The McCain Mutiny

Its time for some perspective on this breaking story that McCain had a relationship with a female lobbyist.

I’ll not join the growing chorus of Republicans who instantaneously deride the story as a cheap political smear by the liberal New York Times. Of course, the NY Times is liberal and is turning its back on its old friend John McCain, now that he stands in the way of the coronation of Barack “Messiah” Obama.

And yes it is true that the New York Times probably would not have run the story if the subject of the story was Obama instead. And yes, the heavy reliance of unnamed sources is concerning. And most of all, we should remember that this is an accusation. This is not proof and it is not an indictment.

However, having said all that, I think it is unwise to immediately dismiss this as a cheap political smear.

First of all, this was not the kind of bomb dropped three days before the general election, as we’ve seen in other cases. That often is a cheap political smear, but this is different. In many ways, the timing couldn’t be better for McCain. It fell after the important Wisconsin primary (where McCain essentially sealed his nomination by defeating Mike Hucakbee). It also falls about 2 weeks before the important Texas primary. Texas is a place where Huckabee might pick up some popular vote and could embarrass John McCain. But as it is, there’s plenty of time for damage control for the McCain folks.

Second, there are two aspects to the story as presented in the NY Times. Number 1: McCain was romantically involved with this female lobbyist. Number 2: McCain was unduly influenced by a lobbyist. If either or both of these aspects should be true, then this information needs to get out. We ought not as Republicans blindly circle the wagon just for political expediency. That would be just like what the Democrats did with Clinton during the Lewinsky matter. I’m not saying the report is true. But if it is, we need to know that. We would need to as a party decide what to do about it, and not just sweep it under the rug.

Third, if these reports are false, McCain will become a stronger candidate in the general election. By taking these hits now, when it is early, he can better prepare for the even greater scrutiny that comes in October. His fire-control team can get its act together now and be running at peak efficiency as we approach the general election and its inevitable smears. Finally, it might just cause McCain to realize the foolishness of leaning so heavily upon the mainstream media. The sooner he wakes up and realizes that he once was the media-darling but now he’s the media-whipping-boy - the better off he’ll be.

So, don’t smear the NY Times just because of their past propensitities. They may have done it again, if so, we’ll find out soon enough and there’ll be plenty of time to criticize them. If one or more aspects are true, we’ll find out soon enough and that will be good for America. If the report is false, McCain will get over it and that’s good for him.

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