What is the DNC doing? Part I

The Democratic National Committee has had 4 years to get prepared to counter the Republican Misinformation Machine, but apparently that has not been enough. It has become very apparent to me that the best way to fight this strategy is with the facts. Unfortunately, they are once again afraid that the truth will hurt them too much by making their candidate look like he supports or opposes the wrong issue. This was the downfall of the Gore campaign. By continually forcing Gore to the center on all issues, it opened him up to attacks that he had no convictions, that he never found an issue he wouldn't take both sides on (is this sounding familiar?).

It's high time that the Kerry campaign fights back against the constant misinformation that spews from the mouths of the neo conservatives. At what point did serving in the military in a combat situation become a liability? The RNC has successfully turned the tables with this issue (first against John McCain). Why is it acceptable for the president to use the excuse of youthful indescretion to explain his drinking and drug use, but not appropriate to use that excuse when a young combat veteran becomes disillusioned in the war he was just fighting?