Most political pundits have so far missed the point of Osama bin Laden's "endorsement" of Sen. John Kerry in his videotaped pre-election message.

The terrorist kingpin was not addressing the American public, but rather the remnants of his al-Qaida organization scattered throughout the world, who haven't been able to strike against America for more than three years.

After his stunning success in disrupting the Spanish election - a move that energized his remaining supporters - bin Laden is desperate to repeat the triumph against the "Great Satan."

But President Bush's domestic war on terror - particularly the Patriot Act - has made another 9/11 far more difficult to pull off.

Unable to launch a Madrid-style attack to disrupt and influence Tuesday's vote, bin Laden was reduced to issuing a Bush-bashing video where he echoes the sentiments of Michael Moore and his Hollywood friends - and gives helpful tips on how the U.S. can avoid "another Manhattan."

The al-Qaida chieftain, however, is politically savvy enough to know that empty threats are unlikely to persuade U.S. voters - and may even help Bush get re-elected.

But radical Islamics around the world will undoubtedly be impressed by his bold attempt to engineer the outcome of America's election.

And if Kerry does win, bin Laden will surely claim victory - arguing that the mere threat of another 9/11, uttered by him in person, was enough to intimidate American voters.

Editor's note: