Senator McCaskill says the successful raid on a Pakistan compound that resulted in the killing of 9-11 mastermind Osama bin Laden sends an important message, especially to the terrorists.

“Well, I think it tells terrorists around the world that we don’t give up,” McCaskill tells the Missourinet. “I think it also tells them that we can come onto foreign soil undetected and execute a highly specialized mission successfully and not even inform the country where it occurred until after the fact. That is an ability that few nations have and I think it bodes well for our national security.”

American intelligence and military operatives have been hunted for Osama bin Laden since the September 11th, 2001 attacks on New York and Washington. The Pentagon described the operation of a surgical raid on bin Laden’s luxury hideout in Pakistan.

In an address Sunday evening from the White House, President Obama reported that a small team attacked a compound in Pakistan’s Abbottabad Valley, where bin Laden had reportedly been hiding for months. The team confronted bin Laden and some associates, engaging in a firefight that killed bin Laden, age 54. The American Special Forces team took custody of his body. The president called it “the most significant achievement to date in our nation’s effort to defeat al-Qaeda.”

McCaskill says the successful mission demonstrates a continuity of effort between the Bush and Obama Administrations.

“I think Americans should feel good about the commitments of presidents of both parties to our national security,” “And that their protection is always foremost and top in their priority list.”

AUDIO: Brent Martin interviews Sen. McCaskill [5:35 MP3]