from the BEGINNING, the clintonistas were on the offensive about this... they probably had clandestine meetings as soon as 9/11 happened to set up a scenario where it would look like bush's fault. they have been amazingly successful in creating this terrible environment.
but if the repubs could get their acts together, they could turn this thing around. i mean, they have been ground through the mill, taken their lumps, and they need to get on the offensive now and let the dems ride the negative press of having crippled our intelligence agencies AND accepted donations from airlines in place of more stringent safety rules.
THROUGH the election, the repubs could ride this wave, if they're smart. which i kinda doubt, to be honest.