They're off ... and it's going to be dirty

[T_i_B]

http://observer.guardian.co.uk/international/story/0,6903,1153389,00.html

The Republicans' dirty tricks department is in full swing. False rumours about a sex scandal have already hurt Democrat frontrunner John Kerry who suffered a drop in the polls after the right-wing gossip website The Drudge Report published the story. A faked photograph of Kerry sharing a stage with Jane Fonda during anti-Vietnam war demonstrations has also mysteriously emerged.

Democrats have not taken it lying down. It was Democrat officials who led the charge to criticise Bush's record of service in the national guard. Some Democrat supporters, including the singer Moby, have openly approved of the planting of rumours on the internet about Bush's youth, including a story about a woman forced to have an abortion - there is no proof, but it has already gained wide currency on the internet. To pour oil on the fire, pornographer Larry Flynt has said he will publish a book on the subject later this summer.

Flynt's book will be one among many. No fewer than 25 anti-Bush books will be published in the next six months, including titles like Fraud: The Strategy Behind the Bush Lies and The Book on Bush: How George W Misleads America.

The vitriolic nature of the attacks on both sides springs from so much being at stake. Voters face a choice between one of the most radical Republican administrations and a newly charged Democratic Party determined to reverse America's course.

[maddezmom]

1. if dems want to win, we're going to have to fight fire with fire

Here's my pick:
<<newly charged Democratic Party determined to reverse America's course.>>

[BootinUp]

4. Give me Full Reverse Scotty

But Captain we're already on full reverse!

Then channel auxilliary power to the engines!

[rfranklin]

5. The Bush junta put the country in reverse three years ago...

They've almost got it back to the days of the Robber Barons. Progressives want to put the country into a forward gear again.

[NNN0LHI]

8. You just said a mouthful. And how n/t

[oasis]

2. "No fewer than 25 anti-Bush books will be published in the next 6 months"

I'd better start looking for a larger bookcase.

[madrchsod]

3. will the next big one be

the Texas governor and his special friend? tom delay`s troubles over campaign money? the palme report?

[LuLu550]

6. you don't honestly think

the Repukes will give up power without an all-out bloddy fight, do you?

[T_i_B]

9. Well...

We might as well warn people. Don't want your Dems going out there thinking the GOP is going to throw roses at them.

[devoedem]

7. The true relevance of the National Guard story

goes to the issue of credibility, not whether he served, but whether he is lying about it. Criticisms of his policies, both foreign and domestic, need to be seen through the same lens.