I wish people wouldn't throw around the word "truth" so quickly and easily. What you're describing is not the "truth", it is your perception.
I have a much different perception of the Bush/Kerry smear campaign tactics. My perception is one of disapproving of the smears themselves as opposed to how they are handled by the person being smeared.
Kerry is in a difficult situation - on the one hand if he says nothing, he is accused of being weak and on the other he is accused of being shrill or non-savy. He has tried, and in some ways succeeded, to follow a balance between the two types of response. And I disagree with your contention that Kerry is still responding to the SBVT opinions masked as truth.
But regardless, it comes back to the question - why are these smears trumpted so readily? Because it is easier to play dirty politics than it is to explain a failed record.
That is far more of a qualifier for leadership and Presidential ability than some concept of 'ignoring your accuser'. If you can't speak to your record and need to hide behind the drumbeat of dirty politics, whether you are successful or not, you have no business leading anyone anywhere.
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