It can be interpreted as a negative for Bush---remember one of the proposed "October surprises" was to produce bin Laden, in captivity, just before the election.   It is absurd to think that capturing bin Laden is positive for Bush, but not capturing him is also positive for him.

It appears in fact that the sheriff has not brought in the outlaw, dead or alive.

Let's try a different sheriff.

It's time to stop reading tea leaves---- and time to vote.