The United States military and intelligence community are owed a huge round of applause for a job well done killing Osama Bin Laden.

From what we know, elements of Pakistan’s government cooperated with the United States in a military operation into a mansion outside Islamabad where we shot and killed Osama Bin Laden. Military installations around the world have raised their alert level. Al Qaeda is not the same as it was back in 2001, but we should not be surprised if some group tries to do something.

As the sun rises this morning, the speculation and spin that the media will readily push out is that this now makes Barack Obama invulnerable to defeat in 2012.

It is an extraordinary accomplishment — one that defies partisanship. Because Barack Obama is President, like with upturns in the economy, he will get the credit.

But the lack of an upturn in the economy will, by 2012, be more relevant. People have short memories. Voters have short memories. The good will toward Mr. Obama will not last past one or two fill ups.

If the economy does not improve, if gas prices do not go down significantly, and if jobs are not created, Barack Obama will lose. The death of Osama Bin Laden is a good thing. But it has no staying power into 2012.