Crossword puzzle clue "what each word of six or more letters in this puzzle does"

What each word of six or more letters in this puzzle does

Like each answer in this puzzle - also each word in each clue - in length

Theme answer count, amount of letters in each, word hidden in each, and, when repeated twice, today's date

Word that can precede each word of each starred answer

Puzzle in which the initial letters of each line form a word or phrase

Word that can precede each set of circled letters, forming a literal hint for entering certain answers in this puzzle

Installment of each of the "shows" in six puzzle answers?

Campaign about which Rumsfeld said in 2003 "it could last six days, six weeks - I doubt six months"