McCain Accused of Having An Affair with Lobbyist-

[ChristopherHall]

We know that McCain had a long going affair with Cindy, his current wife, while married to Carol, his wife of 14 years at the time. John McCain then divorced his wife to marry Cindy, the woman he was having the affair with.

Now the New York Times is reporting a story of events that took place during the 2000 elections. Here is the story:

For McCain, Self-Confidence on Ethics Poses Its Own Risk
By JIM RUTENBERG, MARILYN W. THOMPSON, DAVID D. KIRKPATRICK and STEPHEN LABATON
Published: February 21, 2008

WASHINGTON — Early in Senator John McCain’s first run for the White House eight years ago, waves of anxiety swept through his small circle of advisers.

A female lobbyist had been turning up with him at fund-raisers, visiting his offices and accompanying him on a client’s corporate jet. Convinced the relationship had become romantic, some of his top advisers intervened to protect the candidate from himself — instructing staff members to block the woman’s access, privately warning her away and repeatedly confronting him, several people involved in the campaign said on the condition of anonymity.

When news organizations reported that Mr. McCain had written letters to government regulators on behalf of the lobbyist’s client, the former campaign associates said, some aides feared for a time that attention would fall on her involvement.

Mr. McCain, 71, and the lobbyist, Vicki Iseman, 40, both say they never had a romantic relationship. But to his advisers, even the appearance of a close bond with a lobbyist whose clients often had business before the Senate committee Mr. McCain led threatened the story of redemption and rectitude that defined his political identity.

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/02/21/us...hp&oref=slogin

Does John McCain have a "character deficit"?

The New York Times endorsed John McCain. Is this story's timing political? (C'mon, of course it is.)

Both?

Is McCain sold out to Washington lobbyists though he claims not to be?

What are some of your thoughts?

[Elizabeth]

Men are weak-

I think as the campaign wages on more dirt will surface on both sides.

[ChristopherHall]

Originally Posted by Jeanie

Men are weak-

I think as the campaign wages on more dirt will surface on both sides.

I think you're right.

[deacon blues]

Breaking news online

www.nytimes.com

Funny, I thought those NY Times liberals didn't care about "personal" matters. Oh that's right, that's only for liberal Democrats.

Time will tell if this is just rumor or truth.

[deacon blues]

McCain campaign responds:

“It is a shame that The New York Times has lowered its standards to engage in a hit-and-run smear campaign. John McCain has a 24-year record of serving our country with honor and integrity. He has never violated the public trust, never done favors for special interests or lobbyists, and he will not allow a smear campaign to distract from the issues at stake in this election.

“Americans are sick and tired of this kind of gutter politics, and there is nothing in this story to suggest that John McCain has ever violated the principles that have guided his career.”

[Sam]

Originally Posted by deacon blues

McCain campaign responds:

“It is a shame that The New York Times has lowered its standards to engage in a hit-and-run smear campaign. John McCain has a 24-year record of serving our country with honor and integrity. He has never violated the public trust, never done favors for special interests or lobbyists, and he will not allow a smear campaign to distract from the issues at stake in this election.

“Americans are sick and tired of this kind of gutter politics, and there is nothing in this story to suggest that John McCain has ever violated the principles that have guided his career.”

Well, that statement did not deny nor affirm that an affair took place.

[rgcraig]

Doesn't deny the affair - - it will be interesting.

[Sam]

Was it really an affair if it was with a lobbyist?

Aren't lobbyists prostitutes?

Doesn't PAC stand for Payoffs And Corruption?

[ChristopherHall]

I favor Obama over McCain, but I'm surprised nothing more substantial hasn't come up about Obama yet. Maybe they're waiting for him to secure the Democratic nomination.

[Elizabeth]

Originally Posted by ChristopherHall

I favor Obama over McCain, but I'm surprised nothing more substantial hasn't come up about Obama yet. Maybe they're waiting for him to secure the Democratic nomination.

Someone posted a link already to an Obama indiscretion but his was NOT with a member of the opposite sex!