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the Left has decided this is a free ride, and they can say whatever they wish, no matter how scurrilous or unfounded.

This.
Fundamentally, it is an attack on the very concept of fact. I would have said “truth” - but then, Biden’s formulation is that the left demands “truth, not facts.”
It is an attack on the very concept of truth, of course - it’s just that when Biden says “truth” he does not mean truth as distinct from falsehood. He means, “my truth” as opposed to “your truth.” IOW, he isn’t talking about truth at all.
It all goes back to
sophist 1542, earlier sophister (c.1380), from L. sophista, sophistes, from Gk. sophistes, from sophizesthai "to become wise or learned," from sophos "wise, clever," of unknown origin. Gk. sophistes came to mean "one who gives intellectual instruction for pay," and, contrasted with "philosopher," it became a term of contempt. Ancient sophists were famous for their clever, specious arguments. philosopher O.E. philosophe, from L. philosophus, from Gk. philosophos "philosopher," lit. "lover of wisdom," from philos "loving" + sophos "wise, a sage." "Pythagoras was the first who called himself philosophos, instead of sophos, 'wise man,' since this latter term was suggestive of immodesty." [Klein] philosophy A fondness or love for wisdom that leads to searches for it; hence, seeking a knowledge of the general principles of elements, powers, examples, and laws that are supported by facts and the existence of rational explanations about practical wisdom and knowledge.
IMHO.

That excellent point you made “my truth as opposed to your truth” is a fundamental disconnect in our society.

There is little “common truth” now.

For many reasons, we have grown to disdain “their truth” on the Left as it is so obviously based in lies, falsehoods, slander, and political machination, as the accusations against Kavanaugh so clearly are.

They have come to disdain “our truth” not because it is false, but because it conflicts with their ideology and world view, which they view as an “ideal truth” (Utopia) and thus allows them to base their disagreement on what they view as moral terms rather than factual terms.

This may be the fundamental cleavage that will eventually destroy our country if it comes to that.