[Scott from the Left Coast]

Ideally, they'll never feel the need to respond. That would be the perfect outcome. If there is a response, the best thing would be for it to simply be worked in the normal speeches that the candidates might make. Your idea of Cheney is probably on the mark. But it should just be an aside -- as if everyone already knows this is just another effort by Kerry (and the media) to lie about Bush and the Iraq war.

Whatever they do, they shouldn't dignify the lie with a major effort and emphasis -- that will ONLY reinforce that the lie is really a big issue that deserves attention. Bush will then be giving it life by what he is doing. Not good.

And yes, ignoring news leads on the alphabet networks is definitely a good idea when those networks are simply serving as a Kerry mouthpiece. You won't get them to change their tune...you'll only give them more fodder to pursue the story with.

I noticed that all the soundbites of Bush today were him talking about jobs and domestic issues -- that PERFECT for this time in the election. He's eating at issues now that are true upper midwest/heartland issues. He's going on what is assumed to be Kerry's turf (domestic) and taking it to him on offense. That's a great plan.

[Real Cynic No More]

Remember too, that they didn't respond to the Rathergate/CBS fiasco either, and that turned out to be the correct action. Now Dan Rather and the New York Times have tried their bluff with a second card, and the Bush team is holding their aces, merely calling. When they play their cards, it will be to win.