Bill Keller of the NY Times stands behind the McCain/Lobbyist story
By John Amato Wednesday Feb 20, 2008 12:30pmOn the substance, we think the story speaks for itself. 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. It was a long time in the works. It reached my desk late Tuesday afternoon. After a final edit and a routine check by our lawyers, we published it."
The talkies are all saying McCain is winning the battle with the Grey Lady so far, really? The story just broke.--- The spin is in.
McCain responds...
UPDATE: JayRosen and Will Bunch add some good analysis...
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I M P E A C H
C H E N E Y
F I R S T!
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But is there a blue dress?
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New York Times... betting big on Obama and they've got a lot of rent to pay.
McCain Divorce Settlement Outlined
By BILL KACZOR
Associated Press Writer
February 24, 2000
PENSACOLA, Fla. (AP) - John McCain gave up his interest in two homes and agreed to pay $1,625 a month in alimony and child support when he divorced his first wife 20 years ago, court records show.
The senator and Republican presidential candidate divorced his wife Carol in 1980 when he was a Navy captain with a home of record in Orange Park, Fla., about 12 miles south of Jacksonville.
McCain, 63, gave her his interest in homes in Alexandria, Va., and South Ponte Vedra Beach, Fla., according to records of the divorce settlement obtained by The Associated Press and other newspapers.
The Arizona senator agreed to give her their furnishings, $1,325 a month in alimony, $300 in child support. He also agreed to pay an additional $500 monthly if she couldn't find a job.
She was subsequently employed in the Reagan White House, according to George "Bud" Day, McCain's attorney during the divorce. Day also was one McCain's cellmates when they were prisoners of war in Vietnam.
Carol McCain, who has remained friendly with her former husband, did not immediately return a phone call to her Virginia home Thursday seeking comment.
McCain filed for the divorce, stating in court records that the marriage was "irretrievably broken."
Under the settlement, McCain maintained insurance policies worth $64,000 with their children as beneficiaries, agreed to pay for their daughter's college education and paid $3,005 in joint debts. Carol McCain got the family's Audi, while McCain was allowed to keep a Datsun 810 and his personal belongings, the records show.
A month after the divorce, McCain married Cindy Lou Hensley, heiress to Phoenix-based Hensley & Co., the nation's second-largest Anheuser-Busch distributor.
Carol McCain was seriously injured in a traffic accident on Christmas Eve 1969, but her husband did not find out about it until he was released from Vietnam, Day said.
In the settlement, McCain agreed to provide insurance or pay medical bills for additional treatment she was expected to require. "
Google McCain Divorce in news and you'll find lots of his Newt-like behavior toward his seriously injured wife. Remember, McCain had no knowledge of her accident. When he returned he found his wife to be seriously disfigured. So, he divorced her and one month later married again.
So much for love and honor.
politis @ 3:
FYI: They endorsed Hillary.
'Ready' means we wait until our corporate overlords give us the green light so that we don't subvert their candidates chances in the primaries.
Joementum @ 5:
AND McInsane!
Joementum @ 5:
Damn those facts!
Joe S. was pretty fair in his thoughts on it and that is after 6 hours of covering it so if he sees both sides of it the the media as a whole should be able to grasp the story.
Well well well...could it be....yet another rethug about to have the glaring spotlight of the media (such as it is) shining into his extramarital affairs? Boy, these republicans sure are a horny bunch of bastards.
I wonder if Cindy needed an extra dose before "standing at John's side" during the press conference?
liberalNmoderation @ 10:
lol -- Yeah, they SO don't deserve this!
liberalNmoderation @ 10:
I'm most surprised that this was a heterosexual affair with an adult.....certainly not a typical reich-winger.
The first thing I noticed when the story broke was how much the lobbyist looked like Cindy McCain. Also, I didn't remember, until my memory was jogged this morning, that McCain is the only senator still in the Senate from the infamous Keating Five. So this is not the first time he has done favors for the moneyed and infamous. The Wikipedia entry for the Keating Five is http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Keating_Five.
Dr. Matt @ 13:
Rest assured that we don't have the whole story.
Well, at least we are not subjected to endless Hillaty and Obama coverage. And now all hell is breaking loose in Belgrade. How long brfore the McCain story is put on the back burner?
John McCain is a babe magnet?
Who knew?
Dr. Matt @ 13:
That's what makes him a maverick
Dr. Matt @ 13:
I know! LMAO!!! Totally out of sync with the rest of 'em...guess he really IS a maverick after all...oh yeah...I'm on fire today!
Dammit JOementum, ya beat me to it, lol!
sexual affair with a lobbyist? titilating, but not that relevant to the election...
favors for a lobbyist who has done you favors? now, there is a story with teeth.
but what i think is one of the more damning aspects of the story was the re-hash of his part in the keating 5 scandal. and it made his claim today--that he as never done anything out of the public interest--all the more funny (see, fucking hypocritical):
mccain today, "At no time have I ever done anything that would betray the public trust"
contrast that with yester-year's mccain (from nyt):
By early 1987, though, the thrift was careering toward disaster. Mr. McCain agreed to join several senators, eventually known as the Keating Five, for two private meetings with regulators to urge them to ease up. “Why didn’t I fully grasp the unusual appearance of such a meeting?” Mr. McCain later lamented in his memoir.
When Lincoln went bankrupt in 1989 — one of the biggest collapses of the savings and loan crisis, costing taxpayers $3.4 billion — the Keating Five became infamous. The scandal sent Mr. Keating to prison and ended the careers of three senators, who were censured in 1991 for intervening. Mr. McCain, who had been a less aggressive advocate for Mr. Keating than the others, was reprimanded only for “poor judgment” and was re-elected the next year.
mccain, you are a lying hypocrite.
mcliar the flip-flop dry-fuck gop
christianmemberlike all repugs......just believe what i say....
but don't look behind the curtain.
theWalrus @ 17:
Ha ha ha....too funny!
corporate interests being what they are - if McCain had not done any favors for Iseman's clients, would they have continued paying her for her lobbying services, supported his campaign and flown him around the country on corporate jets?
exactly how stupid do they think we are?
Could we please stop attacking McCain until after he gets the nomination away from that psycho Huckabee?
Why isn't the press making more of the fact that Gramps has cheated before?
If he is winning, it's because they knew how long in advance that the story was coming out? You give anyone that much time to get ready and they're going to jump out of the blocks.
continued from yesterday....
McKeating Five
If the NY Times knew about this, why did they endorse him? I still don't get that.
McShagalicious
Zenrage @ 25:
I believe it's mathematically impossible for the Huckster to get enough delegates.
No doubt McCain is winning against the Grey Lady WITH REPUBLICANS. This won't wash so with independents or even spineless, worthless blue dog dems. This hair-trigger tempered MORON--yes MORON--has received kid glove treatment by the wise old men and women (and lots of young ones too) of Washington. Let's see if this false veneer starts to peel.
ecotopian @ 29:
Someone explained how the 2 parts of the paper are separate.
From the link provided.
This sums up my frustration with the slanted right wing media protecting this bastard.
ecotopian @ 29:
They endorsed him in the GOP primary -- not for the general election (yet).
Given the choices at the time (Huckabilly, Mittens, Ghouliani), I think they did the right thing.
ecotopian @ 29:
The NYT editorial section endorsed McHorny. The editorial section of any newspaper is distinct and separate from the investigative journalists.
So people question Barak's past and its smear and fear but bring this up on john mccain is perfectly okay?
Lilybelle @ 32:
Thought you were talking about Obama there for a minute. Hmmm.
Dr. Matt @ 36:
But they're paid by the same owner.
Johnny2Bad @ 38:
Hey Johnny. If you are a Dem, are you voting for Obama when Hillary quits, or are you a Rep supporter?
It remains unclear why the paper sat on the story since December. But whether or not the New York Times has had the goods on John McCain, it didn't stop them from endorsing him in the state's Republican primary last month.
For the details, see:
"NY Times Endorsed McCain Before Running Scandal Piece."
Dr. Matt @ 30:
#171, Thanks Doc!
;)
Betty @ 4: I took your advice. Lord, what a cesspool Arizona Republican politics is! Rehnquist, Keating, McCain and his loony newspaper publisher, a father-in-law tied to the mob; a second wife who just happens to be independently wealthy - this is what passes for a maverick with the R's.
sexual affair with a lobbyist? titilating, but not that relevant to the election…
Are you referring to John's
erectionelection?If you think they are all about defending McCain now, just wait until the debates roll around and which ever dem is the candidate, bests him in a debate. Once more we will see the right circle the wagons around him. He's supposed to be so tough, but when the going gets tough, they feel a need to protect and defend him.
Jerry @ 14:
And while you are there, just look up Cindy McCain and read of her illegal exploits...everything from drug addiction to extortion to blackmail. Nice girl, eh?
Joementum @ 35:
McErectablenotelectable
P.S. Your McCain-unable is still my favorite. 8-D
Perhaps they sat on the story until they had more proof. I think there will be more stuff about this soon in the Times.
It has been said before but I am sure that many many Republicans are just relieved that the sexual affair in question was between an adult male and an adult female. Between Mark (let me turn that page for you) Foley and Larry (Tappy McWidestance) Craig, this is a step up.
Wednesday's contributions to the McList of (currently 170) McPetNames(h/t Dr. Matt):
McGrandpa
McAssclown
McChimpy’sbidet
McJowls
McI'veFallenAndCan'tGetUp
McScary
McRedface
McWannabe
McMorewars
McAlzheimer's
McLeakeyoldass
McTerrible
McTemper
McIsGonnaBotchThisCampaignLikeBotchingIsGoingOutOfStyle
McDoesAnyoneReallyThinkMostOfTheseAreWittyBecauseISureAsHellKnowTheyArentCauseIAmNotLaughing
McBobDoleJr
McPoopypants
McPeckertracks
McDilatedrectalsphincter
McCrazamnesty
McIncompetent
McLover
McHornyoldgoat
McCock
McHorny
McPhilanderer
McBoner
McHornybastard
McViagra
McTicklethepickle
McSpankthelobbyist
McBoningtheblondie
McLickher
McNutJob
McMilfhunter
McDidher;didn’tI?!
McCheatin’
McBootycall
“Shorter lists are funnier” generally holds true, and very well may re the McList. C&L’ers are diverse and eclectic, and I’ve enjoyed many lols, LOLs, LOL!s and Ha ha’s here. I’m reluctant to exclude any McEntry, ’cause they’re all funny/pointed/cathartic to varying degrees, and the sheer length of the entire list (posted Tuesdays and Fridays) has a humorous quality of its own.
We are also generating denigrating McMemes, some of which may be useful, in a memie sort of way. The thuglicontards are very aware of the usefulness of denigrating memes, and it won’t hurt to put out a few of our own.
That being said, a Top 11, Dirty Dozen, etc. are considerations, for those (myself included, usually) who like things condensed to essentials.
Pile on, C&L'ers!
Will update at my convenience on pertinent threads.
8-D
ConcernedCanuck @ 40:
Does your nonreply mean you are a Repub supporter then?
ConcernedCanuck @ 40:
"If I'm a Dem..."???
Look. First of all, "CC", my presence (and lefty credentials) here pre-dates the ObamaBoozle by a lot.
Second....Of course, "if" he's nominated I'll hold my nose and vote for our fraud over theirs and "hope" for the best.
But I don't have to drink the "K" street Koolaid everybody else is chugging around here.
This guys stinks to high heaven.
RayC @ 49:
<blockquote (Tappy McWidestance) Craig
LOL - won't make the McList, but LOL :)
politis @ 39:
So? Just because the editorial section endorses a person, the rest of the newspaper is not allowed to criticize or investigate that person? Are you serious?!?
Proud2bHumble @ 53:
LOL - won't make the McList, but LOL :)
Stolen from Stephanie Miller
pissed off patricia @ 48:
Yep. I heard they were still putting the pieces of the puzzle together when they rushed it into print to beat The New Republic, which was about come out with its own story.
Proud2bHumble @ 53:
LOL - won't make the McList, but LOL :)
On second thought, McAtleasthesnotTappyMcWidestanceCraig #173 8-)
Johnny2Bad @ 52:
OK..I get it....you don't have party loyalty....I can respect that...just wasn't sure...you seem to be attacking your own party's candidate, so I wasn't sure....but if you don't have partisan loyalties, I am fine with that. I have never voted along party lines myself. I don't believe in voting for someone regardless how bad they are, just because I belong to the same party.
RayC @ 55:
Stolen from Stephanie Miller
Redistribution Attribution
Can't wait for St. John to lose his temper over this with the press so we can all start to see what kind of psycho he really is.
Troll at 60
I've been kicked out of better places than this.
Proud2bHumble @ 50:
McCainiac, or would that be one of his supporters
Derry @ 63:
Kicked out and fired from McDonald's are two different things
Derry @ 63:
Nice to have goals in life I guess.
the times is doing the repug dirty work for the people in the repug party that really hate mcAin't
Let the media's sycophantish lovefest begin!
Circle the wagons!
No criticism of St. McSaint is allowed!
How dare anyone question St. McHero abot anything! Ever!
vonrking @ 64:
Both, haha...
Sorry, already got it. Will post entire list tomorrow on one or more McCaintallwaysgetwhatyouwant posts or open threads.
8-)
Why is this story coming out NOW? Who is behind the timing if it was known since 2000? Who is pulling the levers?
vonrking @ 65:
Zzzziiinnngg! troll says 'huh?'
duh mccrazamnesty is sold decrepit and gross he would need 100000000 viagras just to get interested in a woman..plus he's so senile he doesn't even know what one is anymore. the ny times quadruple checks their stories so this fucker is toast.
ConcernedCanuck @ 58:
I'm not a party member. But I prefer a candidate not try to tell me its Shinola when I've smelled that sh*t before.
Max-1 Says:
But is there a blue dress?
******************
yes, chris matthews is wearing it ............
CalGeorge @ 68:
Thought you were talking about Obama there for a second.
vonrking @ 65:
ZING!!!! HA!!!
Mc Slain
[Deleted. Turn off the CAPS LOCK and feel free to repost. Thanks-Sitemonitor]
What needs to be made clear is that this is NOT a sex scandal. It is an influence scandal. And that could be a real problem.
The corporate/ repiglican media should be charged, tried, and convicted for purposeful, criminal, fraud committed against the american people .. they are, indeed, the new axis of evil .. nothing but soul less pigs that have all been made millionaires by their corporate masters in order to do their bidding .. corporate hemmoroids that only can be 'cured' by a 'liberal' dosage of preparation h
blue @ 78:
Sitemonitor, please scroll up to the racist comment at post 60.
[Thanks. He's banned now-Sitemonitor]
Torbin @ 77:
#174, thanks! ;)
Dr. Matt @ 31:
Pfffft! With Gaaaaawda on your side, math (and science) is meaningless!
So the NO VALUES McCain had another mistress.
Is there any possibility that the NYT actually wants McCain to win and released this story to galvanize the right against the "librul media"? Maybe they release this phony story so that when the general election gets underway, McCain has "gone through crisis" and come out stronger...
Point is, this seems to be having only one effect: to help McCain.
It makes him seem more noble (he can feign outrage at the gutter politics), he can hone his message and has time to explain himself in a way he wouldn't have if Romney were still in the race, and it really makes the "librul media" look like a petty, slimey machine. I think the easy observation is that the times wants Obama to win and released this to hurt McCain. I think if you dig deeper, this actually helps McCain in every conceivable way. I think the NYT has an agenda, and we are sheep.
The story everyone is missing does not center around the affair John McCain had with this lady. The real story is the fact that John McCain can be bought and sold. McCain has a history of selling out if the price is right.
DC @ 85:
I agree, DC, but that's not the story the media is focusing on. But I bet you McCain isn't much different from most of your senator/congressperson types in terms of taking favors for favors.
DC @ 85:
This needs to be drilled into their skulls, or force fed, or intravenously inserted in the Republicans.
That is just a tragedy. I read the times piece and I thought it was a great way to bring back to the public's attention that McCain was a member of the Keating 5.
In this scene:
Playing the role of evil company will be Enron
Playing evil head of evil company will be Mr. Lay
And President Bush will fill the role of politician selling his soul
Scene 2:
Playing the role of evil company will be Lincoln Savings and Loan
Playing evil head of evil company will be Mr. Keating
And Senator McCain will fill the role of politician selling his soul
I know the scenes may seem very similar but so are all the Rocky movies, people keep buying tickets.
What bullshit. The Times sat on the warrantless wiretapping story for, what, 6 months?? They had all the evidence they needed before the damned '04 election.
And Bush talked them out of printing it on the basis of 'National Security'.
Same paper that once bravely printed the Pentagon Papers. For shame.
Scy @ 78:
Ya, but its the sex angle that the MSM will dangle before us, and if it turns out there was no sex, or it can't reasonably be believed, he'll skate on the influence peddling.
Sad.
they can find kennedy papers; they can find al capone papers; they can find the holy grail, but God forbid they find ANYTHING - even if it's warmed over info. on the mighty maverick because "mac is back."
I see two possible situations for this coming out at this time: a) McCain is not conservative enough for the true Republicans, so they prefer to sabotage his campaign while there is still time for another candidate to gain momentum, b) the McCain campaign wanted this to come out now while there is still time for it to be forgotten before the convention and the election. And they prefer for this to be construed as an affair. That would be less damaging in the long run than his granting of favors to the telecom lobbies.
#4 Betty Layport:
Youre an idiot. McCain was released from the Hanoi Hilton in 1973...his divorce was SEVEN YEARS LATER in 1980. Way to make it sound like the man took one look at his wife and bolted...SEVEN YEARS LATER. Yes, McCain screwed up and divorced his wife, and gave her EVERYTHING for it. He takes FULL responsibility for his actions, unlike the Clintons who lie and continue this behavior continually. Republicans are horny bastards? Are you serious? The Dems wonder-boy of the 90s is a sexual deviant and a joke of morality. If youre going to sling mud, don't be standing in a pile of b.s. McCain is no saint...but Godzillary is a liar and Obama has zero experience. I'd take a 5 year resident of the Hanoi Hilton over those two clowns any day. Wake up folks, go for the moderate. If you want socialism, dig up Karl Marx and dance his stupid ass around that wonderfully successful bastion of hope we all know as Cuba.
Don't go here...
http://newsbusters.org/blogs/tim-graham/2008/02/22/bill-kellers-glass-ho...
Boy, Socrates. The newsbusters links just cracked me up. Payback baby. maybe we could start our own investigative journalism.
For others, apparently, Bill Keller, the NYT editor asshole, who approved this piece, has his own skeletons [extramarital affair, pregnant mistress, dumped wife and son]....no wonder he is fixated on the sex stuff. Must be reminding him of the good old days.
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