While Republicans are eager to remind us that Osama bin Laden would not have been killed if not for the previous administration's brilliant 10-year plan to smoke him out of his
cavemansion, the potential presidential candidates are split on whether to even mention the president who
actually caught and killed OBL. Apparently, the "serious" candidates are willing to toss a few breadcrumbs in President Obama's direction.
Tim Pawlenty? Serious candidate:
This is terrific news for freedom and justice. In the hours after the 9/11 attacks, President Bush promised that America would bring Osama bin Laden to justice — and we did. I want to congratulate America's armed forces and President Obama for a job well done. Let history show that the perseverance of the US military and the American people never wavered. America will never shrink from the fight and ultimately those who seek to harm us face only defeat. Today, justice is done, but the fight against radical Islamic terrorism is not yet over.
Mitt Romney is apparently semi-serious, but can't bring himself to mention the president by name:
This is a great victory for lovers of freedom and justice everywhere. Congratulations to our intelligence community, our military and the president. My thoughts are with the families of Osama bin Laden's many thousands of victims, and the brave servicemen and women who have laid down their lives in pursuit of this murderous terrorist.
Mike Huckabee? Not serious—and a little creepy.
"It is unusual to celebrate a death, but today Americans and decent people the world over cheer the news that madman, murderer and terrorist Osama Bin Laden is dead. The leader of Al Qaeda--- responsible for the deaths of 3000 innocent citizens on September 11, 2001, and whose maniacal hate is responsible for the deaths of thousands of US servicemen and women was killed by U.S. military.
President Obama confirmed the announcement late last night. DNA tests confirmed his death and his body is in the possession of the U. S.
It has taken a long time for this monster to be brought to justice. Welcome to hell, bin Laden. Let us all hope that his demise will serve notice to Islamic radicals the world over that the United States will be relentless is tracking down and terminating those who would inflict terror, mayhem and death on any of our citizens."
Rick Santorum? Not serious.
"This is extraordinary news for all freedom loving people of the world, and I commend all those involved for this historic triumph. Americans have waited nearly ten years for the news of Osama bin Laden's death. And while this is a very significant objective that cannot be minimized, the threat from Jihadism does not die with bin Laden. As we were vigilant in taking him out we need to demonstrate we will continue to be vigilant until the enemy has been subdued."
Sarah Palin? Duh.
Americans tonight are united in celebration and gratitude. God bless all the brave men and women in our military and our intelligence services who contributed to carrying out the successful mission to bring Bin Laden to justice and who laid the groundwork over the years to make this victory possible. It’s a testament to the hard work and dedication of these brave Americans who relentlessly hunted down our enemy.
This is a victory for the American people, for the victims who were heartlessly murdered on September 11 and in Al Qaeda’s other numerous attacks, and for all the peace-loving people of the world.
May God bless our troops and our intelligence services, and God bless America!
Michele Bachmann? Not serious—but seriously stupid.
"I want to express my deepest gratitude to the men and women of the U.S. military and intelligence community. Their persistence and dedicated service has yielded success in a mission that has gripped our nation since the terrible events of 9/11. Tonight’s news does not bring back the lives of the thousands of innocent people who were killed that day by Osama bin Laden’s horrific plan, and it does not end the threat posed by terrorists, but it is my hope that this is the beginning of the end of Sharia-compliant terrorism."
And here's a shocker. Looks like Donald Trump wants to be a serious candidate. Today, at least:
Potential 2012 presidential candidtae Donald Trump, who has emerged as one of President Obama's sharpest and most vocal critics, congratulated him after Sunday night's announcement of the killing of Osama Bin Laden.
He also called for a temporary end to the debate over "party politics," suggesting that now is a time to remember the nearly 3,000 people who died in the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001.
"I want to personally congratulate President Obama and the men and women of the Armed Forces for a job well done," Trump said in a statement to ABC News.
I am so proud to see Americans standing shoulder to shoulder, waving the American flag in celebration of this great victory," he added. "We should spend the next several days not debating party politics, but in remembrance of those who lost their lives on 9/11 and those currently fighting for our freedom. God Bless America!"