Subliminal

CNN's Late Edition today included the usual Wolf Blitzer chat with the political experts, including CNN's Candy Crowley. She confused Barack Obama and Osama bin Laden. It's not clear that anyone outside the rest of the CNN panel noticed. Is that a bad sign or a good sign?

BLITZER: What happens if Osama bin Laden makes another video appearance in the final days of this campaign as he did in 2004 in the final days, and when a lot of people thought that his appearance alone was enough to get George W. Bush elected -- re-elected against John Kerry?

BORGER: Well, I think this time it might remind people we haven't caught him. And both of the candidates are pledging to get him as soon as they get into office. So, I don't know if it would have a great deal of impact.

BLITZER: Do you agree, Candy?

CROWLEY: I totally agree. I mean, I think he appears now, it just -- I mean, the problem is everything plays into Barack Obama's arguments.

BORGER: Right.

CROWLEY: You know, when McCain goes nuclear on a character issue, he goes, well, he can't talk about the issues. If Barack Obama, you know, shows up suddenly, you know, on -- I'm sorry, if...

HENRY: Bin Laden. BORGER: McCain.

CROWLEY: Yes.

BORGER: Bin Laden.

CROWLEY: Mr. bin Laden. If bin Laden suddenly, you know, shows up on the TV, it helps Barack Obama, because what has been his argument? We haven't been fighting the right war