Election Recycling: Revert to Malaise Edition
•Approval ofBush'shandling of war on terror down 13% since April, according to WP/ABC poll. Nation divided over who is stronger against terror; 52% say Iraq war was not worth fighting; 70% -- a new high -- say casualty rate is unacceptable;Bush'sapproval rating stable; voters trustBushmore with handling Iraq but majorities preferKerryfor health care, taxes, education, drug benefits. [ WP ]
• Bushmay chose permanent successor toTenetto protect from forthcoming reports, books critical of administration, and to preempt fallout if there is a terrorist attack. [ NYT ]
• Bushvisits Ohio, raises $2.5 million, promotes conservative values under banner of "Strengthening America's Families." [ NYT and LAT ]
• Kerry,backed by 48 Nobel laureates, says, "We need a president who will again embrace the tradition of looking toward the future and new discoveries with hope based on scientific facts, not fear," and an economy "based on innovation, ingenuity and imagination."Bushflak: "OnlyJohn Kerrywould declare the country to be in scientific decline on a day when the country's first privately funded space trip is successfully completed." [ WP and LAT and WT and BG ]
• Bush, Cheneypromote rebound in job market.Cheneysays America would revert toCarter's"malaise" underKerry.[ WP and WT ]
•Let Freedom Ring Inc. to counter MoveOn.org from the religious right. [ WT ]
•Breakdown of independent voter polls is analyzed. [ LAT ]
• Naderpicks Green Party activist as running mate, boosting chances for Green Party endorsement. [ WP and NYT and LAT ]
[ AFP/Hector Mata ]