National security and terrorism issues have long been around American politics, as they became a solid part of the conversation in the wake of the Nine Eleven attacks on September 11, 2001. But this year, the politics of that day have faded from the campaign canvass in the race for the White House.
Yes, Nine Eleven is being remembered by both parties today; but it is no longer driving the political discussion.
In 2004, you didn't have to go far to be reminded of the destruction associated with the planes that hit the World Trade Center towers, as Republicans held their convention in New York City.
That same year, Democrats were in Boston, both conventions brimming with extra security and worries about terrorism.
It was an issue that Republicans used to keep Democrats on the defensive, as talk of getting Osama bin Laden and the War on Terror punctuated the campaign of President George W. Bush.
One might have thought that would change with the raid by Navy SEALS that killed bin Laden in May of 2011; but the issue made hardly a ripple at the Democratic National Convention, as Mr. Obama's acceptance speech last week in Charlotte had only one reference to the Al Qaeda leader.
"A new tower rises above the New York skyline, al Qaeda is on the path to defeat, and Osama bin Laden is dead," the President said to applause.
Four years earlier, Mr. Obama had used a September 11 reference in his acceptance speech to mock his opponent, Sen. John McCain, vowing to take out bin Laden if given the chance and bringing up the subject of Tora Bora, where it was thought bin Laden got away from U.S. forces.
"You know, John McCain likes to say that he'll follow bin Laden to the gates of Hell, but he won't even follow him to the cave where he lives," Sen. Obama said to applause.
As for McCain, he didn't mention September 11 in his acceptance speech four years ago; he gave Al Qaeda one reference.
It's a far cry from the politics of 2004, when President George W. Bush regularly invoked the 9/11 attacks, bringing chants of "USA! USA!" from the delegates at Madison Square Garden.
"Three days after September the 11th, I stood where Americans died, in the ruins of the twin towers. Workers in hard hats were shouting to me, "Whatever it takes,"" the President said.
"Since that day, I wake up every morning thinking about how to better protect our country. I will never relent in defending America -- whatever it takes," Mr. Bush vowed.
While national security was the big issue back then, it is not now. Economic insecurity is by far the biggest issue in this year's campaign.
Could that change? Of course it can - all it takes is another terrorist attack, and the political finger pointing will begin.
Then it will die down as time ticks inexorably on, until we face another crisis in the future.
