Smearing the opponent is the only thing that they have.
Normally, it is the last resort among major campaign themes - some thing that is carefully distanced from the campaign itself through surrogates.
But Hillary can’t go out in the press to charm (she is incapable) or convince - she has to be hidden from the press. Don’t expect a lot of debates.
She has no real accomplishments to tout - in fact she has to conceal the biggest elements of her tenure.
She has no persuasive policy solutions to offer, for the problems that voters care about (economy and security) - she is wedded to policies that caused the problems.
Unlike most Republicans however, Trump is a swift counter-puncher, who pulls no punches. Hillary is likely to have a political glass jaw, because of all the skeletons in her closet, her brittle personality, and the distrust of her that is already firmly entrenched in people’s minds.
Although smears are all they really have to go with, they are probably very afraid to go there. Sucks to be them.
Sorry to disagree with you.
Trump could always borrow Clint Eastwood's "empty chair..."