Petraeus 2012 w/Rupert Murdoch's backing?

This article from the Guardian states that, in 2011, Rupert Murdoch and Roger Ailes had attempted to get General David Petraeus to run for President on the Republican ticket, offering to bankroll his campaign and provide it with favorable coverage in his media outlets. Now, granted, the article has the Grauniad's usual spin, but it got me wondering:

What if Petraeus, instead of becoming CIA director, accepted Murdoch's offer and ran for President, with the full backing of News Corp? What would have happened when news of his affair broke (if it still breaks)?
 
His affair would not be known. Murdoch would find out about it, and keep it under wraps. Paula Broadwell would be less impulsive since her lover was in the spotlight. In short, the GOP gives the nomination to Petraeus, who faces his most serious opposition from Newt Gingrich or Ron Paul.
 
No one cared about foreign policy in the 2012 election. How would the general argue for economic turn around?

Also, the mistress story likely breaks earlier to due higher levels of scrutiny. So Obama's win is probably a larger margin.

But honestly I can't imagine a scenario with a way earlier POD where he runs, like Powell in '96.
 

iddt3

Donor
From what I've heard, his affair was already known at the time in Washington circles, it only blew up because his lover was an idiot. So if Murdoch is dumb enough not to vet Petraeus, his affair comes out in short order. It might not be nearly as damaging if his lover hasn't gotten the FBI involved through sending threatening emails though.
 
Petraeus was so inept and indiscreet about civilian politics that I think he would have tanked a lot worse than Romney did. And his military "genius" was mostly a media creation. As to Rupert Murdoch keeping Petraeus's affair with his biographer under wraps, Murdoch controls only Fox News. He doesn't control the liberal media, the centrist media or the non-Fox conservative media.
 
Oh, and let's not forget Murdoch's own scandal in Britain. That'll affect the election, especially if word gets out that Murdoch is backing Petraeus (IMO, Murdoch is not well-liked, and his enemies will be having a field day).
 
Actually how is Murdoch regarded in the US? Here he's widely disliked on both sides though the left have an especial hate on for him, but the right isn't exactly in love with him. Too much time spent attacking the monarchy and other pillars of the establishment for him to be really popular.
 
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