As we have learned in the past weeks, we cannot trust George W Bush

Barbra Streisand

"How could such a destructive man be so popular with the American people?" she asks of Bush.

"Not only is he poisoning our air and water - he's poisoning our political system as well."

The memo was titled Nice Guys Finish Last or Where Do We Go From Here: A Case for the Democrats. Streisand's spokesman confirmed that it is genuine, according to political website Roll Call.

The actress accused President Bush of stealing the election through family ties, arrogance and intimidation.

Streisand accused Bush of stealing the election

"We have a Congress passing laws that benefit corporations and the privileged few at the expense of the working men and women of this country."

She also said that bipartisanship only works "if you can trust the other side".

"As we have learned in the past weeks, we cannot trust George W Bush," she says.

Streisand said Democrats do not have to be "ruthless" like the Republicans, but must be strong.

"This is not a time to be weak," she said.

But she did begrudgingly admit that Bush comes across as holding strong beliefs, that the public respect him because of it and she compared him with former actor-turned-president Ronald Reagan.

Streisand performed at Clinton's inauguration

She also defended Bush's predecessor Bill Clinton and the pardons scandal which overshadowed his departure from the White House.

"Talk about Republican pardons," she said. "George Bush protected himself by pardoning those linked to him in the Iran-Contra scandal. He pardoned a heroin drug trafficker and a terrorist who was responsible for 73 deaths.

"Clinton's pardons have no impact on the health and welfare of the American people."

Streisand supported Clinton throughout his presidency, sang at his inauguration and was awarded with a National Medal of the Arts by Clinton just before his term ended last year.

The letter was signed "Barbra", but her spokesperson would not confirm who it has been sent to because it is a "private communication".

'Moron'

The full text was obtained by Washington internet magazine Roll Call, which said the letter was sent to key party members.

Streisand's attack comes six weeks after actor Martin Sheen - who plays the US president in TV drama The West Wing - described Bush as a "moron".

The liberal Democratic party has a long-standing tradition of appealing to Hollywood stars.

Other prominent Democrat supporters include Stephen Spielberg, Tom Hanks, Kevin Costner and Michael Douglas.

Fans of the Republican party include Charlton Heston, Bruce Willis and Arnold Schwarzenegger. Latin idol Ricky Martin topped the bill at Bush's inauguration party.