WASHINGTON — Saddam Hussein's capture lifted a huge political weight offPresident Bush after months of rising casualties and growing doubts about his handling of Iraq. Around the world, it sent a thundering message of America's resolve to prevail in the war against terrorism.

The pictures told the stark story of the victor and the vanquished: A triumphant Bush proclaimed the end of a "dark and painful era" in Iraq, while a haggard-looking Saddam was being examined by a doctor who probed his mouth with a tongue depressor.

For months, Saddam's ability to remain at large despite one of the world's biggest manhunts had been a blow to U.S. prestige and claims of progress in Iraq. "As long as he was out there running around, it made us look like we were more bark than bite," said Rick Barton, senior adviser at the Center for Strategic and International Studies.

The persistent violence and growing death toll of American soldiers had opened the way for criticism that Bush lacked a postwar strategy for restoring stability in Iraq. Americans wearied of scenes of suicide bombings and flag-covered coffins at funerals, and the polls showed the nation was evenly split on approval of Bush's handling of Iraq.

But with Saddam's capture, the critics were silenced, at least for the moment, and Bush was expected to get a big boost in the polls as he moves into a re-election year.

"The Democrats can't touch him at the moment," said Columbia University historian Henry Graff. "He said he was going to get him. He got him. What more do you want? Now if we can lower the level of violence over there, he's going to look good."

A central question will be how much control Saddam exerted over Baathist loyalists believed responsible for the daily attacks. The way he was captured, alone at the bottom of a pit at a farmhouse, did not leave the impression of a man in charge.

Democratic presidential candidates, divided between pro- and anti-war positions, found consensus by saying it was a great day for U.S. soldiers, the people of Iraq and the world — omitting praise for the president.

"This is a huge victory for Bush. It's clear by getting Saddam early, bringing him to trial, the president can send out a message that he's winning the war on terror," said Democratic strategist Donna Brazile, who managed Al Gore's 2000 campaign.

Saddam's capture was a particularly sweet moment for the Bush family, father and son presidents who confronted the Iraqi leader in two wars and wound up being criticized for letting him get away. The two Bushes were together at the White House on Friday but went their separate ways over the weekend.

Even some of Bush's harshest critics overseas were forced to offer congratulations, most notably the leaders of France and Germany who had opposed the war and had refused requests for troops and money for Iraq's reconstruction.

"It's a major event that should strongly contribute to democracy and stability in Iraq and allow the Iraqis to master their destiny," said French President Jacques Chirac.

For awhile, at least, Saddam's capture should ease global criticism of the United States.

"It's clearly going to be helpful because it does deal with this growing impression of being somewhat ineffectual that had been developing over the last several months," Barton said. "It re-establishes that the United States is a capable player, capable of taking care of somebody like Saddam Hussein."