Since 1980 the RATS standard has always been the "seriousness of the charge" even in the face of ZERO evidence.
I don't want to misquote someone so I will not attribute a name to it. Someone who knows can ad the name.
"Though there is no evidence, the seriousness of the charge demands an investigation." --RAT talking about the accusation that then VP Nominee George HW Bush flew an SR-71 Blackbird to France to secure the release of American hostigages in Iran on or shortly after election day.
Ahh...I remember that well, as I believe it was Tom Foley who made that famous claim. As well as the "charges" that were made against Bork and Thomas. Hell, even the recent scrap over Bush's NG service is another perfect example. It's amazing how the media demands proof for Democrats but rumors and innuendo are just fine for Republicans.
I couldn't believe one of the TV stations in Wisconsin was going to deny the Swifties air-time because they couldn't substantiate their claims...yet this same media broadcasts MoveOn ads, claiming Bush lied, when even the evidence states otherwise. These guys make Goebbels look like a novice.
I'm afraid you're behind the times. It is no longer the validity of the charge or the seriousness of the charge. It is now the timing of the charge.