Democrats Force Bush onto Offense; White House Rips 'Gutter Politics'

Beginning of article

Byline: James G. Lakely, THE WASHINGTON TIMES

The White House has begun to aggressively fight back against Democratic criticism of the war in Iraq, President Bush's service in the Air National Guard during the Vietnam War and his economic record - after passively enduring political shots for weeks.

A source close to the White House said the attacks by Democratic presidential hopeful Sen. John Kerry of Massachusetts and his surrogates have changed - at least temporarily - the president's plan to stay entirely above the political fray.

"They got dragged into it this week against their own choosing," the source said, adding that Mr. Bush will continue to …