Sen. Larry Craig blamed the Idaho Statesman for conducting a “witch hunt” into his private life and triggering his downfall. But in fact, the Statesman was scrupulously fair, declining to publish the results of its investigation until it could verify, through accounts of those who were with Craig, that he’d had sexual contact with men. The paper only went with the story after Craig – knowing he was under scrutiny – recklessly entered that men’s room in the Minneapolis airport and produced the clear evidence that had been lacking.

As the presidential candidates enter the homestretch of the nominating process – and others decide whether to run for office next year – Craig’s story raises four critical questions about how the media should cover the private lives of public figures over the next 14 months.

• Where does your information come from? The Craig case began almost two years ago when a Washington-based blogger, Mike Rogers, posted charges that four unnamed men had had sex with the senator. Rogers calls himself aa “journo-activist,” and like many bloggers has a very sharp axe to grind; in his case, it’s “outing” closeted gay politicians.