To the Point

Is Kerry Ready to Battle Bush over Iraq?

Republicans accuse John Kerry of flip-flopping, while many Democrats say he sounds too much like President Bush. Today, with two recent polls showing a continued slide in the President's approval rating, Kerry began what both sides have been waiting for: a series of speeches on national security. How different are Kerry's goals and strategies from those of President Bush? Is he addressing those Democrats who complain that he-s too cautious to take advantage of all the bad news from Iraq? Warren Olney explores how Kerry proposes to make America stronger and more secure with a Republican pollster, an anti-war advocate, and journalists from Newsweek, Time, Roll Call, The Nation, and the Wall Street Journal. Making News: Al-Sadr Strikes Deal to End Standoff in Najaf Seven weeks of bitter fighting in Iraq-s holy city of Najaf has ended, at least for the moment. US officials are hoping a cease-fire between Iraqi negotiators and the forces of Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr will produce the kind of results they-ve seen in the Sunni city of Fallujah. Daniel Williams, who's in Iraq for the Washington Post, discusses the agreement and its potential impact on Americans, Iraqis and next month's transfer of power. Reporter's Notebook: Will Soaring Gas Prices Get Americans out of Their SUV-s? Since the oil embargo of the 1970's, vehicles have become increasingly bigger and gas mileage has been less of a factor in sales and promotion. Now, with regular gasoline costing more than $2 a gallon nationwide, even California's Governor Schwarzenegger is urging state leaders to set an example by saving on gas. Los Angeles Times Pulitzer Prize-winning auto critic Dan Neil considers whether soaring prices will get Americans out of their SUV-s.