Republicans Increasingly Wary of Challenge From Kerry

WASHINGTON - Republicans talk confidently of re-electing President Bush (news - web sites) for another four years, but some are increasingly wary they could face a close contest this fall now that the Democratic race has been turned upside down.



John Kerry (news - web sites), a fourth-term U.S. senator from Massachusetts, has replaced former Vermont Gov. Howard Dean (news - web sites) in the front-runner slot among Democrats after winning the Iowa caucuses and the New Hampshire primary.


While Republicans relish the chance to pick apart two decades of Kerry's congressional votes, they were absolutely salivating at the prospect of running against Dean, who many thought could be more easily outflanked.


Republicans feel Kerry is a veteran politician who can avoid the obvious mistakes of a political newcomer and they're very aware he is a decorated Vietnam war hero running in a time of war.

more...sounds like Kerry upset poor little Chimpy and Karl's plans?