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"This guy has been wide-open, nonstop for months," said veteran Democratic consultant Dane Strother, who noted that an exhausted candidate is a dangerous candidate. "You leave yourself open to the possibility of making a major gaffe. You've got to recharge at some point."

Consultant Jenny Backus conceded that this is an important stage of the race, but argued that the crucial stretch will come in the fall as swing voters begin to tune in.

"It is March," she said. "We have a long time to go. The most important phase is to close strong."

Campaign aides said that while Kerry was taking a break, the staff was putting together an aggressive strategy to highlight the differences with Bush. Also on tap next week is a major Democratic fund-raiser in Washington with former Presidents Clinton and Carter.

"We will lay out a series of speeches on what John Kerry can do," spokeswoman Stephanie Cutter said. She said Kerry planned a major speech on the economy, and would seek to renew the debate over health care and criticize the record deficits Bush is amassing.

"We will put out a detailed budget sometime in the future that will show how to get back on track," Cutter said.

Ornstein said Kerry is certain to take a battering, and it might make sense to get some rest out of the way quickly.

"The problem is, there's not a good time to vacation," Ornstein said.