By CHRIS McGANN
SEATTLE POST-INTELLIGENCER REPORTER

Some analysts predict that syndicated radio host Howard Stern and his legions of listeners, most of whom are young male swing voters, will tip the presidential election in favor of Democratic nominee John Kerry.

Stern now squeezes increasingly long anti-Bush tirades into the program that previously had been known mainly for porn star interviews, gross jokes, crank phone calls and scantily clad female guests -- not political critiques.

Though he supported Bush after the 9/11 attacks, Stern now blasts the president for his positions on the war in Iraq, stem-cell research, the environment, gay marriage and religion.