"A group of Vietnam veterans has bought television time in three swing states for an advertisement that attacks Senator John Kerry [3], accusing him of lying about his war record, including the circumstances surrounding his medals, and betraying his comrades by later opposing the war." The Swift Boat Veterans for Truth [4] is a 527 group [5] that receives a significant amount of funding from Republican donors. The group worked with PR consultant Merrie Spaeth [6] and Republican firm Stevens, Reed, Curcio & Potham; both were part of a nasty campaign against Senator John McCain [7] during the 2000 primaries. McCain blasted the new ad, saying [8], "I deplore this kind of politics. I think the ad is dishonest and dishonorable."