“Timing has a lot to do with the outcome of a rain dance.”
This bit of folk wisdom arrived in my in-box at about the same time an ICO contributor suggested President Obama’s timeline “is not always ours.”
The truth of both statements was evident as Americans watched Mr. Obama bask in the attention he received for presiding over the killing of America’s Most Wanted Terrorist. In a speech rife with references to “I,” “me” and “my,” our Narcissist-In-Chief triumphantly announced the success of a comprehensive mission put into motion nearly ten years ago by then-President Bush – and subsequently opposed by then-Senator Obama.
With campaign season upon us, this administration’s timeline for exploiting another “gutsy, defining moment” could not be postponed. Obama’s address, broadcast within three hours of bin Laden’s death, gave him an immediate bump in the polls – and may have compromised our ability to effectively utilize information seized in the raid.
Had Obama stayed mum a bit longer, intelligence experts tell us we likely could have disrupted the entire al-Qaida organization in a very short time. Also, some administration officials are concerned that leaks of details best left secret jeopardize the safety of Special Forces involved in such operations.
Last week a frustrated Defense Secretary Robert Gates remarked, “We all agreed that we would not release any operational details from the effort to take out bin Laden.” As Pentagon press secretary Geoff Morrell summarized, “The more that’s in the public domain the less likely we’ll be able to pull these operations off in the future.”
Which brings to mind another time-tested truism: “Loose lips sink ships.”
President Obama couldn’t wait to spill the beans, for the opportunity to campaign as a war hero. I can’t wait for the opportunity to put a grown-up back in the Oval Office.
Linda Clyne
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