U.S. President George W. Bush will promise to continue confronting terrorism and its roots around the world, according to advance excerpts from his speech to the governing Republican Party. At the end of a four-day convention that highlighted the centre-right party's most prominent moderates, yet strongly criticized the major opposition challenger, Bush was poised to accept renomination late Thursday night. He will also address domestic issues in great detail than previous speakers. "Many of our most fundamental systems - the tax code, health coverage, pension plans, worker training - were created for the world of yesterday, not tomorrow," his expected text said. "We will transform these systems so that all citizens are equipped, prepared and thus truly free to make your own choices and pursue your own dreams." All summer, the presidential race has been in a statistical dead heat between Bush and U.S. Senator John Kerry of Massachusetts, who was nominated by the centre-left Democratic Party on July 29 in Boston. Bush's speech marks the beginning of the final two-month campaign sprint to the November 2 national elections. "I am running for president with a clear and positive plan to build a safer world, and a more hopeful America," Bush was to say. --More 0130 Local Time 2230 GMT
