Election Recycling: Mostly Sober Edition

 
 • Giuliani, McCainopen Republican convention with theme of the "courage of a nation" post-9/11.GiulianihailsBushas aggressive, "rock solid," attacksKerry's inconsistencies;McCainstrongly defends Iraq war, callsMichael Moore"disingenuous." [ WP , NYT , LAT , BG , USAT ]

• Kerry's gains on security and leadership vanish in new WP/ABC poll.Bushleads by 18 points on handling of terrorism; majorities dissatisfied with direction, sayBushis more qualified, honest, trustworthy, better able to handle Iraq; voters not interested in Vietnam. [ WP ]

• Bush: "I don't think you can win [the war on terror]. But I think you can create conditions so that those who use terror as a tool are less acceptable in parts of the world." [ WP ]

•Convention designed to remind voters of post-9/11 emotions andBushhighs.Giuliani: "I do believe there are times in our history when [Republican] ideas are more necessary and more important and critical, and this is one of those times when we are facing war and danger." [ WP , NYT , BG , USAT ]

• Bushportrayed as steadfast, manly. [ LAT , LAT ]

• McCainfinds SBVFT ads "completely nauseating," says "we've got to get that garbage off the air as soon as we can." [ NYT ]

• Bush-41calls SBVFT ads "rather compelling," supportsDole's comments. [ NYT ]

• Giuliani, changed by 9/11, looks to future races without comment. [ WP , NYT ]

•Expect the expected: speeches assert party line. [ NYT ]

•Republican platform shaped by conservatives,BC04. [ NYT , NYT , LAT ]

• Schwarzenegger's address to test his popularity, awkwardness, effectiveness among independents. [ WP , WT , BG ]

• Edwards: "John Kerryand I believe that this war on terror is winnable; they don't." [ WP , WT , USAT ]

• Mooreswamped, booed at convention, sees attention increasing profits. [ WP , WT ]

• Bush, Cheneyfamilies roll out soft side in television interviews, profiles.JennadescribesLauraas "bizarrely clean." [ NYT ]

• Bushdirects federal funds to swing state causes. [ LAT ]

•Money meets power over cocktails. [ NYT , LAT ]

• Lauraseen as top surrogate for husband;Jenna, Barbaratake on larger public role. [ LAT , WT ]

•Some delegates stay clean and sober. So far. [ NYT ]

•Democrats try to voice response from makeshift headquarters. [ NYT , NYT ]

•Staging to showBushamong the people. [ NYT ]

•20,000 demonstrate for low-income New Yorkers. [ WP , WP , NYT ]

•15,000 "media types" pampered by complimentary gifts, services, food, drink. [ WP ]

•Producer of convention is veteran of Radio City Christmas Spectacular shows. [ WP ]

•City relatively quiet outside MSG. [ NYT ]

•Chairman of College Republicans: "Karl [Rove]is brilliant." [ NYT ]

• Ron Silver, self-described as "well-recognized liberal," defendsBushat convention. [ LAT ][ AP Photo/Laura Rauch ]