Election Recycling: Casting Out Demons Edition

 
 • KerryattacksBushfor"stonewalling"September 11 and Iraqi intelligence investigations; Bush campaign chairman says the president has been "entirely cooperative." [ WP and NYT ]

• Bushisclosely involved in his campaign; spokesmen prefers dubbingKerry"the senator from Massachusetts who has a record of weakening national defense and raising taxes" to the generic "Massachusetts liberal,"Kerrymoves to neutralize. [ NYT and BG ]

• "Gloomy economy"makes 2004 somewhat similar to 1992 race. ShouldBushbe concerned? " There aren't many inviolate rules in American politics, but in an election year it's safe to say no president wants his name plausibly placed in the same sentence asHerbert Hoover's." [ LAT ]

•In an election year with foreign policy crisis overload, some Republicans want to resist military intervention elsewhere: "No war in '04."[WP ]

•Battle for Florida intensifies as polls put candidates neck-in-neck: "Florida is on the knife edgeof partisan balance. It's a place where little things can alter the turnout just enough to tip the scales," says professor who studies voting patterns. [ NYT ]

• Kerrycomparesgays rights to civil rights, tripping over his comparison of Matthew Shepard and James Byrd, Jr. [ BG ]

• Gore,fresh populist, says Republicans use "politics of fear. . . and the repetition of big lies." [ LAT ]

• Sharptonhires William Morris talent agency to look for talk show and movie opportunities. "We don't expect him to beDenzel Washington," says his manager. [ NYT ]

•For vice presidential slot,Grahamis in,Richardsonis out, andMcCainis not a possibility. [ WT ]

•Both sides believe they can use thePatriot Actto their political advantage. [ BG ]

• Bush'sbig ideas are put on back-burner in order to campaign; [ USAT ]

• Kerryis doing well among black voters. [ USAT ]

•Women's peace group, CodePink, protests forBushto be given pink slip. [ WP ]