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CRAWFORD, Texas -- President Bush, criticized by Democrats during their national convention, opens a new phase of his re-election campaign today by promising better times and fresh ideas for America.
"We have turned the corner, and we are not turning back," Bush will declare, according to excerpts of his new stump speech.
Beginning a two-day swing through four presidential battleground states, Bush plans to take a subtle slap at Democratic rival John Kerry. "When it comes to choosing a president, results matter," Bush's speech excerpts say.
Bush planned to travel by bus and plane through Missouri, Michigan, Ohio and Pennsylvania as Kerry departs today from Boston at the end of his party's convention for a two-week cross-country trip by bus, train, boat and plane.
Two presidential advisers, speaking on condition of anonymity, said Bush would offer broad outlines of his re-election agenda on what Republicans are billing as the "Heart and Soul of America" tour.
Then, for the next two weeks, he will focus on helping Americans adjust to the changing economy: increasing homeownership, reforming Social Security and letting workers opt for time off rather than overtime pay -- an issue that has riled unions, Democrats and some moderate Republicans.
None of these ideas is new, but the officials said Bush would outline fresh initiatives. In mid-August, the nation's fight against terrorism will become the campaign theme, the advisers said.
The White House hopes to cast Bush as a can-do leader and convince voters that Kerry has not earned the right to replace the wartime incumbent.
Bush has kept a low profile this week while Democrats rallied behind Kerry; he even watched some of the Boston convention on television, his spokesman said.