Someone flagged this in the discussion thread for yesterday's posting of the tape transcript; I thought it a good idea to link it as a main article. ("Hat tip: Rantburg") It's Wretchard at his usual high level of quality. The key paragraph follows:
It is important to notice what he has stopped saying in this speech. He has stopped talking about the restoration of the Global Caliphate. There is no more mention of the return of Andalusia. There is no more anticipation that Islam will sweep the world. He is no longer boasting that Americans run at the slightest wounds; that they are more cowardly than the Russians. He is not talking about future operations to swathe the world in fire but dwelling on past glories. He is basically saying if you leave us alone we will leave you alone. Though it is couched in his customary orbicular phraseology he is basically asking for time out.
The American answer to Osama's proposal will be given on Election Day. . . .
I had the same reaction when I finally read the raw transcript. Osama's offering us a hudna. We withdraw from Afghanistan and Iraq and cut off the Israelis, and he'll promise to leave us alone.
I also think by this point in the campaign, we've got a good idea of which major candidate will respond which way to this. Like the man says, we deliver our response on Tuesday. See you at the ballot box. |