NEW YORK TIMES BLISTERS McCAIN OVER UNPROVEN ALLEGATIONS OF AFFAIR WITH LOBBYIST
FITSNews – February 21, 2008 – The conventional thinking is that political blogs like FITSNews are supposed to be the gossip mill rumor factories, while the mainstream press is a bastion of journalistic integrity that keeps it focused on the issues and stays above all of the “who’s banging who” fray. Well, not anymore. The New York Times completely turned that thinking on its head this morning with a blistering hit piece on presumptive Republican presidential nominee John McCain. Among other undocumented insinuations, the Times “report” basically suggests that McCain had an inappropriate physical relationship with telecom lobbyist Vicki Iseman. From the story:
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.
But the concerns about Mr. McCain’s relationship with Ms. (Vicki) Iseman underscored an enduring paradox of his post-Keating career. Even as he has vowed to hold himself to the highest ethical standards, his confidence in his own integrity has sometimes seemed to blind him to potentially embarrassing conflicts of interest.
Well, well. The Times even uses anonymous sources, too, although from the Washington Post’s article it seems pretty clear that the rumors are originating from former McCain campaign manager John Weaver.
Personally, we’ve never cared that much whether or not our Presidents kept it in their pants. We’d obviously prefer it if they did, but we’ll take a sex addict who cut capital gains taxes over a free-spending faux conservative any day of the week. Having said that, though, what’s out of bounds when it comes to publishing details of our leaders’ private lives? Tell us what y’all think …
By piepton February 21, 2008 at 9:39 am
I agree. Presidents and nominees should certainly be able to diddle anybody they want. Why else would they run for president? The free white house mint on their pillow?
However, it’s a little too early in the morning to think about a 71 year old man “being romantic”. Now I’m going to have that image stuck in my head all day.
By McLame February 21, 2008 at 10:01 am
haha! McCain is toast. Shoulda voted for Romney.
By Monkeydarts February 21, 2008 at 10:40 am
But piepton, he was only in his early 60′s when this anonymously sourced event, er happened. Maybe. The lobbyist looks a lot like Cindy McCain too. Maybe he just needs glasses. Give the guy a break.
By PalmettoCPA February 21, 2008 at 10:55 am
Not surprising at all, considering his past history in the “marital fidelity” department.
I personally don’t care who the President has relations with. Nevertheless, it’s a little less suspicious when it’s an intern rather than a lobbyist.
McCain winning SC makes a lot more sense now. We always love to elect legislators that are in bed with special interests.
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By The Observer February 21, 2008 at 1:28 pm
does these mean Obama now has the family values vote too….
By Hmmmm.... February 21, 2008 at 3:16 pm
What’s out of bounds? Nothing is out of bounds. Being president of the United States of America is about more than ideology. It’s about character. We seem to have forgotten that — Clinton and Dubya being prime examples.