Al Qaeda endorses McCain. This is really hardly a surprise... and I wouldn't consider giving John McCain a hard time over it on a personal level: Of course he's no more a friend of terrorists than Obama or any other person with a conscience. However, it can be related to... and sheds light on... his campaign platform and politics.
Al Qaeda wants America to keep bombing terrorist hideouts (Afghani villages), and staying in Iraq, and that is basically what McCain wants America to do as well (at least more than Obama, certainly), so it is McCain whom Al Qaeda are supporting. Al Qaeda supports the war on terror because they believe that it is wearing down and weakening America more effectively than any individual or group of terrorist attacks ever could; Al Qaeda is quite happy because we've spent unimaginable amounts of money on a war against them... and it hasn't cost them a penny in return... and it has demonstrably hurt our economy in the process.
(The terrorists in the article also think that a terrorist attack right now would swing the election back to McCain... and, well, as far as evil plans go... I can't deny that that might work. Sad but true.)
For Al Qaeda, the war in Iraq struck a perfect plangent 3-note chord of (1) confirming everything the Islamists/terrorists had been preaching about America for years, (2) creating massive untold depths of anger and grief which the Islamists/terrorists could feed into and draw from, and (3) harming America's economic and military apparatus, it's political and cultural leadership, and it's domestic comfort and security. The resonance from that chord is slowly dying as Iraq is stabilized, but that doesn't mean that it can't be sounded again. (What do you think Al Qaeda would have to say about America attacking Iran?)
Like I said: It's hardly news that Al Qaeda digs things the way they are in the Middle East now.
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That's assuming that Al Qaeda is telling the truth about who they would prefer as America's next president. Which is stunningly naive.
--Jonathan
Well, if you have a reason why Al Qaeda would rather see the "global war on terror" end (which is basically what their narrow view of an Obama Presidency would mean for them), go ahead and explain it.
Really, as far as I see it, lying or telling the truth, what difference does it make? Is McCain really going to lose votes because of this? Would Obama gain?
Are you trying to insinuate that Americans might choose the opposite candidate based on a Bin Laden endorsement? Now that would be stunningly naive.
But, anyway, like I said, come back next time armed with some actual reasons to back yourself up: Make your case as to why Al Qaeda might be secretly backing Obama instead. I'd be interested to hear your logic.
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