I'd like to offer my own perspective on this if I may... Take it for what it's worth.

Osama is dead.

I cannot see this fact as a failure by the previous administration to make it happen sooner nor a success by the current one that it happens now... I see this as the success of CAREER intelligence and military personnel whose dedication cannot be measured by any objective means. They put their heads down, pushed forward, risked their lives, gave up their lives, and kept an unspoken promise to us. That promise was and is that they, as our Servicemen and Women would always be there doing the job their government (and by extension US) asks of them no matter what it is. Kudos to them!

I love my President though many here see me as being critical of him. I loathed the last President though many here have interpreted my posts as supporting him.

Osama is dead. In this we owe VERY MUCH to a VERY FEW. We owe this small victory to the hard work, dedication, and willingness of a few people to put their lives on the line in circumstances none of us would put ourselves in.

OUR government.

Also, the President made a difficult decision. that takes leadership. I'm very happy to see that America still works with leaders in charge.

k/r

(I wouldn't be surprised to see a 20-point jump in improval ratings), this would have happened under McCain, as well. There are brave and dedicated men and women that have been working to bring this to pass for well over a decade.

to use.

McCain has no resolve. He's been my Senator since I could vote and he hasn't helod a solid position on anything difficult from the beginning.

But--bless your heart.

If you're more comfortable being a cheerleader, that's fine. I'd prefer to cheerlead the military heroes who were going to accomplish this, regardless of who the CIC is.

those who toil under unbelievable circumstances to make things happen a world away no matter which party is in control.

It's THOSE people to whom we owe our thanks in this instance.

I tried, but I couldn't.

I agree absolutely that it is a victory for our career military and intelligence personnel.. However... it cannot be avoided that the previous administration COMPLETELY took their eye off of the ball when it comes to Afghanistan and Bin Laden. The career military and intelligence personnel cannot do their respective jobs without support. I think many of us Dems and Pres Obama have always been right - Iraq was an unnecessary distraction that kept us from the real fight over 911 which was Al Queda and in Afghanistan and moved into Pakistan.

Pres O gave them the leadership to get it done... Bush didn't.

located him. Bush didn't, and Bush's boy Rumsfeld let Osama get away (probably on purpose) at Tora Bora. We didn't get OBL before because the Bush administration deliberately avoided devoting the resources to the task. The difference this time is that Obama wanted it done and directed those who could do it to do their best to get it done.

I don't understand your "made it a priority" assertion.

Regardless of what happened in the past, Bush didn't have the kind of 100% control it would take to "deliberately avoid" catching him, nor did President Obama have the kind of 100% control it took to catch/kill him.

This isn't Obama's feather for the cap; it's that of those who did the legwork, took the casualties, forged the alliances, and interpreted the intelligence IN PERSON.

It's only for Obama to take credit because it happened on his watch.

To say otherwise is to discredit those who put their lives on the line no matter WHO was/is President to make this happen. I'm a Veteran, and understand that you do your job no matter who is your Commander in Chief.

It's not a political thing, and I'll not use it to make political hay as some would.

ALL THE CREDIT goes to career military and intelligence personnel.

is treated as a priority and what is not during his administration. I don't doubt that Obama did just as he said: i.e., instructed the CIA under Panetta to get serious about finding OBL, and to put a lot of resources into the job.

The final decision to go ahead was made by one man, and one man only.

successful. that is why he gets credit.

bush, being pushed by cheney and rumsfield was counterproductive and a failure in so many ways and for so many reasons

Bush didn't make decisions on the ground. Neither did Obama.

Career military/intelligence made the decisions, after asking for permission.

Obama didn't say "SHOOT" in advance; he was informed of a certain situation by people on the ground and told them was OKAY to shoot.

an entourage of hundreds of vehicles and go to Pakistan, right past our guys? There were three roads. We closed two of them.

who did this.
i know a jsoc guy. his whole freaking family has put up with all kinds of shit for this moment.

You are correct that the intelligence personnel deserve credit but Obama does too for allowing them to do their job.