The fact that Bush's cool $50 million in campaign spending has helped give him a recent boost in some polls isn't a sign that Kerry's hand is weak. To the contrary, I think that recent events on the Iraq and 9/11 fronts shows how crappy Bush's own hand truly is, and how Kerry's own military background has Bush worried. Karl Rove and crew have had to blow money big time just to keep up appearances, but there's not much other than bluster to show for it as they haven't been able to hurt Kerry's numbers.
IMO, Kerry's being slow on purpose in order to first raise more funds (hence, the current advertising in safe states), while taking his time to ready attack ads of his own against Bush that will air after there's some distance between them and recent events which will allow them to play better. I know that politics really isn't a game of poker, but the analogy of allowing your political opponent to think he's pulling ahead while preparing your own big bet is the one that parallels what Kerry pulled off against Howard Dean.
Kerry is known to be a good campaign closer, and in politics that's when it counts most. Republicans may have the cash advantage, but I think the Democrats can win the hand that's been dealt them this time around.