This is both amusing and painfully true sometimes.
from article in Boston Globe today:
http://www.boston.com/news/local/politics/candidates/articles/2006/10/12/next_round_is_up_for_grabs/...
"In campaigns I know, for Kerry and Mike Dukakis, there's a pattern to how Democrats react when attacked. It's 12-step process:
1) I can't believe (opponent) is doing this.
2) I won't dignify it with response.
3) People won't believe it.
4) Press won't let them get away with it.
5) Press is letting them get away with it.
6) People are believing it.
7) I didn't do anything wrong.
8) If it looks like I did something wrong, it's because other side is distorting facts.
9) Let's not panic until we see poll.
10) Don't let anyone see these poll results.
11) If they're going to cheat like this, find something on them.
12) Let's attack them.
Note: Republicans skip first 11 steps.
...
I say its time for Democratic candidates to skip to, say, #11 then go directly to attacking them.
Here in Mass. the repub candidate's attack ads against democratic Deval Patrick (gov's race) are going on the attack, and while I don't think the nastier ones are doing her any good, Deval would do well to go on the offensive against the s**t she's flinging at him.