US president George Bush has opened a slight lead over presidential challenger Senator John Kerry while regaining the confidence of some voters on the economy and other domestic issues, according to a new poll that held a silver lining for Democrats.

DEMOCRATIC challenger John Kerry raised more campaign cash than US President George W Bush last month and spent more too, but started June with millions less on hand than the incumbent as a summer of campaigning begins.

US PRESIDENT George Bush's public approval ratings have sunk to a new low five months before the November election.

George Bush has stretched his lead over Democratic rival John Kerry to six points, according to a poll that shows the September 11 commission hearings have not harmed the president politically.

RALPH NADER, blamed by Democrats for attracting votes that would have seen Al Gore beat George W Bush to the White House, said yesterday he won’t back off from his latest campaign for president even if the major candidates are tied in polls going into election day.

Consumer advocate Ralph Nader announced today he will run again for the presidency, declaring that Washington has become “corporate occupied territory” and arguing there is too little difference between the Democratic and Republican parties.