Richard Cawthon
Mark Harvey
PS115
20 May 2011
Research Paper: Terrorism a Political Battle Terrorism is a strong word in today’s society and will often spark fierce debate among the closest of friends. The war on terror started with the attacks on the United States on September 11, 2011 when the Al Qaeda high jacked two airplanes and flew them into the World Trade Center buildings. America was in shock, and almost immediately we were in a war with the Al Qaeda. Presidents since September 2011 have tried to put an end to the terror that the Al Qaeda have brought to many nations.
The war has been played out on television and every other media venue that you can think of. Much debate has ensued as to whether or not if the United States should still have a military presence in the Middle East. Political debates in two different pPresidential Campaigns have brought much attention to how a new president would be able to handle the war on terror and be able to bring our American troops home to their families.
According to the Gallop poll “Presidents' popular support often increases in response to major international events, commonly known as "rally events." Thus, a jump in Obama's approval after bin Laden's death is not unexpected. The six-percentage-point increase in Obama's approval rating is fairly typical for a rally event. Gallup has compiled data on changes in presidential approval after 48 different international or domestic crises since 1950 and finds a median increase of seven percentage points. The largest rally Gallup has ever measured was a 35-point increase for George W. Bush after the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks.” Politicians love to see their approval ratings go up, and when President Obama saw his rating climb six points I am sure he was very pleased with the response. President Obama told the nation that they had information where Osama bin Laden was since late last year they waited to approve the operation until they were able to confirm that the information was correct. The biggest question I have is it just a coincidence that they were able to complete the mission and kill Osama bin Laden in a campaign year? Obama and his political campaign would do nothing but benefit from the capture or death of the most wanted man in world. The answer to this question cannot be answered at this time and probably never will.
Politics in America is a game of winning the voters trust and their vote., Obama had not been doing a very good job of that as of recent polls would show. Giving the go-ahead to the mission that killed Osama bin Laden has given President Obama a major bump in popularity among New Jersey residents. “Sixty percent of the 807 New Jersey residents polled approve of the president, according to a Monmouth University/New Jersey Press Media poll released today, while 35 percent disapprove. Six months ago, 47 percent approved and 45 percent disapproved. New Jersey lost almost 700 residents on Sept. 11, 2001 – more than any other state except New York. “There’s little question that the killing of Osama bin Laden earlier this month has had a positive impact on the president’s ratings. And Iit’s no