KERRY

WASHINGTON (AP):

The White House accused Senator John Kerry yesterday of troop-bashing, seizing on a comment the Democrat made to students that those unable to navigate the United States education system "get stuck in Iraq."

"Senator Kerry not only owes an apology to those who are serving, but also to the families of those who've given their lives in this," White House press secretary Tony Snow said. "This is an absolute insult."

Kerry, a decorated Vietnam veteran and President George W. Bush's 2004 rival in the presidential election, fired back.

He said he had been criticising Bush, not the "heroes serving in Iraq."

The Democratic senator added: "I'm sick and tired of these despicable Republican attacks that always seem to come from those who never can be found to serve in war, but love to attack those who did. I'm not going to be lectured by a stuffed-suit White House mouthpiece standing behind a podium."