Bush lauded as solid

Bush made it hard for supporters when he said the war on terror can't be won.
NEW YORK (AP) -- Republicans are turning to conditions at home after saluting President Bush as a wartime president whose leadership is "rock solid." California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger gets star billing on the second day of the party's convention as the GOP extends its outreach to moderate Democrats and independents.
But as the Republican National Convention headed for today's session at Madison Square Garden under extremely heavy security, Bush supporters scrambled to explain the president's day-old comments that the war against terror could not be won.
Democrats pounced on those remarks in hopes of stealing some convention-week spotlight from Republicans. Asked by reporters whether the war on terror could be won, Democratic presidential candidate John Kerry replied, "Absolutely."
Memory of attacks
In Monday's opening session, Republicans invoked the memory of the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks -- the World Trade Center stood about four miles south of the Garden -- as a test of Bush's mettle as a strong and decisive leader.
"Since Sept. 11, President Bush has remained rock solid," former New York Mayor Rudolph Giuliani said, likening the president to Winston Churchill and Ronald Reagan. "We need George Bush more than ever."
That prompted Democratic party chief Terry McAuliffe to recall "a certain Churchill quote that, after the last four years, certainly applies to George Bush: 'He's a humble man with much to be humble about.'"
Schwarzenegger was sharing billing today with first lady Laura Bush and Education Secretary Rod Paige. The actor-turned-politician was the latest in a march to the convention podium of moderates and other politicians with broad popular support.
Bush was addressing the American Legion in Nashville, Tenn., today before heading to Iowa to campaign. Kerry was spending most of the day at his beachfront home in Massachusetts, then flying to Nashville to spend the night. He talks to the American Legion on Wednesday.
On Monday, Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., drew enthusiastic cheers -- and a standing ovation -- when he voiced strong support for his 2000 GOP presidential rival.
Endorsed Iraq policy
McCain heartily endorsed the president's Iraq and anti-terrorism policies, saying the United States had little choice but to invade Iraq.
"Don't let anyone tell you otherwise. Not our critics abroad. Not our political opponents. And certainly not a disingenuous filmmaker," McCain said in a clear dig at filmmaker Michael Moore that delighted his audience. Moore, who was sitting in the press section, was roundly booed by the crowd.
Moore's box-office hit, "Fahrenheit 9/11," sharply questions Bush's motives for invading Iraq. McCain said the filmmaker, whom he did not name, "would have us believe that Saddam's Iraq was an oasis of peace when in fact it was a place of indescribable cruelty, torture chambers, mass graves and prisons that destroyed the lives of the small children held inside their walls."
Scores of "We Salute Our Troops" banners waved as McCain spoke.
McCain did not single out Kerry, a good friend, for criticism.
The delegates on Monday began a three-day process to formally nominate Bush and Vice President Dick Cheney to a second term with a roll call full of home-state bragging and lots of praise for their beloved incumbents. Officials tried to keep secret which state would give Bush the 1,255 delegate votes to seal the nomination. That was likely to come tonight, with the roll ending Wednesday.
Protesters
On the streets outside the convention, at least 10 arrests were made Monday in a clash between police and protesters attempting to push through barricades. A plainclothes detective was knocked off his scooter and taken to the hospital with head injuries that were not said to be life-threatening.
Bush, meanwhile, gave Democrats unexpected ammunition when he suggested in a television interview broadcast Monday that the war on terrorism could not be won, forcing his aides to defend his remarks on a day they had hoped he could bask in convention accolades.