Kerry and Bush up the ante on campaign trail as contest stays close

GEORGE W Bush and John Kerry, their animosity stirred by last Friday’s contentious second debate, have intensified their attacks on each other over Iraq, jobs and debate performance in critical battleground states.

Mr Kerry “doesn’t pass the credibility test”, Mr Bush said on Saturday, while the Massachusetts senator claimed the nation’s choice “could really not have been more clear than it was last night”.

Instant polls did not give either Mr Bush or Mr Kerry a clear edge in Friday’s wide-ranging debate in St Louis before an audience of uncommitted voters, depicting either a tie or a slight edge for Mr Kerry.