This phenomenon may be to Republicans benefit, as it was to Republicans defeat in '96. Many uncommitted voters did not like the Clinton bashing in '96 any more than they will like Bush bashing in '04. The Dems, terrorist-like, dislike of Bush will work to their disadvantage.
Does every opponent now have to be a "terrorist"? We're gonna dumb down the definitions of "terrorism" and "terrorist" until no one knows what the hell anyone is talking about anymore.