Laura Bush says husband leads with "strength"

First Lady Laura Bush said yesterday that President George W. Bush had led the United States with "strength and conviction" after the September 11, 2001, attacks and deserved re-election so he could finish the job of making America safer.

As Republicans hoped to show a softer, more compassionate side on the second night of their convention, the first lady said in prepared remarks her husband was leading "the most historic struggle my generation has ever known. The stakes are so high."

Laura Bush and movie star turned California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger take centre stage during a tribute to America's "People of Compassion," part of the Republican push to appeal to swing voters by featuring their most moderate voices.

"Our parents' generation confronted tyranny and liberated millions. As we do the hard work of confronting today's threat, we can also be proud that 50 million more men, women and children live in freedom today thanks to the United States of America and our allies," Ms Bush said in excerpts of her remarks.

She will be introduced to the convention by satellite by her husband.

The president, campaigning in Tennessee, said the United States would prevail in the war on terror, reversing his comments in an NBC interview on Monday in which he said "I don't think you can win it" but that he could create conditions that made terrorism less acceptable.