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The Morning Grind / Political Hot Topics |
Candidates claim themselves best to lead war on terror
 |  President Bush greets supporters at a rally in Iowa on Monday. |
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 VIDEO |
 CNN's Deanna Morawski on the showdown-state focus.
 CNN's John King on the Bush emphasis on terrorism.
 CNN's Candy Crowley on Kerry, Bill Clinton and missing explosives.
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WASHINGTON (CNN) -- Check out the links below to hot political stories around the country this morning.
SPARRING OVER TERROR: The presidential candidates yesterday battled over who is best qualified to lead the nation in the war on terrorism. The Boston Globe: Kerry, Bush spar over who can best lead charge on terror
DEEP FISSURES: Cultural values, more than the economy, are dividing the country between Bush and Kerry as the fissures seen in 2000 resurface in dramatic fashion. The Los Angeles Times: Voters still split sharply, and evenly
OHIO CONFUSION: Democrats and Republicans traded accusations of voter fraud, obstruction and intimidation Monday as officials grappled with what is becoming a confused -- and potentially chaotic -- presidential election in this critical battleground state. The Washington Post: Some fear Ohio will be Florida of 2004
RAISING THE STAKES: The surprise announcement of Chief Justice William Rehnquist's treatment for cancer underscores the likelihood that whoever wins next week's presidential election is likely to reshape the Supreme Court. The Washington Times: Rehnquist's illness raises stakes in election
TROUBLE IN THE TROPICS?: A pair of polls indicating that President Bush was slightly ahead of John Kerry in traditionally Democratic Hawaii is prompting three independent groups that have been supporting the Democrat to consider advertising in a state whose four Electoral College votes equal that of hotly contested Maine and New Hampshire. The Boston Globe: Three groups consider ads to try to trim president's edge
EXPLOSIVE ISSUES: The White House sought to explain the missing explosives in Iraq; John Kerry said the president had put U.S. troops at risk.The New York Times: Iraq explosives become issue in campaign
CALIFORNIA CODDLING: His campaign lavishes VIP attention on well-connected backers, trying to make them feel more like friends than mere fund-raisers. The Los Angeles Times: Kerry's California coddling
ANGER INTO ENERGY: Former Vice President Al Gore asked Democrats to channel any anger they still feel from the Supreme Court's decision in the 2000 election into energy for Sen. John Kerry in this year's voting. The Associated Press: Use ire left over from 2000 to elect Kerry, Gore urges
CLINTON ON THE STUMP: John Kerry was joined on Monday by former President Bill Clinton at a rally that drew 80,000 people in Philadelphia. The New York Times: Clinton tries on his long coattails for Kerry
IT'S NOT CALCULUS: Senator John Kerry has pivoted from raising questions about President Bush's character to trying to add up for voters the effects of the president's policies. The New York Times: Kerry's new campaign strategy is doing the math
CARTER'S VIEW: President Bush has exploited the attacks of September 11, 2001, and a timorous American press has not held him to account, former President Jimmy Carter said in an interview published yesterday. The Associated Press: Bush has exploited attacks of September 11, Carter asserts
COMEBACK KID COMES BACK: A massive legion of Democratic faithful packed several square blocks downtown Monday as former president Bill Clinton made a late and long-awaited return to the campaign trail with a rousing endorsement of John Kerry. The Washington Post: Clinton comes back to the fray
FAITH-BASED INITIATIVE: When it comes to understanding the president's religious convictions, there appears to be a disconnect between Mr. Bush's personal beliefs and his public policy. The New York Times: Personal and political, Bush's faith blurs lines
Compiled by Heather Riley
