Al-Qaeda seriously just endorsed John McCain for president (kinda), updated with Washington Post

[Seen the light]

http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/A/AL_QAIDA_US_ELECTION?SITE=ALANN&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT

WASHINGTON (AP) -- Al-Qaida supporters suggested in a Web site message this week they would welcome a pre-election terror attack on the U.S. as a way to usher in a McCain presidency.

The message, posted Monday on the password-protected al-Hesbah Web site, said if al-Qaida wants to exhaust the United States militarily and economically, "impetuous" Republican presidential candidate Sen. John McCain is the better choice because he is more likely to continue the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.

"This requires presence of an impetuous American leader such as McCain, who pledged to continue the war till the last American soldier," the message said. "Then, al-Qaida will have to support McCain in the coming elections so that he continues the failing march of his predecessor, Bush."

SITE Intelligence Group, based in Bethesda, Md., monitors the Web site and translated the message.

More there at the link. October surprise?

UPDATE: More from Washington Post:

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/10/21/AR2008102102477.html?hpid=topnews

Al-Qaeda is watching the U.S. stock market's downward slide with something akin to jubilation, with its leaders hailing the financial crisis as a vindication of its strategy of crippling America's economy through endless, costly foreign wars against Islamist insurgents.

And at least some of its supporters think Sen. John McCain is the presidential candidate best suited to continue that trend.

"Al-Qaeda will have to support McCain in the coming election," said a commentary posted Monday on the extremist Web site al-Hesbah, which is closely linked to the terrorist group. It said the Arizona Republican would continue the "failing march of his predecessor," President Bush.

The Web commentary was one of several posted by Taliban or al-Qaeda-allied groups in recent days that trumpeted the global financial crisis and predicted further decline for the United States and other Western powers. In language that was by turns mocking and ominous, the newest posting credited al-Qaeda with having lured Washington into a trap that had "exhausted its resources and bankrupted its economy." It further suggested that a terrorist strike might swing the election to McCain and guarantee an expansion of U.S. military commitments in the Islamic world.

[ecstatic]

1. if they endorsed Obama, it would have been all over the news

don't you just love double standards? :eyes:

[Seen the light]

4. This article was literally just published within the past hour or so

We'll see what happens tomorrow.

[Phredicles]

12. I'll bet you a virtual nickel it's not a big story in the morning;

If I'm wrong, you'll have the satisfaction of a job well done.:D

[ecstatic]

24. Well MSNBC has just covered it. Not sure who else will! nt

:wow:

[Phredicles]

29. Y'know, when I put on my tin-foil fedora, I figure $150K-WardrobeGate

is a distraction from this. I don't know whether I'm kidding or not.

[Marsala]

2. What is this, like, reverse-reverse-psychology? n/t

[TragedyandHope]

11. Exactly what I thought

[Hellataz]

13. I was thinking the same thing

[Orsino]

31. That's how the Right will spin it, if they're forced to acknowledge it.

By endorsing McCain, al-Qaeda was obviously endorsing Obama. Because up is down and black is white.

[rcrush]

3. hahaha

They switched from Kerry to McCain?!

[CJCRANE]

23. In fact Al-Qaeda preferred Bush too.

If you read the full transcript of Bin Laden's November '04 speech you'll see that he actually thanks Bush for helping to make Al-Qaeda successful. Of course this wasn't reported in the American MSM only on the al-Jazeera transcript.

[msallied]

5. But don't you get it! If they endorsed McCain, it's because they want him to lose!

Which REALLY means they want Obama to win! So this is REALLY bad for Obama!

We are so screwn.

:sarcasm:

[alcibiades_mystery]

10. Idocaine...I'd bet my life on it...

:-)

[rucky]

19. That's exactly what they want you to think!

or is it?

[HughMoran]

6. Fuck listening to a terrorist group for ANYTHING

We shouldn't even repeat this crap - they could just as easily say the opposite next week. Fuck these idiots and fuck this concept of an "October Surprise" - that's like waiting for the rapture - it sickens me and relies on a self-fulfilling prophesy state-of-mind.

[napoleon_in_rags]

9. But we need to listen to terrorists!

So we can keep them from being powerful, by basing all our actions on whatever they say!!! :silly:

Seriously though, totally agreed.

[rucky]

21. It doesn't do anything for me, personally.

But I know it'll really get to a few idiots I know.

[rusty quoin]

7. Hell, if I were with Al-Qaida, I would want McCain.

[Essene]

8. oy veh

im gonna just ignore this one... for now.

[Median Democrat]

14. Makes Sense - Look At The Damage Bush Has Done - Wonder They Don't Push A 3rd Term...

George Bush is probably the single worst President in the history of the United States. Between the Iraq war, bothcing the Afganistan war, and the financial crisis, they ought to make George Bush an honorary member of Al Queda.

[FatDave]

15. Same thing happened in 2004, didn't it?

Al Qaeda said they wanted Bush to win. Nobody cared. Am I remembering wrong?

[struggle4progress]

16. There was a similar endorsement of Bush 2004. It's not really worth thinking about, because

it can't lead to anything except meaningless jabber

It certainly won't affect anybody's vote, one way or the other

[TexasObserver]

17. The McCain Campaign is buying Al Qaeda's leadership new clothes from Saks.

[rucky]

18. I'm forwarding this to all those idiots that keep forwarding me crap.

cool

[ej510]

20. John McCain pals around with terrorist.

[PA Democrat]

22. McCain... Finishing the job that Al Qaeda started.

[Thrill]

25. The Obama Campaign should pounce on this. Don't be scared. Go for the knockout blow

[skipos]

26. Osama made an appearance in 2004 to help Bush

I won't be surprised if they try to help McCain.

[1corona4u]

27. Screw this....

apparently, it's more important for people to be talking about Sarah, her clothes, how much was spent, and where she got them.

[lonestarnot]

30. bwwwa ha ha ha hah ha ha ha

:rofl:

[Jennicut]

28. I said this yeasterday, that Al-Qaeda would rather have McLame as president

in response to some freaking out of Biden's comments about Obama being tested. The crazies of the world want McInsane as he would blow his top in second and he wants us to stay in Iraq indefinately.