NY Times Public Editor Faults McCain Story

Clark Hoyt says the Gray Lady should not have published a story suggesting an affair with a lobbyist without more evidence.   Editors have said the romantic angle was not the point of the story, but Hoyt calls it "the scarlet elephant in the room."   "If a newspaper is going to suggest an improper sexual affair, whether editors think that is the central point or not, it owes readers more proof than The Times was able to provide."   Acknowledges it could have been a strong story without raising adultery.