Features

Fear Factor
James Squires and Jane Smiley
Our hype-driven culture thrives on confusing reality with fantasy and on making us afraid that we're making the wrong choice. Sounds a lot like the Bush re-election campaign.

Handle With Care
Stephen Kinzer
Iraq we've invaded. North Korea we won't. That leaves Iran, where most people are eager for change -- but not the kind that current U.S. policy would deliver. Here's a smarter way.

Kerry's Women
Garance Franke-Ruta
Mary Beth Cahill is just the best known of four women calling the shots for Team Kerry (a presidential-level first). They guided his primary comeback; now comes the hard part.

Misoverestimated
Michael Steinberger
Yes, the hard-liners have outflanked and humiliated Colin Powell. But don't feel sorry for him. He has no one to blame but himself.

Reaching to the Choir
Ayelish McGarvey
Think all evangelicals are right-wingers? Don't believe everything you read. Just as many are politically moderate. Can Democrats win their votes? God only knows, it's worth a try.

Truth Squad
Shaun Waterman
The embattled 9-11 commission has two jobs: get the facts right and figure out exactly who failed when. The Bush administration doesn't seem so keen on that second part.