Sen. John Kerry "aims for low profile on Iraq as scandal dogs Bush team," the Wall Street Journal's Washington Wire reports. Says one Democrat: "It's delicate and sensitive. We have to modulate the response."
"Short term, the strategy is for Kerry to be in the news, without seeming to exploit it. In Arkansas with fellow veterans, Kerry blasts Bush for squeezing benefits but avoids prison-abuse topic. Still, Bush aides bet his comments will backfire as too political.
"After Democrats' public handwringing over Kerry's stall in polls, his camp cheers new Pew and CBS surveys showing a lead over Bush. Wes Clark backers say Iraq focus boosts the retired general's prospects as Kerry running mate."