Bush U-turn on 'war on terror' message as Republicans make formal nomination

0 Comments | AFP, September, 2004

NEW YORK (AFP) — President George W. Bush changed his message on the "war on terror", insisting it can be won, as his Republican party formally nominated him for the November 2 presidential election.

Bush vowed "we will win" the global campaign against terrorists in a speech to the largest US veterans group in Nashville, Tennessee one day after a broadcast in which he said "I don't think you can win it".

Backers of Democratic candidate John Kerry have seized on Bush's comments as a sign of defeatism by the Republican figurehead. Bush has long held an advantage over Kerry in opinion poll rankings on who is better able to handle national security.

"We meet today at a time of war for our country -- a war we did not start, yet one that we will win," Bush told...