I agree it was a coordinated effort. The fact that the DNC came out with it's "Fortunate Son" ad immediately after the CBS report on the memos means this was staged for maximum effect. What they didn't count on is having the memos exposed as forgeries. They were relying on Rather's reputation to keep that from being discovered. Rather stonewalling the way he is means he's trying desperately to hold up his end of the bargain.
Yep, the memos, Kitty's book, the DNC ads, they were all timed to splatter mud all over the POTUS. Instead, they are all standing around with egg all over their faces.
I think your analysis is on target.
This, however, brings to the front this question -
If the DNC, CBS and the Kerry campaign coordinated this smear campaign, were laws broken?