The CIA found him then the SEALS assassinated him.
The Clinton intel network was good enough to send huge numbers of CIA agents Afghanistan to do the initial war through tribal proxies. They also knew where bin Ladens camp had been. Richard Clarke tried to convince Bush on what bin Laden was likely planning but was rebuffed, especially by Cheney who wanted the Iraq invasion Bush Sr. would not let him have. Eventually, for his overstepping on trying to get the DOJ to sign off on his torture memo, Bush side lined him and Cheney spent the last year doing nothing. Not sure if it was Bush or Cheney that let Afghanistan get side-tracked, but I can guess.
I hope Obama gave his orders from the situation room. Not doing so is like doing foreign policy from a country club during the cheese courses.