The US Republican Party convention in New York has heard the strongest political attacks yet on Senator John Kerry, the Democratic Party's challenger to George W Bush in November's presidential election.
Vice President Dick Cheney depicted Senator Kerry as a weak and indecisive leader who was unfit to be Commander-in Chief of the US military.
President Bush watched Mr Cheney's prime time Republican convention speech on television at a fire station, where he was visiting emergency workers.
Mr Cheney told delegates in New York that Mr Bush was the right man to keep the United States secure in uncertain times.
'As in other times we are in a war we did not start and have no choice other than to win,' he said.
'Moments come along in history when leaders must make fundamental decisions about how to confront a long-term challenge and how best to keep the American people secure.'
He went on to slam what he described as John Kerry's soft approach towards terrorists.
'Even in this post-9/11 period, Senator Kerry doesn't appear to understand how the world has changed. He talks about leading a more sensitive war on terror, as though al-Qaeda will be impressed with our softer side.'
He said in comparison that Mr Bush was a superb Commander-in-Chief who had dealt with the gathering threat of Saddam Hussein and would prevail in the war on terror.
Also speaking on the third night of the convention at Madison Square Garden was a Democratic Senator, Zell Miller.
The former Marine from Georgia accused his own party of elevating politics over national security, adding, 'In this hour of danger our president has had the courage to stand up.'
He also listed a series of defence initiatives he said Senator Kerry opposed during his time in the Senate.
Mr Kerry, meanwhile, defied tradition by making an appearance while his rival's national convention was in progress. He said extremism has gained momentum as a result of Mr Bush's policies on Iraq.
Speaking at a meeting of the American Legion, he said 'When it comes to Iraq, it's not that I would have done one thing differently, I would have done almost everything differently.'
