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Bin Laden to al-Qaeda: No Point in Killing Joe Biden

Veep doesn't wield enough power to be worth assassinating

By Matt Cantor, Newser Staff

Posted May 13, 2011 8:16 AM CDT

(Newser) – Osama bin Laden wanted to assassinate President Obama—but Joe Biden? No point in bothering with him, the al-Qaeda leader told his followers. Amongst bin Laden’s records, “there is a note indicating that the vice president is not an important target because that position has less weight,” a US official told ProPublica. Who else was important? "Military chiefs like the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, the defense secretary, top military people."

Writing for the Telegraph, Toby Harnden notes that to be fair, "the al-Qaeda leader tied the comment to the constitutional weakness of the vice-presidency rather than the antics of the garrulous current occupant." But, he quips, "one does suspect that bin Laden might have rather liked to have got Dick Cheney."

Vice President Joe Biden talks to reporters outside the Blair House in Washington, Thursday, May 12, 2011. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)

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COMMENTS

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Showing 3 of 5 comments

Rational.-Anarchist

May 14, 2011 8:44 AM CDT

I'm glad that there isn't a threat to him, but It is rather pathetic to know that you are considered so unimportant as to be beneath notice! Hell' I'm certainly nobody important, or famous,nor do I want to be, but I've known some people who would kill me if they could

beckjr2000

May 13, 2011 2:57 PM CDT

Looks like OBL got that call right as well! He does more damage to America alive.

JackNelsonSteward

May 13, 2011 8:53 AM CDT

ON the other hand. he was probably aware of the number of times Sir Gaffes-a-Lot shoots himSELF in the foot and felt no need to assist.

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Bin Laden to al-Qaeda: No Point in Killing Joe Biden

Veep doesn't wield enough power to be worth assassinating

OTHER STORIES ON OUR RADAR

Joe Biden • Dick Cheney • vice president • Osama bin Laden • Osama bin Laden dead

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