US: With his Democratic challenger John Kerry off ski-ing in Idaho, President Bush officially launched his re-election campaign at the weekend, attacking his opponent in scathing terms during a campaign rally in Orlando, Florida.
The Republicans have long planned for this crucial point in the campaign when they respond to the positive coverage for the Democratic nominee at the end of the primary process, and many Democrats have voiced unease that their candidate should chose this time to take a holiday.
The Bush-Cheney campaign has also launched a series of television ads attacking Mr Kerry, and the President has said privately that it has now raised $180 million - $20 million less than the official figure - to regain the initiative in an increasingly vicious struggle.
Mr Kerry has been skiing for several days at his $4.5 million family vacation home in Sun Valley, and has no events scheduled on his website before Thursday.
In Orlando Mr Bush called the Massachusetts senator a "serial tax-raiser" who has voted for tax increases 350 times, and someone who changed his position on several issues. "My opponent clearly feels strongly about each of these issues, so strongly that one position is never just enough," he said to laughter and applause.
"He demonstrated the technique the other day. Someone asked Senator Kerry why he voted against the $87 billion funding bill to help our troops in Iraq.
"Here is what he said: 'I actually did vote for the $87 billion, before I voted against it.' End of quote. That sure clears things up, doesn't it?
"Great events will turn on this election," Mr Bush went on. "The man who sits in the Oval Office will set the course of the war on terror and the direction of our economy. The security and prosperity of America are at stake.
"The other side hadn't offered much in the way of strategies to win the war, or policies to expand our economy. So far, all we hear from that side is bitterness and partisan anger. Anger is not an agenda for the future of America."
The Massachusetts senator at first let his officials respond, then rushed out a statement to counter the attack. "Today, George Bush proved to the American people that he is incapable of solving our economic problems for the simple reason that he doesn't see them," he said.
Three million jobs had been lost during Mr Bush's term, the worst economic record since the Great Depression. "The Bush economic policy has failed," said Mr Kerry. "It's time for America to move in a new direction."
Sen Edward Kennedy also attacked Mr Bush yesterday, saying, "American people are tired of the deceptions and misrepresentations ... We need a president respected around the world".