This is a typical conservative response. When the opposition says there is smoke but no fire, the conservative forgets all about hammering away at the primary issue and, instead, gets enmeshed in a detailed, analytical discussion about the nuances and official definitions of smoke and fire. They think they’ve won the debate on technicalities, but, in reality, they’ve completely conceded the PR battle to the emotion-based left.
You make an extremely important point. One that we all need to make note of.
(I basically know this, but I still frequently make the mistake of arguing about the facts, including details, and forget that facts and details are irrelevant to the left.)