That's a little naive. From our perspective, it appears that we're simply returning fire. But to the scandal-weary public, it reeks of defensivness. Our stand needs to be that we need never fear the truth. To liberals, it is as wolfbane to a vampire.
I wonder why the public hasn't completely written off the Democratic party then. Under your scenario the public would have grown weary of their mudslinging long ago. It hasn't happened. I'm sick and tired of sitting back and taking it. Your play nice scenario doesn't work in the real world. That's the old country club Republican attitude. Go along to get along. It sucks.