In 2006, Nancy Pelosi said that capturing bin Laden wouldn't make Americans safer

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Ed Brayton, referencing an Andrew Sullivan blogpost, brought up this statement that Rep. Nancy Pelosi said back in September 2006: "ven if is caught tomorrow, it is five years too late. He has done more damage the longer he has been out there. But, in fact, the damage that he has done ... is done. And even to capture him now I don't think makes us any safer."

Five years later: "The death of Osama bin Laden marks the most significant development in our fight against al-Qaida. ... I salute President Obama, his national security team, Director Panetta, our men and women in the intelligence community and military, and other nations who supported this effort for their leadership in achieving this major accomplishment. ... he death of Osama bin Laden is historic."

I googled the quote to verify it, and it's made the rounds around the right-wing blogs, and Sullivan attributed the quote to a satirical website, America Weakly. I found a DU thread about this statement from 2006, here without the bracketed clarifications: “Even if he is caught tomorrow, it is five years too late. He has done more damage the longer he has been out there. But in fact, the damage that he has done is done. And even to capture him now, I don’t think makes us any safer.” Sourced http://www.marinecorpstimes.com/story.php?f=1-292925-2101510.php">Marine Corps Times.