An earlier release of the book "Unfit For Command", would have had a more damaging effect on the Kerry campaign. This is mostly information that was already in the public domain and is far too late in the anti-Kerry opposition gameplan to have a serious effect on the outcome of the election.
Btw. Even though its been 30 years since Watergate, whenever the name Richard Nixon is mentioned in todays political environment, people don't think of a great statesman. They think of someone who broke the law and walked on prosecution and jail time.
Call it lies, call it distortions, call it whatever you like. Most Americans have moved on and aren't interested in revisiting stories from the Vietnam War era. Kerry's record post-Vietnam and his 19 years in the US Senate should be made an issue of.
How do you know what is in the book? I have read only Chapter 3 and discovered plenty of new facts and information. If the rest of the book contains similar revelations, it will have a major effect. The best time for its release was after the Dems chose him as their candidate.