Bush, Kerry trade attacks on credibility

The day after the second of three face-to-face debates between the White House rivals, both candidates were upbeat about their showing. Bush was sharper and more aggressive than in last week's lackluster performance, while the first polls gave the Massachusetts senator a slight edge in the debate.

Kerry aides said they thought his steady demeanor made inroads with undecided swing voters, while Bush aides said he successfully highlighted what they say are weaknesses in Kerry's record.

Bush stayed on the offensive on the campaign trail, accusing Kerry of trying to run away from a 20-year record of supporting bigger government and higher taxes and accusing him of making misleading statements during the debate.

"Several of the statements just don't pass the credibility test," Bush told supporters in St. Louis, Missouri, attacking Kerry's insistence that he had been consistent on Iraq and would not raise taxes on middle-class Americans.

"In the spring of 2003, as I ordered the invasion of Iraq, Senator Kerry said it was the right decision. Now he says it's the wrong war," Bush said. "And he tries to tell us he's had only one position. Who is he trying to kid? He can run, but he cannot hide."

At a later campaign stop in Waterloo, Iowa, Bush said while listening to Kerry's statements during the debate, "I could barely contain myself. He must think we've been on another planet."

Vice President Dick Cheney, campaigning in Florida, criticized Kerry for conflicting debate statements on Iraq. Kerry said he always viewed Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein as a threat, and later said Bush was preoccupied with Iraq "where there wasn't a threat.