"...extreme partisans like Tom Harkin, Al Gore and James Carville are attempting to fill the vacuum of positive policies with character assassination."
As of 2002, 50% of the US was on the internet. I'd venture that in 2004, 65% are on the internet.
This isn't the media vacuum that was present during the Clinton campaign and those operatives can't control the news.
I'd say that is accurrate. 2/3rd's stated they learned of the SwiftBoat story by other means (cable, internet, radio). By 2008 I'd say we'll be up to 75-80% gathering news elsewhere. The Dems are on the verge of losing their media advantage, one they admitted was responsible for at least 15% of Kerry's poll ratings.