The campaign had better be on task with this. I've read the Kerry ad. It may be built on deceptions and half truths but it's an effective ad and it will require not rebutting but refutation. Total undeniable refutation. This is IMHO the big test for Rove et al. They need to come up big here.
"They need to come up big here."
So far, they haven't. Per the Kerry Spot on NRO:
BUSH TEAM RESPONSE [10/26 05:40 PM]
Steve Schmidt, Bush-Cheney '04 Spokesman, today: "John Kerry demonstrated today that he is not going to let the facts get in the way of his political attacks. He is a candidate who will say and do anything if he perceives there to be an opportunity for political gain. The fact is that John Kerry does not have a plan or vision to fight and win the War on Terror, and he is resorting to a series of baseless attacks and distortions that have been proven false."
Come on, guys. The New York Times, international bureaucrats like Mohamed ElBaradei and the Kerry campaign are coordinating October-surprise hit pieces on President Bush. This is screaming for a tougher response. Something like an attack ad stating, “Kerry is playing Monday Morning Quarterback with the 101st Airborne’s performance in Iraq. In 1971, John Kerry smeared our troops as rapists and butchers then... He’s smearing them as incompetent now. This Nov. 2, show John Kerry what you think of his attacks on our troops."