Case study in combatting online smears

US elections: Barack Obama recruits team to tackle web smears

Barack Obama is recruiting senior staff to a new unit which will combat virulent rumour campaigns on the internet that threaten to cost him votes in the presidential election against John McCain.

The unit is part of a huge expansion of Obama's campaign team as he shifts from the Democratic nomination race to the campaign for November's election.

I think we will all be watching this very carefully. Sooner or later, we will all have to respond to this sort of thing.

Edit -
Fight the Smears
Fighting lies and rumors on the Web: Obama provides a clinic for PR pros