If you read the transcript, it's pretty clear that this tape was intended to air as close as possible to the anniversary of 9/11 - NOT in time to influence the elections. The fact that it has obviously been held up until just on the eve of the elction is NOT a conspiracy theory NOR is it paranoid..it's simply very likely. Osama's prvious missives have aired much closer to the dates that they were made..why the big delay now?

People are starting to ask too many questions about the obvious anarchy in Iraq so let's scare the bejeezus out of them by holding up Bogey Man number one: Osama Bin Laden.

Makes sense to me. I don't think it's a huge conspiracy, just shrewd campaigning.