Bin Laden's influence on the election

No, not the election in Iraq. Our election.

The New York Times today reported on an interview with John Kerry about the presidential election.

Reflecting on the campaign, Mr. Kerry said the release of the videotape by Mr. bin Laden on the weekend before the Nov. 2 election had reinforced what had been Mr. Bush's biggest advantage.

"I believe that 9/11 was the central deciding issue in this race," he said. "And the tape - we were rising in the polls up until the last day when the tape appeared. We flat-lined the day the tape appeared and went down on Monday."

I wrote at the time that the tape's aim was to help Bush, not hurt him as it appeared on the surface.

We all thought there would be some kind of violent attack like there was in Spain with the aim of changing the outcome of the election. Bin Laden instead accomplished his goal by manipulating the media. Simpler, cheaper, just as effective.

Regarding the Iraq election, I have to say it looks like a great thing has happened. I give credit to Bush and his team (wince!) for sticking with the plan. I have hope for that country now, which I didn't have yesterday.