The New York Times has published a front-page expose detailing questionable ties between John McCain and a female Washington lobbyist. The Times reveals that during his 2000 run for the White House, McCain repeatedly wrote letters to government regulators on behalf of clients of the telecommunications lobbyist, Vicki Iseman. At the time, McCain served as chair of the Senate Commerce Committee. The Times also reports that aides to McCain were concerned the senator was having a romantic affair with the lobbyist.
McCain and Iseman have denied having a romantic relationship. But former McCain aides said the senator acknowledged behaving inappropriately and pledged to keep his distance from Iseman. Last night the McCain campaign accused the New York Times of engaging in a “hit-and-run smear campaign.”