DOUBLE-EDGED SWORD

    Bush's new tactics, while proved to be effective to attract attention, risks backfire, analysts said.

    First, although the Republicans are relatively strong on the terrorism issue, Democrats can also easily link failures in the war on terror to Bush's credibility.

    The Democrats acted quickly to portray his speeches as admissions of failure.

    "Republicans have failed to make America as safe as we can and should be. They want to stay the course in the face of failure. We won't. We will change course in Iraq," said Senate Democratic leader Harry Reid.

    There are other nervous signs. Ned Lamont, a political novice, defeated veteran Senator Joe Liberman in last month's Democratic primary in Connecticut, largely due to his steadfast antiwar position.

    Liberman is an ally of Bush in war policy and other security issues, which many believed made him unpopular.

    Meanwhile, Republicans who rely on their political kinship to Bush are distancing from him in ongoing election campaigns.

    Two years ago, Congresswoman Deborah Pryce, the fourth ranking House Republican touted a picture of her and Bush sitting togetheras a campaign banner, but now she began to portray herself as "independent" and "standing up to the party only."     

    WAR SHADOWS ELECTION PROSPECTS

    Largely due to the impact of an unpopular war, there are indications that the elections could tip the political scale in favor of Democrats.

    If the Republicans lose six Senate seats and 15 House seats in November, they will no longer control the Congress.

    While there is no sign that the Senate race is favorable to Democrats, all 15 of the most endangered House seats are held by Republicans.

    Independent election analysis firm Rothenberg Political Report has recently raised its estimate of likely Democratic gains from 8-12 House seats to 15-20 seats, enough to take control.

    The Cook Political Report, another analyzer, said unless something dramatic happens, Democrats will surely win the House race and chances that they will seize the Senate will rise toward 50-50.

    Howard Dean, chairman of the Democratic National Committee, said Republicans are being "undone" by their own approach to the war and terrorism.

    "I think anybody who is supporting President Bush's policy is going to have a rough time," he added. Enditem