Axoq's Passcode

What wine should do - BREATHE
Gangster's gat - HEATER

Mythological creature - CENTAUR
One possible gait - CANTER

People get medals for it - COURAGE
Wildcat - COUGAR

Greenhouse gas - METHANE
Theme song - ANTHEM

Polaris was one - MISSILE
"A head like a sieve", for one - SIMILE

Cars - TRAFFIC
It helps protect the GNP - TARIFF

Trudge - TRAIPSE
Barber pole feature - STRIPE

Leftover letters: B U E E S C A
Passcode: BECAUSE