One Year Later-The Great Political Risk

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It was one year ago when President Barack Obama gave the order for Seal Team Number Six to attack the suspected hide-out of Osama Bin Laden in Pakistan.  Everyone remembers the daring raid that ended years of pursuit of America's number one target.  President Obama made it clear during the election year that finding Osama Bin Laden and bringing him to justice would be of highest priority during his administration.   Ultimately, he delivered on his promise with the stellar efforts of the nation's intelligence and military community. 

The success of the raid and the death of Bin Laden was a huge victory for the nation in the fight against terrorism.  At the same time,  it helped bring some sense of closure for that terrible day of September 11th.  Much has been written about the days and hours leading up to the raid as well as the tactical options chosen to prosecute the attack.  Many argued after the fact that a drone attack would have been far more safe and without as much risk.  Others praised the President for the option chosen and the results delivered by the seal team.

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The safe option would have been the order of a drone attack.  One single massive attack on the compound.  Hardly anyone would have criticized the President for choosing that option.  Pakistan would have objected in a fierce fashion to such an attack but probably not anymore than some did with the option the President chose.  The political risk was great and as it turns out, the political reward pales in comparison.

Those of us who are older remember the failed rescue mission of hostages held captive by Iran.  The failure doomed the Carter presidency.  Jimmy Carter's administration was already struggling and the failed mission was the final straw for many Americans.  He took a gamble, a serious risk and many would argue that it cost him his second term in the White House. 

President Obama took a very similar risk in the Osama Bin Laden mission.  Had the mission failed, Bin Laden escaped or American soldiers killed, the political damage may have been similar to what President Carter experienced in his reelection bid against Ronald Reagan.  This week's anniversary of the Bin Laden raid has raised questions about whether Mitt Romney or any other Presidential candidate would have made the same decision.  Romney when asked if he would have done the same quipped,  "Of course.  Even Jimmy Carter would have given that order."

I am not so sure anyone would have made the same choice.  Many of the President's advisors argued against his chosen option.  The safe play for any President would have been a mass bombing of the compound insuring that no one could have survived.  To be fair, I think most who would hold the office of the Presidency would have made the decision to go after Bin Laden.  How many would have risked their Presidency as Obama did is a different question. 

President Obama has been criticized for leading from behind.  I believe just the opposite is true.  I believe his prudent leadership has shown time and time again the careful analysis of risk versus reward.  It seems to me that he has been far more right than wrong.