Blockage

Apparently the State Department didn't agree with the media narrative that the bin Laden tape would help Bush. In fact, they tried to block it:

WASHINGTON (AP) - The State Department on Friday urged the government of Qatar, which finances Al-Jazeera, not to broadcast a videotaped speech by Osama bin Laden, a senior State Department official said.

The official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the State Department spoke to officials in Qatar before Al-Jazeera showed a portion of the tape. In it, the al-Qaida leader said the United States can avoid another attack if it stops threatening the security of Muslims.

Why would the State Department not want the tape shown? Maybe because it proves bin Laden is alive and well? Maybe because people in Iowa, Minnesota, New Mexico, Florida and Ohio might look at it and say, "That fucker is still alive? What the hell are we doing?"

The truth is the political implications are a great unknown. It could break either way. Rove and company are trying to accuse Kerry of politicizing this by bringing up Tora Bora (which Kerry brought up on a Wisconsin TV station before he knew of the veracity of the tape). But that is only likely to work with the base.

This election is about turnout. I'm headed to Kerry-Edwards HQ in LA to phone bank in a couple hours. What are you doing?