02/21/2008
John McCain Holds Press Conference on NYT Claims: 'It's Not True'
John McCain denied having an improper relationship with lobbyist Vicki Iseman at an early morning news conference with his wife Cindy by his side.
The Washington Post reports: "'It's not true,' McCain, 71, said at a press conference called to address a lengthy New York Times article on the relationship. He also said he had no regrets about any actions he may have taken on behalf of the lobbyist's clients, saying they were appropriate. McCain held the news conference in front of a plain backdrop of three American flags, with his wife Cindy by his side. Cindy McCain told reporters she trusts her husband. He 'would never do anything to not only disappoint our family' or the American people, she said. 'He's a man of great character.' The senator acknowledged the article could be damaging because it appeared to undercut a central rationale of his campaign--that he is a maverick not beholden to special interests. 'I am very disappointed obviously,' he said. 'But we will move on with the campaign. I am confident we will move forward.'"
The news conference clip AFTER THE JUMP...
Sphere: Related ContentPosted 11:35 AM EST by Andy in Election 2008, John McCain, News, Republican Party | Permalink
Comments
He'd "never" do it, Cindy? Or never again? Isn't this how she met him, foolin' around? I guess if she means he would never allow himself to be used politically. But then there was the Keating Five...
Posted by: Matthew Rettenmund | Feb 21, 2008 11:49:43 AM
I guess the Republicans don't like it when they get a taste of their own medicine a la Ken Starr/"Oralgate". I secretly hope this crucifies him.
Posted by: Cory | Feb 21, 2008 11:55:22 AM
"Goodness, I don't know how my cock ended up inside her!"
Posted by: homer | Feb 21, 2008 12:00:30 PM
71? Jesus, please save us from thoughts of crusty old men having affairs, and please keep us safe from elected officials over 55. Amen.
Posted by: Michael | Feb 21, 2008 12:09:12 PM
Cue the wailing and lamenting from the Reich wingers about "media bias" and all that nonsense that they've used for the last 30 years. McCain is a corrupt, major league asshole who's going to get trounced worse than Bob Dole did in 1996, all the Dems have to do is keep showing pictures of him with George "Mr. 19% Approval Ratings" Bush and that'll do the trick.
Posted by: Henry Holland | Feb 21, 2008 12:16:33 PM
I admire John McCain for his military service, but he is not the God-like figure, immune to earthly desires that his campaign would have us believe.
Posted by: sam | Feb 21, 2008 12:16:53 PM
I am neither a Republican or a McCain supporter (so you bitches calm down). I just don't buy it. It's just not McCain's character to put his wrinkled old dick in that skank. Ha!
Posted by: shane | Feb 21, 2008 12:17:43 PM
Looking at the woman's photo – and his wife – I think it's fair to say he has a "type" he's into.
Posted by: Scott B. | Feb 21, 2008 12:20:20 PM
She's not a skank. She's a lobbyist! Please.
Posted by: 24play | Feb 21, 2008 12:21:36 PM
QUESTION TO BE LEFT ON JIM RUTENBERG’s VOICEMAIL at NEW YORK TIMES: (202) 862-0408.
“If you report a story about McCain and a non-confirmable affair that both he and the woman deny, and use anonymous sources, why are you ducking the story that has exploded on the internet relating to allegations by Larry Sinclair involving Barack Obama’s alleged cocaine use, infidelity, and lies.”
Posted by: CHristopher | Feb 21, 2008 12:30:50 PM
And BTW, does anyone else get a powerful whiff of Manchurian Candidate every time they see John photographed with immaculately turned out wife Cindy looming just over one shoulder?
Let's play cards!
Posted by: 24play | Feb 21, 2008 12:31:38 PM
A straight Republican! Will wonders never cease?
Posted by: David Ehrenstein | Feb 21, 2008 12:33:44 PM
Actally shane it is in his character since that is exactly how he got his currentwife.
Cindy was his mistress wen he was arried tohis first wife.
Posted by: jimmyboyo | Feb 21, 2008 12:35:35 PM
christopher
Post a link
Otherwise you come of as someone needing meds and a long stay in a padded cell.
Posted by: jimmyboyo | Feb 21, 2008 12:37:56 PM
I think he'll be the next President.
Sigh... blech
Posted by: David | Feb 21, 2008 12:38:09 PM
I highly doubt the NYT's would post such a slanderous story without sources and fact to back it up. I love how McCain has cast this aside by claiming he has too many people work ex-workers. So it's the blame game now eh. "I MIGHT have been told to stay away from her, or it MIGHT have been an order directed to someone under me, but I do not recall". Nice way to NOT answer the question. Seeing how his current wife was the "other woman", I wouldn't be surprised if he did dip his pen in another blonds ink.
Posted by: Cory | Feb 21, 2008 12:46:55 PM
Sauce for the Demcrats is sauce for the republicans!
Posted by: Nathan James | Feb 21, 2008 1:03:23 PM
Michael, thanks for the gratuitous ageism. I's very helpful. Christopher, back to your padded cell!
Posted by: Dr. Zorders | Feb 21, 2008 1:09:19 PM
The disturbing thing about all this is how both the right and left are allowing the GOP and McCain's spin doctors to turn this into a sex scandal.
The NYT article itself doesn't really make any more insinuations than were made by McCain's own advisers back in the 2000 campaign. The relevant question the article asks, however, is why does a political candidate have such a close relationship (sexual or not) with a well-known DC lobbyist? Particularly when the candidate in question was involved in the Keating Five scandal and has subsequently successfully positioned himself as a repentant enemy of special interest politics and powerful lobby groups. It's still more interesting that the candidate can't even seem to abide by the campaign finance rules he himself proposes and is running a current campaign that is suspiciously silent on the subject of special interest politics and lobbying.
Unfortunately, all of these legitimate points are being glossed over in favor of speculation as to who's landing strip the Littlest Air Force Pilot did or did not touch down on.
Posted by: Quakerjono | Feb 21, 2008 1:13:25 PM
How do you the Obama story is false?
Posted by: christopher | Feb 21, 2008 1:27:27 PM
christopher
Post a link so we can read about it otherwise you are making up a fantasy
Posted by: Jimmyboyo | Feb 21, 2008 3:25:35 PM
People have it off. News at 11.
I'm glad he didn't have sex with that woman. She obviously doesn't know what girdles or slips are for. And really, a gold dress? With that hair? With that skin?
Posted by: Princess Superstar | Feb 21, 2008 3:27:14 PM
Who cares about a potential romantic affair! The real issue is that politicians have lobbyist friends who are around them all the time.
Posted by: Jeff | Feb 21, 2008 4:54:54 PM
Um, for those who are slamming the NY Times as a pinko rag, the very next day the Washington Post went with the exact same story except they printed the source's name (John Weaver, a close friend and confidant of McCain's). Is the Washington Post also a pinko rag?
What about the Drudge Report? Is it an anti-Republican, pinko site too? They reported on this story in December.
Some of you guys only believe a story if it's on Fox News and in the Washington Times, the ultimates in unbiased journalistic integrity.
Posted by: Zeke | Feb 21, 2008 4:55:25 PM
Um, for those who are slamming the NY Times as a pinko rag, the very next day the Washington Post went with the exact same story except they printed the source's name (John Weaver, a close friend and confidant of McCain's). Is the Washington Post also a pinko rag?
What about the Drudge Report? Is it an anti-Republican, pinko site too? They reported on this story in December.
Some of you guys only believe a story if it's on Fox News and in the Washington Times, the ultimates in unbiased journalistic integrity.
Posted by: Zeke | Feb 21, 2008 4:55:33 PM
First thing is that NY Times story is about his ties to a lobbyist, not a sex scandal, that was an aside about why his staff was concerned about the perception of it looking like there was one.
christopher
Post a link
Otherwise you come of as someone needing meds and a long stay in a padded cell.
POSTED BY: JIMMYBOYO | FEB 21, 2008 12:37:56 PM
JB
He is referring to a story Andy posted here and has been all over the web, about some nut job who says he did and got blow job from Obama.
http://www.towleroad.com/2008/01/dear-larry-sinc.html
The guy is clearly a nut job, as does Christopher sound like.
That said I am not a big fan, as most here know, of Obama. Yes the SC thing. But I will support the Dem who wins, most likely Obama at this point. As for McCane, my new name for the old fart who looks like he's about to fall over, he will have this bite him in the ass. People are bored with the election already, I know I am. This is red meat for the 24/7 media, especially after Hillary bows out on 3/4.
One thing that gets me is why the Times gave McShame their endorsement in NYC knowing they had this story in the works.
Posted by: Patrick nyc | Feb 21, 2008 7:57:43 PM
Oh and does Cindy look like a Stepford wife or what?
Posted by: patrick nyc | Feb 21, 2008 8:00:40 PM
Cindy's frozen personae is the result of a long-term addiction to prescription medication. She was a pampered heiress who became McCain's mistress while he was still married to his first wife. She is rarely seen in public with him when he is not campaigning for President. She lives in Arizona and he resides in Virginia. They appear to have an arrangement similar to that of Bill and Hill. Each runs their individual life in a separate city, only coming together when politically expedient. She engenders a great deal of sympathy within The Beltway because McCain's temper is legendary. Friend, enemy, staff, and casual passerby have all felt the sting of his wrath. He is the least liked Senator in Congress. Many observers believe that it is only a matter of time before he implodes in the heat of the spotlight of a national campaign.
Posted by: rudy | Feb 21, 2008 8:49:06 PM
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