Campaign '04: CRUNCHTIME

Every day, every hour now counts, as Bush and Kerry fine-tune their strategies for the finish line. A TIME guide to what's working--and what's not

THERE IS TO BE NO SCOWLING this time, George Bush's counselors told him, even if John Kerry attacks your mom. Campaign officials say it took Karen Hughes a good while to convince the Commander in Chief after the first presidential debate that he had looked irritated. "I was not irritated," he told her, irritated. "Sir, you were," she said. Hughes is one of the few who can tell the President what he might not want to hear and show him what he might not be able to see for himself. Within 72 hours of losing that first debate, which in a...

Want the full story?

Subscribe Now

Subscribe
Subscribe

Learn more about the benefits of being a TIME subscriber

If you are already a subscriber sign up — registration is free!