The majority of Americans disapprove of the New York Times’ recent decision to report Senator John McCain’s alleged dalliance with a Washington lobbyist. Notably, the poll did not measure approval of McCain, but rather the Times’ choice to report the alleged affair. According to Pew, more than half of poll respondents said that it was “wrong” to report the alleged affair, which supposedly took place about 8 years ago. McCain, 71, and his rumored other woman, Vicki Iseman, 40, both deny the allegations.

Representatives for McCain responded to the story, which came out last week, quickly, saying in a public statement that the Times "has lowered its standards to engage in a hit-and-run smear campaign." Apparently many public citizens agree.

The vast majority of the Pew survey respondents (81 percent) were aware of the rumors, with nearly half (48 percent) saying that they had heard “a lot” about the story. About a third (33 percent) said that they had heard “a little” about the story, with Republicans being slightly more likely to have heard about it (87 percent versus 80 percent of Democrats). Overall, 57 percent of respondents said the paper made the “wrong” choice in printing the story.

There was partisan division between who thought the decision to print the story was inappropriate, versus who did not. Predictably, Republicans were more likely to object to the article, with three-quarters (75 percent) saying it was wrong, and 16 percent saying it was acceptable. Among Democrats, there was a near-even split, with 47 percent saying the Times was wrong, and 45 percent agreeing with the paper’s decision. Independents were more likely to disapprove, with more than half (55 percent) calling it the wrong choice, and only a third (33 percent) agreeing with the Times.

Long gone are the days that a story of an alleged dalliance could instantly destroy one’s political career. In the past, scandals like the Gary Hart Monkey Business debacle, involving then-aspiring model/actress Donna Rice (turned anti-pornography activist), would have destroyed one’s political career. Hart’s fatal mistake, however, had been to dare the press to follow him around, saying they would “be very bored” if they did so.

Since then, former President Bill Clinton’s affairs have also been widely discussed, and multiple other politicians’ personal lives have been publicly dissected. Is the population finally bored with stories of these old white men’s bedroom habits? Was McCain spared criticism due to widespread infidelity fatigue, or because of the public’s trust in this distinguished war veteran’s character? Finally, were readers just plain suspicious of the veracity of the Times story, what with its dependence on unnamed sources?

Communication expert Leslie Ungar, president of Akron, OH-based Electric Impulse Communications, Inc., says that while it could be a combination of all three factors, it may be most likely due to McCain’s ability to defend himself. “He’s great at giving precise, concise answers. In denying the allegation, he was brief, clear, and didn’t blame others. He has set a high bar for himself and he has to maintain it,” she says.

Most importantly for the senator, says Ungar, “He trumped the New York Times. He put the ball back in their court.” After McCain’s response the allegations, the paper’s reliance on “unnamed sources” was condemned.

Another factor in the alleged affair becoming a “non-issue,” says Ungar, is the fact that the Times is a “faceless corporation." McCain, on the other hand, “has a face we trust.” In the competition between the impersonal entity and McCain’s honest countenance, McCain won.

“This is one of the times that being 71 years old is an advantage,” she adds. “He has spent 40 years in the public eye. He has a good track record, and there is an advantage to having such a consistent record.”

And what does communication coach Ungar think of the Times’ decision to run the story? “I agree with the 57 percent who said it was wrong. And I’m a Democrat.”

For more information on Leslie Ungar and Electric Impulse Communications, Inc., which provides executive coaching and other communication services, go to www.electricimpulse.com.