US campaigns duel over storm-ravaged New Orleans

NEW ORLEANS, Louisiana (AFP) - White House challenger Mitt Romney rushed to storm-ravaged New Orleans on Friday in a bid to burnish his presidential credentials ahead of his November battle with Mr Barack Obama.

Coming off the back of a rousing Republican convention, Mr Romney sought to build momentum by taking his new campaign plane to New Orleans, where rescue crews are clearing up after Hurricane Isaac unleashed a torrential downpour.

Mr Obama's camp swiftly declared the Democratic incumbent would tour the city himself on Monday, but denied they were playing catch up, insisting they did not want the president's large security detail to disrupt disaster relief.

Mr Romney met Louisiana's Republican governor Bobby Jindal and toured disaster relief operations in still partly-flooded streets with National Guard troops.