TIME.com: Election 2004: Inside The War Rooms (5)

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CALLIE SHELL / AURORA FOR TIME

Inside The War Rooms
Bush and Kerry weren't only battling each other. In the hunt for every last vote, each man had to rediscover his own instincts as well. TIME takes you behind the scenes

HELP FROM SOME OLD PROS
With his campaign stuttering, Kerry drafted such battle-hardened Dems as John Sasso, left. In October, Sasso helps former Clinton press secretary Mike McCurry prep the candidate for a postdebate speech

Looking for Mr. Right

Maliki's Last Stand?
The prime minister makes a new call to curb violence, but Iraqis' patience with him and his government is wearing thin

What a Surge Really Means
Can a couple more divisions in Iraq make a difference? Or is Bush's idea too little, too late?