It would be interesting to know how President Bush ranks his “to do” list. What challenges does the president consider the most important?

Unless he has a majority of the public fooled, it is likely his main concerns are with issues he considers critical for the safety and priority of this country with political matters relegated to a lower level of importance.

The nation’s economy is terribly important, as is the integrity of his administration. His dealings and relationships with the leaders of other nations must be addressed. And he needs to try to maintain a bipartisan, cooperative and productive alliance with Congress. All of these matters are important to Bush. He also must keep an eye on the 2002 elections and how the GOP is likely to fare in congressional and gubernatorial contests.

However, as important as all of these and other matters may be, it is a good bet Bush’s top continuing concern is the best and the most effective way to wage his war on terrorism.

He has tried to alert Americans, as well as the rest of the world, that this fight is likely to last a long time and the cost will be high. He has called for patience.

Right or wrong, Americans are used to and want quick solutions to their problems. They like to have the trouble identified and a solution found quickly, something like most of the plots seen on an hourlong television show.

Unfortunately, this isn’t the case with the current worldwide terrorist situation with Uncle Sam taking the leadership position in this vicious, deadly and secretive battle.

The Sept. 11 terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center buildings and the Pentagon shocked Americans and marked the beginning of the public’s acceptance that there are evil forces and that our way of life is likely to be changed for years to come.

American and allied efforts in Afghanistan to oust the Taliban government and destroy Osama bin Laden’s al-Qaida terrorists appear to be going relatively well. The Taliban government has been removed from office and we are told al-Qaida groups have been destroyed or dispersed. No one yet knows whether bin Laden is dead, alive in another country or perhaps hiding and trying to rebuild his terrorist network.

Bush has made it clear he intends to follow the terrorist web wherever it leads. He has warned leaders of various nations not to offer any help, assistance or safe harbor to the terrorists. It’s a black-and-white issue. You either support the American position on terrorism or you are against it. If some leader decides to protect, hide and help terrorists, that leader and his country can expect the full might of the U.S. to destroy the terrorists and those who are sympathetic to their cause.

This is where Bush faces a huge challenge.

The American public, as well as most of the world, was close to 100 percent in favor of Bush’s response to the September attacks. He was able to gain the support of a wide coalition of nations.

Getting this level of support from the American public as well as from other nations, is sure to be more difficult as Bush follows through with his plans to extend the war on terrorism into other countries such as Iran, Libya and the Sudan. It is estimated that al-Qaida has operatives in at least 60 countries.

The sad or frustrating part of the al-Qaida situation is that it wasn’t born overnight. Obviously, bin Laden’s plans were conceived, designed and fine-tuned over a long period.

It doesn’t do much good to look backward, other than to learn lessons, but what was going on in our government’s intelligence community for the eight years of the Clinton administration? Perhaps even further back into the George Bush administration? How could this government have been so asleep at the switch?

Were those in senior elective offices told of the growing threat of terrorism but did nothing about it?

Regardless, this nation now is engaged and committed to rooting out al-Qaida, no matter where it exists. Terrorism must be reduced to the lowest possible level, which will take time, commitment and patience.

Will other countries join Uncle Sam if Bush and his senior aides believe it is necessary to wage war in another nation? What will the American public say? How long will Bush be able to hold together those who now support the U.S. action and his desire to eradicate, to the best of his ability, the threat of terrorism?

How long will the American public be willing to tolerate the greatly expanded security measures in this country? Will concern about terrorism diminish as the months go by, thereby opening increased opportunities for terrorists to attack?

Bush has surprised many by the strong manner and resolve he displayed after the Sept. 11 attacks. Regarding the question at the outset of this column about what tops Bush’s “to do” list, the question of how, when and where to take the next action against terrorism must be a top priority.

This isn’t a matter that can be shoved to the side or taken care of at a more convenient time. It’s an ongoing threat that will regain strength if not addressed on a timely basis.