I believe that the Dems thought that the press would cover for them as they did for Clinton and nothing would come of any attack by veterans. They are holding a press conference? Don't cover it.
Quelle surprise! They never figured on ads and the internet.
Kerry has come under similar attacks each time he ran for Senate too, and he was able to overcome the accusers. So, plenty of reason to act as though this was just a similar hurdle, maybe set just a little higher.
I want Kerry's legacy to be similar to Benedict Arnold's. I want him to achieve that status while he is alive.