Today’s national remembrance of the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks on American soil will be

Today’s national remembrance of the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks on American soil will be George Bush’s last one as president. Bush leaves office at the end of his term, and either Republican John McCain or Democrat Barack Obama will replace him.

Regardless of who it is, we trust that the decision by McCain and Obama to set aside partisan politics for a while and appear together in New York City where the World Trade Center’s Twin Towers once stood reflects how the next president will continue to deal with this sad, revealing day.

Although seven years have passed since terrorists of Saudi Arabian descent flew two airplanes into the North and South towers, crashed a third into the Pentagon, and took over a fourth that ultimately slammed into a field in western Pennsylvania, the wounds on the nation’s psyche have not yet healed.

Not only are the 2,751 victims — 124 remain unidentified — still being mourned, but the anniversary of what is now called Patriot Day reminds us that we live in a dangerous world, and that America is at the top of the enemy’s list.

Over the years, there have been more than a dozen terrorist plots identified, including one to bomb underwater train tunnels to flood lower Manhattan. Several arrests were made overseas.

In addition, President Bush’s war on global terrorism, which is designed to rid the world of terrorist organizations led by al-Qaida, is far from reaching a conclusion. There are cells in more than 60 nations, but the focal point is Afghanistan and Pakistan. Those are the countries from which al-Qaida and the Taliban are operating. Indeed, the leading terrorist, Osama bin Laden, and members of his inner circle have found a safe haven in the tribal areas of the mountainous region on the Afghanistan-Pakistan border.

Bin Laden remains at large even though there is a bounty for his capture or death.

Reality

Bush’s successor, be it McCain or Obama, will inherit the deep scars of 9/11 and the reality that while there hasn’t been a terrorist attack on America’s mainland since 2001, we cannot let our guard down.

In addition, the war in Iraq has not only strained our military capabilities and put a great deal of pressure on the federal budget, but it has hardened the resolve of our enemies around the globe.

The new president will have to be ready from his first day in office to address these issues. It would not come as a surprise if the new president is tested in some way by the terrorists.

Regardless of what one might think of Bush’s strategy, there is no question about his resolve to keep the homeland safe and protect Americans abroad. That resolve was demonstrated by the invasion of Afghanistan by coalition forces, led by the U.S., that resulted in the extremist Islamic Taliban government being ousted.

Unfortunately, before the country could be fully secured, Bush launched the war in Iraq and redeployed troops from Afghanistan.

The decision to get rid of Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein resulted in bin Laden and his minions escaping from Afghanistan to the mountains.

Bin Laden, the mastermind of the 9/11 attacks, remains a rallying figure for our enemies in the Middle East and other regions.

Against that backdrop, the following questions are directed at the Democratic and Republican presidential nominees: How important is the capture or death of bin Laden to the success of the war on global terrorism? What actions would you take to get rid of this murderer? How would you define success in the terror war?

Voters deserve answers to these and other related questions.