It's easy to look at the attacks, smears, and lies being told about President Obama and his record and say, "Come on, that's ridiculous. No one could possibly believe that."

Trust me: You and I learned the hard way eight years ago this August that in the new world we're living in -- one with 24-hour news cycles, the internet, blogs, the echo chamber, and now the new Citizens United-fueled Republican money machine -- even completely baseless attacks can stick if people don't call them out quickly enough. No matter how self-evidently false the attacks are, or how disreputable the people telling them may be, there's no attack that can't take hold.

Seeing the new outrageous attacks made against President Obama from a shadowy Republican-allied veterans group called OPSEC, which take issue with the mission to kill Osama bin Laden, remind me all too well of the notorious "Swift Boat" attacks I faced in the 2004 campaign. I honor and appreciate the service of my fellow veterans, but a false attack is a false attack -- no matter who's making it.

It's not enough to wish them away or dismiss them because they come in part from "birthers" who still won't concede that President Obama was born here in the United States.

No, we need to get moving now -- before it's too late.

Take a look at this blog post that fact-checks these most recent smears, and be sure to share it with others:

Throughout this campaign, Mitt Romney and his allies have shown that if the truth isn't favorable to them, they have no problem claiming the opposite -- and the reality is that President Obama has a foreign policy record that is among the strongest in recent memory.

In 2008, then-Senator Obama said he'd end the war in Iraq in a responsible way and refocus on taking out Al Qaeda's leaders.

You and I know he's followed through in a big way on both those promises.

In contrast, the Republicans have a candidate with absolutely no foreign policy experience, who thinks Russia is our "number one geopolitical foe" and who is advised by people who think -- and have repeatedly said -- the Soviet Union and Czechoslovakia are countries that still exist. Romney's two major foreign policy speeches never even mentioned Al Qaeda once, and he's prone to stumbles when he steps onto the foreign policy stage. He can't even manage to visit London without causing an international incident!

Faced with all this, it shouldn't be a surprise that Romney and his allies are resorting to the same national security smear tactics I faced in 2004. We have to take it seriously. Join the Truth Team today, and forward this email to your friends and encourage them to join us as well:

Thanks for fighting back -- forewarned is forearmed!

John

Senator John Kerry Massachusetts

Obama - Biden

It's safe to say this campaign has run a lot of contests.

But even I think this convention contest is pretty damn cool.

You'll be automatically entered to meet President Obama in Charlotte and, when he takes the stage, sit up front with First Lady Michelle Obama if you pitch in $X or whatever you can today.

Because you've saved your payment information, your donation will go through immediately:

QUICK DONATE: $X

QUICK DONATE: $X

QUICK DONATE: $X

QUICK DONATE: $X

QUICK DONATE: $X

Or donate another amount.

You'll literally have the best seat in the house for an important moment in history.

When you're there, you'll be representing millions of other people who read these emails and enter these contests because you're all part of a grassroots effort to re-elect the President of the United States, up against interest groups that are trying to spend an ungodly sum of money to buy this election.

The donation you make right now is how we fight back. And with this contest, you've got extra incentive to join in.

Pitch in what you can today to be automatically entered:

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Good luck.

Ann Marie

Ann Marie Habershaw Chief Operating Officer Obama for America

No purchase, payment, or contribution necessary to enter or win. Contributing will not improve chances of winning. Void where prohibited. Entries must be received by August 21st, 2012. You may enter by contributing to Obama for America here, or click here to enter without contributing. Two 2 winners will each receive the following prize package: round-trip tickets for winner and a guest from within the 50 U.S. States, DC, or Puerto Rico to a destination in or near Charlotte, North Carolina; hotel accommodations; and tickets for winner and a guest to one or more speeches, events and/or proceedings at the Democratic National Convention, as well as the opportunity to meet President Obama and Michelle Obama, on a date, at a venue and for a duration to be determined by Sponsor approximate retail value of all prizes $X . Odds of winning depend on number of entries received and timing of entries received. Promotion open only to U.S. citizens or lawful permanent U.S. residents who are legal residents of 50 United States, District of Columbia and Puerto Rico, and 18 or older or age of majority under applicable law . Promotion subject to Official Rules and additional restrictions on eligibility. Sponsor: Obama for America, 130 E. Randolph St., Chicago, IL 60601.

Paid for by Obama for America

Contributions or gifts to Obama for America are not tax deductible.

This video, right here, explains why I'm working day in and day out to win this election. When the hours are long and the fight is hard, I know that what we're doing will make a real difference in people's lives.

You have to watch this video -- and then share it with whoever you think needs to see it. It gave me chills:

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Jen

Jen O'Malley Dillon Deputy Campaign Manager Obama for America

P.S. -- If you think this speech is great, just wait until the convention. You could see the President's acceptance speech in person, right up front with the First Lady. Pitch whatever you can, and you'll be automatically entered to fly with a guest to Charlotte and meet Barack Obama before he goes on stage:

[url]

No purchase, payment, or contribution necessary to enter or win. Contributing will not improve chances of winning. Void where prohibited. Entries must be received by August 21st, 2012. You may enter by contributing to Obama for America here, [url] or click here, [url] to enter without contributing. Two 2 winners will each receive the following prize package: round-trip tickets for winner and a guest from within the 50 U.S. States, DC, or Puerto Rico to a destination in or near Charlotte, North Carolina; hotel accommodations; and tickets for winner and a guest to one or more speeches, events and/or proceedings at the Democratic National Convention, as well as the opportunity to meet President Obama and Michelle Obama, on a date, at a venue and for a duration to be determined by Sponsor approximate retail value of all prizes $X . Odds of winning depend on number of entries received and timing of entries received. Promotion open only to U.S. citizens or lawful permanent U.S. residents who are legal residents of 50 United States, District of Columbia and Puerto Rico, and 18 or older or age of majority under applicable law . Promotion subject to Official Rules, [url] and additional restrictions on eligibility. Sponsor: Obama for America, 130 E. Randolph St., Chicago, IL 60601.--------------------------------------------------------------------- Paid for by Obama for America

Contributions or gifts to Obama for America are not tax deductible.

For all our friends in battleground states, watching TV is about to get a whole lot worse. For every one of our ads, folks in Virginia, Florida, and states across the country are seeing two ads from the other side attacking Barack and the work we've done together.

Governor Romney and his Republican allies think they can buy this election if they pump enough money onto the airwaves. After all, this strategy worked for them in the primaries.

But Barack and I refuse to sit back and let that happen. And millions of Americans have joined us, pitching in time and resources to make sure our ground game can compete with whatever they do.

So yes, we're being outraised, and we're going to be outspent pretty badly.

But we won't be out-organized.

The convention is right around the corner -- and Election Day just two months after that. It's crunch time. Chip in $X or more today and help close the gap:

[url]

Joe

P.S. -- Any donation you make today will automatically enter you for a chance to join me, Barack, Michelle, and thousands of other Democrats at the convention in Charlotte -- and you'll have a seat up front with Michelle when Barack accepts the nomination.

[url]

No purchase, payment, or contribution necessary to enter or win. Contributing will not improve chances of winning. Void where prohibited. Entries must be received by August 21st, 2012. You may enter by contributing to Obama for America here, [url] or click here, [url] to enter without contributing. Two 2 winners will each receive the following prize package: round-trip tickets for winner and a guest from within the 50 U.S. States, DC, or Puerto Rico to a destination in or near Charlotte, North Carolina; hotel accommodations; and tickets for winner and a guest to one or more speeches, events and/or proceedings at the Democratic National Convention, as well as the opportunity to meet President Obama and Michelle Obama, on a date, at a venue and for a duration to be determined by Sponsor approximate retail value of all prizes $X . Odds of winning depend on number of entries received and timing of entries received. Promotion open only to U.S. citizens or lawful permanent U.S. residents who are legal residents of 50 United States, District of Columbia and Puerto Rico, and 18 or older or age of majority under applicable law . Promotion subject to Official Rules, [url] and additional restrictions on eligibility. Sponsor: Obama for America, 130 E. Randolph St., Chicago, IL 60601.

--------------------------------------------------------------------- Paid for by Obama for America

Contributions or gifts to Obama for America are not tax deductible

To view this email as a web page, go here.

The convention is just days away -- and we are excited to watch Mitt accept the nomination in front of the entire party.

Would you like to be there with us for that historic moment -- when the confetti and balloons drop? Tampa

Two lucky supporters will win the chance to join us at the Republican National Convention in Tampa and actually be there when Mitt becomes our party's nominee. And we'll even take care of the airfare and hotel.

Donate $X today to be automatically entered for your chance to join the Republican team in Tampa.

Don't miss out on your chance at a front row seat to history!

Jeff Larson Chief of Staff Republican National Committee

NO PURCHASE NECESSARY TO ENTER OR WIN A PRIZE. No contribution or payment of any kind is necessary to enter or win this Promotion. Making a contribution does not increase your chances of winning. To enter by making a contribution, click here. To enter without making a contribution, click here. Void where prohibited. The Promotion begins on Thursday, August 16, 2012 at 12:00 pm Eastern Daylight Time and ends on Monday, August 27, 2012 at 11:59pm Eastern Daylight Time "Entry Period" . All entries must be received by 11:59pm Eastern Daylight Time on Monday, August 27, 2012. Two 2 winners will receive the following Prize: one 1 round-trip coach class plane ticket within the continental United States to the Tampa, Florida metropolitan area "Destination" on a date to be determined by Sponsor, with an approximate retail value of $X; one 1 two-night hotel stay at the Destination, with an approximate retail value of $X; ground transportation at the discretion of Sponsor, with an approximate retail value of $X; and a credential for Convention Hall access, with no $X retail value. Approximate total retail value is $X. Odds of winning depend on the number of entries received. The Promotion is open to citizens and permanent residents green card holders of the United States who are legal residents of one of the fifty states, Puerto Rico, or the District of Columbia and are at least 18 years of age or the age of majority as determined by state law. Details and qualifications for participation in this Promotion may apply. Restrictions are listed in the Official Rules. The Sponsor is Romney Victory, Inc., P.O. Box 149757, Boston, MA 02114.

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