As long as bin Laden’s status is unknown, the American people will live in continuous fear that he will strike again. Therefore, it is against the current Administration’s best interests to ever really capture or kill him. He’s sort of a real-life “boogeyman” – that way, the gov’t can pass more restrictive legislation to invade our privacy and curtail our civil rights, all in the interest of so-called “security”.
Never mind that there hasn’t been a single act of foreign terrorism on American soil since 9/11 (aside from some nutjob sending anthrax through the mail) – because Osama may strike again at any moment, so you better let the FBI read your email and tap your phone without a warrant!