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Discusses how President George W. Bush was accompanied by Georgia Senator Democrat Zell Miller in West Virginia and Ohio when he challenged the steadfastness of presidential candidate John Kerry in his confrontation of Iraq and terrorism. How Kerry advisers hope to begin a critical attack on the president's trustworthiness and leadership skills; Efforts of Bush to portray Kerry as weak on national security and soft on preventing terrorism; Claims from Kerry that Bush is responsible for trying to scare Americans by focusing his campaign on terrorism; Division among Kerry aides over how the campaign should go after Bush on his military record and his use of connections to avoid service.

Analyzes the findings of the independent commission investigating the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks in the U.S. Absence of evidence linking Iraq with the Al Qaeda; Implications for efforts of U.S. President George W. Bush to justify his decision to go to war against Iraq; Implications for the November 2004 presidential elections in the U.S. INSETS: In Bush's and Cheney's Words.;In the Commission's Words..

Reports on President George W. Bush's television appearance on "Meet the Press" where he spent the hour defending his actions during his presidency. Statement that he was not alone in assessing Saddam Hussein to be a risk to the world; Contention that he improved the economy with tax cuts and hinted there may be more; Rebuttal of accusations that he did not complete all of his duties while in the National Guard; Suggestion that he may step into the gay marriage issue; Admission he might have been wrong in repeatedly asserting that Iraq had weapons of mass destruction but statement that it was know Hussein had the capability of making such weapons; Reasons for the interview; Self-characterization as a war president; Reaction from Democrats.