We have trolled the web to find out what the Republican Presidential candidates (and others who might soon be) had to say about the death of OBL, and the capture of his lifeless corpse. Some praised Obama, others snubbed him, and still others attempted the impossible task (at least in the short term) of re-focusing the national discussion on the economy.
- Rudy Giuliani: "I told President Bush once that I wanted to be the one to execute him," Giuliani said. "Revenge is not a noble sentiment, but it is a human one. … When it [news of bin Laden's death] first happened, I wondered, 'Well, did he just die of natural causes?' That would have been somewhat unsatisfying.
"The fact that the American military caught him and brought him to justice I think will make a lot of people feel better in a way that's almost hard to describe," he said.
Giuliani compared bin Laden's death to Hitler's suicide and cautioned that although bin Laden is gone, al Qaeda's second in command, Ayman al-Zawahiri, will take his place.
- Tim Pawlenty: This is terrific news for freedom and justice. In the hours after the 9/11 attacks, President Bush promised that America would bring Osama bin Laden to justice — and we did. I want to congratulate America's armed forces and President Obama for a job well done. Let history show that the perseverance of the US military and the American people never wavered. America will never shrink from the fight and ultimately those who seek to harm us face only defeat. Today, justice is done, but the fight against radical Islamic terrorism is not yet over.
- Michelle Bachmann: I want to express my deepest gratitude to the men and women of the U.S. military and intelligence community. Their persistence and dedicated service has yielded success in a mission that has gripped our nation since the terrible events of 9/11. Tonight’s news does not bring back the lives of the thousands of innocent people who were killed that day by Osama bin Laden’s horrific plan, and it does not end the threat posed by terrorists, but it is my hope that this is the beginning of the end of Sharia-compliant terrorism.
- Sarah Palin: Americans tonight are united in celebration and gratitude. God bless all the brave men and women in our military and our intelligence services who contributed to carrying out the successful mission to bring bin Laden to justice and who laid the groundwork over the years to make this victory possible. It’s a testament to the hard work and dedication of these brave Americans who relentlessly hunted down our enemy.
This is a victory for the American people, for the victims who were heartlessly murdered on September 11 and in Al Qaeda’s other numerous attacks, and for all the peace-loving people of the world.
May God bless our troops and our intelligence services, and God bless America!
- Mitch Daniels: (only comments on Fox): Daniels said he felt “immense pride and gratitude for the people who did this, starting with the president – both presidents that had a role.”
He said he thought it was fair to give Bush credit, given that “the capabilities, the special forces, the intelligence involved here were beefed up on his watch.” But, he added, “I think both presidents would be very quick to give primary credit to our military and our intelligence people – folks did the real work.”
Daniels cautioned that bin Laden’s capture should not be “overread.”
- Mitt Romney: This is a great victory for lovers of freedom and justice everywhere. Congratulations to our intelligence community, our military and the President. My thoughts are with the families of Osama bin Laden's many thousands of victims, and the brave servicemen and women who have laid down their lives in pursuit of this murderous terrorist.
- Mitt Romney Take 2: Mitt Romney has already changed the subject away from Osama bin Laden — and back to jobs and the economy.
Romney was in Nashua, N.H., on Tuesday, where he met with local business leaders and several local politicians.
"The enduring issue," Romney told them, "is the strength of our economy and our ability to create good jobs." The quote was posted on Twitter by Jim Merrill, Romney's New Hampshire consultant.
- Newt Gingrich: The killing of Osama bin Laden is a significant victory in the long struggle between radical Islamists and modern civilization.
This victory is a tribute to the patient endurance of American justice. I commend both President George W. Bush who led the campaign against our enemies through seven long years and President Obama who continued and intensified the campaign in both Afghanistan and Pakistan.
We should remember to thank those who made this possible. Without the courage and professionalism of our men and women in uniform and in the intelligence services, this victory would not have been achieved.
This victory is only a milestone in a long war. We must also recognize the long struggle ahead. Radical Islamism did not start with bin Laden and it will not end with his death. This is the 32nd year since the Iranian dictatorship seized our diplomats illegally and held them hostage for 444 days. It has been 28 years since Iranian-supported terrorists killed 241 servicemen in Beirut in 1983.
As long as there are schools teaching children to hate; as long as there are state-supported terrorist systems; as long as several countries actively recruit children to be suicide bombers; this war will continue.
The world is a better place without Osama bin Laden, but his just demise cannot erase the loss and suffering of the families and friends of those who died on September 11 or died fighting in the war since September 11. So while we are celebrating this victory, we should take time to remember all who suffered and sacrificed and pray for them.
- Paul Ryan: The President's announcement that Osama Bin Laden has been found and killed is simply fantastic news. After ten years of dedicated effort across two administrations, we have struck a major blow against al-Qaeda and achieved a momentous turning point in our nation's ongoing War on Terrorism. While we must remain vigilant in defense of freedom and democracy in Iraq, in Afghanistan, and on other fronts, we can rest assured that the murderer who orchestrated the deaths of thousands of our countrymen has finally met justice at the hands of the brave men and women of our military and intelligence community.
Palin managed to thank President Bush by name, but she somehow ‘forgot’ to stick Obama’s name in her speech when she came to Colorado. Why do so many Republicans refuse to thank Obama when he does something right? It just shows that they can never turn off their partisan side. We should be able to come together in this moment, but no. It’s all about the nect election to them.