Opie,
Smears may work, but I think reaction to the smear is what determines the vote. If a candidate cannot rise above the smear and get his message out he will not win. Bush could have far worse smear than Kerry (cocaine use rumors, driving every business he ever ran into bankruptcy, and so on), but it doesn't stick because Bush doesn't allow it to stick.
Seriously, look at the '92 and '96 elections and watch how Clinton reacted and you'll see what I mean.
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Clinton was not impeached. He was acquitted on article 1 (45 for 55 against) Article 2 was deadlocked at 50 apiece meaning Gore cast the deciding vote.
President Clinton responded to the Senate vote today in the Rose Garden. Earlier in the day the Senate voted to aquit the president on both articles of impeachment. The following is a transcript of his response.
PRESIDENT CLINTON: Now that the Senate has fulfilled its constitutional responsibility bringing this process to a conclusion, I want to say again to the American people how profoundly sorry I am for what I said and did to trigger these events and the great burden they have imposed on the Congress and on the American people.
I also am humbled and very grateful for the support and the prayers I have received from millions of Americans over this past year.
Now I ask all Americans, and I hope all Americans here in Washington and throughout our land, will rededicate ourselves to the work of serving our nation and building our future together. This can be and this must be a time of reconciliation and renewal for America.
Thank you very much.
REPORTER: In your heart, sir, can you forgive and forget?
PRESIDENT CLINTON: I believe any person who asks for forgiveness has to be prepared to give it.
link:
http://www.pbs.org/newshour/impeachment/