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The Morning Grind / Political Hot Topics |
Jeb Bush could skip GOP convention
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|  VIDEO |
 John Kerry's Vietnam service divides veterans.
 Senate turf war over huge intelligence budget.
 What do polls really say about the election?
 McGreevey donor enters a plea agreement.
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RELATED |
• Candidates' spending nears $500M
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WASHINGTON (CNN) -- Check out the links below to hot political stories around the country this morning.
BUSY BROTHER: Gov. Jeb Bush said Wednesday that he may not attend the Republican Party Convention, which will renominate his presidential brother for another term later this month, because of the damage from Hurricane Charley.
The Associated Press: Charley may keep president's brother from GOP convention
REALIGNING TROOPS: John Kerry yesterday assailed President Bush's plan to withdraw 70,000 US troops from Europe and Asia, saying the realignment would be a boon to nuclear-armed North Korea and do nothing to strengthen the war on terror.
The Boston Globe: Kerry faults Bush on realigning troops
GLOBAL IMAGE: For the first time since the height of the Vietnam War, America's relations with the world loom as the most important issue for voters in the run-up to the November presidential election, according to a poll released Wednesday.
The Los Angeles Times: Voters worried about America's global image
ON THE RECORDS: Newly obtained military records of one of John Kerry's most vocal critics, who has accused the Democratic presidential candidate of lying about his wartime record to win medals, contradict his own version of events.
The Washington Post: Records counter a critic of Kerry
SECURITY FEARS: The survey released Wednesday by the independent Pew Research Center, found that 4 in 10 Americans now cite international and defense issues as the most important problems confronting the country. Only 1 in 4 mentioned economic concerns.
The New York Times: U.S. voters show concern over security and foreign affairs
SPEAKING OUT: A senior Republican has broken from his party in the final days of his House career, saying he believes that the U.S. military assault on Iraq was unjustified and that the situation has deteriorated into "a dangerous, costly mess."
The Associated Press: GOP legislator assails Iraq war
CUTTING CLASS: Jenna Bush has been bitten by the campaign bug and will not be teaching in Harlem this fall, according to the New York Daily News. Laura Bush said that Jenna's twin, Barbara, also has decided to put her career plans on hold until after the first of the year to stay on the election trail.
The New York Daily News: Jenna cuts classes for campaign
AVERAGE GEORGE: With the economy and the war in Iraq looming as liabilities, the president is turning on the folksy charm, hoping to sharpen the contrast with his Democratic opponent. Bush often mentions his Texas upbringing, the importance of religious values, and his mother still telling him what to do.
The Boston Globe: On trail, Bush reprises average-guy role
FEELS HER PAIN: First lady Laura Bush considers much of the national media biased against Republicans, but she empathizes with Democrat Teresa Heinz Kerry, who told a journalist to "shove it."
The Washington Times: Laura sees an agenda worthy of a 'shove'
YOUTH VOTE: The youth vote, perhaps the most elusive quarry in U.S. politics, is being Rocked, Smacked Down, Rapped and otherwise goosed by everyone from blinged-out rappers to Harvard professors to the League of Women Voters.
The youth vote: Hard to tell how it will turn out
VIEWING VERMONT: Mirroring national politics, two candidates for governor battle for the middle ground.
The Boston Globe: Vermont slugfest
PARK PROTEST: A group seeking to stage a massive anti-Bush rally later this month yesterday sued the city and Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg for blocking protesters' access to Central Park.
The Washington Times: Group sues N.Y. for rally in park
NADER BLOCKED: Ralph Nader's efforts to get his name on presidential ballots in important swing states are becoming mired in legal challenges and charges of fraud by Democrats who have mounted an extensive campaign to keep him from becoming a factor in this year's election.
The New York Times: Democrats' legal challenges impede Nader
STAYING PUT: Sen. Jon Corzine said yesterday that he will not seek to run for governor in a special election, dashing hopes by some state Democrats that he would help pressure Gov. James McGreevey to resign earlier than planned.
The Washington Times: Corzine opts out as N.J. candidate
Compiled by Heather Riley
