New York Times claims on McCain a non-story

John McCain has denied having an affair with a Washington lobbyist- Vicky Iseman- after a report on the issue appeared in the New York Times newspaper.
This affair was alleged to have taken place eight years ago.
McCain also denied that he had ever improperly aided companies represented by Iseman as chairman of the senate commerce committee.
This is a rehash of an old story and appears calculated to damage McCain’s fund raising and organizational efforts. It has done nothing to enhance the credibility of the New York’s Times. The newspaper appears to have scored a spectacular own goal. This is yellow journalism at its best. The New York Times approach is to give McCain something to deny. Machiavelli would be proud of this effort at character assassination.


Today at news conference in Toledo, Ohio and accompanied by his wife Cindy he said, "Obviously I'm very disappointed in the article. It's not true. I've served this nation honourably for more than half a century. At no time have I ever done anything that would betray the public trust.”

The newspaper alleged that aides had urged McCain and Iseman to stay away from each other before his failed presidential campaign in 2000.
Cindy McCain said “More importantly, my children and I not only trust my husband, but know that he would never do anything to not only disappoint our family, but disappoint the people of America. He's a man of great character,”

In the 1980s John McCain was one of five senators accused of trying to influence banking regulators on behalf of Charles Keating, a savings and loan financier who was later convicted of securities fraud.

The Senate Ethics Committee found that McCain had been guilty of "poor judgment" but that his actions 'were not improper" and did not deserve punishment.

McCain’s performance at the press conference was calm assured and presidential.
His wife Cindy was dignified. This should boost his poll ratings. The unjustified attack may encourage many sceptical conservatives to throw their support behind McCain. He may yet thank the New York Times.