Bush and Kerry keep up pressure

Bush is campaigning hard - but he can't please everyone

The two rivals for the US presidency have hit out at each other on the campaign trail, a day after clashing vigorously in their second debate.

On Saturday President George W Bush renewed his attacks, saying John Kerry had not passed "the credibility tests".

The Democratic challenger described the incumbent as wrong-headed, and unable to "face reality and admit mistakes".

Both claimed victory in Friday's second presidential debate, as polls suggested neither emerged as the clear winner.

However most analysts say Mr Bush rebounded from a poor performance in the first debate on 30 September.

That showdown gave a boost to Mr Kerry, and the two candidates are now running neck and neck in opinion polls.

Owning up?

On Saturday Mr Bush again accused the senator from Massachusetts of inconsistency.

John Kerry gained momentum after the first debate

"With a straight face he said he only had one position on Iraq. He must think we've been on another planet," Mr Bush told supporters in St Louis, Missouri.

Mr Kerry "doesn't pass the credibility test", the president said.

Meanwhile Mr Kerry depicted his opponent as angry and unfit to lead.

"Do we want leadership as it's called that can't face reality and admit mistakes or do we want leadership that sees the truth and tells the truth to the American people?" the Democratic candidate asked.

He told a campaign rally in Elryia, Ohio, that "the most stunning moment of the whole evening was when George Bush was asked to name three mistakes that he has made ... and the president couldn't even name one".

Polarised

Both men on Saturday were busy rallying support in swing states, with Mr Bush going on to Iowa and Minnesota and Mr Kerry travelling to Florida after Ohio.

While both candidates came out swinging, it was clear that Kerry came out the victor again Bryan Kelch, San Francisco, CA, USA US presidential debate: Your comments

In Friday's debate in St Louis the two candidates disagreed sharply over issues ranging from the war in Iraq to taxes, health care and unemployment at home.

The BBC's Rob Watson, covering the campaign, says the two debates so far indicate that the country is deeply polarised ahead of November's election.

Both campaigns appear to be struggling in winning the support of undecided voters, our correspondent adds.

A third and final debate is scheduled for Wednesday in Arizona.