Republicans Change Tack to Fight Democrats on Terrorism

The Republicans returned to the theme that dominated the last two elections since September 11, hammering home the message that a vote for the Democrats would expose America to terrorist attack.

In a speech in Georgia on Monday, President Bush said a Democratic win would hand victory to Iraqi insurgents. "However they put it, the Democrat approach in Iraq comes down to this: the terrorists win and America loses," Mr Bush said. "The Democrat goal is to get out of Iraq. The Republican goal is to win in Iraq."

Vice-President Dick Cheney claimed in an interview with Fox News that the insurgents in Iraq were timing their attacks according to America's election calendar.

"It's my belief that they're very sensitive of the fact that we've got an election scheduled," he said. "Whether it's al-Qaida or the other elements that are active in Iraq, they are betting on the proposition they can break the will of the American people."

The combative new approach marks a shift in this election when Democrats have led the debate on Iraq, while Republicans have tried to avoid the topic - especially candidates locked in tight races.

But with the Democrats yesterday rolling out a new advert calling October the bloodiest month of the war, the Republicans were forced to change tack. One advert from the Republican National Committee pictures Osama bin Laden's face, to the sound of a ticking clock. This gives way to footage and slogans of jihad. "These are the stakes," a voice warns.

"The Democrats have really been hammering away on Bush's 'stay the course' theme of late, and they have got to find a message on the war that is going to resonate with voters," said Evan Tracey, from the Campaign Media Analysis Group. "You are looking at seven days before an election. That's four days to make an impact."

The change of tone - and Mr Bush's election swing through Republican heartland states such as Indiana, Georgia and Texas - appeared to be part of a broader plan by strategists to rouse the faithful and boost turnout on the eve of the vote.

The Republicans were helped yesterday courtesy of Senator John Kerry, the Democratic candidate in the 2004 presidential elections. In a rally for the badly trailing Democratic challenger to the California governor, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Mr Kerry told students in Pasadena that if they did not study hard, they could end up serving in Iraq. Mr Kerry's fellow Vietnam veteran, Republican Senator, John McCain, seized upon the remarks and called for an apology on behalf of US troops. Mr Kerry issued a statement saying his criticism was directed at Mr Bush.