WASHINGTON, Sept. 5 (Xinhua) -- U.S. President George W. Bush told his countrymen Tuesday that they should remain vigilant although there has been no major attack on U.S. soil since Sept. 11.

    Speaking before an audience of U.S. military officers and foreign diplomats, Bush asserted that terrorists have adapted quickly to U.S. counterterrorism tactics, quoting letters, statements, audio and video messages from terrorists as the evidence.

    "Terrorists who attacked us on September the 11th, 2001, are men without conscience, but they're not madmen," he said.

    "The question is-- 'Will we listen? Will we pay attention to what these evil men say?'" asked Bush.

    He was echoed by White House homeland security adviser Frances Townsend, who told reporters earlier that she was concerned Americans were growing complacent about the threat of terrorism.

    "There should be no question in anybody's mind that they (terrorists) continue to this day to obsess about killing mass amounts of Americans and mass amounts of our allies around the world," she cautioned.

    Bush's speech was the latest in a series of speeches seeking to bolster public support for the Iraq war before the midterm elections in November.

    The speech also coincided with Tuesday's releasing of the latest update of U.S. counterterrorism strategy by the White House, which claimed the country is safer, though "not yet safe."

    The speech and the update highlighted the administration's intensified efforts to use national security, a traditional strong area for Republicans, as a powerful tool to woo voters.

    Bush got re-elected in 2004 by promoting his ability to fight the war on terrorism and portray Democrats as soft on national security, a theme his party is pushing again before this November's election.

    All 435 House seats, 34 of 100 Senate seats and 36 governorships are at stake in November elections.

    Democrats need to pick up 15 House seats and six Senate seats to reclaim majorities. Enditem