Osama Bin Laden Dead

BRADENTON -- A senior U.S. official has reportedly announced that Osama Bin Laden is dead and that the U.S. has possession of his body. The White House is understood to be preparing an official statement either this evening or early Monday.

If true, the news would be a major coup for President Obama who campaigned on a promise to kill the Al Qaeda leader who claimed responsibility for the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks that killed over 3,000 Americans. 

Together with ending combat operations and beginning troop withdrawal in Iraq, the President would be able to claim several defense victories heading into the 2012 election. His predecessor, George W. Bush was roundly criticized for failing to bring the rebel leader to justice and for what many saw as taking his eye off of Bin Laden, when deciding to invade Iraq. As early as 2002, Bush was quoted as saying he didn't think about Osama much anymore.