In last week's Republican YouTube debate Anderson Cooper surprised former Mayor Rudy Giuliani by asking him about the breaking Politico.com story about Giuliani's billing expenses at the beginning of his relationship with his present wife. The New York tabloids were predictably merciless (This is New York City, after all), describing the imbroglio with the headlines SEX AND THE CITY and, our favorite, THE SHAG FUND.

On Sunday's Reliable Sources the indefatigable Howard Kurtz asked Democratic strategist Keli Goff whether the ensuing media feeding frenzy was fair.

''Kurtz: Keli Goff, is it a political hit job when a newspaper obtains city records showing police over time being charged to places like the Loft Board, and when it happens, when the mayor happens to be carrying on an extra marital affair?

''KELI GOFF, DEMOCRATIC STRATEGIST: Well, the short answer to your question is yes, it's a political hit job. But the longer answer is that doesn't make it inaccurate or unfair.

''You know, I think what's interesting about this is for those of us who were living in New York when this all was going on back in 2000, I mean, this was the best soap opera on television. It gave 'Young and the Restless' a run for its money.''

''Kelly Goff (cont'd) And I think that what's interesting about it is that all of the New York journalists, New York newspapers, had a field day with this story long ago.''

(image via nypost)