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Handout / Reuters
A hand-written memo by then CIA Director Leon Panetta in which U.S. President Barack Obama authorised a Navy SEAL team operation that resulted in the death of Osama bin Laden at his hideout in Pakistan one year ago.
With the first anniversary of Osama bin Laden's death approaching, Leon Panetta has spoken of the nerve-wracking moments of the night of the raid by U.S. Navy SEALs.
The picture in Defense Secretary Leon Panetta's office captures the "mission accomplished" moment.
It shows Panetta, then the head of the CIA, and a group of U.S. commandos and others in the CIA operations center on the night of May 2 with their arms around each other — a quiet celebration just after U.S. helicopters crossed back over the border into Afghanistan.
Not until then — 90 minutes after U.S. special operations forces had lifted off from the heavily fortified compound in Pakistan where they went in search of Osama bin Laden — was he sure they could breathe a sigh of relief.
"We got the job done," Panetta said Friday as he recalled the long silences and the tense, heart-pounding moments before Adm. William McRaven's words finally came through loud and clear.
"Geronimo EKIA" — the code name for bin Laden, and the signal for "enemy killed in action."
Abbottabad - One year after Osama bin Laden
With the first anniversary of the al-Qaida leader's death approaching, Panetta spoke to reporters on his plane as he flew back from a series of meetings with defense leaders in South America. Perched on a table inside the Airstream trailer — dubbed the Silver Bullet — that serves as his office inside his C-17 transport plane, Panetta traced back through the nerve-wracking moments of that night.
And he talked about its impact over the past year.
"I don't think there's any question that America is safer as a result of the bin Laden operation," he said.
While al-Qaida and its offshoots remain a threat, he said, the military and intelligence communities have learned to work better together since Sept. 11, 2001. Still, he acknowledged, there is no single, completely effective way to destroy the terror network.
"The way this works is that the more successful we are at taking down those who represent their spiritual, ideological leadership, the greater our ability to weaken their threat to this country," he said.
The story of the raid is well-known: The SEALs and special operations forces that flew deep into Pakistan; the wrenching moment when one of the helicopters went down in the heat, landing hard with its tail on the wall; the SEALs' assault on the house where they believed bin Laden and his wives had been living for several years; and what Panetta on Friday called the "fingernail-biting moments."
Nearly one year after the death of Osama bin Laden, some Republicans are accusing the Obama administration of using the event for political gain. NBC's Mike Viqueira reports
"We knew that there were gunshots and firing, but after that we just didn't know," said Panetta, describing the nearly 20 minutes of silence after the SEALs went into the house.
PhotoBlog: Osama bin Laden's hideout revealed
Then came confusion. McRaven, commander of the operation, told him that he thought he'd picked up the word "Geronimo."
"The way he said it was like, you know, 'We think,'" said Panetta. "It wasn't ideal. We were still waiting."
A few minutes later came the KIA message. Then came the long flight out of Pakistan.
"By that time they had blown the helicopter that was down and we knew we had woken up all of Pakistan to the fact that something had happened," Panetta said with a laugh. "The concern was just exactly what were they thinking and how were they going to respond."
The moment they crossed the border, he said, was "the moment when we finally knew the mission had been accomplished."
Then they could embrace the victory.
The raid created a deep fissure into the already rocky U.S.-Pakistan relations. U.S. officials, including members of Congress, were irate that the al-Qaeda leader had been able to hide — virtually in plain sight — in a Pakistani military town. Some suggested there was at least some knowledge of his hiding place.
Pakistani leaders, meanwhile, were outraged that the U.S. had launched a military mission deep within the country's borders without alerting them, violating their sovereignty. Islamabad's military commanders were embarrassed that the U.S. was able to carry out the raid without being detected.
The bin Laden saga has continued in Pakistan. His three wives and their families were deported early Friday to Saudi Arabia. Officials have said that the wives and as many as eight children and some grandchildren were living in the compound when it was raided.
The anniversary has triggered security warnings for Americans in Pakistan. The U.S. Embassy said its employees would be restricted from restaurants and markets in Islamabad for the next two weeks. While there was no mention of bin Laden, the period includes the anniversary date.
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What is Romney's foreign policy anyway? In 2007 he said getting OBL wasn't worth the expense, now it looks like he wants to fund a military empire & another Cold War with more Middle East involvement
Romney is definitely not the one to pick up the phone at 3 AM & order critical missions.... He's been all over the place on killing OBL since 2007 trying to "appease" everyone
I am very proud of President Obama and his courage to make hard decisions. May he have four more years!!!
The one thing that Bush began and Obama did not undo brought him great success. He inherited the mechanism that got OBL from Bush but takes full credit. His political ad does ot even mention the Navy Seals - just himself! Yet he still continues to blame his every failure on what he inherited from Bush. What a jerk!
Watermoon,,,, You really haven't paid attention have you?
Bush created the gravest military strategic failures in our military history... The entire effort in Afghanistan & Paskistan was seriously neglected & under supported for 6 years
It took our military another 2 years during the end of the last republican White House to figure out the problems caused by Bush/Rumsfeld & another year to change the direction with a plan for withdrawal
This President promised to kill OBL, Pakistan permitting or not ------ "MISSION ACCOMPLISHED"
Romney has been playing Etch & Sketch Electioneering politics with this issue since 2007.... Now he praises Obama for getting it done & still accuses Obama of what, playing politics? ----- Duuuuh
I think it's pretty damned obvious,,,, With Romney you are going to be stuck with Bush 2.0 & endless wars
The last thing BL ever seen was looking down the barrell of the U.S. military. That is great.
American Gullibility Test:
Who created OBL and why?
Who was responsible for 9/11?
Who "killed" OBL, why and what proof do you have that he's dead?
What caused "anti-American terrorism"?
Did "terrorism" cease to exist when OBL was "killed"?
lamo! Oh gawd do more of these...my eyes are tearing because I'm laughing so hard! PLEASE MORE!! Be honest...did you get this from a comedy club or something? I'd love to see the whole act if you did.
have you talked with Trumpster, in person....or just by hearing him babble in the media?
This is one of those moments that call for only one kind of comment: When push came to shove President Obama clearly had the right stuff. You can't change history. It is what it is. If you don't have the spine and the manhood to agree then you are welcome to join the ranks of Republican and other sniveling cowards too small of spirit to call it what it was: Presidential heroism and leadership under fire. Those are qualities in short supply in America today and that's why, come next November, we the people will bring him back for a repeat performance.
Vote Republican and lets try to get the USA out the mess the Democrats have us in like obamacare and the solar plant that we lost half billion on.
Obama Care? Romney once supported it before he was against it
Medicare & health care industry expansion & the "MANDATE" is a "REPUBLICAN IDEA".... It's great for our Free Market & economic growth, it was good for "FAMILIES"
The health care industry & the insurance industry wants either the "Mandate" or "Single Payer" both are "FREE MARKET concepts
Tell me something Joe,,,, Why the Hell should anyone vote for a republican today when they oppose republican ideas & policies?
This is NOT your daddy's GOP, it's not even Reagan or Lincoln's GOP,,,, it's a radical sick version that is destroying the GOP & our country right along with it
What went with the half billion Jim? Do you really know or being a Democrat just dont care..Im a Democrat and I care im tired them waisting my money on handouts for votes.
What do I know about being a democrat? Mom rode with Ronald & Nancy during parades when Reagan was a democrat,,,, I was a young "Free Trade" Civil Rights Republican for over 30 years ----- Now since 2000 a democrat & will stay one unless I see republicans return to sanity
Handouts? That's just old nonsense rhetoric ----- Nixon gave us food stamps to help families & our farms ---- Romney says as his cuts do drastic destruction to the "Social Safety Net" republicans once supported, that he wants to "Patch the Holes"?
What do I know about being a democrat? They have ideas that work & take our nation forward into the 21st century ----- Republicans have no ideas, they have no morals & they have no conscious
What do I know about being a democrat? ----- They get things done republicans today fail miserably in doing
Joe-Osama bin Laden is dead because of the great leadership of President Obama.
Voting Republican would be voting for a corporate raider who's "success" came from destroying American companies and laying off American workers-devastating their families and communities. His greed and ego would be a blight on America and the world.
When Osama was holed up in Tora Bora in the early months of the US invasion of Aghanistan and it was deemed a matter of only getting more US troops in order to capture him, someone from the top said "no". So the answer to your question is pretty obvious to anyone living in or out of a cave for the past 12 years there Roy.
George Bush had bin Laden in his sights at Bora Bora and let him go. Pulled back the US troopers and sent in Afghan mercenaries..... and bin Laden escaped to Pakistan.
Don't people remember these things???
hhmm...you're right. We don't remember these things.
So...who is this George Bush guy, you speak of? Is he the one that all the repub candidates tried to compare themselves with? Oops, no that was Ronnie. Ummm...is he the guy who all the candidates are begging for his endorsement and to speak for them? Whoops, nope. I know I've heard his name before...just can't put my finger on what he did. Is he a Kardashian girl? Oh well.
For all you donkeys kicking your hindlegs and yelling hee haws about Obama, I got some news for you. Your Boychild president Obama never gave the order to go ahead with the Geronimo operation, Secretary of state Hillary Clinton did. She was the only one in DC at the time, and therefore was the acting commander-in-chief. VP Joe Biden was not in DC. Boychild was on vacation with his family. Obama was called back to DC in time to see the operation take place. Afterword, Hillary Clinton erased her image from the tapes (she was seated to the rightside of Obama during the operation). Two days later, Hillary Clinton went to Pakistan to tell the people there that if they wanted to be free 'they must first cleanup the snakes in their own backyard first'. Hillary Clinton is disgusted with the Obama 'do nothing but take all' administration. She has mutually agreed with the boychild president NOT TO RETURN as our secretary of state for another four years. You just cannot support a 'sniveling coward' like Obama.
Now, it was Clinton? Earlier it was Panetta. I wish you wingnut would make up your mind. BTW, neither Clinton nor Panetta were in the Military chain of command, and could NOT give an order to it. Obama was in DC at the time, and he is always the CIC, even on vaction.
@raddave. Panetta is not part of official civil authority. He is the secretary of defense. he brought the matter to Secretary of State Hillary Clinton's attention, who is third in line to act as commander-in-chief and was the only one available at the time to make the quick decision to go ahead with operation Geronimo, NOT OBAMA, NOT VP BIDEN! Obama was not in DC at the time the order was given. He was when the operation was already in progress. Of course, like the boychild he is, he was crossing his fingers hoping nothing would go wrong, but he always could blame someone else if it did ..... like Hillary Clinton.
He was the CIA director at the time. The third in line to act as CIC is the Speaker of the House, not the Secretary of State. Hillary didn't give the order.
@raddave. Yes, at the time Panetta was the CIA director at the time and now is the secretary of defense. Neither of which give him the authority to carryout the operation Geronimo. Panetta's immediate boss is the serving VP, which, in this case, is Joe Biden. Yes, I am wrong Hillary was not third in line but actually fourth, but already knew about operation Geronimo, and worked very closely with all foreign affairs with Panetta. She had the expeirence to know what to do, and yes I am correct she gave the order. Someday you will know that's true. She erased her image from the tapes for her own security, and her families security. From what? Terrorists that would target her if they would even suspect she gave the order.
Demetrious-you can't even keep your own lies straight. You are ridiculously anti-Obama and not good at it. Keep it up-with enemies like you reelection will be a breeze.
I heard that Ronald Reagan gave the order during a seance.
What is the boychild's new foreign policy towards Afghanistan? Give them 2.7 billion US dollars per year for 10 years after we leave Afghan. 2014-2024 2.7 billion per year! Just for the cost of supplying, training, and paying Afghan 'security forces'. Yes, you read that right! It does not include the cost of civil foreign aid to the people of Afghan which is an entirely different US taxpayer bill. Ah, could we give Detroit for example, 2.7 billion dollars in aid to rebuild their city instead?
Only a racist would call the President a "boy."
@raddave ... Ok, I will just call him a child instead. Definition of a child? One who is growing, lacks experience, and makes many mistakes often. Definition of a boy? A small male human. Obama fits both definitions. RACE HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH MY STATEMENTS!!!!
Demetrious (37.2) -- Maybe calling Obama a half-white boy child would better suit the REAL racists in here. I find it so funny that they're so sensitive about the word "boy." I guess they don't know that male babies become boys after babyhood. (And for the overly sensitive ... After boyhood and teen years, males become MEN.)
So you have never referred to any adult male as a "boy"? Sure. We believe you.
Obama is 49 years old, he is a man, not a boy.
@raddave. If he is a 'man' he should act like one. Then maybe he can actually become a leader or a community organizer. Still, like most donkeys, you ignore the facts I have posted above. How do you feel about promising 2.7 billion dollars in aid to Afghanistan per year between 2014-2024? That does not include the cost of civilian aid to Afghan! That is your child's dream, to make Afghan a beautiful, wonderful place for all Americans to travel to and enjoy. Hey,but don't go to Chicagoland without packing a gun, or Detroit without a military escort!
Romney the perfect candidate:
Tough on immigration except as governor of Massachusetts.
6 years dodging the draft by hiding out in France as a missionary during the Vietnam years.
Wants to put troops back in Iran and has a list wish for new military present in various countries as touted in his second debate.
Had his six military age sons tend to the more important matter of supporting his race for GOP presidential candidate-all of six months-didn't have time to serve in the military and inevitably wind up in Iraq or Afghanistan.
Needs to keep low tax rate on investment income because it creates jobs in China.
Speaking about Romney wanting to create jobs in China.. Did you see his trade policy?
Chinese NAFTA on steroids, he sends everything to China expecting it to "Trickle Down" back to America --- Say bye bye to Obama's efforts to bring companies back to the USA that republican policies off shored
China is allied to Russia in case you folks have forgotten
Frank , Romney received a legal deferment. He was not hiding out. I was draft age during Vietnam, and most young men able to get deferments accepted them, so I don't think this has anything to do with qualifications for president.
Regardless of socioeconomic statis such legal differment was readily available to all potential draftees in spite of not being the son of a wealthy congressman? So Fred, "do as I say" always trumps "do as I do" in leadership roles especially when one himself is guilty of the same hypocracy? We think otherwise Fred, based on moral principle.
Obama's political ad questioning what Romney would have done last year to get Osama seems to have sparked a lot of speculation. Okay, let's speculate. If Romney was president he would have also gotten Ayman Al Zawahiri by now. (Al Quaeda's #2 man.) Would you like me to keep speculating?
Ain't no way in Hell can you speculate what Romney would have done.... In 2007 he said it wasn't worth the expense
What you can speculate on with Romney & who he is leaning too for support is that his foreign policy is "Bush 2.0"
Fred, it shows you how in his early life he preferred religions missions instead of supporting America's actions... Does it apply today? I think it does
It's just another face of Romney you folks have to deal with.... Like he was for "Choice" before he was against it, for national health care before he was against it
People in Massachusetts wouldn't reelect him as governor, what makes you sure he's qualified to be President when he's not even qualified to be a conservative?
Secret Service Scandal. Fast and Furious. Solyndra. GSA Scandal. He was against super PAC's before he was for them. Class Warfare. Economic illiteracy. No budget for 3 years. Radical judicial appointments. Outright lying to the American people. I can't even begin to remember all of them. And our boy has issues? Your boy has A LOT of 'splainin' to do.
Hey Bugs, keep chasing those carrots someday you will actually get one. Just keep backhanding Romney but you ignore the facts in my post about the 'New Deal' with the Afghanistan government that the child president is so proud of. Lets us all watch as these United States become more crippled economy wise over the next four years while Afghan becomes a stellar nation of peaceful loving industrious people. Sarcasm INTENDED!!!
How many "Solyndra's" did Romney fail in creating?
Plenty, most of what Romney did was like selling used cars.... Tax Payers should have been protected under the "Lemon Law"
Not to mention Private Equity firms like Bain Capital are responsible for selling states failed retirement plans that our states can't cover --- Retirees are losing their retirement because of companies like what Romney participated in
Demetrious,,,,, Seems like you've forgotten which party failed to do the job in Afghanistan for two terms & the problems they created
Bush created the gravest military strategic failures in our military history... The entire effort in Afghanistan & Paskistan was seriously neglected & under supported for 6 years
It took our military another 2 years during the end of the last republican White House to figure out the problems caused by Bush/Rumsfeld & another year to change the direction with a plan for withdrawal
What is Romney's foreign policy today? Romney now says he would have taken the same action as Obama did & yet he calls Obama a weak leader? ---- Yet he wants to fund a huge military empire in the Middle East.... Bush 2.0 on steroids
Demetrious,,,, Romney was good for Staples... However what he wants to do to defund health care will cost Staples millions
They provide office supplies to clinics, doctor offices & hospitals.... They also provide supplies to Chrysler dealerships that Romney would have ended
Is Romney good for American businesses? ---- Hell no he isn't! Medicare & health care expansion is totally "Free Market" business expansion!
@bugsbunny. 2.7 billion US dollars per year from 2014-2024 for Afghanistan's security forces alone which does not include that cost of foreign aid to civilians. Do you like that carrot? Do want to chew on that awhile or aren't you aware of foreign policies made on your behalf? ..... Bush had one mission in Afghanistan, and that was to get Osama Bin Laden, NOT to increase troop strength from 30,000 to 90,000 which the warmonger child president did in 2009 when he took office. Obama called it the great 'surge' and a few months ago was gloating about a victory in Afghan. Now the boychild president wants to rebuild Afghan and turn it into an Asian Disneyland so all Americans can have fun looking at the great wonders in Afghan. That is your president! Not mine!
Bush's mission was to get OBL ----
"I know that all Americans and people all over the world shared my feelings. Driven by these feelings and encouraged by the practically universal support, I took immediate action on every front, both military and diplomatic, to bring the prime suspect behind the atrocities, Osama bin Laden, to justice - dead, or alive.
As, the diplomatic efforts to persuade the Taliban government of Afghanistan to hand over Osama bin Laden failed, I ordered military action against the Taliban government with the objective of defeating that government and capturing or killing Osama bin Laden."
The entire effort in Afghanistan & Paskistan was seriously neglected & under supported for 6 years
It took our military another 2 years during the end of the last republican White House to figure out the problems caused by Bush/Rumsfeld & another year to change the direction with a plan for withdrawal
So, what is Romney's stance now? He seems to approve of Obama's actions while calling him weak in Afghanistan ----- Romney just doesn't cut the mustard when it comes to decision making
Demetrious.... Why are you bitching about the cost of Afghanistan when you support Republicans who got us in there & totally screwed up?
They had no plan for withdrawal, this President does
Demetrious-you've already shown your ignorance with previous posts about Commander Hillary and other nutjob theories.
What did you think of the billions funnelled to Haliburton, Blackwater and affiliates by Dick Cheney and the crew of neocons?
To all you idiots that are praising the White House muslim for the killing of bin Laden---read the article closely--THE CIA PLANNED AND CARRIED OUT THE OPERATION and the SEALS were under their direction. The White House muslim was TOLD what was happening--=he did not order it, plan it nore could he have stopped it.
Now he's taking credit because he wants to get reelected.
The CIA tells presidents what it is doing just so they won't liik like a bunch of morons when the action hits the headlines.
Think J. Edgar Hoover!!!!
There's a Muslim in the White House?
FYI,,, The Commander in Chief authorizes all missions.... This President even authorized the training that allowed our combined forces to carry out the mission successfully
Think Hoover why? That was a different era we don't need to return to? ----- He was bisexual & a cross dresser,,, to Hoover everyone was a communist
GED Teacher,,,, You are thinking like a Hoover.... The vacuum cleaner, you suck & leave dirt behind
Get out of teaching,,, It's just not your field, children need to be taught to go forward & not regress
You're so correct Ged Student. It's no longer speculation on whether Obama would get Bin Laden. However can you explain what happened when a short time into the invasion of Afghanistan and intelligence said Osama was cornered in Tora Bora and extra US troops were desperately needed for his capture, and troops were denied? You cannot blame intelligence that time. But we question your intelligence.
GED teacher-racist and idiot you could not have a GED. Your logic and knowledge are both lacking.
reportedly Bin Laden's body was immediately whisked out to sea for a 'proper burial' according to islamic law; then, ironically, some months later ST6 members are killed in a helicopter incident
You can't blame that on the seafood poisoning from disposing of the body,,, or on the mission that took out OBL.... In fact it doesn't even make a good conspiracy theory, work on it dude
...Just reporting the facts sir, just the facts. Draw your own conclusions as ye will
Anyone notice that republicans don't seem to know Jack Schitt about the issues?
Maybe this will help them respond better & not get their panties in a wad when they are told they don't know Jack
http://www.toilette-humor.com/toilet_humor/schitt_family.shtml
LOVE IT!
Panetta nail biting...Osama get bin laden...these two dont deserve to even have their names mentioned along side the Navy SEALS.... perfect timing though for upcoming election year when everything else has went to hell.
Timing for elections? Dude, this President even authorized the training that allowed our combined forces to carry out the mission successfully around 8 months prior to the event.
Get a life Ken, you are wasting yours
This is silly, the butt head doesn't give credit for Bush's efforts in tracking down OBL. Goes to show you Gitmo worked, water boardin worked.
And the picture was posed. They act like they were the ones in combat going in and doing the deed. Yeah, Obama gave permission to go in and get him but where was he standing letting someone else do the dirty work and he takes credit that whole worthless group? Yep in DC, hiding behind bullet proof glass and an army. Give me a break!
One problem with your logic,, actually there are several problems. But let's just take the 1st one
Bush didn't track down OBL, nothing Bush did set this in motion
Maybe Obama can get the Navy Seals to give him some advice on economics as well so maybe Obama can claim he created some jobs too during the last 3 plus years.
From economic to OBL & Afghanistan ----- Romney fails to cut the mustard... This President has led us to 18 months of economic growth... Romney's cuts kill jobs & our economy and will drive up debt
Bushonomics 2.0 (on steroids) won't work,,,, Bushonomics 1.0 gave us the economic collapse
The U.S. has lost 2.2 million jobs since President Obama took office. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). The US workforce is at it's lowest level in three decades. The Poverty rate has risen under Obama, the US debt has nearly tripled under Obama in just under 4 years, gas prices are up 100%, the middle class has decreased, home foreclosures have increased and college students are finding it harder to find jobs after graduating, all under Obama. That's why the Headlines are talking about the Navy Seals, I mean Obama getting Bin Laden. If he had anything to do with it... that's all he's got right.
Charles,,, It's wrong for you to use our SEALS for your political issues, they proudly & enthusiastically serve every President to the best of their ability
As far as giving anyone advice goes, I'm sure they don't like the idea of Romney & Ryan slashing 11 billion from veterans funding
The Obama campaign is using the Seal story for their campaign purpose not me. I'm just clearing the air to let people like you know all is not rosie. When we elected Obama we elected a man whose expertise is Constitutional Law and Community Organizing.. Nothing wrong with either unless you want to see real jobs created. He's clueless in that field. Romney is an expert in that field and knows smart people to help him with that. Obama surrounded himself with idiots on economic policy and that's why we're where we are. Obama being the expert on Constitutional law has brought us a lot of questionable moves on his part manipulating our Constitution, and this is where we are at today. If Obama is re-elected I believe Obama has shown us just the tip of the ice berg on what his plans really are pertaining to our constitution.
charles-Romney is an expert corporate raider-he knows how to take apart American companies destroy the lives and communities of American workers and then sell the pieces for big$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$(speech).
Based upon your post we don't care what you believe. It would just be wrong.
Jim, as far as you post about Romney cutting veterns funding, that's not true but this is,,,,
Part of President Obama's plan to cut spending is on the backs of the military as does Governor Brown's plan. Obama wants to have both active duty military and veterans pay more for Tricare yet does not require the same from civilian government workers.
Presidential candidate Ron Paul stated "The Obama administration's proposed defense budget would require military families and retirees to pay exceedingly more for their healthcare, while leaving unionized civilian defense workers' benefits untouched. This is unacceptable."
Just as Governor Brown has withheld funding to open the Veteran's Homes in Fresno and Redding, Obama sees the military and veterans as an easy mark to take money from to fund billions in aid to Pakistan, fund costly and failed solar companies and to take care of those that are illegally in our country with free health care.
Not one second passed by after the news of Bin Ladin's death, that the right wingers were inhaling every molecule of air, out what little sail was made by the president when it was announced. I remember watching him, and admiring his poise and his professionalism in giving us all the news. Republicans have been out for him since day one. After the election of 2008, I really thought there was going to be effort from everyone to work together. I don't blame Obama for recoiling. I would done it along time ago. I say let the Republicans run a muck, for the next four years. Take it all, and shove it where the sun doesn't shine. We still have another 4 plus years of recovery. Let their lame legacy shine. Then we can get back to business and fix the damn mess they got us into.
Why do you fools bother voting for Democrats or Republicans at all? Those two political parties are both part of the problem, and both have dragged this country into the toilet.
The elietists on the right have had some presidents and candidates who had the courage of their convictions ie. Eisenhower, Bush sr., and McCain, but the recent draft doggers like Gingrich, Santorum, Romney, and Bush have a lot to be desired. They can't face defeat for their lack of courage and patriotism. They are like Karl Rove who never step up to lead by example, but always attack and critize those who do to fulfill their lust for glory. They have the likes of Sarah Palin to try to re-write history, but they can't make up their own facts. There is no chance Romney or Santorum would ask any of their sons to serve their nation in our milirary that they are so quick to expose to the the horors of war. They know how to start wars, but with their false bravado they don't know how to end them since it usually is more important to satisfy their corporate friends and their bottom lines. Obama is not a veteran, but he is a leader who makes decisions based on what is best for the country and not big corporations or his legacy. The Cheney type old, white-haired, white men can't stand the fact that it has been left to a man who has afro-American blood lines to save us from the radical elements in our society who care only about their wealth and power. The GOP has corrupted our political system and sold their souls to the wealthy 1% in our nation. Why do these radicals quote the Bible and our Constitution so frequently, but care only about personal welfare and not the general welfare mentioned in the Constitution?