Campaign Notebook
Cheney calls Kerry "armchair general"

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PENSACOLA, Fla. — Accusing Sen. John Kerry of playing an "armchair general," Vice President Dick Cheney yesterday rejected the Democrat's criticism of the loss of 380 tons of explosives in Iraq, saying toppling Saddam Hussein took thousands of times that amount of potentially dangerous material out of the former dictator's hands.

"If our troops had not gone into Iraq as John Kerry apparently thinks they should not have, that is 400,000 tons of weapons and explosives that would be in the hands of Saddam Hussein, who would still be sitting in his palace instead of jail," the vice president told supporters in his first comments on the controversy that erupted Monday.

Cheney is the most senior administration official to comment on the missing explosives. In response, Kerry's campaign said President Bush had decided to "hide behind his vice president."

"Despite their spin, the fact is that 380 tons of high-grade explosives are missing," said Kerry campaign spokesman Phil Singer. "Like the president, Dick Cheney seems to be in a state of denial about this fact. The public expects the commander in chief to come forward and speak about this matter."

Supreme Court denies Nader's ballot request

WASHINGTON — The Supreme Court yesterday declined to put independent presidential candidate Ralph Nader on the ballot in the battleground state of Ohio.

On Friday, Nader asked the high court to review Ohio's decision to remove him, arguing that a state law that requires people who collect signatures on candidates' petitions be registered voters violated free-speech rights.

Nader's request for a review went to Justice John Paul Stevens, who referred the matter to the full court. The justices denied the request without comment.

Democrats, fearful that Nader could cost them votes if his name is on the ballot, had presented evidence to Ohio Secretary of State Kenneth Blackwell that petition collectors registered at fraudulent addresses or places they didn't live. Blackwell ordered Nader's name off the ballot after a hearing officer concluded there was evidence of fraud. Nader appealed that ruling to a federal judge, who upheld Blackwell's decision.

Kerry would stand up for Israel, Clinton says
 
BOCA RATON, Fla. — Former President Clinton reassured Jewish voters in a synagogue yesterday that as president, Sen. John Kerry would protect their interests in Israel by maintaining a record he established throughout his career in the Senate.

"These last four years have not only been difficult for America, they have been difficult for Israel," Clinton said. "There is no doubt in my mind that his commitment to the security of Israel ... would be unshakable."

With an estimated 500,000 Jewish voters, Florida is home to one of the nation's largest Jewish communities.

Michigan court rules on provisional ballots

LANSING, Mich. — A federal appeals court ruled yesterday that provisional ballots cast outside the precinct where a voter resides cannot be counted in Michigan.

The 6th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals reversed a lower-court ruling that said provisional ballots should be counted as long as they are cast in the right city, township or village.

Provisional ballots — required in all states for the first time this year — are used when voters say they are registered but their names are not on the registration rolls. The ballots are later counted if elections officials determine the voter is validly registered.

Democrats outdo GOP in new voters in Pennsylvania

HARRISBURG, Pa. — The Democratic Party has registered 108,000 more new voters than the Republican Party since the April primary in the battleground state of Pennsylvania, according to figures released yesterday.

The latest round of registrations, which closed Oct. 4, left Democrats with nearly 4 million people on the voting rolls, a 7 percent increase. GOP ranks increased by 4 percent to nearly 3.4 million.

Pennsylvania has 21 electoral votes — the nation's fifth-largest prize.