Sparring over bin Laden campaign claims intensifies
(CBS NEWS) WASHINGTON - A year ago Tuesday, a U.S. Navy SEAL raid killed Osama bin Laden in Pakistan.
It was a milestone in the fight against al Qaeda.
Now, it's taking center stage in a political debate that's getting more angry every day.
Republicans say President Obama is using bin Laden's killing as a campaign tool.
He says that's not what he's talking about.
On Monday, the president firmly rejected the charge that his campaign is politicizing the anniversary of bin Laden's death to help him win re-election - and didn't back down from criticism that Mitt Romney wouldn't have made the same call to take out the 9/11 mastermind.
"I hardly think that you've seen any excessive celebration taking place here," Mr. Obama said.
He dismissed critics who assert his campaign is exploiting bin Laden's death for political gain, saying, "I think, for us to use that time for some reflection, to give thanks to those who participated, is entirely appropriate, and that's what's been taking place."
But what's also been taking place is the president's re-election campaign releasing two web videos highlighting his leadership.
And asking specifically, "What would Mitt Romney do?"
On Monday in New Hampshire, Romney answered.
Asked by a reporter if he'd have gone after bin Laden, Romney replied, "Of course."
Asked if he'd have given the order, Romney responded, "Even Jimmy Carter would have given that order."
In a news conference, Mr. Obama was asked about Romney's comparison, and he urged people to look closely at Romney's past comments.
"I'd just recommend that everybody take a look at people's previous statements in terms of whether they thought it was appropriate to go into Pakistan and take out bin Laden," the president said. "I assume that people meant what they said when they said it."
What Romney said in a 2007 interview is that it is "not worth moving heaven and earth and spending billions of dollars just trying to catch one person." Romney's advisers say he was urging a more comprehensive terrorism policy.
Sen. John McCain (R, Ariz.) agreed with Romney that "any president" would have given the order to kill bin Laden, and accused Mr. Obama of exploiting the issue.
"The point is, though," McCain said on Fox News, "do you use that in political campaigns to attack your opponent? Mitt Romney would have done the exact same thing; I am confident, and any leader would have."
Much of the debate over whether the president's campaign is politicizing this issue started when Vice President Biden suggested that the whole campaign could be summed up in a bumper sticker saying, "General Motors is alive, and Osama bin Laden is dead."
To see Norah O'Donnell's full report, click on the video in the player above.
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ANYONE sitting as our elected President would have said take Bin Laden out.
******************************************
Except, perhaps for our former Deserter-in-Chief, George W. Bush, who said on several occasions that he was "not concerned" with the whereabouts of Osama bin Laden.
After all...the Bush family and the bin Ladens are old friends and business partners...
WELL DONE, Mr President...perhaps the Republicans are miffed because you didn't swagger across the deck of a carrier in a borrowed, grown-up pilot suit, under a banner that lied, "MISSION ACCOMPLISHED!
Republicans KNOW how to capitalize politically on something like this...
And they don't like President Obama's style and grace any more than they like his tan...
record.
If it had been a republican president that orchestrated Bin Laden's death the cons would be promoting parades with marching bands today!!
Hypocrites.
They didn't seem to have a problem using 9/11 over and over and over and over again. If I remember right, they even moved their convention of 2004 to New York City (even though it 90% Democrat and inspired the largest political protest in the history of our country).
There not lying - they're doing a romney!
Now it is evident that Obama's strategy of having the military track down the terrorist and killing them is working. Many terrorist have been sent on to meet their 72 virgins by this strategy and it is clear, that Obama has a pretty good idea how to handle them. He even has Special Forces in Africa helping track down Kony.
Why did President Obama send in the Seals and not just blow him away with a Predator? I believe the raid accomplished a couple of things. The Seals made sure he was in fact dead and they were able to scoop up an awful lot of valuable information that could be used to track down other terrorist. Good job Seals and thank you President Obama.
Bin Laden's death is not a valid campaign issue for Obama. If the 2008 election had put McCain in the oval office, he would have said go for it. If Hillary Clinton was elected as President, she would have said do it. ANYONE sitting as our elected President would have said take Bin Laden out.
However, since Obama doesn't have much else to crow about, maybe this is the only accomplishment he can point to that was actually successful.
Pakistan is having "issues" with the US because we came in and got Bin Laden without telling them about it beforehand? Excuse me? Pakistan, he was there, you knew he was there, you were aiding in keeping him hidden and shielded, and now you whine? Sorry. Maybe it's time that the US stops sending you our money.
Killing Bin Ladan, and the killing of many terrorists is a legitimate issue. For a very long time, Republicans had claimed that Obama was weak on terrorism. They made it a political issue. Now it is clear that he is not weak on terrorism. In fact, his selective use of forces is a lot better than Bush jr's desire to start wars. By the way, remember Bush jr. in a flight suit on the deck of an aircraft carrier, standing in front of a sign saying, "Mission Accomplished". Wasn't that making the war in Iraq a politcal issue for Bush jr's benefit?