Probably that would be considered not 'focusing on the issues'. Where does it say that you win when let your opponent define the argument all the time? Okay, Rove and company have their game plan, and this Swiftboat vet ad isn't what they haf in mind for week two or three, but life is messy. Think on your feet and deal with it. Who can play attack dog and reference the N.Viet General's memoirs? Dick Cheney, that's who.
....what they had in mind for week two...' (Sorry.)