McCain 1, New York Times 0

There doesn't seem to be any doubt about it now: in the controversy the New York Times initiated by printing what amounted to an unsubstantiated piece of gossip about John McCain's relationship with a lobbyist, McCain has emerged as the clear winner.

Here's Dan Rather's take:

We've said McCain has a good record; we've all said this is a good man with a good record. Jim Rutenberg, who is the lead reporter on this; Bill Keller, the editor who made the decision: these are not ordinary journalists. These are outstanding journalists and that probably needs to be said. Now, if they can't back it up any further than they have it, then they're in a heap of trouble. But on the record, it deserves to be said: These are very smart journalists

And here is the text of what amounts to the Times' Bill Keller's surrender:

Personally, I was surprised by the volume of the reaction (including more than 2,400 reader comments posted on our Web site). I was surprised by how lopsided the opinion was against our decision, with readers who described themselves as independents and Democrats joining Republicans in defending Mr. McCain from what they saw as a cheap shot.
And, frankly, I was a little surprised by how few readers saw what was, to us, the larger point of the story. Perhaps here, at the outset of this conversation, is a good point to state as clearly as possible our purpose in publishing. [snip]

The point of this "Long Run" installment was that, according to people who know him well, this man who prizes his honor above all things and who appreciates the importance of appearances also has a history of being sometimes careless about the appearance of impropriety, about his reputation. The story cites several examples, and quotes friends and admirers talking of this apparent contradiction in his character. That is why some members of his staff were so alarmed by the appearance of his relationship with Ms. Iseman. And that, it seemed (and still seems) to us, was something our readers would want to know about a man who aspires to be president.

Clearly, many of you did not agree.

Very clearly, Mr. Keller.

HT: Drudge, Blake Dvorak atReal Clear Politics