Touring nonstop, Kerry hits Bush's credibility

DERRY, N.H. -- In a repeat of his frenetic campaign performance in the Iowa caucuses, where he fought and won as a self-described underdog, Senator John F. Kerry traveled by bus and helicopter yesterday to woo voters at seven events over 16 hours across New Hampshire, at one point making a direct attack on President Bush's trustworthiness.

As Kerry walked through Rochester's Trinkets, Treasures & More, Rose Leger, who was working behind the counter, remarked: "Oh! Bring it in, John." She was echoing Kerry's frequent taunt to President Bush over national security issues, "Bring it on."

Kerry was in good spirits and an occasionally punchy mood yesterday. He suggested to a group of reporters that, several weeks ago, "You thought I was dead," and later told 250 voters that a few months ago his campaign was considered "an endangered species."

During a Portsmouth rally, one voter who acts in Revolutionary War reenactments noted that Americans, then and now, had a "ruler . . . named George who wasn't elected by popular vote." The remark delighted Kerry. A few hours later, on the Keene State College campus, Kerry introduced the current British ambassador to the United States, David Manning, and then told the audience of several hundred Democrats: "We liberated ourselves once from one George, and we're going to do it again." Manning is one of several diplomats who are currently in New Hampshire observing the primary process. Several voters challenged Kerry over his vote authorizing the use of force in Iraq. At Keene State, one expressed dismay that Kerry had been "conned" by Bush. Kerry contended that US officials had forged a bipartisan foreign policy for more than 200 years -- following the principle that "politics ends at the water's edge, supposedly" -- and that many Democrats mistakenly believed that Bush would follow through on his pledges to work with the United Nations to isolate Iraq before going to war.

Bill Shaheen, who is leading Kerry's campaign in New Hampshire, said his team will have "hundreds" of drivers to transport voters to the polls today, especially if snow forecast for this afternoon becomes worse than expected. He said the Kerry camp sees major cities as their best sources of support.

Patrick Healy can be reached by e-mail at phealy@globe.com.