Clinton's Apprentice

"On Jan. 17, 1998, President Clinton denied in a deposition that he had engaged in sexual relations with Monica Lewinsky. Days later, as evidence to the contrary surfaced, Clinton launched a campaign to spin his way around the question of whether he had lied. Two years later, George W. Bush is running for president to restore "integrity" and offer "a fresh start after a season of cynicism." But in the final days of Bush's campaign, evidence has surfaced that he, too, falsely denied a shameful episode in his past. And far from cleansing the presidency of Clinton's evasive tactics, Bush has adopted them."

An excellent article comparing the two scandals. Point number seven is aprticularly salient: "Accuse the accusers". Every time stories about Dubya's DUI came up, the GOP faithful cursed the Dems for bringing this up so shortly before the election, forcing them to defend themselves against charges of dirty politics, instead of pressing the point. It all reminds me of a (possibly apocryphal) LBJ campaign story. LBJ was losing, or not winning by enough, and he tells his aides to start a rumor that the opponent has, er, sexual relations with, er, pigs. 'But LBJ, you know that's not true!' say his aides. 'I know,' says LBJ, 'But let's make him deny it!'
By accusing the Dems of foul play in Dubya's DUI (or by accusing the GOP of a 'vast right-wing conspiracy' in any of the Dems' foibles), the opposite [party is in essence, making the other party deny a somehwat spurious charge.

God Bless America. And God Save us.