9: Don't get Swiftboated
9: 不要無視居心不良的指控
In 2004, John Kerry fell prey to the obviously politically motivated Swiftboat Veterans for Truth by refusing to dignify the smears with a response -- until the damage to his poll numbers was already done. It was a case study in the importance of refuting scurrilous accusations early and forcefully.
2004年,一個名為“快艇老兵尋求真相”(Swiftboat Veterans for Truth)的組織質疑民主黨總統候選人約翰•克里越戰事跡的真實性??死锲鸪醪辉富貞@個明顯帶有政治目的的誹謗,直至這起事件對他的支持率造成了難以挽回的損害。通過這一案例,我們應該明白,迅速且有力地駁斥下流無恥的指控是多么重要。