U.S. President George W. Bush returns to the south grounds of the White House in...

U.S. President George W. Bush returns to the south grounds of the White House in Washington, December 1, 2002 aboard Marine One at sunset. [Sen. John Kerry, a Massachusetts Democrat, said on Sunday he had taken the first step toward a run for president in 2004. President Bush, who enjoys soaring approval and whose Republican party made gains in Congress in mid-term elections last month, has made national security and a war on terrorism the watchwords of his administration.] The Washington Monument is at left rear. Late autumn leaves are kicked up by the helicopters rotor wash.