<p>Here’s an interesting detail from The New Republic that helps explain why the Times went with the McCain story when it did.<br /><br />

As <a id="yyl5" href="http://blogs.tnr.com/tnr/blogs/the_stump/archive/2008/02/20/bonus-tnr-angle-on-the-mccain-story.aspx" title="TNR reported">TNR reported</a> on its campaign blog, The Stump, last night:</p>

<blockquote><span class="articleText">The McCain campaign is apparently blaming TNR for forcing the <i>Times’</i> hand on this story. We can’t yet confirm that. But we can say this: TNR correspondent Gabe Sherman is working on a&nbsp;piece about the <i>Times’</i> foot-dragging on the McCain&nbsp;story, and the back-and-forth within the paper about whether to publish it.</span><br />

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</blockquote>

<p><span class="articleText">Sherman’s story is to be published today — maybe after a quick rewrite.</span></p>