Time will tell.
The stridency of the attacks on conservative critics of the Administration have reached new levels...or should I say descended to new depths.
That's going to have a longlasting negative effect no matter what.
But the usefulness of the whole thing for Dems is likely to be very shortlived in any case. Speaking out on behalf of national security is just too out of character for them.
My guess is, you mean the attacks on conservative critics of Bush right here on Free Republic. Because once you move away from FR, its a different world. Roughly 65%-70% of Americans oppose the DPW/UAE deal. Many FReepers who take after Bush`s critics on this website, maybe Republicans in good standing, but aren't strict followers of political conservatism. Basically, in their eyes Bush can do no wrong, thereby making their personal attacks on Bush critics warranted and justified. These FReepers have proven they don't want to debate the issues. They want to stifle free speech and abolish political dissent on FR.