Ashcroft and Mueller created unease with their vague warning, but it wasn't so much the grimly familiar warning. It was the absence of Tom Ridge. Ashcroft failed to bring Ridge with him -- and Mr. Ridge had been on television that very morning assuring viewers that there was no new intelligence requiring an increase in the threat level. Obviously he didn't get the memo. The administration needs to be far more competent and consistent -- and apolitical -- when it talks about threats. That goes for everyone -- Gore and Kerry included. No Director Left Behind | 
