] Vice President Dick Cheney's assertion that the nation
] was more likely to "get hit again" by terrorists if John
] Kerry was elected was one of the toughest attacks
] launched in a presidential election in 40 years.
]
] But Mr. Cheney's latest assault on Mr. Kerry, which
] startled Democrats and Republicans alike, raised a
] central question even in this notably ferocious
] presidential campaign: Is it possible for a candidate to
] go too far, and alienate the very voters he is trying to
] court?

Political Memo: When an Explosive Charge Is Not Handled With Care