For McCain, Self-Confidence on Ethics Poses Its Own Risk [McCain had an affair?]

New York Times ^ | February 21, 2008 | JIM RUTENBERG, MARILYN W. THOMPSON, DAVID D. KIRKPATRICK and STEPHEN LABATON

[Wallaby]

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, in his offices and aboard 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 clients, 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.

[ME-262]

After BJ Clinton and his Sax, I’d prefer a president who doesn’t also wannabe a musician. No more executive garage band that the nation has to listen to.

[Pinkbell]

I just heard this for the first time on the news this morning. I was all set to post it, but FR is always faster than the news. This thread already had over 800 posts.

[patriciaruth]

Ah, yes, agree totally.

They’re starting to serve the hors d’oeuvres now with the main courses to come.

Prepare for indigestion.

[dforest]

I wasn’t interested in the part you mentioned, I was more interested in the part about the Arizona ties, as I mentioned in #503.

[dforest]

Naw, they are just good buddies. Emotional.

[ExSoldier]

A female lobbyist had been turning up with him at fund-raisers, in his offices and aboard a client’s corporate jet. Convinced the relationship had become romantic, some of his top advisers intervened to protect the candidate from himself....

Bill would have fired those folks ... unless they were providing a superior substitute .....

This AND the Obama stories about gay sex & drugs aren't going to have any effect at all. Not unless Obama left dirty needles from main lining Heroin on the floor of the Senate. Even then he'll only be called into question by the greenies for littering....

[Fishtalk]

No comment.

McCain is an angel.

[E Rocc]

These stories never seem to grow legs when the woman allegedly involved is denying it.

-Eric

[E Rocc]

"So the NYT finally came out with this story...I wonder, why now?"

Eggs Act Lee. That's going to be the story. More like fontgate than forni-gate.

-Eric

[ARCADIA]

This is a non-story. This will have no effect on McCain’s chances.

I agree...however, if true, the old coot still has some life left in him ...

[toddlintown]

“both say they never had a romantic relationship.”

Right, it was pure sex, no romance. /s

[ARCADIA]

has had an affair with this woman since around 2000?

Given recent Republican sex scandals, we should happy it was with a woman ...

[8mmMauser]

Maybe we should call him DON JUAN MCCAIN now...

Yeah, I think so. Also, maybe Don Juannabee, or mcCain and enAble.

[toddlintown]

“Bye bye McCain, this is the bombshell”

Go back to your chardonnay.

[joesbucks]

The question is, the media is typically lazy and gets most of it’s news on people from opposition research. Wonder whose opposition passed it on?

[Dr. Scarpetta]

The NYTimes is trying to help Obama win in a landslide. IMO it will work. Democrats and even some Republicans are in love with the guy...

[StarFan]

Payback to Cindy and an attempt to get attention away from how Obama thinks of America.

Haven't read the thread so perhaps this was already commented on. Drudge broke the news in December long before Michelle made the comment so I doubt Obama played any role in this. In December there were many pols in the game so it's anyones guess who may have had a hand in this.

[omega4179]

Bush coke=bad
Obama coke=refreshing honesty
President has an affair=good
62 year old senator allegedly has affair=bad

[omega4179]

I QUESTION THE TIMING of the leak not the seriousness of the charge.

[omega4179]

Why did the times wait a month or more?
TO STOP MITT and his consevative message.