Presidential campaign has been marked by succession of what were considered Big Moments, anticipated by Democrats and Republicans as way of unlocking deadlocked contest; none of big moments have proved to be very big at all; debates lead list of few Big Moments left; calendar of upcoming events in campaign (M)

58 Days to Go; What Matters Now

Review of 2005 Mercedes-Benz SLK 350 roadster; photos (M)

Mercedes's Baby SL Builds Up Its Muscles

Frank Rich column examines efforts of Republicans to portray Pres Bush as macho and militaristic, while simultaneously trying to undermine Sen John Kerry's service in Vietnam; says Bush aide and confidant Karen Hughes has been instrumental in finessing Bush's wartime years, using her book Ten Minutes from Normal and book tour to introduce insinuations that would pave way for Swift Boat Veterans for Truth assault on Kerry's reputation; says truth is that Kerry was man's man by volunteering for service and then repudiating war, while Bush merely plays dress-up and slings empty threats; photos (L)

How Kerry Became a Girlie-Man

Laura Shaine Cunningham article recalls El Morocco, chic New York City nightclub whose heyday began in 1930's, which is being demolished to make way for high-rise luxury condominium; some artifacts remain--zebra striped pavement outside club that condo designer Jay Valgora plans to transplant to garden, photos of patrons that will be mounted in lobby and El Morocco Family Album, rare, privately published album of vintage photos published by club owner John Perona as gift for El Morocco regulars; photos (L)

Ghosts of El Morocco

Behind the Wheel column reviews 2004 Mazdaspeed Miata and Honda S2000 roadsters; photos (M)

BEHIND THE WHEEL/2004 Mazdaspeed Miata and Honda S2000; In Hot Pursuit of an Endless Summer

Home Front column on company Outside Connection, remote-call forwarding service that allows prison inmates' families to avoid expensive long-distance charges when they receive collect calls from prison; prison officials oppose remote-call forwarding services, claiming they limit ability of authorities to monitor calls, but company founder and former inmate Brian Prins argues that charges to families are otherwise unreasonable; photo (M)

A Phone Venture: Calling All Prisoners

Kanasas City Chiefs, with what is often considered best offensive line in NFL, prepare for regular season; photos (M)

The Fall Hunt Is On at Arrowhead

Many leading Democrats, worried about state of presidential race as Pres Bush roars out of Republican convention, press Sen John Kerry to intensify campaign they see as wandering and low-energy; say they have urged Kerry's aides to concentrate on challenging Bush on domestic issues, interviews; Kerry seems to be heeding advice with aggressive attack on Bush's economic leadership; photos (M)

Democrats Urge Kerry to Turn Up Intensity of Campaign

School ratings issued under federal law are clashing with rating systems of some states, leaving parents unsure which to believe or whether to transfer children, option offered by federal law; federal system has rated thousands of schools with vaunted reputation as low-performing; federal ratings, which can fall short if not enough students show up for test or because mentally retarded students do not perform at grade level, rattle many affluent communities; prestigious Darien, Ill, high school missed one federal target based on low test scores of handful of disabled students; photo (M)

Good Schools or Bad?Ratings Baffle Parents

 A Day of Attacks in Iraq  A car bombing yesterday at a police academy in northern Iraq killed 17 people, while near Mosul, a battle left at least 13 Iraqis dead. Above, a firefighter watched a sabotaged pipeline near the major Kirkuk oil center.   PAGE 18    N.F.L. Preview  Loaded with skill players, the Kansas City Chiefs are expected to be a point-scoring machine when the National Football League season opens this week. But the foundation for perhaps the league's most potent offense is a band of offensive linemen who have learned how to pull together.   SPORTSSUNDAY

INSIDE

Daniel Gross article warns America's heavy government, business and consumer reliance on debt makes economy vulnerable to interest rate rises; notes consumers and government have kept interest bill down by assuming greater interest-rate risk instead of locking in rates, making them more vulnerable to shocks; debt graph (M)

The Next Shock: Not Oil, but Debt

A GLOBAL WAR: MANY FRONTS, LITTLE UNITY**Roger Cohen article notes that Pres Bush claims he is more qualified to lead US in war against terrorism than John Kerry; holds that terror is not enemy, but method, used in different ways by different movements; says war on terror is useful label that has also been seized on by Russian Pres Vladimir V Putin, Israeli Prime Min Ariel Sharon and other leaders to set their own agendas; maintains that Americans know that victory would keep their families safe from reprise of Al Qaeda's murderous assault on Manhattan and Washington; photo (M)

A Global War: Many Fronts, Little Unity

Article on revealing outfits worn by tennis champion Serena Williams during US Open in Flushing Meadows; notes such sexy, nontraditional garments are being worn by professionals and amateurs alike; photos (M)

Now Serving: Serena, Warrior Princess

Pres Vladimir V Putin, in rare address to nation, says school siege in Beslan is attack on all of Russia; calls for society to mobilize to resist effort to splinter nation; speaks as death toll from violent end to hostage crisis rises to 330, half of them children; seeks to answer series of terrorist acts that in 10 wrenching days has killed over 500 people; scores corruption in judiciary and inefficiency of law enforcement and admits difficult transition to capitalism has left few resources to secure borders in dangerous epoch; echoes feeling of helplessness and fear that has shaken nation, without accepting personal responsibility; authorities say terrorists are Islamic militants, mostly Chechens; photo (M)

Putin Says Russia Faces Full 'War' to Divide Nation

Interview with Haim Saban, who became billionaire by turning Power Rangers cartoon into global franchise and selling it to Walt Disney Co and has since emerged as perhaps most politically connected mogul in Hollywood, using his money in Washington and increasingly around world to try to help Israel; is one of largest individual donors to Democratic Party and its candidates; weighs buying media properties around world as he looks to expand his empire and political reach; has bought largest German television broadcaster, ProSiebenSat1 Media, and turned it around, cutting costs and sending it American hits; photos (M)

Schlepping to Moguldom

Article on rise of Pres George Bush's twin daughters, Jenna and Barbara, to full-fledged political celebrity during Republican National Convention; politics, especially presidential, has become increasingly personal and a candidate's wife and children have become ultimate insiders; photos (M)

Deploying Children as Weapons of Mass Affection

Diane von Furstenberg's wrap dress, first made in 1973, is back in demand as daughters of her original customers rediscover designer; she comments on comeback, interview; photos (M)

The Dress That Saved Diane von Furstenberg

Yes, It Is a Mansion, So Pay the Tax

Anemona Hartocollis Coping column on changes in sights, sounds and mood of New York City during week of Republican National Convention; drawing (M)

A Week in Limbo, Till a Chill Bit the Air

Rutgers University defeats Michigan State University, 19-14 (S)

Rutgers Is Above .500

Harvey Araton Sports of The Times column discusses Maria Sharapova's loss to veteran tennis player Mary Pierce in third round of US Open (M)

On This Day, Youth Is Served a Lesson

Stunning residential and corporate towers designed by celebrated architects are slowly changing New York City's skyline; additions are troubling to New Yorkers who yearn for nostalgia of prewar city, but cities derive meaning from influx of new ideas and new skyline reaffirms New York's creative energy; towers built in New York in recent memory have been dismal, rendering its reputation as center for architectural experimentation obsolete; new towers have architectural merit that will contribute greatly to new skyline; illustrations; photo (L)

The New New York Skyline

Article on teenagers across US who are enamored with idea of becoming fashion designers; Brandon Holley, editor of Elle Girl, youth-oriented fashion magazine, says recent reader survey put fashion designer as top professional choice, above film star and rock musician; photos (M)

Hey Kids, Try This at Home

Virginia Heffernan interview with Barbara Walters, who is leaving television program 20/20 after 25 years as co-host; Walters will continue to produce six interview specials for ABC each year and will continue to appear twice weekly on The View, daytime talk show she created; photos (M)

Barbara Walters: The Exit Interview

Increasing number of aspiring actors are bec

September 5, 2004

Headlines from September 5, 2004

58 Days to Go; What Matters Now

Mercedes's Baby SL Builds Up Its Muscles

How Kerry Became a Girlie-Man

Ghosts of El Morocco

BEHIND THE WHEEL/2004 Mazdaspeed Miata and Honda S2000; In Hot Pursuit of an Endless Summer

Billboard 200

Now 16

Autobiography

Musicology

The Hard Way

Confessions

Historical Context for September 5, 2004