(S (S (BASENP (JJ Democratic) (NN campaign) (NNS aides)) (VP (VBP claim) (SBAR (S (BASENP (DT the) (JJ alleged) (NN relationship)) (VP (VBZ has) (VP (VBN been) (VP (VP (VP (VBN played) (PRT (RP up))) (PP (IN by) (NP (BASENP (DT the) (JJ presidential) (NN hopeful) (POS 's)) (NNS opponents)))) (PP (IN as) (BASENP (DT a) (NN smear) (NN campaign)))))))))) (PERIOD .))