The measure of all this is the polls showing that Condi is believed 2:1. The Dems cannot let this be. Bush's strength over Kerry in polls is in handling the WOT. They are terrified that will carry the day. They are systematically attacking that part of his support.
Where is the GOP defense? Where are the GOP senators who have now seen this memo to stand up and say Bush did all anyone could?
Well, the killer? Clinton Admin "rules" for transportation, intelligence, and INS -- did not permit or allow for "tight" surveillance or security - pre-emption, prevention, etc. And that's also when Hillary was calling everyone who went nuts about the laxities, and improprieties APROVED AND SANCTIONED by Clinton Admin -- the Vast Right Wing Conspiracy; the hateful right.
Condoleeza Rice covered, this past week, very diplomatically, those "policies" which in fact hindered "law enforcement" and "NSA" types from possibly getting even MORE CLUES about the "when".