An important topic, the hijacking of American elections by vested interests, but the article fails to investigate and expose Swiftboating tactics. Instead it mostly focusses on funders.

Good story, well researched and presented. We need more of this kind of investigative reporting in addition to the fact check type we're so fortunate to have. Our American political process benefits greatly by illuminating the outrageous lies and smears committed by "Swift Boater" -type cancers of all persuasions in our body politic. Keep up the good work.

As long as it takes so much money to be elected to any public office we must be dilegent about groups like these. This is an excellent article.

Hayes' message: The Swiftboaters have enough money to buy America (again), and intend to. Note that he and this reviewer are both Bush-bashing lefties.

As journalism, it rates above average because of the research involved. There is no question, however, that the writer promotes one viewpoint -- and for that, as journalism -- it loses points.

For those that haven't had access to anything but the hype about Ron Paul, it is important to look beyond the surface. Here is some information from NH columnist Susan Bruce: The dark side of Dr. Paul goes largely unreported. He has ties to neo-Nazis and white nationalists. He’s the only Congressman with a 100% rating from the John Birch Society. Paul received the coveted David Duke endorsement. One of his biggest internet organizers from Tennessee is a neo-Nazi. Will Williams ... More »

The reason there are shadowy groups manipulating politics and economics is because they seem to appear from nowhere and that is caused by lack of coverage from most of our media. This is good journalism whether it comes from the left or not. It is not necessary to be from a point of view to know dirty tricks when they occur.

This smear job does not deserve the dignity of a NewsTrust review, and should never have been submitted. The Swift Boat Verterans were not a "shadowy group", they were very public about themselves. They did not "smear" John Kerry but pointed out his lies and distortions about his military experience. They were and are not a "conservative" group, but most of the members had no political affiliations at all until Senator Kerry's false statements smeared them and caused them to respond. ... More »

Groups such as this should, if they are allowed to say whatever they please, slander and sloth included, should be examined carefully and displayed prominently in the press for what they are; lies, half-truths, and innuendo funded by the same criminal bunch that brought you these last eight years of "government"