Thoughts on the New York Times smear job on McCain

The cable news shows were buzzing last night about today's NYT article on John McCain. Larry King bested Keith Olbermann et al by actually NAMING the reporter who was primarily responsible for writing the story - Jim Rutenberg. [We've learned the hard way to take articles by Adam Nagourney, Ann Kornblut and others as 'pushing the propaganda'.]

The cable talking heads noted the New York Times shamed itself again by withholding the story for 8 years. Yup. Eight years.

Two out of three McCain scandals were mentioned.

1. McCain's team worked to stop what they thought was an affair between McCain and a lobbyist.

2. McCain had an inappropriate relationship with a lobbyist who did business before his committee.

and, the one they never mention:

3. McCain's team manipulated the press for their own benefit.

Yeah, I know that Bush et al have run our press like we were a third world dictatorship. It's still wrong. We should still point it out.

We're still left with very important questions. No, not whether McCain had an affair. Who is pulling the strings on this story? Are the 'real Republicans' so upset that the other Republicans are about to sew up the nomination for McCain? Is the press releasing the story at the best time they can manage for McCain?

More here, here and here.