Repeat a lie often enough...?

Unfriendly Fire - Liar vs. coward in the Vietnam ad war. By William Saletan and Jacob Weisberg

Ostensibly Slate's William Saletan and Jacob Weisberg are on opposite sides, but both condemn the Swiftboat Veterans' ad for its huge sleaze factor. However, while Saletan makes some points for the minor failings of the MoveOn PAC response ad, Weisberg correctly points out that MoveOn PAC's actions pale in comparison to the Swifties. The article is a bit long so if you are the type to just skim it, be sure to check out Saletan's listing of the Swifties' missteps.

But, since sleaze sells almost as well as sex, they're at it again. This election is certainly replete with lessons on the tricks one can pull with clever editing and half-truths parading as full ones. And here is an homage to Groucho's old "Have you stopped beating your wife?" trick:

"I do think that Senator Kerry losing his cool should not be an excuse for him to lash out at the president with false and baseless attacks," White House spokesman Scott McClellan told reporters Friday.

Losing his cool? What are you talking about, Scott? Kerry has legitimately implied that the president's refusal to denounce the Swiftboat Vets' ads serves as a tacit endorsement. I remember hearing a news conference with McClellan repeatedly being asked if the prez would go on record denouncing those ads and all McClellan was allowed to say was that the white house would like to see an end to all soft money campaigns. He would repeat verbatim the same line over and over. I think I counted about five such responses in rapid succession.

But that may be telling in more ways than what Kerry hinted at ("...tells you everything you need to know..." about the president). I think that the true target of the GOP in using the Swifties is not just Kerry but MoveOn PAC and probably the Center for American Progress and Media Matters as well. This is one of the most secretive administrations in US history and information is finally getting out.

Folks are turning on the kitchen lights and cockroaches are complaining.