The New York Times has published its reunion with Anthony Weiner’s sexting partners, almost two weeks after prematurely releasing a version of the same story. Today’s publication came after BuzzFeed, following the lead of other blogs, re-created the text of the article, although the Times insists in a statement, “Our editors decide when a story is ready for publication. Outside coverage does not play a role in that decision.”
As for the content of the story itself, it’s as awkward as one might imagine.
Revolving mostly around Nevada blackjack dealer Lisa Weiss, the check-in chronicles her mistakes in the aftermath of the scandal as much as his. “I cannot tell you the devastation,” she tells the Times, describing the sexual harassment and ostracization she faces even now. “I obsess about it every day.”
But it was Weiss who released the very dirty transcripts of her Facebook messages with the then-congressman to Radar Online: “I thought I could control it,” she says, while noting how mortifying it was when her grandma heard the news. “How do you explain that to everyone you know who reads that? It was horrible.” She also appeared on Inside Edition with her story. (Another of Weiner’s cybersex partners quit her job at the Young Women’s Christian Organization, “which sort of broke [her] heart,” but she’s writing a book about it.)
And while Weiss says she’d like an apology from Weiner, she does not hold much of a grudge. Last year, she even commented on his Facebook to say sorry: “please let me apologize again for any pain i caused your or the beautiful huma … it was unintentional … i still think you are our liberal hero and we need you back in politics!!” Now she tells the Times, “If he lived here, I’d vote for him. He is such a big fighter for all of our causes.”
