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Taunting the president

Two Democratic presidential hopefuls stepped up their criticism of President Bush yesterday, saying the commander in chief's "bring them on" comment regarding Iraqi forces amounted to taunting the enemy.

During a campaign appearance in Concord, N.H., Rep. Richard A. Gephardt, Missouri Democrat, said Mr. Bush's comments were hardly presidential, and he complained that the president had not leveled with the American people about how tough the war's aftermath would be.

On Wednesday, Mr. Bush said American troops under fire in Iraq aren't about to pull out, and he challenged those considering attacks on U.S. forces, saying, "Bring them on."

"He's president -- you don't taunt the enemy," Mr. Gephardt told a group of about 35 at the state library. "You try to keep our troops safe, you try to help them in what they're doing. ... This phony, macho business is not getting us where we need to be."

Administration officials said Mr. Bush's tone was not meant to invite attacks on U.S. troops, but rather to express confidence in the strength of the U.S. military.

One of Mr. Gephardt's rivals, Sen. John Kerry of Massachusetts, said Mr. Bush's comment was "unwise, unworthy of the office and his role as commander in chief, and unhelpful to American soldiers under fire."

"The deteriorating situation in Iraq requires less swagger and more thoughtfulness and statesmanship," Mr. Kerry said.