One top GOP operative, who works closely with Bush’s political team, said the White House appeared to overplay its hand, and voters may smell politics behind the warning. A senior U.S. intelligence official said there is no doubt that the United States is in constant danger, but he was concerned enough about the timing of the announcement to ask colleagues in a weekend meeting, “Why? Why now? Why are we raising alarms about this now?”

The officials spoke on condition of anonymity because they feared retribution from the White House.

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