# Make the case that ObL's death increases Obama's re-election chances **URL:** \ **Category:** Great Debates\ **Created:** [May 2, 2011, 8:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/make-the-case-that-obls-death-increases-obamas-re-election-chances/580512 "2011-05-02T20:57:32Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e8c25b/32.png) [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Really_Not_All_That_Bright)\ **Post date:** [May 2, 2011, 11:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/make-the-case-that-obls-death-increases-obamas-re-election-chances/580512/41 "2011-05-02T23:06:05Z")
> [@G-SE](#): > > Years and years of intelligence gathering, which the majority of which was collected during the Bush Administration, finally led to Bin Laden’s whereabouts and Obama was the ever so lucky guy to get to say “Ok, go get him”. Maybe, but it was Bush who failed to pull the trigger when we had bin Laden dead to rights in Tora Bora. And the house/compound was apparently built five years ago, so it’s unlikely that much of the directly related intelligence was collected during Bush’s tenure. ---
**Author:** ![Kobal2](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kobal2/32/20_2.png) [@Kobal2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kobal2)\ **Post date:** [May 2, 2011, 11:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/make-the-case-that-obls-death-increases-obamas-re-election-chances/580512/42 "2011-05-02T23:10:22Z")
> [@ElvisL1ves](#): > > Anyone else suspect his release of the birth certificate, knowing the OBL operation was about to go, was timed to accentuate the fatuity of the GOP’s position? Meh. He didn’t seem to need any props to [underline the silliness _hard_](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k8TwRmX6zs4&feature=player_embedded). Pack a fire extinguisher before clicking that link, because it’s just burn after burn. ---
**Author:** ![Grumman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/43a26b/32.png) [@Grumman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Grumman)\ **Post date:** [May 2, 2011, 11:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/make-the-case-that-obls-death-increases-obamas-re-election-chances/580512/43 "2011-05-02T23:34:25Z")
> [@sh1bu1](#): > > They did not have Pakistan’s consent. It was launched from a Pakistani airbase, apparently using at least one Pakistan security forces helicopter, and Obama gave credit to counterterrorism cooperation with Pakistan for helping lead them to Bin Laden. That sounds like consent to me. ---
**Author:** ![Little\_Nemo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/little_nemo/32/3120_2.png) [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Post date:** [May 2, 2011, 11:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/make-the-case-that-obls-death-increases-obamas-re-election-chances/580512/44 "2011-05-02T23:35:58Z")
I agree with the OP to the extent that this will not change the minds of people who would not vote for Obama under any circumstances. Nor will it have any effect on how people who would not vote for a Republican under any circumstances will vote. The True Believers on both sides will not be swayed either way. But elections are decided by the people in the middle and I believe this will have an effect on them. It demonstrably shows that the Obama administration was able to do something that the Bush administration could not. Sure there will be a lot of spin on it but one side will be offered results and the other side will be offering excuses. ---
**Author:** ![Starving\_Artist](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/aeb1de/32.png) [@Starving\_Artist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Starving_Artist)\ **Post date:** [May 2, 2011, 11:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/make-the-case-that-obls-death-increases-obamas-re-election-chances/580512/45 "2011-05-02T23:50:33Z")
> [@Oakminster](#): > > Last night, Obama got a chance to look strong, decisive, and \*Presidential \*. I agree with this. FWIW, I found myself thinking as he approached the end of his speech that it was the first time I’d seen him come across as “presidential”. (I hope it’s not the beginning of a trend. :D) I don’t think this incident makes Obama a shoo-in for reelection, but, as others have said, it does give him a boost, especially with type of voter who bases their votes on a candidate’s looks, likeability or other non-political reasons. ---
**Author:** ![Try2B\_Comprehensive](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/try2b_comprehensive/32/65_2.png) [@Try2B\_Comprehensive](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Try2B_Comprehensive)\ **Post date:** [May 2, 2011, 11:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/make-the-case-that-obls-death-increases-obamas-re-election-chances/580512/46 "2011-05-02T23:53:43Z")
Sure it’ll help. This is a major policy milestone- people have wanted this for a decade and Obama delivered. It is good news for just about everyone in the world. Maybe now the US can scale back the war on terror without looking weak, which might do some good for the debt and perhaps free up resources to tackle that pesky gas price via alternative energy. At the very least he produced something America can be proud of. Basically this is a feather in the cap of a guy who might have a great list of accomplishments come election day. ---
**Author:** ![elucidator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8edcca/32.png) [@elucidator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elucidator)\ **Post date:** [May 2, 2011, 11:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/make-the-case-that-obls-death-increases-obamas-re-election-chances/580512/47 "2011-05-02T23:55:50Z")
> [@](#): > > …especially with type of voter who bases their votes on a candidate’s looks, likeability or other non-political reasons. Technical word for that type of voter is “moron”. ---
**Author:** ![pseudotriton\_ruber\_ruber](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/a9a28c/32.png) [@pseudotriton\_ruber\_ruber](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pseudotriton_ruber_ruber)\ **Post date:** [May 2, 2011, 11:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/make-the-case-that-obls-death-increases-obamas-re-election-chances/580512/48 "2011-05-02T23:57:32Z")
Because now, when he withdraws from Pakistan, he’ll be able to claim, with considerable basis, that we accomplished our mission, and we’re leaving. Before killing Osama, he was subject to “cut and run” criticism from the right, and subject to “wasting $ and treasure” criticism from the right. Now he’s subject to neither–he simply accomplished his goals there, and withdrew our troops. Case closed. ---
**Author:** ![theR](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/977dab/32.png) [@theR](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/theR)\ **Post date:** [May 3, 2011, 12:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/make-the-case-that-obls-death-increases-obamas-re-election-chances/580512/49 "2011-05-03T00:01:09Z")
> [@Grumman](#): > > It was launched from a Pakistani airbase, apparently using at least one Pakistan security forces helicopter, and Obama gave credit to counterterrorism cooperation with Pakistan for helping lead them to Bin Laden. > > That sounds like consent to me. Where are you getting this information? The Post says it was launched from Afghanistan and that President Obama didn’t notify Pakistan until after the helicopters were out of Pakistan’s airspace. I’ve seen no mention anywhere of a non-US helicopter. [http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/national-security/bin-laden-discovered-hiding-in-plain-sight/2011/05/02/AFEljUbF\_story\_2.html](http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/national-security/bin-laden-discovered-hiding-in-plain-sight/2011/05/02/AFEljUbF_story_2.html) > [@](#): > > The SEALs destroyed the crippled chopper and then took off in the other helicopter and a third that had arrived as a backup. Only after slipping out of Pakistani airspace did Obama called Pakistan’s president, Asif Ali Zardari, to inform him of the U.S. military raid 35 miles from the Pakistani capital. It would be absurd to work with Pakistan because of the chance someone would warn bin Laden. It is being reported that very few people knew about the raid, even among top staffers in the administration. ---
**Author:** ![elucidator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8edcca/32.png) [@elucidator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elucidator)\ **Post date:** [May 3, 2011, 12:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/make-the-case-that-obls-death-increases-obamas-re-election-chances/580512/50 "2011-05-03T00:01:47Z")
Depends, I suppose. Some punditti claim that the reason the current crop of Republican “candidates” looks so much like a goon platoon is because no serious contender will step forth to be the next Bob Dole, and sacrifice any chance he may have had. If such is the case, then this cannot make it any better, and you wouldn’t really see any difference. Obama will get a hefty boost right now, but there aren’t any elections right now. And next November is twelve parsecs away. ---
**Author:** ![davidm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/davidm/32/225_2.png) [@davidm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/davidm)\ **Post date:** [May 3, 2011, 12:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/make-the-case-that-obls-death-increases-obamas-re-election-chances/580512/51 "2011-05-03T00:06:29Z")
> [@Rand\_Rover](#): > > …the type of person who’s exuberant over ObL’s death is likely the type of person who isn’t voting for Obama no-way-no-how… This is simply incorrect. As an example, check out someplace like Democratic Underground and you will currently see many many people exuberant over OBL’s death and who are and were big Obama supporters. Were you somehow under the impression that most lefties didn’t want OBL eliminated? Beyond behind a murderous monster, which is enough in itself, OBL was a fundamentalist religious fanatic, lefties HATE fundamentalist religious fanatics. ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [May 3, 2011, 12:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/make-the-case-that-obls-death-increases-obamas-re-election-chances/580512/52 "2011-05-03T00:09:59Z")
> [@](#): > > And next November is twelve parsecs away. Nitpick: Less than half a parsec. (and yes, I do recognize the Star Wars reference) ---
**Author:** ![Stoid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/stoid/32/272_2.png) [@Stoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stoid)\ **Post date:** [May 3, 2011, 12:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/make-the-case-that-obls-death-increases-obamas-re-election-chances/580512/53 "2011-05-03T00:12:02Z")
> [@elucidator](#): > > Depends, I suppose. Some punditti claim that the reason the current crop of Republican “candidates” looks so much like a goon platoon is because no serious contender will step forth to be the next Bob Dole, and sacrifice any chance he may have had. If such is the case, then this cannot make it any better, and you wouldn’t really see any difference. > > . Everything said so far, plus this: No one who has a real shot in hell is going to waste it trying to beat an incumbent with this much positive and so little negative, and if they ever considered it for a second, this just shut that door. It’s a done deal, folks, settle in for six more years of The Coolest Man in Politics. ---
**Author:** ![tomndebb](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/b9e5f3/32.png) [@tomndebb](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tomndebb)\ **Post date:** [May 3, 2011, 12:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/make-the-case-that-obls-death-increases-obamas-re-election-chances/580512/54 "2011-05-03T00:17:55Z")
> [@elucidator](#): > > Technical word for that type of voter is “moron”. Their votes have exactly the same weight as a vote by an esteemed member of the Brookings Institution or a staff member of The Washington Post, the Onion, or the Cabinet. ---
**Author:** ![Little\_Nemo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/little_nemo/32/3120_2.png) [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Post date:** [May 3, 2011, 12:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/make-the-case-that-obls-death-increases-obamas-re-election-chances/580512/55 "2011-05-03T00:19:34Z")
> [@elucidator](#): > > Depends, I suppose. Some punditti claim that the reason the current crop of Republican “candidates” looks so much like a goon platoon is because no serious contender will step forth to be the next Bob Dole, and sacrifice any chance he may have had. If such is the case, then this cannot make it any better, and you wouldn’t really see any difference. > > Obama will get a hefty boost right now, but there aren’t any elections right now. And next November is twelve parsecs away. But pretty much all of the Republicans have been running on a platform that Obama is a failure who hasn’t accomplished anything. That’s not going to resonate now. All of the Republican candidates are going to have to essentially start their campaigns over again with a new message. ---
**Author:** ![Evil\_Captor](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/f17d59/32.png) [@Evil\_Captor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Evil_Captor)\ **Post date:** [May 3, 2011, 12:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/make-the-case-that-obls-death-increases-obamas-re-election-chances/580512/56 "2011-05-03T00:24:20Z")
> [@elucidator](#): > > Technical word for that type of voter is “moron”. Yes, there are a lot of them, they voted for Bush in 2004 in droves. We have to take them into account in any electoral calculations, and the fact that Obama got bin Laden is gonna help a lot with the morons. ---
**Author:** ![Voyager](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/voyager/32/133_2.png) [@Voyager](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Voyager)\ **Post date:** [May 3, 2011, 12:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/make-the-case-that-obls-death-increases-obamas-re-election-chances/580512/57 "2011-05-03T00:28:19Z")
> [@Mach Tuck](#): > > I think it’s silly to speculate seriously when we’re 18 months or so away from the election. That’s an eternity in politics. > > As was pointed out, GHWB is a cautionary tale in this regard. I vividly remember him triumphantly addressing a joint session of Congress shortly after the first Iraq War and thinking, “Man, there’s no way he’s not getting re-elected.” The only difference here is that Bush, like all Republicans, have automatic national security cred. (Maybe not actual cred, but that is how the media spins it.) So, doing an excellent job in GW I didn’t help that much. It was also so well executed that it looked easy, and so didn’t have the drama and the sense of doing the impossible that killing bin Laden did. ---
**Author:** ![davidm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/davidm/32/225_2.png) [@davidm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/davidm)\ **Post date:** [May 3, 2011, 12:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/make-the-case-that-obls-death-increases-obamas-re-election-chances/580512/58 "2011-05-03T00:34:24Z")
And then there’s this: Osama bin Laden raid yields trove of computer data [http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0511/54151.html#ixzz1LF8pM9yr](http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0511/54151.html#ixzz1LF8pM9yr) > [@](#): > > The assault force of Navy SEALs snatched a trove of computer drives and disks during their weekend raid on Osama bin Laden’s compound, yielding what a U.S. official called “the mother lode of intelligence.” > > The special operations forces grabbed personal computers, thumb drives and electronic equipment during the lightning raid that killed bin Laden, officials told POLITICO. > > “They cleaned it out,” one official said. “Can you imagine what’s on Osama bin Laden’s hard drive?” Imagine us rolling up most of the Al Qaeda network worldwide. That has to count for something. ---
**Author:** ![fumster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/e9c0ed/32.png) [@fumster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/fumster)\ **Post date:** [May 3, 2011, 12:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/make-the-case-that-obls-death-increases-obamas-re-election-chances/580512/59 "2011-05-03T00:54:59Z")
> [@Grumman](#): > > It was launched from a Pakistani airbase, apparently using at least one Pakistan security forces helicopter, and Obama gave credit to counterterrorism cooperation with Pakistan for helping lead them to Bin Laden. > > That sounds like consent to me. You conservatives never let facts get in your way, do you? If reality conflicts with your pre-conceived notions you just make shit up. ---
**Author:** ![gonzomax](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e8c25b/32.png) [@gonzomax](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gonzomax)\ **Post date:** [May 3, 2011, 1:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/make-the-case-that-obls-death-increases-obamas-re-election-chances/580512/60 "2011-05-03T01:00:35Z")
> [@G-SE](#): > > Well it’s because Obama single handledly swooped out of the sky on his magic rainbow unicorn and plucked Bin Laden out of Pahkeestan, all the while pooping skittles out of his butt. > > Here’s what really happened: > > Years and years of intelligence gathering, which the majority of which was collected during the Bush Administration, finally led to Bin Laden’s whereabouts and Obama was the ever so lucky guy to get to say “Ok, go get him”. > > But don’t let that get in the way of the Democrat mutual masturbation session that will last only as long as people remember they’re paying over $4 a gallon of gas and there are no jobs. Sure, Bush announced he was not even looking for Ben laden, but somehow he was in charge of the operations that took him down. Do you have any idea how dumb that is? [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/make-the-case-that-obls-death-increases-obamas-re-election-chances/580512.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/make-the-case-that-obls-death-increases-obamas-re-election-chances/580512.md?page=4)