GOP, Kerry launch war of words over Iraq comment … WASHINGTON (CNN) — Republicans unleashed a firestorm of criticism Tuesday against Sen. John Kerry after the Vietnam veteran told college students they'd "get stuck in Iraq" if they didn't work hard in school.

Kerry responds to right-wing chickenhawk "nut-jobs"; Update: Source says comments were a joke gone wrong  —  We have ourselves a meltdown. … There's more.  The nutroots will eat this up with a spoon, of course, but you almost have to pity the poor bastards at the DNC.

Kerry and G.O.P. Spar Over Iraq Remarks  —  Senator John Kerry, left, spoke at a rally on Monday in support of California Democratic gubernatorial candidate, Phil Angelides.  President Bush, right, addressed supporters Tuesday afternoon while campaigning in Georgia for a Republican House candidate.

White House Spokesman Slams Kerry Remark  —  The White House accused Sen. John Kerry on Tuesday of troop-bashing, seizing on a comment the Democrat made to California students that those unable to navigate the country's education system "get stuck in Iraq."  —  "Senator Kerry not only owes …

JOHN KERRY — a gift that keeps on giving.  Unfortunately, it's a gift for the Republicans. . . .  Kerry's suggestion that the troops in Iraq are dumb failures is not only reprehensible, but false on the facts.  In other words, a typical Kerry performance, just in time for the elections.

Senator Kerry Owes Our Troops An Apology  —  "Education ... If you make the most of it, if you study hard, if you do your homework, if you make an effort to be smart, you can do well.  If you don't, you get stuck in Iraq."  Senator John Kerry, 10/30/2006  —  While America's servicemen …

White House, Kerry Exchange Accusations  —  WASHINGTON (AP) - The White House and Sen. John Kerry traded their harshest accusations since the 2004 presidential race on Tuesday, with President Bush accusing the Democrat of troop-bashing and Kerry calling the president's men hacks who are "willing to lie."

Kerry's Mangled Statement a Distraction —updated  —  Not pretty and caught on tape.  —  Below is what Kerry actually meant to say, which I got straight from the Kerry team, which Kerry uses all the time. … He screwed it up.  Period.  Hey, but the wingnuts don't care.  And now it's on tape!

Allen Supporters Wrestle Heckler to Ground  —  A Democratic activist who verbally confronted U.S. Sen. George Allen (R) at a campaign rally in Charlottesville today was shoved, put into a chokehold and thrown against a window by three men wearing Allen stickers, according to a widely disseminated video of the incident.

Breaking: Republican's Staff Assault Marine Vet [VIDEO]  —  Allen: 'Things like that happen...'  —  Former Marine and first year law student, Mike Stark was asking Republican senator George Allen some questions about the arrest records he refuses to make public and whether he had ever spit on his first wife.

BREAKING: Virginia GOP Senator George Allen staffers tackle/assault man asking Allen question at event  —  UPDATE: AP now has the story.  CNN showed the video.  —  UPDATE: The man assaulted is Mike Stark, a first year law student at the University of Virginia.