Kerry gains momentum in key states

Senator John Kerry has opened narrow leads in Florida, Michigan, New Hampshire and a handful of other battleground state polls since accepting the Democratic nomination, increasing pressure on President George Bush to regain lost ground at the Republican National Convention.

The incumbent hopes to reverse Kerry’s gains by reminding voters of his leadership after the September 11 terrorist attacks, outlining a second-term agenda that includes new domestic policies and questioning Kerry’s qualifications to be commander-in-chief.