The Left got scammed by the claim that an EVIL Republican coroner delayed the funeral of a vet. Now that the LIE has been exposed, the KOmmies are trying to extricate themselves from the scam they fell for. However, many DUmmies remain true believers.
As you mentioned in your intro, this is a not merely a pattern, but a tactic of the left. It is an extension of the seminar caller. They are told to feign being former Republicans, military etc. because that gives them more credibility to attack the Bush Administration. Now that tactic has bitten them in the butt. I had one on another internet site who claimed to have been a transgendered Colonel that had just been promoted to General. She even e-mailed forged promotion documents. What a loon!