- As he seeks support for an escalating war in Iraq, President Bush is reaching forward for a place in history with hope that he will be recognized as a leader who confronted "the ideological struggle of the 21st Century," a conflict between freedom and terrorism.

And, as he contends with growing opposition to the war at home and in Congress, Bush is reaching back to the 20th Century for a parallel with his struggle today. The president has found his precedent in a leader who faced the first years of the Cold War and the Korean War--Harry Truman.

With references to Truman's challenges several decades ago, and with repeated warnings about what future historians could make of today's leaders for failing to face the threat of the day, Bush is asking Americans to consider a bigger picture than the one they see on their television screens.