[conservativehusker]

I feel you may be splitting hairs with one another...

"...usually invoked when liberals and Democrats are stung trying to defend themselves against unpleasantly truthful accusations hurled by conservatives. "

He mentioned that his definition included unpleasent TRUTHS that they try to defend themselves against...

[altura]

I agree. the definition is not ideal but it isn't so bad.

[Lee'sGhost]

I went back and re-read Martin's statement and figured out the mistake some of you made. Probably my fault for taking Martin out of context, but here it is.

Re-read this sentence more closely.
"The term, a noun, adjective and verb, has entered the political lexicon and is usually invoked when liberals and Democrats are stung trying to defend themselves against unpleasantly truthful accusations hurled by conservatives."

Martin is saying that liberals and Dims invoke the term "swift boating" to put down conservatives. Martin is acknowledging that libs use it to defend themselves against truthful accusations, but they are using it as a put down.

Makes a BIG difference. Let me rewrite it so that it reads as Martin intended.

"The term, a noun, adjective and verb, has entered the political lexicon and is usually invoked [as an insult by liberals and democrats] when liberals and Democrats are stung trying to defend themselves against unpleasantly truthful accusations hurled [against them] by conservatives. [As in, "this is just another attempt by conservatives to swift boat our candidate.]"

See the difference?