swift boat 

The phrase "swift boat" describes a Vietnam-era patrol boat, but it is increasingly being used to describe the political tactic of using a concentrated media effort to discredit a person or idea.

The phrase developed out of the 2004 U.S. presidential election, when a group called "Swift Boat Veterans for Truth" attempted to suggest that Democratic candidate John Kerry lied in order to earn two Purple Hearts and a Bronze Star during the Vietnam War. The group, as it turns out, was funded primarily by people who also frequently donated millions of dollars to the Republican party. Swift Boat Veterans for Truth was formed for the sole purpose of discrediting Kerry's Vietnam War service and has not been heard from since the end of the election.

From Wired magazine: "Phrases like 'junk science' and 'sound science' are creations of the right in its effort to 'swift boat' research it doesn't like."

swift boat by Mark Wilson September 11, 2005

swift boat 

To thwart a conspiracy to deceive the public by getting the facts out on someone despite a concerted effort on the part of the media to ignore and/or actively discredit a politically inconvenient truth.

ABC's false stories were unable to prevent the veteran's group from being able to swift boat Kerry's Vietnam fantasy.

swift boat by Bobby Farrelly August 28, 2006

swift-boat

to attack opponents and critics, especially by using unfair practices and deception

Maybe he'll even call off the right-wing attack machine so it won't Swift-boat the Katrina survivors who emerge to ask tough questions as it has Cindy Sheehan and those New Jersey widows who had the gall to demand a formal 9/11 inquiry.

swift-boat by Pavle September 22, 2005

Swift Boat Hush

(n.) - A behavior of the mainstream media during an election campaign, characterized by a period of widespread silence concerning a news story that is severely embarrassing to a liberal candidate. The silence ends when it no longer shields the candidate from damage.

The Swift Boat Hush is named for the 'Swift Boat Veterans for Truth'. This anti-Kerry group began a major advertising campaign during the 2004 US presidential campaign on August 4, 2004. Most major newspapers (and the Kerry campaign organization) refused to discuss these charges until about 2 1/2 weeks later, when it became apparent to them that the charges were seriously harming Kerry in the polls.

Another example is the coverage of the 2006 special election in California's 50th congressional district, when 5 days before the election the Democratic candidate was recorded telling a group of illegal aliens that "You don't need papers for voting." Many major newspapers did not print this quote until after the election.

Swift Boat Hush by Harry Forbes June 18, 2006

swift boat veterans for truth 

The partisan right-wing group that launched a bellow the belt attack on John Kerry, saying that he'd betrayed his country and served as a coward in Vietnam. Aparently it's not that bad that george w. bush was a draft dodger.

Anyone with an IQ over 70 can see through the lies of Swift Boat Veterans for Truth

swift boat veterans for truth by wrestlingfreak August 30, 2006

swift boat veterans for truth 

A group of fucking liars who dragged John Kerry's name through the dirt on two false accusations:

1: "John Kerry never did anything heroic in Vietnam"
Acatually, John Kerry jumped off his swiftboat during a firefight to rescue a crew member who had falled overboard. And why don't you tell me about W's heroism while AWOL from the Texas Air National Guard?

2: "John Kerry betrayed his country"
Oh yeah? Let me tell you this. Out of concern for the troops being killed in Vietnam, John Kerry joined Vietnam Vets Against the War. John Kerry saw his country making a mistake and said so. That is patriotism. The "my country right or wrong" attitude is ignorance on par with medeival peasants.

Swift Boat Veterans for Truth sent out it's slanderous ads without the authorization of Bush? Bullshit.

swift boat veterans for truth by Jonzo the Weasel August 15, 2006

swift boating 

The act of discrediting a political opponent by making exaggurated or outrightly false claims about his/her character and past actions.

Coined from the 2004 US Presidential campaign, where the the conservative group Swift Boat Veterans for Truth aired a commercial criticizing democrat John Kerry's reputation as a war hero in Vietnam. It has since become a popular term with leftist journalists.

Jed: Sylva says she's against the war, but she has no idea about how much it protects our country. It's not like she actually earned her PhD in political science - her daddy has influence at that college.

Alex: Dude, stop swift boating my girlfriend!

swift boating by ItsumademoOtaku September 8, 2005