Sort of an official visit, and sort of not. It’s fitting that the president mark Bin Laden’s demise by paying his respects on the public’s behalf. And if that respect-paying just so happens to produce a 24-karat photo op for his upcoming campaign, well, that’s his reward for icing the man Americans hate most. Just look at this headline. After reading that, I’m almost ready to agree to a tax hike.

Almost.

President Obama will travel to New York City on Thursday to mark the death of Osama bin Laden by visiting the site of the World Trade Center and meeting with families of victims from the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001.

The president is scheduled to deliver a speech, tour the site and meet privately with family members, an administration official said. The site in lower Manhattan filled with crowds when Mr. Obama announced late Sunday evening that Bin Laden had been killed. The crowds continued throughout the day on Monday.

Bush would have done the same thing and, yes, unquestionably, the left would have screeched about “politicization,” but I would have taken his side then so I’ll take The One’s side now. So much goodwill has he earned in the last 24 hours, in fact, that not only are Republican leaders congratulating him but even — gasp — Donald Trump is patting him on the back. It’ll all wither away in a few weeks when left and right start throwing roundhouses at each other over the debt ceiling (or will it?), so enjoy the kill-Osama comity while you can.

If it’s politicization you want, and if you didn’t already get a strong enough dose from Karl’s post earlier, here’s a video double dip to tide you over. First, via Radio Vice Online, Rep. Gary Ackerman makes a jerk of himself by taunting Bush with a “mission accomplished” reference. And below that, via News Busters, Joy Behar’s already fantasizing about canceling the election and declaring The One president until 2016.