Democrats Knocked Off Balance by Bush's Terror Alerts

[LastLiberal in PalmSprings]

WASHINGTON - The politics of terrorism has Democrats tied in knots. Each time President Bush raises fears of a possible attack, the political debate shifts from his most troublesome issue (Iraq) to one of his strongest (the war on terrorism) while Democrats fight their impulse to question the president's motives.

The advantages of incumbency were in full display Sunday, when Homeland Security Secretary Tom Ridge warned of possible al-Qaida terrorist attacks to financial institutions in New York City, Washington and Newark, N.J.

The information was obtained in the past 36 to 72 hours, officials said Sunday, increasing anxieties about a potential strike. The Bush administration let a 24-hour news cycle pass before making clear that most of the intelligence, while recently obtained, was three or four years old.
more

[ayeshahaqqiqa]

1. Howard Dean had it right

and he had the courage to say it. As these terralerts fizzle to nothing again and again, even moderates and swing voters will have to start agreeing with the good doctor. In Arkansas, many folks weren't aware of the rise in the terror level (most are at the lake or doing other outdoorsy things on the weekends): when informed of it, many shrugged and said, "Yeah, sure."