This story makes liberals very uncomfortable. OTOGH, it is a Republican. OTOH, it is a sexual affair with a teenage twink which is a fantasy staple in the gay community. Bashing him would open a can of worms for the community.
That's why they cling so bitterly to the "hypocrisy" angle.
It's not the fling with a tink that's so reprehensible, it's that he's spoken against depravity of one form or another at some point in his life.
Boinking boys is really cool as long as you celebrate boinking boys openly. And you're a Democrat, of course.