In McCain Saga, Newspaper Becomes A Story

After Story Suggesting Romantic Relationship Between John McCain And Lobbyist, Critics Question New York Times' Motivation

(CBS) 
"There are two tests with a story like this: Is it relevant to their public conduct, or does it establish hypocrisy if they cast themselves as a moral figure," said Tom Rosenstiel, director of the Project for Excellence in Journalism. "[The Times is] suggesting it is salient because it led to him to doing things for her clients that he otherwise would not have done. I'm not sure they've established that."

"The second test you have in doing these personal relationship stories is, what's the proof of the affair? And in the case of this story they don't have any proof," he continued. "The alleged paramour is not suggesting they had a relationship. The crux of the story is, you have anonymous stories saying 'we were worried there might be the appearance of an affair.' That's a somewhat thinner reed to lean against here for the Times. What they're left with is not evidence of an affair, it's evidence of suspicions of an affair."

"When an individual is running for president, the public deserves to know as much as possible about that individual, and that individual's credibility," said Bob Steele, the Nelson Poynter Scholar for Journalism Values at the Poynter Institute. "The issue of Senator McCain's relationship with lobbyists has been substantial in the past and is a legitimate issue to explore in the present. The fact that there was concern expressed, apparently significant concerns, by his top aides, is, I would say, newsworthy."

But Steele said that it is essential that the Times have "a very rigorous vetting process at every stage" before running a story like this.

"The Times editors needed an exceptionally high degree of confidence that the story was accurate, fair and meaningful," he said.

In a statement today, the Times' executive editor Bill Keller stood by the story.

"On the substance, we think the story speaks for itself," he said. "On the timing, our policy is, we publish stories when they are ready. 'Ready' means the facts have been nailed down to our satisfaction, the subjects have all been given a full and fair chance to respond, and the reporting has been written up with all the proper context and caveats. This story was no exception."

The story has already prompted accusations of liberal bias against the Times, echoing similar suggestions from conservatives in the past. Hoyt said the prospect of such charges should not be a consideration for Times editors.

"You can't help how people are going to characterize any story," Hoyt said. "The Times shouldn't worry about people's perception, they should just worry about if the story is legitimate."

"If it's going to be damaging to the candidate of the Republican Party, lots of people are going to paint it as, 'here comes the liberal New York Times trying to sink our guy,'" he continued. "I don't believe that's true. I don't think they would do that. The stakes are too high, and their own brakes are too good. They're not flawless, and they're not without bias, I'm not saying that. Nobody's without bias. But there is a bias of the reader too. And there are readers who see plots when there aren't any plots."

[jegibbons]

Te Editor of the NY Times has backed away from the salcious McCain story like it was three week old dead fish.
Only the most radical Mc Cain haters will continue to proport this story contains even an ounce of truth.
The Times once again shoots themselves in the foot by pandering this kind of vicious gossip as news to cultivate their romance with the LOONEY LEFT!

This is not only bad jounalism. It places the blame for the open sore divisions in this country squarely where it belongs with the HATE CONSPIRATORS of the losing looney left!

[j-whitman]

No John,,, You are the story, not the newspaper ---- Lobby''s run your campaign & your office in the Senate

[kmccliment]

mahansen1 what are you talking about that John did so wrong? No other senator is making a big deal about it because, all have their own favorite pet lobbyist. That is the truth behind this story.

[mahansen1]

It''s the violation of Ethics as a Senator that matters - not the personal side
The personal aspect of this story is not as critical at this juncture, as is the possible ethics violations that are revealed in the NYT story - Clinton was impeached for lying about *** - This is a lot more serious, and should not be just let go, when this man could ultimately become president. NYT has a responsibility, not just to their readers, but to the country to follow through with this.

He should not be allowed to just do the "I DID NOT have *** with THAT woman" line, even though, that is not what is important in this whole expose....

[kmccliment]

Obama''''s First Book, "Dreams From My Father" (1995), before entering politics, that he had used marijuana and cocaine ("maybe a little blow"). He said he had not tried heroin because he did not like the pusher who was trying to sell it to him.

[kmccliment]

I guess when Nancy Reagan was preaching, "Just Say No", Obama was saying I need some Blow...

[alanrobisch]

the NYT is a liberal newspaper that wants to prevent any republican from winning. Its report on Mcain and the alleged affair was way out of bounds. It was badly sourced and was done to smear him and nothing else.

[vmcneal2]

This is a non-issue. John"no change" McCain is just another tired Republican with nothing new to say. He''ll try to play the Republican fear card but the American people won''t buy it this time.

[samthetvcat]

PPS Oh I didn''t phrase that right - I meant that if McCain brings up the moral outrage he''s going to look like a weenie given that Barack''s not stomping his foot and crying foul every time he gets dragged through the mud . . . and when it happens to him he REALLY has reason to complain but doesn''t . . .

[samthetvcat]

PS mbcsmith - also, McCain said the story was false because he hadn''t had a ''romantic relationship'' with that lobbist, Iseman. I don''t believe even he is claiming he didn''t have *** with her or that they didn''t take a flight together on the Paxson corporate jet, or that any of the rest didn''t occur.

BIG difference - it''s going to be awfully hard for him to claim his story was false, when the facts as reported in the NYT were actually accurate. I''m not sure, but I think the Fox facts were actually false . . . everything in competition is relative, so it''s hard for McCain to claim ''smear'' campaign against Barack and look like the bigger victim . . .

[neoconrcrazy]

I''''m very proud that this country wants to provide freedom and democracy to those who desire it.

Posted by mbcsmith


"to those who desire it" - that should be the case but it''s not. it''s called pre-emptive military invaison dude - and that''s un-American - so I suggest you take the plane, leave this Nation to americans, join the facists, and pay the bill yourself.

[samthetvcat]

"Please provide ONE instance of a false story on FOX like the far-left NYT tried to do to McCain."
Posted by mbcsmith

Didn''t they report that Barack Obama had attended a madrassa in Indonesia when in fact he attended a public school?

[beantowner01]

"Keep your little Replublican minds on the question. Did McCain give political favors to a lobbyist?!? That''''s the issue." ~Posted by schmand31 at 09:28 AM : Feb 22, 2008

Indeed. Perhaps, Einstein, you could then point out where exactly in the New York Times article it was established that McCain had, in fact, given political favors to a lobbyist. (Oh, wait. The article never established that. Nevermind. Continue with your mindless shilling.)

[beantowner01]

"Keep your little Replublican minds on the question. Did McCain give political favors to a lobbyist?!? That''''s the issue." ~Posted by schmand31 at 09:28 AM : Feb 22, 2008

Indeed. Perhaps, Einstein, you could then point out where exactly in the New York Times article it was established that McCain had, in fact, given political favors to a lobbyist. (Oh, wait. The article never established that. Nevermind. Continue with your mindless shilling.)

[mbcsmith]

Posted by nokoolaid at 10:38 AM : Feb 22, 2008

I''m very proud that this country wants to provide freedom and democracy to those who desire it. I''m very proud of the young men and women who have volunteered to sacrifice to keep us safe. I''m proud of those who volunteer to help those less fortunate.

You on the other hand just spout moron.org propaganda and live a very sad life. PLEASE LEAVE THIS COUNTRY, I''LL BUY THE PLANE TICKET.

[mbcsmith]

So, all news EXCEPT FOX is anti-Republican? YOU JUST PROVED MY POINT! And by the way, genius, the GOP has been in power for the last 7 years. Thats'''' right, YOUR party is responsible for the war, economy and all the other blights on the American landscape.


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Posted by nokoolaid at 10:10 AM : Feb 22, 2008

LOL..LOL again. The point was that all major outlets covered the same stories you accuse FOX of. I am PROUD of my country. How about you.

[mbcsmith]

Posted by nokoolaid at 09:53 AM : Feb 22, 2008

You obviously didn''t watch CNN, CBS, NBC, PMSNBC. LIBS just can''t think for themselves, as evidenced by you. Shill? take a look at Olberman on PMSNBC. A former sports caster now doing political hit jobs on anything Republican. Take off those rose colored glasses, they are blinding you.

[mbcsmith]

http://www.lewrockwell.com/orig/
steinreich8.html






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Posted by nokoolaid at 09:38 AM : Feb 22, 2008


Propaganda. Think for yourself. Show ONE story that was FALSE.

[wayne1231]

Republican = "Brain Damage"

Please spare the anti NYT times rantings. You guys don''t get mad about Fox News. That''s not event news! it''s political entertainment.

Keep your little Replublican minds on the question. Did McCain give political favors to a lobbyist?!? That''s the issue.

[mbcsmith]

So What! FOX - No News does this all the time and no-one complains - well from the Republicans anyway. Or Rush Limpballs - Why is it Republicans can make up stories and get away with it and Democrats are slammed for telling the Truth. Hmmm, Republican double standards.


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Posted by watcher269 at 02:04 AM : Feb 22, 2008


Please provide ONE instance of a false story on FOX like the far-left NYT tried to do to McCain.