As per the story it is a front runner. That means Hillary, Obama, Edwards, Giuliani, Thompson, Romney and maybe McCain.
Not Edwards, discounted by the author of the story.
McCain has some past, but has been very open about it. At 70+ years old, a sex scandal would be laughable (and laudable).
Romney is very squeaky clean, so a scandal would hurt him badly, but there is no incentive to hold back by the press.
That leaves Hillary, Obama, Giuliani, and Thompson.
I don’t know if Thompson is enough of a front runner to make this a “story.” Besides, he is married to a babe.
The gay rumors have swirled around Rudy for years. Right now it would kill him with the base to the extent that he wouldn’t get the nomination. If the MSM let it go now, a more formidable candidate might arise from the ashes.
Obama doesn’t stand a snowball’s chance in he!! of becoming President. A scandal won’t make any difference and would help Hillary seal the nomination.
The gay rumors have swirled around Hillary, too. She recently denied them in the Advocate, which could be a reason to hold the story for the MSM. While she would still likely get the nomination, it would kill her chance in the general election. The dilemma for the MSM is that, while they love her, they are journalists and the one that breaks this story is gonna be famous. My money is on Hillary, with a secondary bet on Rudy.
>>>The gay rumors have swirled around Rudy for years. Right now it would kill him with the base to the extent that he wouldnt get the nomination.
Rudy was outed months ago though.
http://blog.barofintegrity.us/2007/10/31/rumors-scandals-and-presidential-candidates.aspx
>>>The gay rumors have swirled around Rudy for years. Right now it would kill him with the base to the extent that he wouldnt get the nomination.
Rudy was outed months ago though.
http://blog.barofintegrity.us/2007/10/31/rumors-scandals-and-presidential-candidates.aspx
By jove I think you’ve got it!
I think your post of possible scenarios may well be the whole point of the story.
I say it is a Dem and they float it out this way first so that we play out these speculations and let the rumors run wild.
That way, every candidate is affected in the speculation stage, and the “real” story will lose most of it’s punch by the time it is finally sprung.
Therefore- it involves a Rat. They are trying to mitigate the damage up front. And there is only one candidate that the media would do this ground work for.
That is what makes most sense to me as well.