Bin Laden: Is this the coup that rescued Obama’s presidency?

Osama bin Laden's assassination is likely to be the defining moment of Barack Obama’s presidency.

President Obama’s approval ratings will surely rise on the back of the sensational killing of the 54-year-old Al Qaeda leader last night following a decade-long search to avenge the 9/11 attacks.

As the U.S. reels over rising gas prices, high unemployment and future economic concerns, the news is perfect timing for Mr Obama as he launches his 2012 presidential re-election campaign.

Following his dramatic statement on Sunday night he addressed Americans again on Monday at a Medal of Honor ceremony and played to the patriotic theme of people being 'proud' to live in the U.S.



Good news: President Barack Obama's approval ratings will surely rise on the back of the dramatic killing of the 54-year-old Al Qaeda leader Osama Bin Laden following a decade-long search to avenge the 9/11 attacks

Bin Laden dead: The world's most-wanted man was dramatically killed last night in a firefight with American special forces in a $1million mansion hideout around 60 miles from Islamabad in Pakistan

On the surface it is a massive victory for Mr Obama and a blow for former president George W. Bush, but Republicans are saying it does vindicate Mr Bush’s decision to go after the Al Qaeda leader.

The world’s most-wanted man was dramatically killed on Sunday night in a firefight with American special forces in a $1million mansion hideout around 60 miles from Islamabad in Pakistan.

Thousands of people have been gathering outside White House in Washington D.C. and Ground Zero in New York, patriotically chanting ‘U-S-A! U-S-A!’ and singing ‘The Star-Spangled Banner’.

Mr Obama said today at a Medal of Honor ceremony: 'I think we'll all agree this is a great day for America. The world is safer (and) a better place because of the death of Osama bin Laden.

'We've seen that spirit and patriotism - crowds who have gathered, people holding candles and waving the flag. People proud to live in the United States of America.'

It follows Mr Obama’s falling popularity in the U.S. and comes just over a month after a Reuters/Ipsos poll found that fewer than one in five Americans saw him as a strong military leader.

But Mr Obama has stressed his personal involvement in the events leading to bin Laden's death and politicians have been lining up to congratulate him on the huge military achievement.

Jubilation: Thousands of people have been gathering outside White House in Washington D.C. and Ground Zero in New York, patriotically chanting 'U-S-A! U-S-A!' and singing 'The Star-Spangled Banner' 1-0: Politicians from both sides have been congratulating Mr Obama, just over a month after a Reuters/Ipsos poll found that fewer than one in five Americans saw him as a strong military leader

Even top Republicans such as Eric Cantor and Peter King have been quick to praise the President finishing off the job that Mr Bush began following the 2001 terrorist attacks. ‘I commend President Obama who has followed the vigilance of President Bush in bringing bin Laden to justice,’ said Representative Mr Cantor, the number two Republican in the House. TRUMP GETS TRUMPED AGAIN

After Mr Obama's criticism of his potential presidential rival Donald Trump on Saturday, he had an extra cause for celebration today.

Mr Trump got trumped again by the President on Sunday after NBC chose to cut the East Coast feed of Celebrity Apprentice at 10:50pm as the President was about to announce the news of Osama Bin Laden's killing . Mr Obama did not actually end up addressing the nation until 11:35pm Eastern Time. However instead of criticising Mr Obama today, Mr Trump has instead congratulated him and the Armed Forces on a 'job very well done'.



Representative Mr King, Chairman of the House Committee on Homeland Security, said: ‘I commend President Obama on the announcement of the killing of Osama bin Laden.

'The American people have seen justice. The leader of the United States’ top enemy has gotten what he deserves for orchestrating the deaths of nearly 3,000 innocent Americans on September 11.'

Mr Obama said in address on Sunday night: ‘Let us think back to the sense of unity that prevailed on 9/11. I know that it has, at times, frayed.



‘Yet today's achievement is a testament to the greatness of our country and the determination of the American people.’

Mr Bush failed to complete his promise of finding bin Laden dead or alive before Mr Obama picked up the gauntlet and announced on his first presidential campaign: ‘We will kill bin Laden’.

But Mr Bush said last night: ‘This momentous achievement marks a victory for America, for people who seek peace around the world, and for all those who lost loved ones on September 11, 2001.



'Momentuous achievement': Republicans have been praising President Obama for continuing the efforts of former president George W. Bush, left, to find Osama bin Laden after the World Trade Center attack, right

‘The fight against terror goes on, but tonight America has sent an unmistakable message - no matter how long it takes, justice will be done.’

POLL RISES: Approval rating increases over the last 20 years after major events

Gulf War: George H.W. Bush had a job approval rating of 88 per cent in May 1991 after Operation Desert Storm - more than 20 points higher than before the war started, according to New York Times/CBS News polls

9/11: George W. Bush had a 50 per cent approval rating at the end of August 2001, a CBS News poll said. This rose to a massive 90 per cent by the first week of October 2001 Saddam Hussein captured: President Bush got an eight-point approval rating increase in a New York Times/CBS News poll just a few days after Hussein was captured in December 2003, but this had faded by the next month



But the death does raise a number of questions, such as how this will affect the relationship between Pakistan and the U.S., as well as the American mission in Afghanistan.

Mr Obama has also stated that Al Qaeda ‘will continue to pursue attacks against us’, which has raised fears of an anti-American backlash from terrorist organisations.

However this has been a hugely-successful mission for the U.S. and comes as President Obama tries to brush aside the potential Republican competition of Donald Trump.

Mr Obama had already mocked the real estate mogul on Saturday for the ‘birther’ conspiracy over his U.S. citizenship, before the killing of Bin Laden rounded off a superb weekend for the President.

But Mr Trump today issued a supportive statement on Twitter. 'I want to personally congratulate President Obama and the men and women of the Armed Forces for a job very well done,' he said.



'I am so proud to see Americans standing shoulder to shoulder, waving the American flag in celebration of this great victory.

'We should spend the next several days not debating party politics, but in remembrance of those who lost their lives on 9/11 and those fighting for our freedom. God Bless America.'



Statement: Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said the death of Bin Laden sends a message to terrorist groups that they cannot defeat the U.S. 'There is no better rebuke to Al Qaeda and its heinous ideology,' she said

Hillary Clinton, who lost the Democrat presidential nomination to Mr Obama and is now Secretary of State, said today the death sends a message to terrorist groups that they cannot defeat the U.S.

'You cannot wait us out, you cannot defeat us, but you can make the choice to abandon Al Qaeda and participate in a peaceful political process,' she said. 'There is no better rebuke to Al Qaeda and its heinous ideology.'



Former Vice President Dick Cheney has also offered his appreciation to the Obama administration.

'(It's) a victory for the United States and a tremendous achievement for the military and intelligence professionals who carried out this important mission.



'I also want to congratulate President Obama and the members of his national security team.'



Before this weekend’s events in Pakistan, the latest Rasmussen poll showed 49 per cent of voters said they disapproved of his leadership and 37 per cent strongly.

His job approval ratings recently touched an all-time low of 41 per cent with one polling organisation, compared with a 69 per cent rating in early 2009 shortly after his election.