I actually don't care that much about the 527 coordination, except as much as they're being hypocritical in attacking the Swiftvets and filing a complaint with the FEC.

But I have been impressed with their rapid response. I was talking to a guy who is in the RNC's Communications department, and he says the only really impressive department the Kerry folks have is their research department, which I guess is related to rapid response. There's a difference between being competent and being unobjectionable. They otherwise seem to have pretty quick reaction time.

But that doesn't matter that much without good instincts and judgement, which they seem to lack. They attack so instinctively with all their "senior advisors" going on the networks.

I suppose I'm more saying what kind of things they're good at, instead of pointing to specific accomplishments, which is what you were asking for.

Even Howard Dean questioned Kerry's judgement; I guess that's rolling down to his campaign.

No, I think you are right--the instant counterattack with ad-hominum smears and subject-changing is something they are good at. Probably because a lot of them are Clintonistas.

I've noticed the same. Their talking points are very well drilled. Even to the point that news anchors have to aggressively interrupt them, otherwise they would consume 5 or 6 minutes with run-on blather.