Idealogian

Scandal

The New York Times's most recent article on Governor McGreevy's resignation seems to leave out some important facts. It refers to "the taint of the scandal," but what exactly is the nature of that scandal? Reading the article, all you'd know is that he "announced his resignation on Thursday as he publicly acknowledged that he had had a sexual relationship with a man."

There's no mention of the fact that he's married, and thus this relationship constituted an affair. In fact, that aspect is what McGreevy himself emphasized in his announcement:

I am also here today because, shamefully, I engaged in adult consensual affair with another man, which violates my bonds of matrimony. It was wrong. It was foolish. It was inexcusable.

. . .

It makes little difference that as governor I am gay. In fact, having the ability to truthfully set forth my identity might have enabled me to be more forthright in fulfilling and discharging my constitutional obligations.

Given the circumstances surrounding the affair and its likely impact upon my family and my ability to govern, I have decided the right course of action is to resign.

Nor is there any mention of the allegations of sexual harassment and the pending lawsuit.

So why does the Times mention only the gay angle? Simple laziness? Or are they trying to make sexual orientation the larger issue? Or, perhaps more likely, are they trying to imply that McGreevy's opponents make sexual orientation the issue?