CNN is now reporting that the Kerry campaign is preparing to file a complaint with the Federal Elections Commission claiming that the "Swiftboat Veterans for Truth" is coordinating its attacks with the Bush campaign and the RNC.

This is HUGE news.

Update [2004-8-20 2:36 by Jonathan Singer]:NewsMax.com is now also reporting on this issue.

The complaint reportedly demands that the Swiftvets immediately suspend broadcasts of commericals attacking John Kerry's Vietnam War record and return any moneys raised in conjunction with the ad campaign.

The complaint is an extension of Sen. Kerry's charge on Thursday that the Swiftvets are a "front group" for the Bush Cheney campaign, alleging that the group has broken campaign laws by coordinating their efforts with the White House.

Update [2004-8-20 2:36 by Jonathan Singer]:General Merrill "Tony" McPeak is now on Wolf Blitzer on CNN defending John Kerry. He's really looking great!

Update [2004-8-20 2:49 by Jonathan Singer]:CNN.com has now also picked up the story.

The Kerry presidential campaign on Friday filed a complaint with the Federal Election Commission, alleging ads from an anti-Kerry veterans' group are inaccurate and "illegally coordinated" with Republicans and the Bush-Cheney campaign.

The complaint was filed against Swift Boat Veterans for Truth. It states that "based on recent press reports and SBVT's own statements there is overwhelming evidence that SBVT is coordinating its expenditures on advertising and other activities designed to influence the presidential election with the Bush-Cheney campaign."

Update [2004-8-20 3:13 by Jonathan Singer]: AFP has now picked up the story here, and the AP has the story here.

Michael Meehan, from the Kerry campaign, is now holding his own on Lou Dobbs on CNN. You should check it out.

Update [2004-8-20 3:22 by Jonathan Singer]: Reuters becomes the third wire service to file a story on the Kerry FEC complaint, and you can read it here.

The Kerry campaign said it filed the complaint against the group behind the ads, Swift Boat Veterans for Truth, "for violating the law with inaccurate ads that are illegally coordinated with the Bush-Cheney presidential campaign and Republican National Committee."

The campaign said there is "overwhelming evidence" that the group is coordinating its spending on advertising and other activities with the President Bush's campaign for reelection.

Bush campaign spokesman Scott Stanzel denied any coordination with the Swift Boat group, called it "a frivolous complaint."

Bush and a top adviser have long-standing ties to people behind the advertisements, which claim Kerry lied about his Vietnam War service record, but the campaign denies any part in the ads themselves.

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I'll keep updating this post as more info comes in.

check out my political blog, Basie!