Election Recycling: Kucizzle in the Hizzle! Edition
•White House moves to counterRichard Clarke'sallegations.McClellan: "This isDick Clarke's'American grandstand'. . . His assertion that there was something we could have done to prevent the September 11th attacks from happening is deeply irresponsible, it's offensive, and it's flat-out false."Sen. Chuck Hagel (R-Neb.): "This is a serious book written by a serious professional who's made serious charges, and the White House must respond to these charges."Cheneygoes onLimbaugh; Ricedoes five morning programs. [ WP and NYT ]
•Democrats furious thatBushpaintsKerryas fiscally irresponsible.Bushis "engaged in wholesale concoction. . . It reflects desperation more than anything else," saysSen. Kent Conrad (D-N.D.).[ NYT and LAT ]
•NewKerryad, to run in 17 states, is positive and focuses on "new direction" for domestic issues."John Kerry'scampaign seems to be summed up this way: I went to Vietnam, yadda, yadda, yadda, I want to be president. He would have the American people ignore his 19-year record in the United States Senate. . . In the case ofJohn Kerry,the truth hurts," saysBushspokesman. [ WP and LAT ]
• ClarkejoinsO'Neill, Hagel, and McCainas unconventional supporters ofKerry."Even Republicans can't defend what theBush-Cheneycampaign says or does, particularly when the president is caught red-handed misleading America on the true cost of the war and covering up the real cost of his Medicare giveaway plan," saysKerryflak. [ WP ]
•Psychoanalyst who has been in contact with theKerrycampaign andBushfundraisers has takes onKerryandBush: "The president has to be the entertainer in chief, which means he is feeding the American soul every day.Kerryhas to say, 'I've seen the future, and I know where to go. Follow me.'" [ WP ]
• CheneysaysKerryis weak on terror. [ USAT ]
• Kerrywas under "extensive surveillance" by the FBI during his activist years.Kerry: "The FBI of today is on the front lines of the war on terror, and it's critical that they be effective with our full support. But the experience of having been spied on for the act of engaging in peaceful patriotic protest makes you respect civil rights and the Constitution even more." [WP and NYT ]
•On Letterman,Kucinichpresents Top 10 ways he can still be president: "8. Act like a boob so people will perceive me as more presidential. . . 4. Just wait till I unleash my new campaign slogan: "Kucizzle in the hizzle!". . . 3. According to the order of presidential succession, ifGeorge W. Bushwere to resign today, along withDick Cheneyand about 300 other people, the presidency passes to a congressman from Ohio. . . 1. I'm praying for a sex scandal." [ LAT ]
•Ketchum, Idaho inundated with Secret Service and disdain for the burden;Kerryenjoys opulence. [ LAT and WT ]
•Report indicates economy of swing states is improving slightly, though few people are encouraged.Bushspokesman: "It is a very compelling case to continue the economic policies where the benefits are obvious. In places where the economy has not caught up, we're going to have to make the case that going backwards is not the solution." [ NYT ]
[Subtle! AP Photo/Chitose Suzuki ]