Kerry Offers Apology To Troops

In Pasadena, Calif., on Monday, Sen. John F. Kerry (D-Mass.) urged students to study hard -- "and if you don't, you get stuck in Iraq." He said his remark was aimed at President Bush. (By Ann Johansson -- Associated Press)

Around the country, Republicans pressed Democratic opponents to respond to Kerry's remarks. "Whatever the intent, Senator Kerry was wrong to say what he said," said Rep. Harold E. Ford Jr. (D), who is in a tight Senate race in Tennessee. "He needs to apologize to our troops."

Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton (D-N.Y.) likewise condemned the remarks. "What Senator Kerry said was inappropriate," she said at a Veterans of Foreign Wars post. She added: "We don't need to be reciting the 2004 election, as much as President Bush would like that to happen. This election is about him and his policies."

Kerry tried twice to explain himself yesterday. After a Democratic candidate asked the senator not to campaign with him, Kerry canceled the rest of his schedule and called in to the Don Imus radio talk show, which is simulcast on MSNBC. Kerry said it is Bush who owes the nation an apology, for a botched war.

"They're trying to change the subject," Kerry said. "It's their campaign of smear and fear. . . . This is Swift boat stuff all over again."

Asked why not apologize for the misunderstanding, Kerry said: "Of course I'm sorry about a botched joke. You think I love botched jokes? I mean, it's pretty stupid."

Imus reflected Democratic anxieties by asking Kerry to stop talking publicly because it might "ruin" the party's election chances.

"I love you, but just stop it," Imus said. "I'm begging you."

"Well, I think it's important to talk about Iraq," Kerry said.

"I'm begging you," Imus said.

"I hear you," Kerry said. "You do not have to beg. You're my friend. I understand what you're saying. But I'm telling you, I'm not going to let these guys lie and smear."

"Stop now, stop now," Imus said again. "I'm begging you."

"You got it," Kerry said.

Kerry's apology did not satisfy critics, so by day's end, he issued a written apology: "I sincerely regret that my words were misinterpreted to wrongly imply anything negative about those in uniform and I personally apologize to any service member, family member or American who was offended."

Heading into the final days before the elections, the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee plans to run an advertisement over the weekend that hits Republicans for not holding Bush accountable on the Iraq war, but the ad buy is small and is scheduled for CNN alone. More than half of Democratic candidates in close races for the House and the Senate are planning ads criticizing Bush for his management of the war.

Republicans, meanwhile, are spending a lot of money protecting GOP seats. The National Republican Congressional Committee launched a $200,000-plus ad to help Rep. Charles H. Taylor (N.C.), who trails Democrat Heath Shuler. As part of its effort to limit losses, the NRCC is spending heavily in Idaho to win an open seat in a conservative part of the country. Rep. Melissa Hart (Pa.), who was not considered in much trouble a few weeks ago, is also getting last-minute help from the NRCC.

Both sides are making last-ditch efforts at long-shot races as well. The Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee plans to run $1 million in ads against Sen. Jon Kyl (R-Ariz.). Republicans are making a play for Michigan, where polls show Democratic Sen. Debbie Stabenow with a steady lead.