DES MOINES, Iowa, Sept 7 (AFP) - Vice President Dick Cheney said Tuesday that the United States risked suffering another terrorist attack if voters make "the wrong choice" in the November 2 presidential election.
Kerry's running mate, John Edwards, shot back, accusing Cheney of "crossing the line."
At a campaign stop in this midwestern state, Cheney said "It's absolutely essential that we make the right choice" in the election.
"If we make the wrong choice, then the danger is that we'll get hit again," he said, implying that Kerry was less determined than Bush in fighting extremists.
"Dick Cheney's scare tactics crossed the line today, showing once again that he and George Bush will do anything and say anything to save their jobs," Edwards replied in a statement.
"Protecting America from vicious terrorists is not a Democratic or Republican issue, it's an American issue and Dick Cheney and George Bush should know that. John Kerry and I will keep America sage, and we will not divide the American people to do it," he said.