Read some of the Congressional Intel Committee reports for 2000 and some previous years. al-Qaeda wasn't unknown. bin Laden wasn't unknown. Even Congress had more info available than they would ever admit to.
But, as we know from Reid, Kerry, and other -- they admit they didn't attend meetings, read reports, etc.
You are right. It just wasn't on the front page like it has been in the past 4.5 years. It certainly isn't breaking news.
If you read some of the old Jim Traficant one minute speeches you'll find that he names Bin Laden as a serious threat throughout the 90s.