Bin Laden Appears on New Tape

Fox News ^ | 10-29-04 | Jrmink

[jrmink]

WASHINGTON — The Arab television station Al-Jazeera is broadcasting a new tape from Al Qaeda (search) leader Usama bin Laden (search). Multiple sources told FOX News that the 18-minute videotape is authentic and said its release was timed to coincide with Tuesday's presidential elections. Bin Laden makes reference to recent conflicts in Iraq and addresses the American people directly, sources said. U.S. officials said the tape appears to have been made recently. Bin Laden is speaking from a lectern and he talks about threats to the United States and he says that President Bush will not protect the American people Al-Jazeera said the tape deals with the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks on the United States and their consequences. While the announcer said the message was an audiotape, the station's Web site called it a video. The Qatari-based channel did not say how it had received the tape nor how it had concluded that it was authentic. The channel has previously received audio- and videotapes from people linked to Al Qaeda. FOX News' Bret Baier, Ian McCaleb, Anna Persky and The Associated Press contributed to this report.

[sinkspur]

These tapes never mention anything recent, their old footage, no news here, he's dead folks

He's not dead. He mentions John Kerry as a presidential candidate in this tape.

[Cyclopean Squid]

"Well, Osama has come out with his October surprise. Kerry and the media have come out with their October surprise with the explosives lost. WHERE THE HELL IS BUSH'S OCTOBER SURPRISE? WHAT ARE WE WAITING FOR?"

October surprises are tricks by people who can't win on their own merit.

[bubbas_mom]

Good blog. But Michael Moore is so stupid he is probably proud that OBL's statement mirrors his movie. By the way, love your show, I listen quite often.

[Radix]

"...Bush Administration has had 3 years to get rid of this killer, and he's still out there making video tapes!!!

Yeah, isn't it great?

This will kill Kerry's campaign.

[leftcoaster]

From what has been translated and broadcast, I'd say that it is definitely anti-Bush. However, OBL also states specifically that Kerry cannot keep the American people safe either--only the American people can keep themselves safe.

It sounds to me that although he likes Bush less than Kerry, he doesn't like either one of them at all. He sounds like one of my neighbors.

Could it be?

He's coming out for Nader!!!!

[Howlin]

I was out; is this good or bad for Bush?

[singfreedom]

I thought so too. The similarities were more than just striking! Who says these guys don't pay attention to what our media is spewing?!!

[jwalsh07]

Good if President Bush continues to ask "Do we fight them there or do we fight them here?"

[FreedomProtector]

"He also accused President Bush of "misleading" the American people three years since the 2001 suicide airline hijackings that hit the World Trade Center towers and the Pentagon."

--John Kerry, no wait Bin Laden

[oceanview]

the honest answer - who knows?

in a way, I'm glad this tape was released. On Tuesday, we'll find out what this country is made of. This tape sticks it into our face, let's see what Americans are really made of. We may not like the result, but at least we'll know, it will be unequivocal.

[Conservatrix]

THis guy is a body double. I do not believe it.

[js1138]

Sweden is definitely on the list, and they know it.

[sinkspur]

It's good for Bush, IMO. bin Laden reminds Americans of terrorism. He takes shots at Bush, a la Michael Moore.

I don't see how Kerry spins this, unless he says "See, bin Laden is still out there threatening America. I would have him by now."

Nobody buys that, but that's all he's got.

[oceanagirl]

Ha-Ha! That's it! OBL is a Naderite! I love it.

[Yardstick]

"Let's wait to see if it's really recent; Newpaper headlines, if he mentions very recent events, if it's his voice, etc."

The speaker in the video mentions Bush reading to the kids after the planes hit. That information didn't come out until the Michael Moore film, so the video has to be recent. The guy sure looks like Osama. Maybe it's just a good costume/makeup job, but the CIA doesn't think so.

Given the evidence, I think it's Osama, and recent.

[YaYa123]

you are right....I just posted what Jamie Rubin had to say on The Daily Thread. They are already spinning this.

this most certainly can not be a spinning game for the President of the United States. Bush is at a distinct disadvantage here................UNLESS he speaks directly to the American people from the Oval Office. I doubt he will do this, not wanting to give bin Laden more prominence, but it would certainly make me feel better

[eyespysomething]

Sweden's just further down because they're a little softer. If Islamanazis knocked us down, the rest of the world would soon follow.

Pro-American? Yes. So sue me.

[Freepdonia]

I can't believe you guys think this is a plus for Kerry.

I'm with you. At the very least, it has no effect on either campaign. My gut feeling is that it will hurt sKerry, though.

[singfreedom]

I think its a move to appease the American electorate. His organization thinks they can influence our elections more effectively by trying to appeal to the Public, while presenting themselves as just freedom and peace loving individuals (read: "terrorists"), since they have been unsuccessful in making "our streets run with blood".

[good_fight]

If the Kerry campaign tries to spin this in any way, they're going to get bit bad. Having said that, I think it's true of the Bush campaign, too.

I'm talking the horse race here, please understand, not right and wrong.