Going by my observations, it's money that brings out the worst in people. :-) That, and fundamentalist religions of all types...or extremist ideologies (like doctrinaire Communism, for example or Naziism or modern corporatism). Together, it's a deadly combination.

Larry - Yes, I think Al Queda does relish the thought of Bush, their deadly arch-enemy, being in power just as much as anyone who ardently desires an intractable and worsening World conflict relishes the presence of their favorite hated enemy...it helps to motivate the public, stir outrage, rally the troops, and encourage further recruitment. It stokes the fires of conflict. They are looking for an Armaggedon, not a peaceful solution. They believe that God will secure them the victory. The last thing you want in such a case is a reasonable, or heaven forbid...a likeable opponent! Hell, no! You want a monster,a devil, a satan, another Hitler, a Saddam, a Stalin...or in their case...a Bush. And the USA is exactly the same...the US government always wants a real or else a supposed brutal Monster on the other side of any conflict it engages in. It's good marketing strategy, and is used again and again and again. If Saddam, for instance, had not existed, the USA would have been obliged to invent him (meaning, find someone else to serve as "Bad Guy de Jour"). This is partly because they assume the public are mostly idiots, and must be given a really evil, evil, monstrous guy to fixate on while the government pursues its various strategic objectives around the World. Well, maybe they're right about their public...

Those who live in fear and hatred market by means of fear and hatred. Those who fall for such marketing serve as the foot soldiers, and, if unlucky, die.