2004 Election: Inside The War Rooms

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The President was off mountain biking, leaving a political odd couple sharing a cup of coffee on the cool limestone porch of the Texas ranch. One was overnight guest John McCain, and the other was Bush's political adviser Karl Rove, the man who helped destroy McCain four years earlier in the South Carolina primary. Lately the Senator had been openly referring to Rove as "staff scum," a term of endearment he often uses for his own aides. Now the two discussed the political map and the previous day's events in Florida. Flying with Bush to Pensacola, McCain had told tales of his fighter days in that town. And once they landed, McCain was beside himself with excitement about the size of the crowds. "He kept turning to me and hitting me in the arm and saying, 'I've never seen anything like it,'" said Rove. "I thought I was going to have a bruise."

The summer romance between Bush and McCain was confounding to the Arizona Senator's friends and fans. Was this a true reconciliation based on shared principles in a time of crisis? Or was St. John, the famously pure, blunt, fearless crusader selling out in order to build up equity with his party for another run in 2008? "I genuinely enjoy his company," McCain has explained in a pleading tone to skeptical friends. Aides say that after Bush spends time with McCain, the President's arguments for the war are sharper.

Those close to McCain say that at bottom he doesn't believe Kerry has the strength to face the tough business of war. McCain's views about Bush have been formed up close. After both visited families of dead and wounded soldiers at Fort Lewis in Washington State, they flew in silence on Marine One. The grief had been deep, and some of the relatives had had an edge in their voice as they talked to the President about the conflict that had taken their loved ones. As the helicopter climbed, McCain could see that the encounter had battered Bush. "I'm proud of you," he said, putting his arm on the President. He then promised Bush his full support, no matter what happened.