Some AU students say they do not think that a surprise event, such as the capture of al-Qaida leader Osama bin Laden, will occur before the presidential election in two weeks, but they leave open the possibility of something dramatic happening that could impact the election's results.
During the presidential campaigns, former Secretary of State Madeline Albright and Teresa Heinz Kerry have both accused the Bush administration of keeping bin Laden "on ice," saying that he will be revealed in October to help President Bush win the election.
Student Tina Pant, who supports Bush, said bin Laden's capture would be good for the military's morale and give Bush's presidential campaign a major boost.
"It would bring instant attention to the positives of going to war and our military," Pant said. "He would have found [former Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein] and bin Laden in his four-year term."
Pant added that not much can be done to sway voters in the few weeks until the election.
Erin Lewis, a junior in the School of International Service, said she did not think such an event would take place. She disagreed with the notion that Bush could be hiding bin Laden to publicly release him right before the election.
Junior Anthony Sokolowski, who is studying political science, said Bush would benefit the most from a surprise event.
"Scaring people brings them to Bush's side because he's stronger in national security issues," Sokolowski said, adding that the potential to capture bin Laden "is more probable than say, another terrorist attack. Anything can happen, but it's probably just hype"
