Lies Lying Liars Lie About While Lying

In gauging the opposition's tactics as crude and ugly discourse, democrats miss their overall effectiveness. Also, what is missed is the sophistication that is behind them.

For instance, when the SBVT press releases first started to appear in early May they were fairly low-key jabs. O'Neill's group said they objected to some veteran's photos being used in ads without permission. Throughout June and July the sniping from this group was not of the caliber to mobilize against. Then, by the time of the Democratic Convention, the careful groundwork that had been laid could begin to pay off. Appearances had been made in the national media and each notable booker and editor was familiar with the leading demagogues from the group and had them in their rolodexes. Then the attacks became more severe.

Perfectly timed, their book "Unfit for Command" was released 8/15. The most controversial assertions, such as Kerry self-inflicting his wounds, lying about hostile fire episodes, and being overly ambitious in pursuit of medals that he orchestrated wounds all in order to further a political career as soon as he could get stateside, got tremendous play in a servile press that loved the fact that these guys were playing the media game like pros and their fact sheets were well formatted (even if the facts were murky).

Now, as the Swift Boat controversy is getting tattered and discredited, Judicial Watch, a group financed by Richard Melon Scaife, files a complaint on August 18th with the U.S. Navy and the DOD noting:

"The claims against Senator Kerry – both concerning his fraudulently obtained awards for valor and combat wounds, as well as his dishonorable and potentially illegal conduct as a commissioned officer of the Naval Reserve – are gravely serious matters that demand...immediate and direct action."

Just as one attack subsides, another takes its place. Every moment the Kerry Campaign spends responding to these attacks is a moment when they cannot convey any message relevant to today and the world we live in now.

The point is: this broad political attack tooks months to coordinate and execute, but was relatively inexpensive to produce; a book, a website, a bunch of free media and the next thing you know everyone in the country is quoting these goons and booking them for appearances. No sooner does Kerry answer one charge, then another more infuriating charge creeps forth. Kerry is left playing "whack-a-mole" with fellow veterans and is robbed from the opportunity to pursue a rhetorical offensive ahead of the Republican Convention.

The damage is done. Most people have already made up their minds regarding who gets their vote in November. The election will be decided by less than 3% of people. It is possible that around that many now doubt Kerry's truthfulness and valor. Unless Bush can be pinned to his own failings in office by an incisive Democratic offensive, that 3% may be enough.