I think the author makes some leaps hare, and I think the title of the piece is an absolute cheap shot at Bush. In her defense, she wrote it right after 9/11, when a lot of pundits were writing emotional stuff that some probably wish they could take back. And, significantly, she mentions that Bush had Abdullah Al Arian (Sami's son) expelled from a post 9/11 White House meeting when it became clearer who he really was.
I do have to say that Candidate Bush was very poorly served by his advisors - the FBI has known about Sami Al Arian for many years - they just weren't able to do much about him until after 9/11. This guy is plugged in tight, and it took 9/11 to change the political climate sufficiently to drain this particular swamp.
And then apologized profusely for that expulsion.
I find this very strange..