Just now, the two major challenges to his war leadership revolve around the missing weapons of mass destruction (WMD) and the governance of Iraq -- particularly the often daily killing of American soldiers. Notwithstanding the howls and entreatments of many in Congress and the media, the mystery of the missing WMDs is being handled impeccably by the president. The American public has correctly moved past this matter. Congressional oversight will help establish the permanent pre-war history, and if there are any lessons to be learned from that inquiry, all the better. But doubtlessly more on the president's mind at the moment is the continuing toll of American military casualties being taken in Iraq. So far, it is not getting major news coverage; but as the deaths go on, the coverage will increase.

There well may be advisors to the president suggesting that he minimize these sad events. But I believe that would be both out of character for George Bush and counter-productive. As both man and president, Mr. Bush's central attributes are honor, fortitude and (if I may use an antique word) manliness -- what the ancients called virtue. The president should not run from these deaths but embrace them. He should meet with their families and publicly avow the value and importance of these sacrifices. Because they are not meaningless or senseless, but every bit a part of the noble struggle against terrorism. The president obviously believes that. His character will drive him to publicly validate those convictions, notwithstanding any contrary counsel he may receive.

The public understands better than the pundits and politicians the nature of this war on terrorism. Iraq, Afghanistan, al Qaeda, homeland security, the Middle East peace effort, the democracy project for the Middle East, Iran, North Korea: Its all of one piece. Yesterday's Gallup poll shows by 56 percent to 38 percent the public supports war against Iran to stop them acquiring nuclear weapons. The American public is in this for the long haul. They will not turn on the president for sticking it out in Iraq, Afghanistan or anywhere else that makes sense. They understand this is a war to the death -- either the terrorists and their hosts, or ours. If these deaths are seen to be necessary for victory, many deaths will be honored by the public. If they are seen as meaningless errors, even one would be seen as too many. The continuing deaths of American and British soldiers in Iraq should not be rhetorically minimized -- but sanctified.