So here's my question on the McCain story. Does this sink him as the GOP candidate, or keep him -- weakened? Is it presumptuous to assume as some are doing that Obama is the luckiest guy in the world?

(Also noted: lawyer Robert Bennett, whose client Jose Rodriguez, the former DO chief, was the subject of a story that ran in the NYT yesterday, also is reportedly the lawyer for McCain, hired to push back on these allegations, who managed to at least delay the big NYT story that ran today. Kevin Drum sums up the reasons it came out now).

The Politico reports that the McCain campaign has vowed "to go to war" with the NYT over the story - a fight that may win over some of the right-flank McCain has had a hard time wooing. "Asked about the impact that the allegation of adultery would have among social conservative activists, some of whom still aren’t entirely sold on McCain, [McCain advisor Charlie] Black said they would see it as 'the New York Times spreading rumors and gossip. We’re going to war with the New York Times, so they’ll probably like it.'”

Thursday Update: The Post's Chris Cillizza agrees:

It's no secret to anyone watching this Republican race closely that McCain is still struggling to bring conservatives into the fold. Time after time he lost the conservative vote in early primary and caucus states; of the 24 states that have voted to date, McCain received the most support from self-identified conservatives in just five (Illinois, New Jersey, New York, Maryland and Wisconsin).

Could this be the galvanizing force that unites this key voting bloc behind McCain?

Perhaps.

Posted by Laura at February 20, 2008 11:57 PM