Bush, Kerry Open Battle for White House

He would still need to win at least one of the most competitive states - Nevada, New Hampshire, West Virginia, Missouri, Arizona, Ohio and Florida are among the targets.

Other Southern tossup states may come into play for Kerry, but only if he's doing unexpectedly well everywhere else. Martha Dixon of the Democratic National Committee gave Bush a good shot in Arkansas.

"With all his problems, he's still the president - and that counts for something," Dixon said. "He gets to fly around the country on his big plane and talk big talk."

Money may be Bush's biggest edge. He has raised more than $150 million, shattering his own record and giving him easy cash to try to define Kerry as a soft-on-terrorism, tax-raising, flip-flopping liberal.

The president's campaign laid the groundwork Wednesday for TV attack ads, accusing the Democrat of waging "a relentlessly negative campaign" against Bush this year. The president's initial TV ads portray Bush as the nation's caretaker in troubled times.

Kerry, who aides say raised more than $1 million since wrapping up the nomination, is still far behind Bush in the dollar dash. Kerry must count on the Democratic National Committee and independent interest groups to help him compete.

The presumptive nominee also must retool his message for the general election, perhaps soften the rough edges of his criticism of Bush. Aides are planning a series of policy speeches for Kerry, who may travel overseas to burnish his image.

Most national polls show Kerry ahead or tied with Bush. In a race determined state by state, polls in the individual battlegrounds reflect a tight race.

Surveys also reveal lingering concern over the economy and Iraq, no surprise to Republican state lawmaker Tom Murphy of Kennebunk, Maine. "If things happen in a positive way, Kerry's campaign is over. If they don't ...," he said, his voice trailing off.

Slade argued that Kerry will be easy to cast as a liberal, but, "He has a very impressive war record. He speaks with authority and is going to be a very competitive challenger."

Democratic Mayor Michael Coleman of Columbus, Ohio, said he worries that Kerry may look too much like a creature of Washington. "The more time he spends in the heartland, in Ohio, the better off he's going to be," Coleman said.

J. Lowell Stoltzfus, a Republican state senator in Maryland, gave Bush the nod on leadership and appeal, but said of Kerry, "He seems like a personable guy. You know, this could be close."