Election Recycling: What Am I Doing Here? Edition

 
 •Campaigns shift election strategies to hinge on portrayal of Iraq: "secure, democratic, federal and free" versus "a crisis of historic proportions."Bushshows leadership,Kerrycharges mismanagement. Republican strategist fears "a nasty turn." [ NYT , USAT ]

• Bushargues case to quiet assembly of dignitaries at the United Nations: "Every nation that wants peace will share the benefits of a freer world, and every nation that seeks peace has an obligation to help build that world." [ WP , NYT , USAT , BG ]

• Kerryresponds: "[Bush] does not have the credibility to lead the world. And he did not and will not offer the leadership in order to do what we need to do to protect our troops, to be successful and win the war on terror in an effective way." [ WP , NYT , LAT , USAT , BG ]

•Gap betweenBushand the world seemed farthest yet;Annan: "Those who seek to bestow legitimacy must themselves embody it, and those who invoke international law must themselves submit to it." [ WP , NYT ]

•CBS News producer putBurkettin touch withLockhart; White House jumps on possible cooperation over questionable report.Gillespie: "What did they know and when did they know it?" [ WP , NYT , LAT , BG , WT ]

•Debate commission postpones acceptance of agreement until Friday; strict guidelines will make town-hall debate "extremely mechanical." Fox to air baseball playoffs instead of third debate. [ NYT , WSJ , WT ]

•Republican leaders accept extension of middle-class tax cuts; Senate and House votes expected soon. [ WP ]

• Kerryin aggressive fight to curb erosion of female supporters, beginning with "Live withRegis and Kelly";Bushsuccessfully courting demographic with message of security, especially in shadow of Russian school massacre. [ NYT ]

•SBVFT to spend $1.3m on ad comparingKerrytoJane Fondaand purporting he met with "enemy leaders" during war. [ WP , WT ]

• Lockharthas revamped communications atKE04: "This is my fifth campaign, which makes me about 83. . . WhatamI doing here?" [ LAT ]

•Democrats beating expectations in eight Senate races. Professor: "It's not a Republican lock or cinch. They're all driven by factors unique to the candidate and to the state." [ WSJ ]

•Candidates run on manliness, sportsmanship: "What in the past seemed too arrogant, too macho, women really like this cycle. They want someone who will do what it takes to protect America." [ USAT ]

• Kerryto attackBush's Social Security plan as a gift to Wall Street donors. [ WP ]

•Jewish voters, frustrated with Iraq, turn overwhelmingly toKerry;Bushup five points from 2000. [ WP ]

• Kerrysupporters nervous but giddy and optimistic about candidate's tone. [ WP ]

• Bushcrowd shrieks enthusiastically with full confidence. Supporter: "IfJohn Kerrywere here today and experienced this,John Kerrywould vote forBush." [ WP ]

•Review of context for campaign rhetoric. [ LAT ]

•Race tied in New Jersey;Kerryleads in Washington. [ NYT , USAT ]

•Arab American questionsCheneyon Iraqi elections and protections of Muslims domestically. [ LAT ]

• NadersaysKerrykeeps him off ballots. [ WP ]

• TeresaandJohnshow opposites attract.Teresa: "Where's the bar? Where's the bar?" [ USAT ]

[ AFP/Luke Frazza ]