American counterterrorism officials, citing what they call "alarming" intelligence about a possible al-Qaida strike inside the United States this fall, are reviewing a proposal that could allow for the postponement of the November presidential election in the event of such an attack, according to Newsweek magazine.
The success of March's Madrid railway bombings in influencing the Spanish elections -- as well as intercepted "chatter" among al-Qaida operatives -- has led analysts to conclude "they want to interfere with the elections," says one official.
The prospect that al-Qaida might seek to disrupt the U.S. election was a major factor behind last week's terror warning by Homeland Security Secretary Tom Ridge. Ridge and other counterterrorism officials concede they have no intelligence about any specific plots, though.
Also see:
FBI seeks help to thwart terror threat (CNN)
Terror Threat Spurs Planning for Election Delay (NY Post)
A convenient terror alert (Capital Times)
Could Terror Threat Cause US To Cancel Election? (Newsweek)
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