Connections between CBS, the Kerry campaign and the likely source of the forged documents about President Bush's National Guard service are beginning to develop.

The Associated Press is reporting that two Kerry advisors, Joe Lockhart and Max Cleland, spoke to the CBS story's source, "retired Texas National Guard officer Bill Burkett," at least twice before the story aired.

Furthermore, the AP notes, in the case of Lockhart, he spoke to Burkett after CBS news producer Mary Mapes suggested he do so.

In short, evidence is developing that seems to establish a coordinated effort between a presidential campaign and a major news organization to attack the other candidate...with a story based on forged documents.

Is it time to start talking about a "vast left wing conspiracy" yet?