Worlds Are Colliding

Interesting exercise, trying to reconcile this:

Unable to endorse a candidate, the 527’s instead attack the opposition furiously. A record level of political advertising is expected this electoral season. Sixty-three million dollars of these 527 television ads have already run opposing President Bush, and a mere two and a half million against Senator Kerry, all under the guise of independent expression.

With this:

Senator John Kerry accused President Bush and his allies today of "using the tactics of fear and smear" to keep from talking about "the issues that matter" in the presidential election.

Speaking in New York City, where the Republican National Convention is to begin on Monday, Mr. Kerry, the Democratic nominee, used blunt language to describe what he called "the clear choices" between him and his opponent, and to challenge the Bush-Cheney campaign for what he called its "attack politics."

Anyone?