Down the Memory Hole: Media Glosses Over Cantwell Aide Story

One would think a United States Senate staffer who tries to arrange a sexual encounter with a 13-year old boy would merit a bit more attention, but the mainstream media has done a pitiful job covering this story. In fact, were it not for The Smoking Gun bringing the story to light, it's doubtful we'd have even heard about it.

What's even more pathetic is the accounts we locate in the nation's major newspapers today are all single paragraph items using the misleading AP account that labels James McHaney a former aide, which technically is true; but he was working in Senator Cantwell's office when he was busted.

The New York Times, in a blog post, devotes a paragraph to the story, which is the original AP dispatch with the misleading intro "A former aide to Senator Maria Cantwell, Democrat of Washington..."

The Washington Post, also in a blog post, downplays Haney as "only a low-level staffer," as if that minimizes his desire to have sex with a 13year-old boy.

The Boston Globe also devotes a single paragraph, with the same AP dispatch.

The New York Post relegates it to a Page Six item.

I'm not trying to play a game of gotcha here because this is a Democrat. Lord knows I have no use for any Republicans who engage in odd sexual behavior (Mark Foley, Larry Craig), and McHaney is not an elected official.

But the lack of coverage and misleading reporting where it is covered is really a shame. Child molestation is one of the more heinous crimes plaguing this country and the fact such a story is glossed over and barely reported leads me to believe the media just doesn't seem to care that there are child predators working in our government.

Of course, if McHaney's boss had an "R" behind her name, I suspect we'd see a bit more coverage.

Cantwell Aide in Kiddie Sex Bust

Looks like one James McHaney, an aide to Sen. Maria Cantwell (D-WA), has a thing for prepubescent boys.

A U.S. Senate aide was arrested Friday after allegedly arranging a lunchtime sexual encounter with a teenage boy, according to federal court records. James McHaney, 28, was nabbed by FBI agents after he arranged the afternoon liaison via a "cooperating witness" working with investigators. According to the below felony complaint and an accompanying statement of facts filed in U.S. District Court in Washington, D.C., the CW and McHaney were conversing online Friday afternoon when the CW asked whether McHaney was interested in engaging in anal sex with a 13-year-old boy. "I'll be there," McHaney allegedly replied. He later asked for a photo of the child with whom he and the CW would have sex and whether the boy had "any pubes." When told no, McHaney allegedly replied, "That's hot." McHaney was nabbed in the lobby of an unnamed "predetermined location," where he had arranged to meet CW. Until his arrest Friday, McHaney had worked as the D.C. scheduler for Democratic Senator Maria Cantwell. A caller to Cantwell's office was told late today that, as of last Friday, McHaney no longer worked for the Washington state politician.

H/T: Thanos.

I wonder if he knows Larry Craig?

UPDATE: Also at Hot Air.

UPDATE II: You have to love this headline:

Ex-aide to Cantwell arrested in sex sting

Uh, yes, he's now an ex-aide. But he wasn't when he was busted.

WASHINGTON (AP) - A former aide to Washington Democratic Sen. Maria Cantwell is in federal custody after being arrested on a charge of sexually exploiting a minor.

James Michael McHaney was arrested by FBI agents after he was accused of trying to set up a meeting with an undercover witness posing online as a teenaged boy.

Until his arrest on Friday, McHaney was a scheduler for Cantwell. He appeared in federal court on Saturday.

More now at RedState. The Kos Kidz, meanwhile, take the high road.

Cantwell Aide Arrested for Acting Like a Republican

Unfortunately, he was one of ours...

Translation: We could care less about kids getting molested, so long as it's a Republican.

UPDATE III: More from The Politico.

Update - Cantwell's chief of staff, Michael Meehan, just released the following statement on McHaney's arrest: "Late Friday afternoon the FBI informed our office that a Senate employee was arrested. The employee was immediately fired. Our office has and will continue to fully cooperate with the ongoing federal criminal investigation. Senator Cantwell has zero tolerance for crimes against children."

McHaney was at work when the online conversation with the FBI's CW took place, meaning Cantwell's office may be asked to turn over any e-mails or other records related to McHaney, if he was using Senate computers or phones to conduct his allegedly illegal activity.

More also at Wizbang.

UPDATE IV: Glenn Reynolds, Right Voices and Blue Crab Boulevard link. Thanks!

Meanwhile, The Seattle Times notes his previous employment history.

Before joining Cantwell's office, McHaney worked for the 2004 John Kerry presidential campaign and before that as an aide to former U.S. Rep. Dick Gephardt, D-Ohio.

He was Kerry's travel coordinator in 2004.

UPDATE V: KOMO TV conveniently changed their headline after being ridiculed. Now it no longer reads Ex-aide to Cantwell arrested in sex sting; now it's been changed to Cantwell aide arrested in sex sting; quickly fired.

Some on the left have been making the ridiculous claim that people are rushing to judgment on this case. Doesn't it appear the Cantwell people rushed to fire him? They obviously know something.

UPDATE VI: NewsBusters links. Thanks!