New York Times Vs. McCain: The Fallout Begins!

We woke up this morning to find a detailed takedown piece of John McCain in the New York Times. Fine. But the article itself was a construct of smoke and mirrors that promised much and delivered little.

The Times implied that McCain was involved in a romantic relationship with lobbyist Vicki Iseman:

Mr. McCain, 71, and the lobbyist, Vicki Iseman, 40, both say they never had a romantic relationship. But to his advisers, even the appearance of a close bond with a lobbyist whose clients often had business before the Senate committee Mr. McCain led threatened the story of redemption and rectitude that defined his political identity.

However, no evidence was given by the newspaper to support this. In the piece, the Times went on to criticize McCain for:

Flying on corporate jets of executives. (Which we all know politicians never, ever do)

Resigning as head of a non-profit that promoted his battle for the McCain-Feingold act because he was tapping corporate contributions at the same time. (Which we’ve known since, err, 2002)

Having ties to disgraced S&L king Charles Keating (In the 1980s!)

What the hell were writers Jim Rutenberg, Marilyn W. Thompson, David D. Kirkpatrick and Stephen Labaton (along with exec editor Bill Keller) thinking? The article was part of a series of scandal pieces on presidential candidates… Much like February 9th’s story on Barack Obama‘s past drug use, the piece brought up allegations that had been known for a while — but simultaneously offering nothing new.

We’ll be back to this piece shortly. In the meantime, Gawker, the Huffington Post (and how!) and the Daily Kos have all chimed in.

Oh… and the story made the front page of the Daily News.

Public flogging of Keller and speculation over McCain’s future in 5…4…3…

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