Bush uses Pa. visit to tout Patriot Act

HERSHEY, Pa. - President Bush gave an impassioned defense Monday of the Patriot Act, using a visit to this electoral battleground state to warn that if the law begins to expire as scheduled in 20 months it would undermine domestic security.

"It's a law that is making America safer," Bush said of the measure that expanded the government's surveillance and detention powers and that has been widely criticized by both liberals and conservatives.

With chief political adviser Karl Rove in tow, Bush made his 27th trip to Pennsylvania, a state he lost in 2000 and the one he has visited the most since taking office. State polls show Bush with a slight lead over Democratic rival John Kerry in the fight for Pennsylvania's 21 electoral votes.

Key provisions of the Patriot Act aren't set to expire until the end of 2005, but Bush argued that the law is critical for keeping tabs on terrorists and should be renewed. He mentioned the Sept. 11, 2001, crash of a hijacked airliner 140 miles away in Shanksville, Pa.

WASHINGTON - Ralph Nader, the independent presidential hopeful, called Monday for the withdrawal of all U.S. troops from Iraq in six months.

Nader, who has sounded an antiwar theme since announcing his candidacy in February, laid out a three-point plan for withdrawal. He said he would create an international peacekeeping force under United Nations auspices, promote Iraqi self-rule through independent elections and provide humanitarian aid to stabilize the country.

Nader sought to distance himself from both President Bush and presumptive Democratic nominee John Kerry, whom he described as "prowar candidates." Nader called himself the "muscular peace candidate."

Nader, who ran for president as the Green Party nominee in 2000 and 1996, is trying to get on the ballot in 50 states as an independent in 2004.

WASHINGTON - President Bush holds significant advantages over John Kerry in public perceptions of who is better equipped to deal with Iraq and the war on terrorism, and he has reduced the advantages his Democratic challenger held last month on many domestic issues, according to a Washington Post-ABC News Poll.

In a matchup, Bush holds a lead of 48 percent to 43 percent over Kerry among registered voters, with independent Ralph Nader at 6 percent.

In early March, shortly after he effectively wrapped up the Democratic nomination, Kerry led Bush by 48 percent to 44 percent.

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