No one is saying that, physically, we are in more danger. But on a psychological level the terrorists have gotten a boost. Seeing that they have been able to influence an election, what might they be emboldened to do? Having made one of our allies fall away, might they target more?
If the left remains noisy and our elections look close, might they take a shot?
If the left remains noisy and our elections look close, might they take a shot?
I don't think that any ifs need to be considered. I think that Al-Qaeda will wreak upon the United States and Europe as much havoc as it can as often as it can whether or not our elections look close and whether we are noisy or quiet. I don't expect any restraint on the part of Osama Bin Laden or Al-Qaeda at any time. They really are out to destroy us.
This Spanish election, while disappointing, should not be read as a Spanish endorsement of terrorism and does not mean that the Spanish people are opposed to fighting terrorism. Both of the major parties are publicly committed to fighting terrorism. (BTW, and this might surprise some people, both candidates also called for tax cuts ;-)) The two candidates did disagree about Spain's participation in the War in Iraq. The policy of the People's Party to send troops to Iraq has always been very unpopular in Spain. As a result of this election, that policy may change in June and Spain might withdraw its 1,300 troops from Iraq.
And, again, while that is mildly disappointing, I am confident that it will not affect the outcome of either the War on Terrorism or the War in Iraq. I don't know if Osama Bin Laden (or those who share his cave in Afghanistan) got an emotional boost out of the Spanish bombings or whether he even had anything to do with them, but I do know that he and his Al-Qaeda cronies are doomed - no matter how any election might go. That bunch crossed their Rubicon and sealed their fate on 9-11.