The Obama administration made two announcements today: The first was that the president would seek reelection in 2012; the second was that Khalid Sheikh Mohammed would be tried by a military commission (instead of in New York City in a federal court). KSM is considered (by himself, experts, and authorities) the mastermind behind 9/11.

The timing of the KSM announcement suggests one of two things. Either that the administration thought it could drown out this announcement with talk of the 2012 campaign. Or, more likely, the president wanted to signal that he has become more moderate, since the previous decision to try KSM in New York City was roundly criticized and extremely unpopular.