Stories that blow over still can change the dynamics of a campaign though. They become more like No-Go Zones than Nothing Burgers.
For example, all the dem candidates came into the campaign cycle hell-bent on impeaching Kavanaugh and beating their chests about the metoo movement and how they were leaders there and republcans were neanderthals who were unwilling to step up to the issue. Now that this Tara Reade thing has targeted Joe and forced all the kavanaugh accusers to make two-faced statements and explain them, I think most people would agree that the dems don't want to go there right now.
It is the same thing with the Hunter scenario. That is going to come again since the Senate is looking at some thinks but eventually it will blow over, but it will become more of a No-Go Zone for the dems than a Nothing Burger. They came into the campaign cycle wanting to highlight alleged Trump corruption and shady business dealings and to carry on with issues from the Ukraine that did not work for them in the impeachment scam. I don't think they want to go there right now or if they do, they know there is a price to be paid for it. And the republicans do want to go there.
Lucy Flores did not bring Joe down, and neither will the Tara Reade thing, nor will all the sniffing and kissing victims who have talked about being in difficult positions with Joe. But it has taken its toll on his image. He is largely considered to be a creepy sleezebag that his wife needs to monitor out on the trail 24/7 now.
Just a year ago Joe was seen as a guy who had been around public life with no hint of corruption. That has ended. The nice guy, well behaved image. That has ended. The guy with the great sons and great family to brag about out on the trail. He just hopes that no one asks about his son.
The nothing burgers add up. It did with Hillary too. No one has ever been able to bag her on all her stuff and she has skated on every issue. She did pay a price at the polls though. Twice.
