McCain Camp: Magazine Precipitated Times Story

By: Andante Higgins
Topics: John McCain

(CBS)

From CBS News' Dante Higgins:

DETROIT – Calling the New York Times article a "smear" and "deeply unfair," an adviser to John McCain said a story in The New Republic about the machinations behind the scenes of the Times precipitated the printing of today's story.

"It reads like gossip," said adviser Steve Schmidt. "In the proud tradition of that newspaper, today is not one of those days." Schmidt pledged that McCain will go on with his campaign and acknowledged that the McCain camp is cooling off about the issue. "Last night we were angry and today we are disappointed," Schmidt said.

He believes that The New Republic piece out today forced the Times' hand. The story of McCain and the lobbyist was well known gossip in Washington circles, Schmidt explained, but The New Republic alerted the New York Times that they were going to write about it, so the Times made a decision to publish the article.

"This is a story about journalism more than it is a story about John McCain," Schmidt said, adding that he's heard from journalists, professors, and other objective observers who say this story should not have been printed. "We understand that when the New York Times puts a story like this on their front page it causes a frenzy, which is why we are disappointed," he said.

Schmidt says they will not take legal action because he doesn't think it's a winnable case since McCain is a public figure.

In the next few days, Schmidt thinks the New York Times will have a harder time than his candidate. "I think it's going to play out very badly for the New York Times," he said. "John McCain will be fine."

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by giantrobot2 February 23, 2008 2:52 PM EST: It''s Mike Huckabee''s humor and humbleness that make him real. All the other candidates seem so phony and insincere.

John McCain will get crushed in the general election unless the Republican party elects Mike Huckabee to go toe to toe with Obama. With John McCain dry sense of humor and Obama''s energetic speeches, there''s no way McCain can rake up enough voters in a general election.

The Republican party is doomed forever unless Ohio and Texas stand up on March 4th and represent the people not the establishment. This is the last chance the Republican party of Lincoln and Reagan can last.

With Huckabee''s dynamic charismatic humor and down home charm he is the only one can that go toe to toe with Obama in the ring. The Republican party establisment is making a fatal error supporting McCain especially if Obama is choosen as Democrate nominee.

Ohio and Texas, you are the last two big states that can turn this thing around. After you, there are no other big states and the Republican party fades out into the distance.

The common ordinary Americans are counting on you to save the day for America and vote for Mike Huckabee.; Reply to this comment


by wutuloadu February 22, 2008 5:25 AM EST: that McCain is surely a burly strapping man...i bet he could whoop ahnuld ! how wide is his chest ? Does he work out or what ?
Maybe he pumped iron. Cool, a president who can physically kick your *** in !; Reply to this comment


by reuelt February 22, 2008 2:48 AM EST: I think McCain should quit the race and let Huckabee be the GOP nominee.

Just think why?
1. McCain had not threatened or had any intention to sue NYT.
2. He employs a CRIMINAL lawyer to spin?
3. He cares nothing about the damage his then campaign team had done to Ms. Iceman. Why was she discriminated agaainst just because she happened to be a beautiful blonde girl? Why did your team chased her away just based on erroneous perceptions?

Probably, time to go, McCain. You and your team were most probably blinded by your selfishness - to become a President.; Reply to this comment


by denn034 February 22, 2008 12:53 AM EST: The words "The story of McCain and the lobbyist was well known gossip in Washington circles" makes this rumormongering at the very least. The New Republic and NYT should be ashamed of themselves. What''s the proof?; Reply to this comment


by Syndicate February 21, 2008 11:27 PM EST: Change? I have heard that one before. No thank you.; Reply to this comment


by starkeys February 21, 2008 9:59 PM EST: The recent NYTimes article about John McCain illustrates just how desperate our country needs change, and needs it NOW!
The past is just that... the past. Let''s all move on, focus on a future of hope, and begin to reject this kind of politics that does nothing but divide and destroy.; Reply to this comment