Bush appeals for second term that eluded his father

1.00pm - By RUPERT CORNWELL

NEW YORK - George Bush was due to wrap up the Republican convention in New York today with a passionate appeal for Americans to give him the second term that eluded his father, arguing that he, not Democrat John Kerry was the man best equipped to keep the country safe and guide it into a secure and prosperous future.

Immediately after his acceptance speech at a delirious Madison Square Garden arena, the President was due to leave New York to resume campaigning in what looks set to be another desperately close election.

The hour-long speech offers Mr Bush a golden - and perhaps last - chance to open up a clear lead over Mr Kerry.

It was to be a prime time, nationally televised climax to a gathering that has in effect been a four-day party political broadcast for the Republicans, depicting the President as uniquely able to protect America, and belittling John Kerry as a "flip-flopper" who could not be trusted to protect US national security.

Indeed on Wednesday evening, as first keynote speaker Zell Miller and then Dick Cheney, the vice-President, ripped into Mr Kerry, delegates waved floppy plastic sandals (conveniently provided by convention organisers) to make clear their views of Mr Bush's opponent. Today however the President was to take the high road, referring only obliquely to his challenger.

Though he was to list his achievements, he would also set out an optimistic domestic agenda, laying down his objectives for a second term.

These include a simplification of the tax code, measures to make home buying easier, and to encourage small business start-ups and job training programmes.

Pursuing the tax-cutting policies of his first term, Mr Bush was pressing for an extension of tax-free retirement and health care accounts, amounting to a part-privatisation of social security.

He was to speak on a specially built circular stage in the centre of the arena, linked by a platform used by other speakers. The aim, Republican organisers said, was to create a "theatre in the round" effect, highlighting the President's folksy style and increasing the immediacy of his appeal.

Less respectful observers described the causeway extending into the arena as the "ego walk."

Mr Bush was to accept the nomination with the political wind in his sails. Though polls continue to show him in a statistical dead heat with the Massachusetts senator, the President has closed the gap in areas like the economy, and extended his lead on anti-terrorism and national security issues.

The campaign is hoping for a bounce, albeit modest, from the convention, that would put Mr Bush in the driving seat as the election battle enters the home stretch.

Kerry advisers have mostly watched proceedings quietly from the sidelines, but were stung to respond after the sharp attacks by Mr Cheney and Mr Miller -- in sharp contrast to the Democratic convention in Boston last month, where the order went out to avoid crude Bush-bashing.

True to form, the Republicans have showed no such squeamishness this week.

The proceedings indeed have largely been negative advertising writ large, a sustained assault on Mr Kerry designed not to win over Democratic voters but to energise Republicans and make undecided voters think twice before casting their support to the Democrat.

While Mr Miller projected cold anger, the vice-President exuded mocking sarcasm: "John Kerry talks about leading a more sensitive campaign against terror," Mr Cheney acidly commented, "as though al Qaeda will be impressed by our softer side."

He also made clear that pre-emptive strikes would remain US policy, however controversial. Mr Kerry had said he would defend America after it had been attacked.

"But, my fellow Americans, we have already been attacked, and are faced with an enemy who seeks the deadliest of weapons to use against us. We cannot wait for the next attack," the vice-President declared.

"We must do everything we can to prevent it -and that includes the use of military force."

But Kerry supporters yesterday claimed the negative tone might rebound against Republicans this autumn.

"Delegates love this kind of stuff... but when we get past Labor Day [the holiday on Monday which traditionally kicks off the final campaign proper], I think this convention will prove to be a big mistake," Philadelphia Mayor John Street said.

"People out in the neighbourhoods want to know what they [the Republicans] have to offer," continued Mr Street, who has been one of the Democratic response team assembled in New York.

In fact tomorrow could bring a more important answer to that question than anything Mr Bush said from his 'theatre in the round'.

The August unemployment figures are due from the Labor Department, and analysts expect only a relative modest increase in the number of new jobs created by the economy last month. If so, this will give further ammunition to Democrats, who charge that the President's tax-cutting policies have not helped ordinary workers but merely diverted more money into the pockets of the rich.

This issue resonates especially in key swing states like Ohio, where Mr Kerry and his vice-Presidential running mate John Edwards were to hold a mid-night rally, barely an hour after Mr Bush finished speaking in Madison Square Garden.

Mr Bush was himself leaving New York at once to return to the campaign trail in Pennsylvania, another battleground state which Mr Kerry must win to have a realistic chance of entering the White House.

- INDEPENDENT