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]
More Tales from H'Wood: How Bin Laden put the word out: get Russell Crowe [right]
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