US President George W. Bush and his Democratic rival John Kerry argued Saturday over who is the best choice to lead the nation in the war on terror, one day after the sudden appearance of a videotape of Osama bin Laden. In the tape released by Al-Jazeera on Oct. 29, Bin Laden directly admitted for the first time that he carried out the Sept. 11 attacks, and said 'the best way to avoid another Manhattan' was to stop threatening Muslims' security.(Xinhua Photo) Osama bin Laden speaks in this image made from an undated video broadcast on Friday, Oct. 29, 2004 by Arab television station Al-Jazeera. (Reuters Photo)

    Beijing, Oct. 31 (Xinhuanet) -- US President George W. Bush and his Democratic rival John Kerry have argued over who should lead the nation in the war on terror.

    Their oral duel in the final stretch of US presidential election came one day after Osama bin Laden's appearance on a videotape.

    Bush told supporters that the outcome of this election "will set the direction of the war against terror" and he described Kerry as weak and inactive in front of challenges.

    Kerry continued to declare unity against bin Laden, America's most loathed enemy, and accused Bush of his incapability to capture bin Laden.

    The two sides were cautious over their reactions to bin Laden's Friday videotape in fear that they might be accused of trying to politicize the national security issue.

    Both sides agreed that the impact of the videotape on the race is uncertain.

    Polls showed the two candidates were locked in a dead heat only three days before the election.

(CRIENGLISH.com)