After the New York Times released a bombshell story on Sen. John McCain’s (R-AZ) cozy ties to a telecommunications lobbyist, MSNBC’s Tucker Carlson engaged in a full-throated defense of the senator. This morning, Carlson boiled down why he thinks the story is all hype, claiming it’s just about “sex”:
Well, look at the lede! It’s about sex! It’s about John McCain had an affair! That’s what this story is about, which is actually a pretty outrageous nail upon which to hang a story, it seems to me, in 2008, at a time when we’ve all sort of agreed that true or not, it’s none of our business. I mean that is the contract in journalism we all sort of signed after Monica.
Taking the moral highground, Tucker said as a reporter, he shies away from exploring people’s private lives:
I’m not flacking for McCain. I instinctively jump to the defense of anyone whose private life is violated.
Watch it:
[flv http://video.thinkprogress.org/2008/02/mccaintucker2.320.240.flv]
Similarly, when Sen. David Vitter (R-LA) was revealed to have solicited escort services, Carlson accused a guest of “holding up this guy’s sex life to public ridicule.”
But in reality, Carlson only “jumps to the defense” of fellow conservatives subject to allegations of impropriety. When President Clinton came under such allegations, Carlson beat the drums incessantly. Some lowlights:
— Bill Clinton…took advantage of her. [CNN, 12/29/98]
— There it is. There’s his legacy, Monica Lewinsky. [CNN, 3/9/01]
— MATTHEWS: I see we’re changing the subject again. Is the question of their [the Clintons’] marriage an issue or not in this campaign?CARLSON: Of course it’s an issue. [MSNBC, 5/26/06]
Contrary to what Carlson thinks, the Times’ story is important for revealing McCain’s close ties and favors to lobbyists, whom he repeatedly admonishes on the campaign trail. “He’s been in bed with lobbyists for quite some time,” notes Christy Hardin Smith.