[media-credit name=’Morry Gash/Associated Press’ align=’alignnone’ width=’648′][/media-credit]RACINE, Wis. — Amidst the backdrop of the sparkling Lake Michigan shoreline, President George W. Bush projected a bright future for Iraq Friday during a rally in the southeastern-Wisconsin town of Racine.

“[Iraq] has got a strong Prime Minister and it’s going to have elections in January,” Bush said. “We’ll help them get on the path of stability and democracy as quickly as possible, and our troops will come home with the honor they have earned.”

Bush told thousands of supporters crowded into John Pershing Park on the sunny afternoon the lack of weapon stockpiles in Iraq does not subtract from the necessity of the military effort in the Middle Eastern country.

“Knowing what I know today, I would have made the same decision,” Bush asserted. “And America and the world are safer with Saddam Hussein sitting in a prison cell.”

Speaking one day after meeting with Iraq Prime Minister Ayad Allawi in Washington, Bush suggested Democratic nominee Massachusetts Sen. John Kerry would undermine rebuilding efforts in Iraq by failing to earn the trust of Iraqi leadership.

“Right after [Allawi] spoke to the United States Congress, right after he gave an important speech, Sen. Kerry went out and stood in front of the cameras and questioned Prime Minister Allawi’s credibility,” Bush said. “In order for us to succeed in Iraq, the Iraqi people must believe the American people will stand with them.”

Bush pointed to U.S. relations with Japan, a bitter enemy 60 years ago, and expressed confidence Iraq can experience a similar turnaround with the onset of democracy and free elections.

With the presidential campaigns rumbling toward October, Kerry has taken a more aggressive campaign approach in the last week, especially with regard to the situation in Iraq. The Democrat has chastised Bush and Allawi for painting an overly optimistic picture of the state of affairs in the war-torn country.

U.S. Rep. Tammy Baldwin, D-Wis., in Madison for a debate with Republican congressional nominee Dave Magnum Monday night, said voters in November would have to consider whether Bush is being honest with the American public.

“A question voters should ask is whether they believe that the resources and the service members we have sent to Iraq have taken away from putting our full focus on fighting terrorism,” Baldwin said. “John Kerry would not have started a war of choice but would have focused our resources on fighting the war against terrorism.”

With polls showing Wisconsin to be extremely close, both candidates have made the state a frequent campaign stop as of late. In addition to Racine, Bush visited Janesville Friday, where he talked about education, and campaigned in West Allis in early September. Kerry visited Madison and arrived Sunday for four days of debate preparation in Spring Green, from where he will travel to Florida to debate the president.

The most recent poll points to a sizable lead for Bush in Wisconsin. The Badger Poll, released Sept. 23, found Bush holding a 14-point lead over his opponent.

Among the poll’s findings, allegations that Kerry “flip-flops” on the issues have left a mark, as evidenced by only 16 percent of registered voters believing the Democrat “has a consistent record on the issues.”

With the American flag flapping in the breeze overhead, Bush seized upon that weakness Friday.

“You cannot lead if you get blown around by the political winds,” the president said, noting Kerry’s various stances on Iraq. “I’ll continue to lead this country with clarity. When I say something, I’ll mean what I say.”