One guy going around and calling everybody who dislikes Spencer a Russian, which I'm not sure I understand.

From Deciphering Karl Rove's Playbook: Campaign Tactics and Response Strategies:

Tactic #3: Accuse Your Opponent of What He/She is Going to Accuse You Of

This is another preemptive tactic, in which Bush has launched his campaigns by accusing his opponent of his own weaknesses. Paul and Elder explain,

When under attack and having trouble defending them, manipulators turn the tables. They accuse their opponent of doing what they are being accused of. ‘You say that I don’t love you! I think it is you who does not love me!’ Manipulators know this is a good way to put their opponents on the defensive. You may want to up the ante by accusing your opponent of doing something worse than what he is accusing you of. ‘How dare you accuse me of being messy? When was the last time you even took a shower?’

Even when these accusations are outlandish, they serve to disarm the opponent, reducing him/her to a defensive “Am not” response. The Swift boat incident provides a good example of this tactic. Not only did the accusations about Kerry’s military service undermine his perceived strength as a decorated war hero, but it led to a “draw” with respect to Bush’s own undistinguished military record.