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Linda talks to Bill Minutaglio, of the Dallas Morning News, and author of First Son: George W. Bush and the Bush Family Dynasty. They discuss George W. Bush, his religious convictions, and the intersection of faith and politics. Minutaglio contends that Bush has moved more to the center during the presidential campaign than the Christian Coalition might like. But the Coalition still views Bush as an opportunity for influence in the White House. (4:30) Please note, First Son: George W. Bush and the Bush Family Dynasty, by Bill Minutaglio is published by Times Books.

Host Bob Edwards talks to Democratic Presidential candidate Al Gore about his campaign for the White House. Gore says most people's interest in the Presidential campaign won't really intensify until after Labor Day. And, he says, people know him as Vice President but not as a person. He explains the fundamental differences between his positions on some of the major issues and those of Republican candidate George W. Bush.

NPR's Barbara Bradley covers wire reports that Independent Counsel Robert Ray has convened a new grand jury to hear evidence about the sex scandal involving President Clinton and Monica Lewinsky. Ray is concerned with whether the president committed perjury in his testimony about the matter. The White House is questioning the timing of the the news leaks about this new grand jury, which was reportedly seated in July, as they come on the same day Vice President Al Gore is to address the Democratic Convention.

NPR's Don Gonyea reports committee members from both the House and Senate questioned Bridgestone-Firestone and Ford Motor Company executives on Capitol Hill yesterday about the recall of more than 6 and a half million tires. Legislators are promising more hearings in the future. The questions centered upon how both companies handled the recall, and why it took so long for officials from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration to issue a recall.

The House has passed two measures that would loosen the U.S. trade embargo against Cuba. One would end enforcement of the ban on sales of food and drugs to Cuba; the other would end enforcement of the ban on travel by Americans to Cuba. It's uncertain that either provision will become law this year, because Senate Majority Leader Trentt Lott is opposed to any easing of restrictions against Cuba.

The White House aide who discovered missing billing records from Hillary Rodham Clinton's law firm says they suddenly appeared on a table in plain view. NPR's Jon Greenberg reports that the aide says she doesn't know who put them there. The records had been subpoenaed two years earlier by investigators who wanted to determine how much legal work Mrs. Clinton had done for a failed savings and loan owned by the Clinton's partner in the Whitewater real estate venture.

Daniel talks with Jodi Cobb, a National Geographic Photographer, about her new book 'Geisha'. Cobb's book provides a rare glimpse behind the scenes in the Geisha houses where she shows us the women not only in their usual ritual costumes, but also with their hair down, after their clients have gone home. Cobb says that contrary to popular belief in the west, Geisha's do not provide sex for their clients. Rather the Geisha's role is more to preserve the high arts of traditional Japan.

Members of Congress came back to Washington this week after a three week hiatus. And Commentator Mickey Edwards wants know if the republican members will continue the fight for the GOP agenda. It was only two months ago that budget battles raged between the Congress and the White House. Mickey Edwards wonders if Republicans on the Hill will get back on track with their agenda: the balanced budget and taxes. He wonders what they will get accomplished in the next few months, especially now that the GOP Presdiential candidates have taken the spotlight and shifted focus of the Republican agenda.

Linda speaks with Bill Paxon (R-NY), chairman of the National Republican Congressional Committee, which has produced and paid for new ads that urge voters to prevent Democrats from controlling both the White House and Congress. The ads are being interpreted as an implicit acknowledgement by the GOP that Bob Dole may lose the presidential election. Paxon says that this interpretation of the ad is wrong, and that the GOP still has confidence that Dole can win the election.

NPR's Edward Lifson reports on the rebuilding of Bosnia. The area has been quiet for nearly a year and hopes for easing unemployment lies heavily on the reconstruction. The United States has loaned money, as has the Islamic community. Glass is being installed, roofs are being built over burnt out houses. The rush is on to beat the winter weather. But Bosnians know that rebuilding their country will be a long-term struggle.