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“Swift boating" is a term that came into use during the 2004 presidential election to reflect Senator John Kerry’s flaccid response to attacks on his wartime record in Viet-Nam. The term, a noun, adjective and verb, has entered the political lexicon and is usually invoked when liberals and Democrats are stung trying to defend themselves against unpleasantly truthful accusations hurled by conservatives.

I have both an objection and support for Mr. Martin's definition. In my observation, the term "swift boating" is used almost exclusively by Democratic supporters of Kerry, but not to reflect Kerry's "flaccid response." Rather it is used to portray Kerry as a victim of foul play. See definitions offered by Urban Dictionary below.

However, Mr. Martin allows that the accusations are "unpleasantly truthful" and the connotation is "odious." As such, Mr. Martin deserves credit for not subscribing entirely to the definitions current on the not-very-swift liberal street.

Urban dictionary:

Swift boating 75 up, 44 down

The act of discrediting a political opponent by making exaggurated (sic) or outrightly false claims about his/her character and past actions.

Coined from the 2004 US Presidential campaign, where the the conservative group Swift Boat Veterans for Truth aired a commercial criticizing democrat (sic) John Kerry's reputation as a war hero in Vietnam. It has since become a popular term with leftist journalists.

Jed: Sylva says she's against the war, but she has no idea about how much it protects our country. It's not like she actually earned her PhD (sic) in political science - her daddy has influence at that college.
Alex: Dude, stop swift boating my girlfriend!

Also:

1. Swiftboated 242 up, 80 down

To be smeared by the president or his administration in a tastless (sic) and slanderous way.

They're gonna totally swiftboat this soldier's mom the way they did kerry (sic).

2. Swiftboated 233 up, 75 down

To be unfairly and inaccurately attacked relentlessly in the media

They swiftboated the Gold Star mom on the news by questioning her credibility when she refused to back off with her antiwar protest in the presidents (sic) back yard.

3. Swiftboated 12 up, 34 down

Exposure of a false hero by people who are fimiliar (sic) with claimed heroic acts

John claimed to have saved a life in the local tragic fire. However, after noting that John was aat (sic) the time, actually in a bar 20 miles away by the bartender, John was Swiftboated by several other people the entire week following the fictitious claim.

4. Swiftboated 63 up, 204 down

To be outed a hypocritical liar.

Thank God Kerry was swiftboated before he got elected President.

Source: http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=swiftboated

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