A Scenario Develops: Blame Weaver

The cognoscenti seems to have arrived at the belief that the New York Times story was planted by or somehow originated from former McCain chief strategist John Weaver, who left the campaign in June after a dispute with McCain over the direction of the campaign. (Tucker Carlson on MSNBC called Weaver "sinister.")

Weaver did speak for the story, and he, apparently, was the only former McCain aide to do so on the record. Ergo, he's a suspect; channeling our armchair psychoanalysts, he somehow wants to get back at his boss.

This is highly unlikely.

First, the Times began to report the story before Weaver left the campaign.

Second, having had many conversations with Weaver before and after his break with McCain, it's clear to me that he retains enormous affection for his former boss; his primary emotion is one of sadness and not vindictiveness. I could be reading Weaver wrong, but I don't think I am.

Comments

I could be reading Weaver wrong, but I don't think I am.

Well gosh, Marc, you're so infrequently wrong, I guess you must be right.

Posted by Jeff Larson | February 21, 2008 10:41 AM

I am not a McCain fan. I am even less a NYT fan. This will help McCain because the article just confirms what many people already think about the Old Senile Lady too ready to print all the news unfit to print.

Posted by linda | February 21, 2008 2:16 PM

York posts Weaver's comments:

http://corner.nationalreview.com/post/?q=OTljYzAwNTRlNDdiY2YwMjk3MGQ2YTQ3YTA4ZGZmODc=

"Cognoscenti" non compos mentis.

Posted by tao9 | February 21, 2008 5:25 PM

Weaver pulled Romney into this. Romney wants a do-over. Weaver wants a bigger job in which he can use his killer impulses and darker side. "Blame it on the Times" will only go so far and Rush and Laura will start screaming for a stronger candidate in about 10 days. Watch to see if the meme becomes 'McCain is too wounded to beat Obama.' Romney still has delegates. He wants to leverage this scandal into the top spot. The Romney lay-off has cooled off the antipathy toward him; his absence has made many right-wing hearts grow fonder.

Posted by tristan | February 22, 2008 7:21 PM