One of the lessons the Republicans seem to have learned during their "Reign of Terrorism" is that it really doesn't matter how bald-faced the lie is - if you just keep repeating it, even after it's been proved to be a lie, it becomes the truth.  At least in the minds of a lot of Americans.  

As one of many recent examples, note that although all of us who actually read the papers know that the story about China drilling off-shore in Cuba is a lie, it keeps coming up.  Most recently, John Gard is using this particular lie in his campaign against Steve Kagan. Let's take a peek at the ad, which seems to imply that we should move to Venezuela or Saudi Arabia to get cheap oil - not sure that's what he intended:

Now - Even Dick Cheney agrees that he was wrong about this - but it doesn't stop Republicans from dredging up the same false story.  Why?  Because a simple lie always sounds better than the complicated truth. For even more "simple lies" take a look at his web site , particularly the gas price graphic --- Yes, I'm sure that the increases in gas prices are all because Steve Kagen took office. Couldn't be gas companies profiteering, couldn't be that um - gee - the Republicans are even more in the oil companies' pockets than the Democrats? 

There's more on this at TPM , in regard to variations on this theme in his print ads earlier in the year - they just can't seem to stick to - um - what's it called again?  Oh year, the truth.  It's been so long, I'm beginning to forget. Print ads, TV ads - when they get caught, they explain that they really didn't mean what they said.  Let's hope that a lot of the people who are saying they're going to vote Republican in the fall are pulling our legs as well.  They must be, right?