I am not a lawyer or even a law-student, but I am curious as to whether the Kerry Campaign can sue the Swiftboat Veterans for Truth for slander and libel. The legal definition of slander, according to the 'Letric Law Library is
A false defamation (expressed in spoken words, signs, or gestures) which injures the character or reputation of the person defamed; distinguished from libel.
The defaming a man in his reputation by speaking or writing words which affect his life, office, or trade, or which tend to his loss of preferment in marriage or service, or in his inheritance, or which occasion any other particular damage. In England, if slander be spoken of a peer, or other great man, it is called Scandalum Magnatum. Falsity and malice are ingredients of slander.
likewise, the definition of libel is
A malicious defamation expressed either in printing or writing or by signs or pictures, tending to blacken the memory of one who is dead, with intent to provoke the living; or the reputation of one who is alive and to expose him to public hatred, contempt or ridicule. It has been defined perhaps with more precision to be a censorious or ridiculous writing, picture or sign, made with a malicious or mischievous intent.
Both seem to be the case with the Smearboat Veterans, and I think it would be a bold and aggressive move for the Kerry Campaign to confront this with the law on its side. I don't think this would affect moveon.org or other liberal 527s since they don't seem to fit the above definitions. So my question for all you law students, political scientists, and lawyers is whether or not Kerry can sue the SVFT and whether or not such an action would be wise.