John McCain’s campaign has come out swinging in response to today’s story in The New York Times:
(CNN) — Sen. John McCain’s advisers are denying assertions The New York Times published that McCain once had a close relationship with a female lobbyist whose clients had business before his Senate committee.
The newspaper reported in its online edition Wednesday that aides to McCain’s 2000 presidential campaign were so worried about the relationship that they confronted McCain and the lobbyist, Vicki Iseman.
“Our political messaging during that time period centered around taking on special interests and placing the national interests before either personal or special interests,” the paper quoted McCain’s former top political adviser, John Weaver, as saying. “Ms. Iseman’s involvement in the campaign, it was felt by us, could undermine that effort.”
Soon after the article appeared, McCain advisers challenged its accuracy and questioned the newspaper’s motivation.
“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,” campaign spokeswoman Jill Hazelbaker said in a statement.
The campaign also said that “John McCain has a 24-year record of serving our country with honor and integrity” and that “there is nothing in [The New York Times] story to suggest that John McCain ever violated the principles that have guided his career.”
McCain will apparently be holding a news conference at 9 this morning to address this story. Should be interesting.
