I don't believe bin Laden expected us to react the way we did. Why should he? He has been getting away with his terrorism for the last 8 years. The media has been telling the world how divided this country is and that President Bush was not considered the "legitimate" choice of many. The Democrats have made it a point to make life difficult for Bush since he's been in office. bin Laden took all of this to mean that we would once again just roll over, as usual. Maybe lob a few missiles at Afghanistan, like clinton did, and that would be the end of it.
Apparently, he didn't take into account the fact that we now have a man in the WH, not a stupid, self centered fool, and that this country would unite when faced with something as horrendous as 9/11.
Surprise!
Good point about the perspection of division. It would be interesting to know if they thought the US would respond as it has for the last 8 years... bet he is very surprised.