If Kerry is perceived as anti-coal, he could lose Ohio and West Virginia.

Last Oct. 20, Sen. John Kerry, in nonstop derision of PresidentBush, declared: "Where we see a beautiful mountaintop, George Bushsees a strip mine." That environmentalist rhetoric, backed by Kerry'sSenate voting record, injects him into confrontation with the coalindustry that could defeat him for president. That is his burden inWheeling, W.Va., Monday, on a campaign swing that includes visiting acoal mine.

Coal is a side issue in Congress, but it is critical to two stateswon by Bush in 2000 that could decide the 2004 presidential election.Coal production is important for Ohio and absolutely vital to WestVirginia. If Kerry is perceived as anti-coal, he could lose …