Well, I can see the spinmasters spinning it each and everyway....
"He was in the Hitler Youth"
"Yes, he served his country but he was a deserter"
"He is an anti semite - look at his statements on Judaism"
"He is despised in his own country - German catholics can't stand him"
"He is 78!"
etc. etc.
Personally, I cannot see why there was any need to invite any of this controvesy. I think they missed a real opportunity in not selecting Hummes. Such is life. The smoke is out. Bennedict is the man. Let's see what he does....
Obviously, they were humbled, and spiritually prepared to have reached this decision so soon.
The Cardinals took their responsability to heart, thus the voice of God, through the Holy Spirit was clearly heard by them.