Bush accused over security plans

President George W Bush is seeking "dictatorial powers" in his efforts to combat future terrorist threats, the Democrats' leader in the Senate, Tom Daschle, has said.

Mr Bush had earlier accused the Democrats of denying him the flexibility he needs to protect the country and the American people.

But responding after the speech, Tom Daschle - who is a Senator for South Dakota - said he did not want to give "this president or any president dictatorial powers that compromise the checks and balances that our founding fathers recognised".