President Makes Rare Mention of Bin Laden

When President Bush made a rare mention yesterday of the country's most wanted terrorist -- Osama bin Laden -- he returned to a person and issue that dominated the presidential election but has largely vanished from Bush's speeches afterward. In the four months since his reelection, Bush has focused speeches on Social Security, limiting lawsuits and Iraq, but said little about al Qaeda or measures needed to head off attacks in the United States that had dominated his campaign speeches. He did not say the word "terrorism" in his inaugural address. White House officials said the president is simply making the transition from a wartime candidate to a second-term president with a robust domestic agenda. But Democrats -- and a few Republicans -- said Bush is not putting enough emphasis on securing ports, borders and airlines from another attack. At a congressional hearing yesterday, Rep. John N. Hostettler (R-Ind.) said he was "deeply disappointed" that Bush is not fighting for the large increase in border patrol agents called for by the bipartisan commission that investigated the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. White House officials said they are doing significant work to improve the Homeland Security Department and tighten security, but see little need for Bush to discuss it in public. Bush's appearances yesterday stood in contrast to his otherwise laserlike public focus on restructuring Social Security and limiting lawsuits.more]

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