The look of being 'dumbfounded' is due to the tone of the person asking the question. . .does anyone with three brain cells think that if you kill a religious zealot leader (in any monotheistic religion- take your pick) really kill an ideological movement?  As for 'understanding' first see the first answer, and then perhaps you could discuss the 'status' of the war with the present administration who has had all the answers for the past two terms. . .

Wouldn't it need to be called the War on Bin Laden for it to end if he is killed?
How in the hell do you fight a war on terror?  War on Islam or Islamic countries is a war that can be won..
War on Drugs, Homelessness, Poverty, etc is an open ended war just like the War on Terror.
Doesn't anyone find it funny that the heart of Islam is Saudi Arabia yet, Saudi Arabia isn't one we're fighting with.

  Yes, the lack of comments on this item reflects the silence and dumbfounded look on Obama's face, should he be asked this question.  Could there be a weaker candidate on this issue?  Hillary Clinton looks like Rooster Cogburn compared to Obama on this issue.  And don't think that fact is lost on people plotting attacks against the US. 

George W. Bush has done one thing well during his presidency.  It is not fashionable to accord him proper credit but we have not had an attack on the American Mainland since 9/11/01.  Among many, many f#ckups, that remains a stubborn fact.  McCain has a chance to keep that record going.  Obama doesn't even have the desire to. 

And the next one will be a doozy.  The silence regarding this most critical issue, the #1 job of the president, is deafening, particularly here on RIA, where opinions are exchanged freely, at least for now.