•Kerry walks fine line, avoids criticizing terror alerts as fellow Democrats express skepticism. Axelrod: "[I]f something serious actually happens, you never want to be in a position of having cast doubt on the severity of the threat." Ridge: "We don't do politics in the Department of Homeland Security." [NYT, NYT, BG]
• The Media Fund buys $2.5 million of ad time in 5 states, plans online campaign featuring Will Ferrell mocking Bush. New BC04 ad, running in 18 states, says Americans are "standing up against terrorism and working to grow our economy. What gives us optimism and hope? Freedom, faith, families and sacrifice." [WP, WT, USAT]
•Kerry visits conservative communities; to cross paths with Bush today in Iowa. [BG]
•Kerry detours to previous Bush campaign stop; intends to hold monthly news conferences. [NYT]
• Old intelligence that caused orange alert raises questions of credibility. [WP]
• No let up seen in ad wars. [WSJ]
•Dowd sets bounce expectation at zero. [WT]
•Bush to Catholics: "You're foot soldiers. You've heard the call. You have a friend in this administration. You have somebody who wants to work with you to change America for the better." [WP, NYT, LAT, USAT]
•Kerry pledges to halve deficit during first term. [WP, LAT]
• DNC launches "Truth Squad" to respond to attacks. [BG]
•Cheney says Democrats are partially to blame for high gas prices. [LAT]
•Kerry to release names of supporters in business community. [WSJ]
• Targeted cable buys effective for political advertising. [
]•Nancy Reagan supports Bush. [USAT]
• 72% of Missouri voters approve gay marriage ban. [WP, WT]
•Keyes, Andrea Grubb Barthwell in running for Republican Senate seat in Illinois. [WP]
• New York warns delegates, officials about accepting gifts worth more than $75, including those at parties and convention events. [NYT]
• Republicans in northeastern West Virginia loyal to Bush. [NYT]
• GOP delegates notified of banned items. [NYT]
