Washington Times:

Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton and Sen. Barack Obama are increasingly going after each other, prompting top Democrats to warn they are muddying the party's image in advance of the general election.

Sen. John Kerry, the 2004 Democratic nominee whose campaign was hurt by Republican-funded "Swift Boat Veterans for Truth" ads, yesterday told voters he will help Mr. Obama fend off attacks.

"The truth matters, but how you fight the lies matters even more. We must be determined never again to lose any election to a lie," he said in an e-mail to supporters.

The message does not mention Mrs. Clinton, but notes the anonymous e-mails that are circulating that question Mr. Obama's Christian faith and said, "We're fighting back.

"The fight is just heating up — we won't let them steal this election with lies and distortions," Mr. Kerry said.

Former Senate Majority Leader Tom Daschle, a South Dakota Democrat who backs Mr. Obama, said yesterday the Clinton attack of "incredible distortions" is similar to what he has seen Republicans deploy.

"It destroys the party ultimately," said Mr. Daschle, who was defeated after a bitter election in 2004. He predicted the nasty tone will have a "huge lasting effect down the road ... if it doesn't stop soon."