2012 U.S. Presidential Election

[kurai]

perhaps romney should not have started by saying something that he later would have to change his position on?

this is kind of a constant problem for him - pointing this sort of thing out will be a pretty substantial part of the anti-romney campaign

but anyway this particular subject arises due to the one-year anniversary and the fact that this event was a substantial boon to obama's approval rating when it initially happened

have we already forgotten 2004? if you say or do anything at all critical of military operations, you get destroyed for being weak and indecisive while your opponent takes the credit

[Roy Karrde]

perhaps romney should not have started by saying something that he later would have to change his position on?

this is kind of a constant problem for him - pointing this sort of thing out will be a pretty substantial part of the anti-romney campaign

Romney said that he wouldn't spend billions going after Bin Laden, but would keep the options open, a sentiment echoed by the left, including Chris Dodd, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, and Vice President Joe Biden during the campaign in 2007.

But however that does not negate the fact that Obama is using a unifying moment as a political tool.

but anyway this particular subject arises due to the one-year anniversary and the fact that this event was a substantial boon to obama's approval rating when it initially happened

In which case, downplay your role, act humble, thank those that did the mission, and say it was a event all Americans can take part in. Don't use it as a political tool, because again that only makes you look petty and pathetic. Or as Mrs. Huffington of the Huffington Post called it "despicable"

have we already forgotten 2004? if you say or do anything at all critical of military operations, you get destroyed for being weak and indecisive while your opponent takes the credit

2004 was also right after the 9/11 attacks in which security was front in mind with Americans, no one can say that now. Furthermore I do not remember George W Bush saying that John Kerry would not have acted properly during 9/11

[Dark Sage]

Do you really think any sane politician is going to admit that he opposed the strike that killed the world's most wanted terrorist?

Do that, and your popularity would take a freefall.

[Roy Karrde]

Do you really think any sane politician is going to admit that he opposed the strike that killed the world's most wanted terrorist?

Do that, and your popularity would take a freefall.

Obama would want you to think Romney would.

Obviously no one would, as it is much better to attempt the strike and fail than to not attempt the strike and let it come out. Just ask Bill Clinton. However the big beef with the 2007 campaign from Hillary and the rest was that Obama made a rookie mistake by publicly saying he would violate Pakistan's airspace. It is fine to privately say that, but by saying it in a public forum, he is giving Pakistan the heads up that something may be coming. And inturn endanger the operation by having Pakistan boost their defenses.