"Terror Alerts - Substance or Politics?"...Howard Dean column

http://cagle.slate.msn.com/news/TerrorWarnings/main.asp

SNIP..."Over the past week there has been a lot of controversy about whether President Bush is using the timing of terror alerts to bolster his re-election campaign. Terrorism is a very serious issue and I do not believe that the terror alerts are based solely on politics. However, I do have some concerns that the timing of this announcement seems to be based on an election strategy....."

SNIP..."The administration has denied that the Department of Homeland Security gets involved in politics. In fact, last year the Department of Homeland Security was reportedly used for political purposes when it attempted to track down the whereabouts of Texas lawmakers who left the state to foil a Republican attempt to gerrymander Texas congressional districts."

SNIP..."Terror is one of the most serious short term problems America faces and along with the soaring deficits and the continuing degradation of our environment, it is one of our most serious long term problems. All of us want the President to succeed in fighting this incredible threat. I am one American who would like to see more substance and less politics in this fight, so I can look forward to a future filled with hope, not fear...."