October 31, 2006 WASHINGTON -- Vice President Dick Cheney said Monday the increased violence in Iraq is linked with efforts to influence the midterm elections, in which Republicans are struggling to keep control of Congress. "It's my belief that they're very sensitive of the fact that we've got an election scheduled and they can get on the Web sites like anybody else," Cheney said. He said al-Qaida and other elements were trying to "break the will of the American people" because "they think we don't have the stomach for the fight long-term."

Asked if the attacks were timed to influence the U.S. elections, Cheney said, "That's my belief."

Eight days before the elections, Cheney gave interviews to Fox News Channel's "Your World with Neil Cavuto" and CNBC's "Kudlow & Company."

Cheney, who 17 months ago said the insurgency was in its last throes, said "there's going to be probably a continued level of violence for some considerable period of time in Iraq." He said that unlike other wars, it was unlikely there would be some dramatic turning point that signals progress.

''There is progress,'' Cheney said. ''It's just -- you're not going to see the kind of thing ... a victory like Midway in World War II."