Terrorism and National Elections

A new threat of terrorism cast a shadow of fear over America today. At FBI headquarters in Washington, Attorney General John Ashcroft and FBI director Robert Mueller announced that law enforcement authorities have "credible intelligence from multiple sources" that Al Qaeda is planning to attack the United States this summer or early fall.

"Several upcoming events in the next few months may suggest especially inviting targets for an Al Qaeda attack," said John Ashcroft. Targets include both the Democratic and Republican conventions to be held in Boston and New York later this summer.

A terrorist attack days before Spain's national election last March led voters to turn out the incumbent. What would happen in the United States if a terrorist attack preceded this year's presidential election?

Guests:

Josh Meyer, covers intelligence for the Los Angeles Times

Fred Thys, reporter WBUR

Rocco Parascandola, staff writer Newday

David J. Rothkopf, visiting scholar at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, his article "Terror Logic: Disrupt the 2004 Election" appeared in the Washington Post

David Sanger, White House reporter The New York Times

Jerold Post, professor of Psychiatry, Political Psychology and International Affairs at George Washington University, founder and former director of the CIA's Center for the Analysis of Personality and Political Behavior

Jack Beatty, On Point news analyst, senior editor at The Atlantic Monthly