What is the difference between the way one substanceless smear (Polier)

[Mayberry Machiavelli]

is handled by the media, which quickly flames out without ever "catching fire", and another, the Swifties, similarly without substance, which is pimped relentlessly until it becomes one of the biggest events of this campaign?

Is it the existence of shills for the smear, the Swifties themselves, who, though without facts or documentation, are willing to go on any shows that will have them and take their praise or lumps?

The Polier story had no similar "front" people to fan the flames, and maybe was designed to try to destroy the Kerry campaign in its infancy with no more than the nebulous rumor, get him to withdraw from the race maybe.

Is it because of Kerry's emphasis on military service during the DNC that the media bought into the "legitimacy" of SBVT as an "issue" even though it is no more than a smear?