A confidential memo circulating among senior US ruling party leaders suggests creating another attack by terrorists on U.S. soil could reverse the sagging fortunes of President George W. Bush as well as his party and "restore his image as a leader of the American people."

The closely-guarded memo lays out a list of scenarios to bring his party back from the political brink, including a devastating attack by terrorists that could "validate" the President's war on terror and allow Bush to "unite the country" in a "time of national shock and sorrow." The memo says such a reversal in the President's fortunes could keep the party from losing control of Congress in the next elections.

The memo circulates as disastrous election defeats have left an already dysfunctional White House in chaos, Insiders say shouting matches are commonplace and the blame game is escalating into open warfare. "This place is like a high-school football locker room after the team lost the big game," grumbles one Bush administration aide. "Everybody's pissed and pointing the finger of blame at everybody else."

Party insiders who have seen the memo admit it's a risky strategy. Some worry that such a scenario carries high risk, pointing out that an attack might suggest the President has not done enough to protect the country. "We also have to face the fact that many Americans no longer trust the President," says a longtime strategist. "That makes it harder for him to become a rallying point."

US politicians no longer talk of "victory" in Iraq but use the term "successful resolution. A successful resolution would be getting out intact and civil war not breaking out until after the midterm elections, Suggests one "Declare victory and run like hell".

"In 30 years of sampling public opinion, I've never seen such a free fall in public support," admits one party pollster. Another says "None of the old tricks work." One legislator admits the ruling party is mired in its rural (read racist) base in a country that's becoming less and less rural. "You play to your rural (read racist) base, and you pay a price," he says. "Our issues blew up in our face."

As party political strategists scramble to find a message "any message" that will ring true with voters, leaders in Congress admit privately that control of the country by right-wing extremists makes recovery all but impossible. "We've made our bed with these people," admits one "Now it's the morning after and the hangover hurts like hell."