Dylan Smith wrote:

I think those who say the Spanish changed the Government because of a
terrorist act are missing the point: the Spanish changed their
government because the one in power tried to lie and distort and spin
about the whole tragic affair and got caught.

Few, if any, have argued with that. The problem is that outfits like Al Quaida
will not see it this way. Even if their leaders do, they will fomulate in the
ranks the idea that their actions changed the election results and got Spanish
troops pulled out. Sorta like "Ok, you guys did real well last time, go do it
again somewhere else."

Now, if they perceive the Conservative Party as being more hawkish than Labour,
they probably will not try to influence the British elections this way, but the
way the media is beginning to spin the two parties here in the States, Al Quaida
might well feel that a victory by the Democrats would be advantageous. *If* they
come to that conclusion, they might also feel that another strike just before
the election would hand Kerry the presidency. That's two "ifs", but the Spanish
elections make that second if much more likely.

George Patterson
Battle, n; A method of untying with the teeth a political knot that would
not yield to the tongue.