Bush continues election marathon

Bush is in the middle of a three-day, six-state tour

US President George W Bush takes his re-election campaign to another two key states on Tuesday as he seeks to gain ground against challenger John Kerry.

Mr Bush will help to assemble a Chinook helicopter at a Pennsylvania factory before heading off to a rally in Hedgesville, West Virginia.

On Wednesday, he visits Wisconsin and Minnesota in a further bid to boost support before the November election.

Meanwhile, Mr Kerry is spending a few days on vacation in Ketchum, Idaho.

The Democratic candidate has chosen to take a break from the campaign trail in the heart of Blaine County - his party's only enclave in what has been branded the most Republican state in the country.

Tough battle

Mr Bush's first campaign stop on Tuesday will be at the Boeing Rotorcraft facility in Ridley Park, Pennsylvania, in the greater Philadelphia area.

He will sign his name inside a Chinook helicopter before making a speech at the factory.

State profile: Pennsylvania State profile: West Virginia

Mr Bush has visited Pennsylvania more than any other US state except his home state of Texas.

However, correspondents say he still faces a tough battle there, as the Democrats have won Pennsylvania in the last three presidential elections.

From there, the president will travel to neighbouring West Virginia, where he will speak at a high school in Hedgesville, in the state's eastern panhandle.

West Virginia went Republican in the 2000 election, in a surprise upset for a state that had been firmly Democrat for many years.

On Monday, Mr Bush was in Traverse City, Michigan and Cincinnati, Ohio, where he announced plans for a major shake-up of American forces around the world.