| The president and his aides are simply saying right now they're going to do what it takes. |
| Corruption scandals involving presidential aides have also drained his approval ratings. |
| Bush aides say the president took all of that in stride but he also took it to heart. |
| His aides had cut him off from the political infighting that his illness has triggered at home. |
| Kerry's aides have said they do not believe the timing was politically motivated. |
| He has leftward leanings that show in private but that his aides are suppressing. |
