One target of the Kerry dirt diggers is Swift Boat activist James Zumwalt, son of illustrious Adm. Elmo Zumwalt, whose file was shared with the News on Wednesday.

According to the report, "a group of Democrtic loyalists" plan to paint Zumwalt as a drug abuser who once tried to kill himself after the murder of his ex-wife's fiance. The Kerry dirt diggers have also unearthed an ancient reckless driving conviction.

The search and destroy technique was widely practiced during the campaigns of both Bill and Hillary Clinton, who used "Democratic loyalists" Jack Palladino, Anthony Pellicano and Terry Lenzner to gather damaging information on witnesses.

Ex-Clinton staffers now dominate Kerry's campaign team.

It's not clear if Kerry's Swiftvet dirt diggers are being paid with federally matching campaign funds, another technique pioneered by the Clintons.

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