One of the nation's top political analysts, Stuart Rothenberg, dissects politics at the congressional and statewide levels.

Stuart Rothenberg: For President Bush, time is also an enemy

By Stuart Rothenberg

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- Many challenges lie ahead for President George W. Bush and the United States, but the greatest may well be maintaining the near unanimous domestic and very considerable international support for U.S. action against Osama bin Laden and his terrorist network.

Support for the president within the United States is now at stratospheric levels, and it is likely to remain high for an extended time. Most members of the international community -- from traditional allies, such as the United Kingdom, to former enemies, such as Russia, to countries with whom we continue to have poor relations, such as Iran -- have condemned the terrorist attacks, and seem willing to join in concerted effort.

But that support is widespread because we are still at the stage of feeling shock at the obscene nature of the attacks, and at the deaths of innocent people. When we start to move to the response phase, some of that unanimity undoubtedly will begin to melt, particularly internationally.

Once the United States military, along with forces from other countries, takes steps to punish terrorists, some in the U.S. and internationally will criticize those actions, either for being too strong or too weak. You can be certain that Afghan authorities will charge that attacks killed and injured innocent civilians, particularly unarmed women and children, and Afghan and Muslim leaders will then turn reality on its head and brand the U.S. as terrorists.

Sentiment against joining with the United States is already considerable within some Muslim countries (including Pakistan), and any steps taken by the U.S. will inflame that opposition. That could force governments which have initially been supportive to waffle in their positions, possibly even de-stabilizing governments that supported U.S. actions.

Domestically, support for the president is likely to remain stronger much longer. Congressional leaders from both parties are exhibiting an unusual degree of bipartisanship and cooperation, and the sight of the second airplane plowing into the World Trade Center is certain to keep American sentiment behind whatever the president decides to do.

Both President Bush and House Speaker Dennis Hastert (R) have drawn praise from Democratic members of Congress, and the cooperation evident among members of both parties has created considerable good will that is likely to last for a fair amount of time.

But events will drive public opinion in the United States and abroad.

For example, if the U.S. is unable to locate bin Laden, some people are likely to grow frustrated or weary. In this country, some conservatives and liberals will wonder why little has been accomplished, and they will complain about Mr. Bush's decisions. Inevitably (given where they now are), the president's job ratings will slide, however slowly.

Internationally, a failure to show results will raise questions about American leadership.

On the other hand, if the U.S., in conjunction with others in the international community, succeeds in apprehending or killing bin Laden, many countries -- and some Americans -- may conclude that the war against terrorism has been won. They will express doubts about the need for further efforts. And some countries which have harbored terrorists but now have joined with the U.S. may find that they don't want to be targets of U.S. efforts.

So far, the president has done an exemplary job of uniting the country, building international support and creating an expectation that we are all headed for a long struggle. But with a shadowy enemy who has receded from sight, it may be difficult to keep all except America's traditional allies energized and engaged in the fight against terrorism.

If eradicating international terrorism is the greatest challenge for President Bush, the second greatest challenge may well be keeping the international community united. And the only way he can succeed with the first is to also succeed with the second. Hopefully, he will be able to count on complete support within his own country.