Reaction time

The kid gloves in dealing with the Osama tape came off very quicker than I thought they would. George Bush took them off first, claiming that John Kerry was trying to politicize the tape almost before Kerry had been briefed on what the tape contained (via Talkleft).

Kerry learned of the contents sometime between 5:30 and 6:00pm, and issued the following statement:

In response to this tape from Osama bin Laden, let me make it clear, crystal clear. As Americans, we are absolutely united in our determination to hunt down and destroy Osama bin Laden and the terrorists. They are barbarians. And I will stop at absolutely nothing to hunt down, capture or kill the terrorists wherever they are, whatever it takes. Period.

Strong and decisive. No attacks on Bush. Just a vow to hunt down Bin Laden and his fellow terrorists and capture or kill them no matter what.

Yet somehow, Bush thought the call for unity, for us to respond as Americans, was too partisan:

Unfortunately, my opponent tonight continued to say things he knows are not true, accusing our military of passing up a chance to get Osama Bin Laden in Tora Bora. As the commander in charge of that operation, Tommy Frank has said is simply not the case. It's the worse kind of Monday morning quarterbacking. It is especially shameful in the light of a new tape from America's enemy.

A desperate swing from a seemingly desperate campaign. And Digby points out the talking heads are out in force trying to find traction for Bush. Of course, Kerry continuing to act presidential will stop this from happening:

This is a serious issue, and it's disturbing that the White House seems intent on making it a political issue. The president was briefed on the tape before he delivered one of his most negative and divisive attacks of this campaign.

America deserves a national security debate on the merits rather, than a president who desperately resorts to distortions, falsehoods and untruths on a regular basis.

John Kerry was very clear tonight that we will stop at nothing to hunt down and kill the terrorists and that all Americans - Republicans and Democrats - are united in the war on terror. George Bush wasted no time in dividing us again.