AND NOW THE QUESTIONS – AT 10:39 A.M. ET:  Now that a suspect is in custody in the Times Square attempted bombing (not a "bomb scare" as some minimalists like to call it), the political questions begin. The administration has been less than impressive, as the Washington Post reports: 

But even before the campaign season begins, the White House is also sure to face questions about its early -- and often changing -- characterization of Saturday's attempted bombing.

Speaking on Sunday morning talk shows just hours after the car bomb was discovered, Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano said the case appeared to be isolated, providing some assurance that people need not worry about multiple attacks.

"You know, at this point I have no information that it's anything other than a one-off," Napolitano said on NBC's "Meet the Press." But asked whether it qualified as an act of terrorism, she added, "You know, it certainly looks that way. It certainly looks as if it was intended to be that way."

Later that day, however, as Obama flew to the Gulf Coast to meet with officials battling the oil spill there, neither the president nor his press secretary, Robert Gibbs, used the word "terrorism" to describe the incident in New York.

In a brief statement before making broader remarks on the oil spill, the president pledged to "ensure that our state and local partners have the full support and cooperation of the federal government."

Monday morning, Holder pointedly declined to confirm that the attempted car bombing was part of a terrorist plot, telling reporters at a briefing that it was "too early to designate it as a terrorist incident. I think there's no question that the people, the person who was behind that act intended to spread terror across New York."

By the afternoon, Gibbs was willing to go further. Asked directly whether it was an act of terrorism, Gibbs said, "absolutely."

COMMENT:   Yeah, we're glad that someone noticed.  It's mass confusion built on a thin layer of political correctness.  Obama wants to "engage" the Islamic world and convince the masses that we're not at war with Islam.  But with each new incident there comes the inevitable awkwardness as another jihadist is discovered behind a rock,or driving an SUV. 

Are we at war with a part of Islam?  Pretty please?

A late report tells us that the guy they arrested in connection with the Times Square blowout is saying that he acted alone.  Yeah, right.  He just spent five months in Pakistan, where, I'm sure, he attended performances of Rodgers & Hammerstein musicals.  They all do it.

May 4, 2010