Why now? It's the elections, stupid.

It's absolutely clear that the administration has timed the Iraq public relations campaign to influence the midterm elections . . . and to distract the voting public from a failing economy and an unpopular Republican domestic agenda....
It was [Karl Rove, Bush's top political adviser] who argued earlier this year that the war on terrorism should be part of Republicans' campaigns this year. Last week, White House political aides encouraged GOP candidates to emphasize national security. Also, Andrew H. Card Jr., Bush's chief of staff, said last week that the White House held back on promoting the Iraq policy in the summer because, "from a marketing point of view, you don't introduce new products in August."....
"It only reinforces skepticism about the timing," said Chris Lehane, a Democratic operative who was Al Gore's campaign spokesman. "If Iraq truly is a threat -- and it may very well be -- Saddam is not constructing his weapons of mass destruction in accordance to our midterm calendar."

Anyone wonder where the corporate fraud, loss-of-pensions, recession, environmental, civil rights, and other domestic stories have gone? Funny they've disappeared now that's it's election time. Actually it's not funny at all.