Actually I didn't make the connection with tactics of the Swifties in '04, the NY TIMES did.
As for the Swift Vets campaign style of tearing down John Kerry's reputation, we are beginning to hear the same happen to "Deep Throat".
It's a shame Nixon, who did so much to advance trade w/China, had to leave office in disgrace.
Nixon didn't trust many people and didn't include anyone outside his inner circle - the latter of which sounds very, very familiar.