He stepped out of the race for John McCain and the GOP, has been raising money with his PAC, has been campaigning/fund raising, and has been doing TV/radio interviews. What more must he do? I know you realize it, but how could people not see this.
I confess I don't know how he can counter this smear campaign. But he's the professional politician. If he wants to stay one he better show that he knows his future is on the line and that he's capable of beating this.