I have read many posts on different threads. I have not found any that address seriously the larger scope of these forgeries. These four fraudulent memos do not appear that they would ultimately do much damage to the President. One would think that if someone were to produce forgeries, they would have more damaging content.
I suspect this was only the start of a much larger campaign to smear the President's service (more than what has been attempted already). If these were not discovered, more would pop up in the upcoming weeks.
Hopefully, the competition of the news services will lead to other networks aggressively pursuing these fraud.
I think at this point, if they come out with any new documents, odds are no one would believe them even if the documents were true.
They'll have to find a new tactic now...
The "damaging" stuff is in the interpreation of the memos.
The charges I have seen raised based on these memos are
1. GWB refused a lawful order (did not appear for physical as ordered)
2. GWB tried to "weasel" out of his commitment
3. There was pressure "from upstairs" to treat GWB favourably.
This would be the "new" front of attacks and be supported by other "sources".
For example - the AP was running a story that GWB was "reduced" to flying trainers (and was somewhat incompetent) just before he left flying status - heavily implying [but NOT stating outright] that GWB was somehow a bad pilot [introduce drug angle / alcohol here]. He then refused his flight physical [due to previous drug/alcohol implications] - BUT - since GWB was the son of a senator - the big brass was protecting him . . . .
"I have read many posts on different threads. I have not found any that address seriously the larger scope of these forgeries. These four fraudulent memos do not appear that they would ultimately do much damage to the President. One would think that if someone were to produce forgeries, they would have more damaging content. "
I think the plan was more subtle than some big hit. All the needed and wanted was something, ANYTHING to get the spot light off sKerry and Nam. What they made up about W was just the right thing. It re-generated discussion about his NG service and, more important, away from sKerry's service. As an added bonus, the dim spear bearers came out in droves whining the Bush was a LIAR, LIAR, LIAR. That was going to be the drum beat. It didn't have to be a big lie, just something so they could repeately say the word liar.
And think of this. If you make the faked bad report TOO strong everybody would immediately question it. The person/people who did this were smart. They made it just enough to draw attention, be able to call Bush a liar, but not make it so wild it would be exposed immediately. They only needed it to last two months.
And think about this. Without the Internet it would have worked!