If anyone believes Barack Obama experienced a recent come to Jesus moment on the issue of dealing with terrorists, let me set you straight. He did not. What did happen was the President found himself presented with an incredible set of circumstances concerning the world’s most loathed terrorist and he bet the farm. Obama let it all ride on Bush/Cheney and, as we all know, he won. Point Bush/Cheney!
Let’s be honest here. President Obama is not a tough guy. He is not channeling John Wayne or JFK. During his run for office he frequently established his disagreement with former President Bush on the US response to terrorism. Obama is a talker not a fighter. His dangerous naiveté leads him to believe the Jihadist who is trying to kill you can be reasoned with over a cup of tea. All IEDs must be left at home.
The bottom line here is that other than giving the kill order, President Obama had almost nothing to do with ridding the world of Usama bin Laden. The process began with former President Bush and moved ahead in spite of Obama not because of him.
The true warriors here are George Bush and Dick Cheney. Both understood that vicious animals such as bin Laden, Khalid Sheikh Mohammed and Ayman al-Zawahiri have no interest in dialogue. They want to kill, not peacefully coexist.
The only language these butchers understand is violence. Like all cowards they only develop respect when they know the other guy can and will kill them.
One of Obama’s first decisions upon taking office was to end waterboarding. Next he ordered through his Justice Department, the reading of Miranda Rights to high value detainees. That sent a clear message to terrorists everywhere – American leadership is weak, naive and will not crush you with an iron fist.
In reality, battlefield combatants do not belong in criminal courts and therefore do not need to be Mirandized, and waterboarding does work.
Fact – Usama bin Laden is dead because of the terror fighting tactics put in place by Obama’s predecessor such as enhanced interrogation, rendition and black sites.
Fact – These tools that work are opposed by President Obama on behalf of leftists everywhere.
Remember Leon Panetta? He was Bill Clinton’s White House Chief of Staff for three years. Panetta, tapped by Obama to be the 21st Director of the CIA, has now been nominated to replace Robert Gates as Secretary of Defense. As Director of the CIA, Leon Panetta would know if enhanced interrogation was instrumental in starting the flow of information that lead to the death of bin Laden. He is on record as saying yes it was. Panetta’s credentials make his word good enough for me.
So what should Obama do now?
Stick with the plan. Go with what works. Admit you were wrong on water boarding and bring it back. Be a tough guy. Cut Pakistan off immediately from any more American funding and make them decide which team they wish to play for. Release the photos we keep hearing about and, above all else, take the fight to the enemy as they have never experienced before. Hunt down Ayman al-Zawahiri and Anwar al-Awlaki (to name a couple) and end their plans for jihad. Reunite them with their good friend Usama.
It is time for more action and less timidity Mr. President. You have an election coming up and, although I hope for your defeat, I am nonetheless going to give you a useful tip.
Score a few more hits on al Qaeda. Tap your inner Rambo even if only temporarily. The world is watching and everyone cheers for a comeback kid. Not quite as many are drawn to a reluctant warrior.
Kaye Richard - When I Write I'm Right 
As for the hunting down and the killing of Usama bin Laden…so true….it was because of Bushes initial prompting in hunting him down that caused the downfall of bin Laden. It’s most unfortunate that Obama is getting the credit where credit is not due. All I can say I’m so glad that one terrorist has been taken care of and discarded. Now the focus should be on the others. Let’s hope that may occur. Can’t see it happening given Obama’s take on terrorism.
Obama finds himself in a difficult position. He needs to appeal to his extreme liberal base but, at the same time, he must face the realities of office. I suspect that with his poll numbers so low, someone who has his ear will urge him to appear more up to the challenge of fighting terrorism. It is more than likely that President Obama will do exactly what President Bush would have done to at least some degree in pursuing the bad guys. At some point, even Barack Obama, one hopes, will see the wisdom in fighting radical Islam rather than appeasing it.