This appears to be a factual report that contrasts the story in McCain's memoir concerning his divorce and subsequent marriage with court records. In addition it is laced with comments from those who knew both McCain and his first wife at the time. Based on the report, McCain was having a secret affair with his current wife while married to and living with his first wife. While this story shows that McCain is no paragon of virtue, it strikes me at this late date as much to do about very little. There are many more important issues concerning a potential McCain presidency than this.

The LAT has uncovered something potentially explosive here, but it remains to be seen if the story gains traction. Well written piece, if a bit on the soapy side. This, on the same day the NYT has a story in which McCain's eligibility is questioned (p. NYT p. A11 7/11/08) adds up to a sleepless night or two in the McCain camp, I would imagine.

I've seen at least two TV interviews of the McCains in which the interviewer seemed not know about the lies, betrayal and adultery surrounding the beginning of Cindy and John's sordid relationship, for it is always portrayed as charming, innocent and romantic. This piece of thorough and solid journalism may help stop that unfortunate charade. The facts should not be ignored: they are an important part of a presidential candidate's life record.

A well done story about John McCain. While an exposure type of story, it is well done and fair. It makes an effective point and is still civil.

LA Times investigation of court records discloses that John McCain was married to two women at the same time in spring of 1980. He received his marriage license to Cindy before his divorce to Carol was final. McCain was living with Carol and having an affair with Cindy too. WOW. Interesting that this has not been revealed before and in his biography McCain states that there was time between marriages. Story goes into how the Reagans were not happy with how McCain treated his wife Carol. It will be interesting to see if there are many stories on the presidential candidate being a bigamist and an adulterer. I can only imagine the media response if this was Obama.

These attempts by journalist to generate scandal may sell newspapers, but I fail to see what service they provide to the public. The carefully crafted word selection (‘cohabited’, ‘nine months’, etc.), and ingenuity exhibited in the presentation of data mixed with spin and rumor (‘while still legally married’, ‘Reagan administration was stunned’) was intended to maximize the taint of scandal. All of the basic facts of this story could have been presented matter-of-factly without the embellishments. This kind of journalism will only encourage retaliatory efforts from the other camps. It will not aid any candidate in the long term. It is a trivial distraction from significant issues the voters need to wrestle with.

People do odd and sometimes regrettable things in their private lives. It should not matter to everyone, but when a Democrat does it the religious right foams at the mouth while saying nothing at all when a Republican missteps. That is a nasty and unfortunate pattern. This kind of mess matters to some but does it affect how McCain thinks about war, the economy, health plans, or any other important matter? I think not.

I don't believe that we should be delving into any candidates bedroom.