Equivocal Al Quada Endorsement

Based on the byline (Opheera McDoom) I initially questioned the authenticity of this story. Reuters is reporting that Al Qaeda has sent a statement to an Arabic newspaper.

The statement said it supported U.S. President George W. Bush in his reelection campaign, and would prefer him to win in November rather than the Democratic candidate John Kerry, as it was not possible to find a leader "more foolish than you (Bush), who deals with matters by force rather than with wisdom."

In comments addressed to Bush, the group said:

"Kerry will kill our nation while it sleeps because he and the Democrats have the cunning to embellish blasphemy and present it to the Arab and Muslim nation as civilisation."

"Because of this we desire you (Bush) to be elected."

The story seems to have been picked up by ABCNews so I think it's legit. If so, my initial thoughts are that this is good news for neither Bush or Kerry.