Cue the Fear

A.D. Freudenheim, The Editor

The news did not receive two-inch headlines, but it was there nonetheless – on the Associated Press wire, in the New York Times and Washington Post, and other many places. To quote the Times quoting Mike McConnell, director of national intelligence: “Al Qaeda was also improving what he called ‘the last key aspect of its ability to attack the U.S.’ — producing militants, including new Western recruits, capable of blending into American society and attacking domestic targets.”

On the question of terrorism on American soil, I am more cynical than others, and less inclined to trust politicians, especially ones whose beliefs are as doggedly partisan as those of President George W. Bush. Intellectually, I want to resist the conspiracy theorist’s mindset that imputes terrible, Machiavellian motives to Messrs. Bush and Cheney. Nor am I in any position to disprove or discount Mr. McConnell’s assertions that America is, once again, an increasingly high-profile target for attacks by Al Qaeda.

Still, I as wrote a few weeks ago: “I cannot shake the admittedly cynical sense that our incumbent administration will engineer an October surprise in order to frighten the nation into electing the GOP candidate – the one who will undoubtedly be cast as the law-and-order choice to save our nation.” A slow news trickle about a renewed capability to attack the United States on the part of our Public Enemy #1 – now, as the presidential race takes on a different shape with a presumptive nominee for the Republicans – fits this pattern. It serves a valuable purpose for the tail end of the Bush administration, shifting focus away from the reeling economy and back towards the fear that provokes bad decision-making on the part of both voters and our Congress. It is also convenient that McConnell’s remarks come at the end of Bush’s time in office – when terrorism will soon cease to be his problem, despite the Bush administration’s failure to capture bin Laden six and a half years after the September 11^th attacks.

This analysis does not require Machiavelli, and it isn’t very hidden. Today’s front page article in the Times even notes this deliberate shifting of the agenda: “As the party began to coalesce around Mr. McCain, Mr. Bush’s remarks were part of a broader Republican move over the last day and a half that has set the stage for a campaign focused on the nation’s security.” Unfortunately for the average American, what this means is a campaign focused once again around invoking and provoking our fears: fears of being attacked, fears of foreigners in our midst who might attack us. The outcome will be an election more likely determined by emotion than intellect – the results of which do not bode well.