY FEW. We owe this small victory to the hard work, dedication, and willingness of a few people to put their lives on the line in circumstances none of us would put ourselves in.

[dhill926]

1. well said..............n/t

[blondeatlast]

2. Very, very well said. This is a testament to those who work in service to

OUR government.

Also, the President made a difficult decision. that takes leadership. I'm very happy to see that America still works with leaders in charge.

k/r

[Common Sense Party]

3. Yes, exactly. While this will undoubtedly redound to Obama's benefit

(I wouldn't be surprised to see a 20-point jump in improval ratings), this would have happened under McCain, as well. There are brave and dedicated men and women that have been working to bring this to pass for well over a decade.

[blondeatlast]

4. Beg to differ. this took a degree of decision and leadership Mccain doesn't have the capacity

to use.

McCain has no resolve. He's been my Senator since I could vote and he hasn't helod a solid position on anything difficult from the beginning.

But--bless your heart.

[Common Sense Party]

6. Think what you want. Any president would have made this decision.

If you're more comfortable being a cheerleader, that's fine. I'd prefer to cheerlead the military heroes who were going to accomplish this, regardless of who the CIC is.

[cherokeeprogressive]

9. I think what CSP is saying is that while we argue political ideology here in the states, there are

those who toil under unbelievable circumstances to make things happen a world away no matter which party is in control.

It's THOSE people to whom we owe our thanks in this instance.

[Common Sense Party]

17. Yes. I couldn't have said it better myself.

I tried, but I couldn't.

[emilyg]

5. Well said.

[OhioBlue]

7. I agree and disagree...

I agree absolutely that it is a victory for our career military and intelligence personnel.. However... it cannot be avoided that the previous administration COMPLETELY took their eye off of the ball when it comes to Afghanistan and Bin Laden. The career military and intelligence personnel cannot do their respective jobs without support. I think many of us Dems and Pres Obama have always been right - Iraq was an unnecessary distraction that kept us from the real fight over 911 which was Al Queda and in Afghanistan and moved into Pakistan.

Pres O gave them the leadership to get it done... Bush didn't.

[sufrommich]

8. Beautifully said. Thank you for posting it. nt

[tblue37]

10. OTOH, Obama made it a priority for the CIA team that

located him. Bush didn't, and Bush's boy Rumsfeld let Osama get away (probably on purpose) at Tora Bora. We didn't get OBL before because the Bush administration deliberately avoided devoting the resources to the task. The difference this time is that Obama wanted it done and directed those who could do it to do their best to get it done.

[cherokeeprogressive]

13. I'm happy that it happened on Obama's watch as well. Don't get me wrong.

I don't understand your "made it a priority" assertion.

Regardless of what happened in the past, Bush didn't have the kind of 100% control it would take to "deliberately avoid" catching him, nor did President Obama have the kind of 100% control it took to catch/kill him.

This isn't Obama's feather for the cap; it's that of those who did the legwork, took the casualties, forged the alliances, and interpreted the intelligence IN PERSON.

It's only for Obama to take credit because it happened on his watch.

To say otherwise is to discredit those who put their lives on the line no matter WHO was/is President to make this happen. I'm a Veteran, and understand that you do your job no matter who is your Commander in Chief.

It's not a political thing, and I'll not use it to make political hay as some would.

ALL THE CREDIT goes to career military and intelligence personnel.

[tblue37]

16. No, the president DOES have a lot of influence on what

is treated as a priority and what is not during his administration. I don't doubt that Obama did just as he said: i.e., instructed the CIA under Panetta to get serious about finding OBL, and to put a lot of resources into the job.

[Stinky The Clown]

11. Very well said. And very true.

[Ikonoklast]

12. If Obama gets the blame, he should also get the credit.

The final decision to go ahead was made by one man, and one man only.

[seabeyond]

14. except bush approached differently than obama. obama approached it in the manner that was

successful. that is why he gets credit.

bush, being pushed by cheney and rumsfield was counterproductive and a failure in so many ways and for so many reasons

[cherokeeprogressive]

15. Respectfully, Bush didn't approach it, nor did Obama. Career military/intelligence personnel did.

Bush didn't make decisions on the ground. Neither did Obama.

Career military/intelligence made the decisions, after asking for permission.

Obama didn't say "SHOOT" in advance; he was informed of a certain situation by people on the ground and told them was OKAY to shoot.

[robinlynne]

18. Did you miss the part where the previous president let him leave Afghanistan with

an entourage of hundreds of vehicles and go to Pakistan, right past our guys? There were three roads. We closed two of them.

[mopinko]

19. i'm thinking they are making up a new medal for the guys

who did this.
i know a jsoc guy. his whole freaking family has put up with all kinds of shit for this moment.

[Kablooie]

20. But remember, Bush closed down the Osama CIA unit. Obama started it up again.

You are correct that the intelligence personnel deserve credit but Obama does too for allowing them to do their job.