The New York Times, conservative pundits are arguing, duplicitously helped John McCain win Republican primaries then cut him off at the knees once he had the nomination all but sewed up.

They say The Times endorsed McCain in the New York primary, withheld a damaging story while he fought for his political life in New Hampshire, South Carolina, and Florida, then fired both barrels – publishing the story – the minute he had the Republican nomination in his grasp.

It’s a colorful picture. But thin. The Times publishes newspapers. Sex sells. Hypocrisy sells. Political corporation sells. A juicy story landed in their laps. They published it.

And sales no doubt soared.

Whether they also crossed an ephemeral line of journalistic ethics – because The Times’ story is even thinner than their critics’ suspicions of duplicity – will be debated in universities and media centers. But publishing sensational stories is what newspapers do. And The Times, naturally, did it.

What’s more the ability of this story to ‘sell newspapers’ and attract public attention was immediately confirmed by the television networks. Even before The Times expose reached print CNN, MSNBC and Fox News jumped on it. If The Times has violated some canon of journalistic ethics – so has just about every other news organization by repeating the story. So, they’re all on the same thin ice.

There is no real proof – in The Times broadside – of a romance between Senator McCain and lobbyist Vicki Iseman. The innuendo is simply based on the opinions of a few former aides – who even The Times hints are disgruntled – who say they were concerned about improper appearances (such as Senator McCain and Ms. Iseman riding on a private jet together). The Times reports of Senator McCain’s romance fall in the category of rumors, not even reaching the level of allegations. Still, this is America and sex sells newspapers (and just about anything else).

The more telling allegations are The Times revelations of Senator McCain’s ties to lobbyists in general. Here, to some extent, Senator McCain is foisted on his own petard. He campaigns against lobbyists and special interests and, indeed, has a record to support his contention. But, at the same time, like just about everyone else in Washington – including, I suspect, Barack Obama – he’s awash in special interest money and advisors.

For instance, The Times reports his campaign is run – free of charge – by a lobbyist who represents clients before McCain’s Senate Commerce Committee. Another lobbyist is his campaign spokesman.

To get elected Senator McCain does what just about everyone else in Washington does – the difference is, unlike everyone else, he seems to be saying it is wrong. Which raises a question of sincerity. Or hypocrisy. (Which also sells newspapers.)

On one hand, Senator McCain’s rhetoric may just be posturing. But, on the other hand, he may genuinely be for reform – as his record indicates – while at the same time realistically facing the fact he’s caught between a political rock and a hard place – he may not like special interests influence but he needs their money (and free labor) to get elected. So, he holds his nose and takes it – though, perhaps, he feels in a better world that would not be necessary.

What does this mean if he’s elected? It’s simple: We’ll have a President who’ll be uncomfortable with special interests but who is also able to swallow hard and take their money too.

Click Here to discuss and comment on this and other articles.