The Other Woman : Will the Media Give Lis Smith the Weiner Treatment ?

Bill de Blasio's campaign once asked Anthony Weiner to drop out of the mayoral race because of his sex-capades.

Political insiders were all atwitter today, commenting on a shocking The New York Post story reporting that mayor-elect Bill de Blasio's spokesperson, Lis Smith, was having an adulterous love affair with the still married, former Gov. Eliot Spitzer.

Given revelations of her adulterous love affair with a married politician, to what standard will de Blasio's spokesperson, Lis Smith, be held ? Will she be given the Weiner treatment ?

When former Rep. Anthony Weiner was campaigning for the Democratic mayoral primary, he was berated for his sexcapades. Even the de Blasio campaign issued public denunciations of the Weiner campaign. In strong contrast, some insiders took to Twitter today to try to insulate Ms. Smith from criticism.

@Lis_Smith is a great professional and good friend. I couldn't be happier I recruited her to @deBlasioNYC campaign. She helps democrats win!

— Bill Hyers (@HyersBill) December 23, 2013

Whilst others were comparing Ms. Smith with a prostitute.

@PoliticsInNYC @FreeBeacon It makes sense that @Lis_Smith is latching on to Spitzer; money, power... Prostitution is just a matter of price!

— phalaenopsis (@1phalaenopsis4u) December 23, 2013

News only broke about their adulterous relationship last night. It is too soon to know whether the de Blasio administration will condemn Ms. Smith's controversial relationship with Mr. Spitzer, which some are describing on Facebook as between "consenting adults." This is in stark contrast with how the de Blasio Democratic mayoral primary campaign treated Mr. Weiner.

“Sideshows of election have gotten in the way of debate we should be having about future of this city,” BDB said. http://t.co/AO03mBp9uc

— de Blasio Sold Out (@deBlasioSoldOut) December 23, 2013

See also : "Bill de Blasio Calls on Anthony Weiner to Exit Mayoral Race" (Politicker)

Are married men having adulterous affairs treated according to one standard, but women, who are the "other woman," treated according to another ?

If the media is forgiving and accepting of Ms. Smith playing the role of the "other woman," does that mean that they were wrong for the tabloid trash talk against Mr. Weiner ?