This is a longstanding can of beans that The Nation has recently re-opened.
Commenters have persuaded me to pull most of this diary; thanks for that!
In view of the preponderance of evidence that McCain is being "swiftboated" here:
Does anyone see merit in the above-linked Nation piece? Its author, Sydney Schanberg, has a solid reputation built upon his work in bringing the "killing fields" of Cambodia to the light of day while at the NY Times.