Obama on bin Laden Death: I Didn't Do a High-Five

Obama gives detailed interview about the terrorist leader's demise
By Kevin Spak,  Newser Staff
Posted May 2, 2012 10:15 AM CDT

It's the first anniversary of the US raid that killed Osama bin Laden, and MSNBC today released a series of interviews Brian Williams conducted with President Obama, Hillary Clinton, and other top-ranking officials detailing their preparation for and reaction to the raid. "Ultimately, it was a 50/50 proposition as to whether this was actually bin Laden," Obama reveals. Speaking of the night he made the decision, he said, "There's no doubt that you don't sleep as much that evening."

Asked what he thought when he saw the death photos, Obama replied, "It's wrong to say that I did a high five … but understanding the satisfaction for the American people, what it would mean for 9/11 families …. I think there was a deep-seated satisfaction." Clinton, meanwhile, described calling former presidents and leaders to give them the news (even Bill, she reveals, "didn't know anything"). Particularly sensitive were the calls to Pakistan. "We believe this was in the best interest of both your country and ours," she told them. "You're going to have to choose how you respond to it." For much more, check MSNBC. (More Barack Obama stories.)

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