Swift Boat Veterans for Truth, 2004 News

political advocacy group, sponsored several television commercials over the summer that questioned Sen. John Kerry's military record and said he lied about combat situations for which he earned medals. Although only one member of the group actually served on a Swift boat with Kerry and most of the group's allegations have been discredited, Kerry's poll ratings slipped in the wake of the ads. They also ran ads against Kerry's anti–Vietnam war protests, which many believe is the source of their animus against Kerry.