OT - Even the Times editor admits smear

I don't get the feeling that the Times Editor admitted anything. First, the article is an opinion piece by an opinion writer, not an editor.

The author of the piece is described by the Times: The public editor serves as the readers' representative. His opinions and conclusions are his own. His column appears at least twice monthly in this section.

I get the feeling that, if anything, the article says that the Times is in denial of its responsibility of to provide accurate reports.

Jeff

Clark Hoyt IS the public editor.

?If the point of the story was to allege that McCain had an affair with a lobbyist, we?d have owed readers more compelling evidence than the conviction of senior staff members,? he replied. ?But that was not the point of the story. The point of the story was that he behaved in such a way that his close aides felt the relationship constituted reckless behavior and feared it would ruin his career.? - Bill Keller

A nice attempt at backpedaling. You're right about the denial.