Dear Stefan,

Leading up to Election Day, I'll be keeping you posted from the campaign trail starting at johnkerry.com. This week, I want to alert you to a critical new Republican assessment of Iraq, warn you about a vicious attack on a Democratic veteran, and report to you on my current trip criss-crossing Iowa, Ohio, Nevada, New Hampshire and Maine.

Losing patience with "staying the course" in Iraq

As you read this, I am in the middle of a ten-day campaign swing for Democratic candidates from Iowa to Maine. Everywhere I go, it's clear Americans of all walks of life and ideologies have lost patience with the Bush administration on Iraq. They know that "staying the course" isn't far-sighted; it's blind. And leaving our troops in the middle of a civil war isn't resolute; it's reckless.

That's the belief Democratic candidates are carrying to people all across the nation. And I can tell you that, if we stay strong, we can force an end to the failed linger-and-lose Bush approach on Iraq, and help America change course.

Even die-hard Republicans are acknowledging the Bush disaster in Iraq. Senator John Warner, chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee, just returned from an Iraq visit and delivered a grim assessment of a country "drifting sideways" with increasing sectarian violence.

It's critical to America's future that we keep the debate over Iraq front and center in the final month of this campaign.

Standing up to a cowardly attack on a veteran in Pennsylvania

This past weekend, I proudly defended Patrick Murphy, an Iraq war veteran running for Congress in Pennsylvania, within moments of an indefensible press conference staged by his Republican opponent.

Mike Fitzpatrick, the Republican incumbent in Murphy's district, stood by silently as a veteran home from Iraq had his service disparaged. Fitzpatrick has never worn the uniform of our country. No one who has would ever tolerate this kind of slander.

It was wrong in 2000 when George Bush stood in silence while John McCain's service was questioned. It was wrong in 2002 when Max Cleland was attacked. And the Republicans who hid cowardly behind lies in 2004 were wrong too. It's still wrong today.

I'm determined to make it clear that we won't let this kind of attack prevail against any candidate in any party anywhere in our country.

Spurring Political Action in Iowa

We Democrats have a host of critical races in Iowa this year. A week ago, I traveled to Ames to help kick-off Political Action Week, a bipartisan, student-organized initiative designed to get more young people actively involved. You and I both know that getting more young people involved in political action is absolutely essential.

Just two days ago, I was back in Iowa again -- this time campaigning alongside Senator Tom Harkin and many Democratic candidates running up and down the ticket this November.

Banking Early Votes in Ohio

Ohio is another critical state in 2006 -- just as it is in every election. The Ohio Democratic Party has a multi-pronged Paint Ohio Blue project under way. They're doing everything they can to make sure we Democrats identify and turn out our vote.

One key is encouraging early voting. Any Ohio voter can cast his or her ballot early either by mail or in person. So last week, I joined Rep. Stephanie Tubbs-Jones in urging Ohioans to cast their ballots early. Later that same day, I went to a Get-Out-the-Vote rally at The Ohio State University and stumped for a number of Ohio Democratic candidates.

From Nevada to New Hampshire to Maine

As you read this, I am spending the day in Nevada to support Senate candidate Jack Carter, gubernatorial candidate Dina Titus, and congressional candidate Tessa Hafen. On Friday, I will be in New Hampshire to speak at the annual Jefferson-Jackson Dinner, a huge rallying point for Granite State Democrats. And then, it's on to Maine for more campaigning.

I look forward to reporting back to you this time next week. In the meantime, I urge you to keep your eyes open for opportunities we'll be providing to support veterans running for Congress and enduring GOP attacks.

On to victory,

John Kerry