National Enquirer Smears Palin, McCain Camp Responds

And the smear train rolls onward... now the National Enquirer is set to publish a front-pager claiming that Governor Sarah Palin has had a sexual affair outside of her marriage to husband Todd Palin. This time, the McCain campaign is jumping out ahead of the story and issuing a strongly worded press release.:

“The smearing of the Palin family must end. The allegations contained on the cover of the National Enquirer insinuating that Gov. Palin had an extramarital affair are categorically false. It is a vicious lie.”

“The efforts of the media and tabloids to destroy this fine and accomplished public servant are a disgrace. The American people will reject it.”

“Sen. McCain and Gov. Palin look forward to discussing the issues that Americans care about, fixing broken government, creating jobs, making our country energy independent and securing the peace for the next generation by bringing the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan to a victorious end,”

“Legal action will be considered with regard to this disgraceful smear.”

This feeding frenzy against a female candidate is unprecedented and disgusting. More news to follow.

Updated by Noel Sheppard at 8:15 PM. The Washington Post's Howard Kurtz raised a good point about this matter a few minutes ago:

The mainstream media might well have ignored the unsubstantiated allegation, as they did for eight months in the Edwards saga. But the McCain's team quick response in defending the Arizona senator's running mate had the effect, intentionally or otherwise, of giving the story more prominence.