Actually, I think they are reacting this way because they would try and do just that themselves - if they had Osama, they would pull him out of the hat at the most opportune time. After all, Slick blew up an asprin factory just to distract from one of his scandals, among other things. I've found if someone accuses you of doing something you're not doing, it's often because they would be doing just what they're accusing you of if they were in your position.
Well, I'm glad I read the whole thread before I wrote just what you said. I think you nailed it. If Maddie is right, why didn't Pres. Bush secretly hold on to Saddam until just before the election?