We have a winner!

In response to Dennis Hastert's remark that Osama wants Kerry to win, Juan Cole summarizes al Qaeda's likely take on the election:

• Bush wins, US withdraws from Iraq: Al Qaeda wins.
• Bush wins, US stays in Iraq: Al Qaeda wins.
• Kerry wins, US withdraws from Iraq: Al Qaeda wins.
• Kerry wins, US stays in Iraq: Al Qaeda wins.

You don't play the bottom half of the ninth if the home team is already ahead. You don't capture the king in chess; just getting him in a position he can't escape from is enough.

So congratulations, Mr. Bush: The terrorists have won.