It wasn't me that said they would attack in order to effect the elections...it was the Homeland Security people (or CNN maybe).

However, I think they do consider the outcome. I just think the outcome of 9/11 was not what they thought it would be.

 

Perhaps they will attack off soil? If they manage to kill several Americans out of the US, the blow is more of a "Bush's Fault", so the Kerry campaign could blame it on poor Bush policy, yada yada, and then the attack succeeds. I agree that if they attack in the US, Americans may pull together and fight harder behind Bush, but I hear quite a bit of sentimant at work about how Bush has dragged our name in the Mud... (I never hear exactly how, just that he did) maybe the Kerry supporters would be able to swing a "Peace Now" type campaign, promising a new era of "understanding" and "accepting differences" which plays to the Terrorists' end goal of destroying the United States devils.


Just my own $.01.5

 

The only benefit @ election time is if the attack strengthened Kerry. I would guess the terrorists would like Kerry over Bush. They know Kerry would let them off the hook & Bush would go fry them.

 

The hatred for America and bombings on US holdings was there before Bush was in office. At least now they know we're tired of it and will do what's necessary to stop it.

 

Heck, sometimes I think that Osama or whoever is in charge there wouldn't care too much about the person of the president of the USA- well, maybe only as a target.
It's the american lifestyle and wealth that's making them hate the US. (And the influence etc)
Hoss posed an interesting question. Who woud profit from an attack shortly before the elections.
I think it depends on the timing of the whole "event" -including the prewarning period and also on the target of the attack.

AlpineRAM

 

I think zulusafari hit it right on the head. If the attack would be on US soil, Bush gets support. On foreign soil, Kerry gets support, as he could just dish off the blame to Bush.

Ya know, we Americans really are like a family. We can poke fun at eachother inside the family, but when an outsider rattles our cage, they better look out!

 

Bin Laden could care less about who wins the white house. After all, it was (god I hate to say his name ) Clinton that sent cruise missles into Afganastan and Sudan in 1998. If we are attacked, and I think there's a good chance of that, it is because he despises our way of life, believes we are the demons that are infiltrating his homeland and is willing to do anything to stop it, even killing our children. I refuse to accept that these people are smart, maybe clever, but anyone that is willing to walk into a coffee shop with 50lbs. of tnt on their chest to kill a group of inocent people is not smart.

I don't think Kerry will go too soft on Al Qaeda either, but if he lets his guard down, we will pay a big price. I hope we don't have to find out. The election could go either way, some will blame Bush, some will back Bush, really hard to say.

Crimedog you are so right. We are like a big family, bickering and carrying on amoungst ourselves, but watchout when you mess with us!

 

Good video.

http://jibjab.com/MovieViewer.aspx?contentid=162

 

The terrorist's goal is to disrupt our lives and instill fear in people. That is how they get their power by making people afraid. If the timing of an attack is such that the news media and the Kerry campaign can point to Bush and say he failed in protecting us then Kerry gets a boost from the attack. If the timing is such that Bush can respond properly and draw the country together then Bush gets a boost from the attack.

These people are not stupid or dumb because they blow themselves up to kill infidels. There are several reports out now telling that Muslim school children are taught from the beginning that they should kill infidels - anyone that is not Muslim. They are taught that if they die killing infidels then Allah has a special place for them in heaven and basically they will have everything they want in their new life. It doesn't matter who is president the Muslims will continue to attack non-Muslims because they are taught to hate us.

Allah said if you will die for me then I will promise you a place in paradise.

God said I love you so much that I will let my Son die for you so that your sins may be forgiven and if you will accept him as your Savoir then you will spend eternity with me in heaven.

Allah is a god of hate. God is Love.

 

Oh....there will be a special place for them alright....but I don't think it's going to be what they're hoping for.

AND obey His commandments....

Now....back on topic please.

 

Good posts and very interesting. It would not surprise me in the least if the US were attacked in November or maybe even late October. The question is where, on home soil or against US interests and citizens abroad? It could even be both. Now as to the why. This is where it gets fuzzy. The Islamic extremists would sure love to see Kerry take the reins as that would make their job of destroying the USA much easier. On the other hand if Bush stays in power it may not make much difference to them either.
One thing y'all must remember is that the Arab mind does NOT think like you. If any of you have lived among Arabs for any period of time, you probably know what I am talking about. The Christian faith says that God sent his son to die for you. The Arab faith says that you send your son to die. The non-Christian 'religions' such as the Muslims and others hate the US way of life with a passion. Their sworn goal is to end the the US way of life and replace it with the Islamic religion. So far they are doing great. As just one example, just take a look at the rate of growth of Muslim churches in the states. Ask yourself why this is happening. Ask yourself why the Islamic religion is probably the fastest growing religion in the world today, including the US.
I don't want this to get into a religious argument but in reality the bottom line for the cause of the war in Iraq is religion. There are only two countries that confess Christianity, the US of A and Israel. The non-Christian religions such as Islam have sworn for years to eliminate the country of Israel and to drive every Jew into the sea. The fact that America supports Israel is reason enough in the Arab mind to attack America and hate every American. You will be seeing more and more of "One nation under Allah". Also remember that the spread of the Islamic religion is by the sword and not by love.
Now, back to the the question as to how a terrorist attack would affect the upcoming elections. I don't know as there are too many variables. It could go either way as some have already suggested. The next attack (and there will be one, or more) could make 9/11 look like nothing. The next attack could also be well coordinated to strike in many cities simultaneously. Of course America will rally together as usual, the media will have a field day and certain politicians will try and look good, but who are you going to attack in return? There will be a great uproar and much finger pointing but in reality the next attack could well be from a faceless enemy. The traditional way of fighting is out the window. Now America is up against terrorists, cell groups and similar stuff. Yes, this next terrorist attack could be disastrous, but then what? Specially when different terrorist organisations from different countries claim responsibility.

 

Good post Stan...and good points. Seems to me the only way for this country to ever be REALLY safe is to start exporting people and then close the borders. Of course that won't happen because that's not the way we are. We welcome all.

 

Sometimes I think we welcome too many............and not the right ones.............

 

With all respect, Israel is hardly a Christian country. They are hated by the Muslims because of their Jewish heritage and beliefs, however, the Palestinian territorial question aside.

Rusty

 

Ah, I was waiting for someone to say that. Israel IS a Christian country in that they confess faith in the same God that America does. America supports the Jews as instructed in the Bible and that is why the Islamics hate America. Please note, I don't want to turn this into a debate about Islamics having the same God as America. That is another subject entirely.
The Palestinians is another subject again. Remember, the so-called Paletinians are all actually Arab refugees that other Arabs are using to further their cause. Arafat being one of the worst abusers of his own people.