war, and you're retreating from terrorists.
http://ap.tbo.com/ap/breaking/MGAUFVEMAND.htmlAP News Analysis Bush Takes on Democratic Criticism of War in New Ad An AP News Analysis
By Ron Fournier
The Associated Press
WASHINGTON (AP) - If you're tough on President Bush, you're soft on terrorism. Denounce the Iraq war, and you're retreating from terrorists. <snip>
The commercial shows Bush during the last State of the Union address warning of continued threats. "Our war against terror is a contest of will in which perseverance is power," Bush said after the screen flashes the words, "Some are now attacking the president for attacking the terrorists."
Democratic presidential hopefuls, including some who supported the Iraq war, are second-guessing Bush's preemptive attack on Saddam Hussein's regime and U.S. homeland security policies. They hope the daily dose of death from Iraq turns what has been Bush's greatest political strength - his fight against terror - into a weakness. "If George Bush wants to make this election about national security, I have three words for him he'll understand: Bring. It. On," Democratic presidential candidate John Kerry said Friday as he outlined a blueprint for his first 100 days as Bush's successor.
<snip>
The Republican National Committee is airing ads in the early voting states of Iowa and New Hampshire that says, "some call for us to retreat, putting our national security in the hands of others." <snip>
Even as doubts rise about Iraq, nearly two-thirds of voters express support for using military force against countries that pose a threat but don't attack. <snip>