I know that Kerry supporters are somewhat split over what to do about the obvious, complete, mendacious lies by Bush surrogates. They know Kerry completely eclipses their candidate on valor, character, and duty, so they know their only shot is to eliminate that advantage, no matter what it takes.

In an interview with Salon today, Garrison Keillor, author of the new book Homegrown Democrat, implies that Kerry should not lash out too much at these people:

What a disaster this shallow and deceitful president has been! But Mr. Kerry is wise enough to know that reasonableness and high principle must anchor his campaign. Anger doesn't play so well as a theme in presidential politics. And much depends on fate. He is jousting, showing the colors, rallying the faithful, and biding his time.

I tend to agree more with Josh Marshall, though, who notes that the facts increasingly show that the "Swift Boat Veterans for Truth" is a lie from name to implementation. If one lie gets any traction with voters, Bush and his surrogates will just keep trotting out more and more lies because they work. Marshall essentially says this is a declaration of war.

The president has chosen the ground on which he wants to fight this campaign. And as per usual he's mobilized friends and family retainers to do the fighting for him. The president is playing tackle football, not touch or flag. If the Dems keep up with the latter they'll lose.

Back in the primaries John Kerry would say that if the Bushies thought they could pull a Max Cleland on him, he'd say, "Bring it on." Well, it's on.

It's on.