John McCain Sex Scandal?

Okay, normally I'd not post or pass along such things, and indeed I've just been being all "preachy" about unfounded rumors in the "Obama gay sex scandal" thread. However, this is from the New York Times (say what you will they're at least an actual newspaper) and it seems they have multiple independent sources. I have two questions about this...

1. Why wait until today if they've known about it since December (or even earlier)?

2. Is this just the tip of the iceberg on a "bigger story"?

McCain Sex Scandal