Some U.S. officials question response to Iran plot

http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/10/14/us-usa-security-iran-plot-idUSTRE79D6H420111014

from the article:

ELECTION MODE

But Paul Pillar, a former top CIA analyst, said the strong words from Obama and Secretary of State Hillary Clinton also reflect the coming election.

"They're in a re-election mode and making sure that they sound ... tough on Iran," said Pillar, now a Georgetown University professor. "It just gives additional red meat for those who would like to push us toward even more confrontation, especially in the use of military force."