[cgbg]

and with that I would expect a large scale AQ attack by no later than March of '09...

I don't see an Obama presidency affecting AQ in that way. I think that the Muslims in Africa will be the most aggressive, continuing their recent effort to topple regime after regime. Obama will respond weakly and reluctantly, and we will have more Somalia type disasters on our hands.

I know folks around here hate "West Wing", but the foreign policy arcs of that show describe exactly what happens when a liberal Democrat is President.

[Thermalseeker]

I know folks around here hate "West Wing", but the foreign policy arcs of that show describe exactly what happens when a liberal Democrat is President.

I've never seen that show (or much else that appears on the broadcast networks for that matter). It's been my experience that none of what the broadcast networks offer is worthy my time. I prefer to look to history as a good indicator of what the future holds, since history so often repeats itself.

If you review history, every time we've had a POTUS that is perceived as weak, those who wish to test the resolve of the USA usually do so in short order. It will be no different this time when Obama is elected POTUS.

With Obama in the Whitehouse there will be quite a cast of characters that will test him early on. That list will include, but will not be limited to, AQ, the Mullahs in Iran, Pootie, the Chi-Coms, and the Norks......just to name a few......

FWIW, I DO NOT expect any challenges of any merit coming from the spineless weasels that call themselves "Republicans" in Congress....paraphrasing Mae West: "Hang on, boys, the next four years are going to be a bumpy ride".....