CAMPAIGN 2008

With Friends Like These ...

McCain's denial that he had a romantic relationship with a lobbyist was firm, but it invited a game of catch me if you can.

By Evan Thomas and Michael Isikoff | NEWSWEEK

Mar 3, 2008 Issue

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Discuss

Posted By: justme107 @ 03/04/2008 9:58:53 AM

Comment: I am disappointed in Newsweek's decision to grant anonymity to a man who "often invited [Iseman} into his office and did not want to be identified acknowledging that he found [Iseman} attracitve." Since Newsweek described Iseman as "attractive" in the second paragraph of this story and printed her picture, allowing people to draw their own conclusions, it seems the man would have little to no risk by admitting he was attracted to her. There are legitimate reasons to grant anonymity, but how is the public's right to know served by shielding this cowardly source? What does he add to the story that is vital to know and that could not be gotten from named sources? Nothing, as far as I can see. The placement of an unknown "insider" giving a delightfully sly quote that advances the tone of this whole piece makes me question whether the man exists at all.
Posted By: Ohg Rea Tone @ 03/02/2008 8:32:08 AM

Comment: The Law of Association comes from mathematics - but it is equally relevant in politics. ....
http://thefiresidepost.com/2008/03/01/politics-and-laws-of-association/
Posted By: Knnt @ 03/01/2008 9:52:20 AM

Comment: Oh, God, spare us another media slaying. What difference does it make who slept with who or not at all in this day and age.
Posted By: eddiewhere @ 02/29/2008 2:10:14 AM

Comment: IN THIS ENVIORNMENT OF ECONOMIC FEUDALISM WHERE THE MIDDLE CLASS MUST SUFFER IN ORDER TO INCREASE THE pROFITS OF MULTINATIONAL CORpORATIONS, WHO BENEFIT FROM CHEAp LABOR, THE AMERICAN DREAM HAS BEEN LOST.
MULTINALTIONALS FROM INDIA HAVE BROUGHT THEIR CHEAp WAyS TO AMERICA. WE NOW HAVE AMERIANS GOING TO GET HEART SURGERy IN INDIA BEAUSE IT IS CHEApER. OUR INFORMATION TECHNOLy JOBS HAVE BEEN OUTSOURCED TO INDIA.
CHINA WAITS UNTIL WE INVENT IT AND THEN THEy STEAL IT. WHy REINVENT THE WHEEL.
ARABS FINANCIERS OWN OVER TWELVER pER CENT OF OUR ECONOMy AND IN RECENT MONTTHS HAVE "BAILED" OUT OUR BANKS. IN ADDITION, ARAB INTEREST FROM DUBAI AND KUWAIT HAVE FINANCED OUR pOLITICAL LEADERS ENDEVOURS ON BOTH SIDES OF THE pOLITICAL SpECTRUM.. IT IS TIME FOR A CHANGE.

We have been fooled by our own government and there is no way any Republican is going to win this election. THE Middle class has had it with all this Bin LADEN terrorist crap. WE are now scared of our own government more than we are of the terrorist because the decisions this government is making on our behalf is not in our best interests and it is killing us. The government is now dominating our civil liberties. They are giving the states millions for Real ID Cards. This is just the start of government intrusion. Combine this with the misuse of the Patriot Act and the future Plans of insurance comPanies and corporations to have full access to our personal records and we have a real crisis.
Credit Card companies have already started selling and sharing our personal information with the private sector. We really have to wake up and protect our constitution it is all we have to defend ourselves against interests that become too rich and powerful in this country. The government keeps expanding and is being predominantly controlled by special interest and lobbyist. The middle class is being weakened and our civil liberties are being threatened. Real ID Cards will not make "us safer" infacat terrorists can obtain fake ones and move about freely. The American people did not vote on Real ID Cards, we need a vote. Our constitution would have to be ammended in order for Real ID's to become legal. I do not know what has happened in Washington but it is getting out of hand. They know what they are doing is unconstitutional so they are trying to bribe the states by offering them money. I hope every state agrees with me and Prevents the federal govenment from imPosing THIS unconstitutional law. If the states allow the government to do this then they would have set a bad Precedent that could lead to further government violations.
WHy IS THERE A NEED TO WIRE TAp EVERy CITIZEN. ARE yOU KIDDING ME. yOU NEED A WARRANT. THIS IS MADNESS. GOVERNMENT IS USING TERRORISM AS AN EXCUSE TO INTRUDE ON OUR CIVIL LIBERTIES. THIS IS INSANE.

McCain will continue to implementt these misguided REpublian policies. McCain's ONE HUNDRED year agenda is not in AMERICA"s BEST INTEREST.
Posted By: Mrs. D. @ 02/28/2008 7:18:18 AM

Comment: Having read Newsweek's expansive coverage of McCain in weeks past, I wondered why they did not include coverage of McCain's first wife, Carol, and how after she suffered a life-threatening car accident that left her disfigured and partially disabled, he divorced her and one month later married his current wife.

That part of McCain's life is a good barometer of his real character.
Posted By: Mrs. D. @ 02/28/2008 7:15:23 AM

Comment: Having read Newsweeks coverage of John McCain a few weeks back, I have to wonder why they did not include details on McCain's first wife, Carol, and how he filed for divorce when she became disfigured and disabled from a car accident and one month later married his current wife.

Straight Talk. I think not.
Posted By: timitio @ 02/27/2008 2:04:09 PM

Comment: Well I read the Times article, it didn't appear that the Times was raising the possible romantic contacts to smear McCain but to highlight how close he is to special interests. Apparently McCain is so close to lobbyists and provides them with the kind of access that some people could conclude he was sleeping one. Personaly I could care less if the guy had an affair, I do however care a great deal if someone who wants to be president is so tied to lobbying interests that he is constantly surrounded by them...lets them run his campaign and possesses such poor judgement that he is unaware of the hypocripsy of the situation.
Posted By: Goldi @ 02/27/2008 3:29:21 AM

Comment: heres somethinf for omama http://www.spymac.com/details?2346988
Posted By: terravista @ 02/27/2008 12:06:23 AM

Comment: mccain, the liberal media is backing obama 100 precent but maybe now that the debate showed he and his preahcer admire and think Farakaan is gretness then will get a lot of nervous support. Farakaan and obama, wow, I never knew it and his own preacher. - go McCain
Posted By: charliefromtexas @ 02/26/2008 3:28:16 PM

Comment: America will be torn again by right wing attackers like Mr.Cunningham. Voting for McCain is what makes these attackers happy. Haven't we suffered long enough with George Bush's right wing attackers like Cheney, Bolton, Wolfowitz, and then the right wing radio and TV hosts like Limbaugh, O'Reilly, Coulter, Tucker, ... ?? When will these all end.

The only way to end this is to send back right wing and republican politics back to their home for a long time.
Posted By: charliefromtexas @ 02/26/2008 2:19:26 PM

Comment: You want a President who makes right decisions. We do not want a President who makes catastrophic decisions, stay 'resolute' about it in the face of a tremendous amount evidence to the contrary, and drive the country into ruins. McCain's early judgement about the War was fraud.

What makes you think that he will make the RIDGT decisions time and again? It will be the opposite. McCain = George Bush.

McCain's America will be the same disasterous one as George Bush's. Do not take the chances with McCain.
Posted By: charliefromtexas @ 02/26/2008 2:12:40 PM

Comment: John McCain is running as McCain-Lobbyists coalition. If you are surrounded by Lobbyists, THEN you are bound to do what you hear they talk, do what you are shown by the Lobbyists.

McCain Whitehouse is clear. It will be OF THE LOBBYISTS, FOR THE LOBBYISTS AND BY THE LOBBYISTS,

If nothing else, the way McCain surrounds himself with Corporate Lobbyists tells volumes about McCain's judgement and how he is going to run the country if he is elected.

McCain's judgement is no better than George Bush's judgement.

McCain's America = Bush's America.
Posted By: charliefromtexas @ 02/26/2008 2:11:54 PM

Comment: John McCain is running as McCain-Lobbyists coalition. If you are surrounded by Lobbyists, THEN you are bound to do what you hear they talk, do what you are shown by the Lobbyists.

McCain Whitehouse is clear. It will be OF THE LOBBYISTS, FOR THE LOBBYISTS AND BY THE LOBBYISTS,

If nothing else, the way McCain surrounds himself with Corporate Lobbyists tells volumes about McCain's judgement and how he is going to run the country if he is elected.

McCain's judgement is no better than George Bush's judgement.

McCain's America = Bush's America.
Posted By: Southern Bell @ 02/26/2008 1:45:08 PM

Comment: John McCain isn't running on the issues, he's running as John McCain. With the possible exception of the environment, he has no interest in any other subject than foreign affairs.

He wants to make the election about "character" and so anything he does or says that contradicts the media's adored "Maverick" fascade should be addressed.
Posted By: JohnGaltlaketahoe @ 02/26/2008 12:54:39 PM

Comment: THIS IS A PRESIDENTIAL ISSUE?! While the US military is occupying a foreign land in support of an incredible Iraqi parliament the American news networks are parading McCain's social life as a Presidential election issue!

The political voice of Americans is being silenced by the private cable news networks that are rating and gaming the election process! If this were any other nation with this kind of news media people would be tearing the news media's offices apart!!!!!!!!!!

Do you want to vote for the next President on the basis of his social life!! Or on his record. Because the records of McCain and the Savings and Loan Scandels, the records off Clinton on corporate money to screw the American electorate are more important.
Posted By: hydroponicrose @ 02/26/2008 10:29:16 AM

Comment: If I was McCain I woulda tapped that ass!
Posted By: gommy goomy @ 02/26/2008 8:41:34 AM

Comment: In response to my new best friend, vclayson, "The grocery store shelf"? Evan Thomas, and the likes of Time and Newsweek, can only DREAM of such a prominent placement. After all, if you're not forced to use a public toilet in some gas station or repair shop, where would you ever come across one of these "weeklys"? Even at the Doctors', or the Dentists' you'ld have to sift through at least two piles of "Highlight" magazines and "Ladies Home Journals" to find anything with an "article" by the likes of Evan Thomas. Or that other Clinton suck-up; that little pudgy George Costanza wannabe who really needs to make a concrete decision on what he's gonna do about that hair problem he's going through. Johnathan Alter. I liked them so much more when "character didn't matter". Or when things like this were just somebodys' "private life". Didn't you? Hey, keep your car tuned up, eat right and exercise, and brush and floss, and you have to put yourself through these losers ever again.
Posted By: monmon68 @ 02/25/2008 9:45:57 PM

Comment: Good job Vicki,this old senile man ,being in jail as "POW"and his prostate's problems makes him a good target for a good blow up jobs.
Posted By: vclayson@msn.com @ 02/25/2008 6:59:13 PM

Comment: Evan Thomas and his gang apparently wants us to believe that in 1999 John McCain was so stupid and sex driven as to get involved in a dalliance while starting a campaign for the presidency, this after only a few months after seeing president Bill Clinton impeached for lying about an affair and after reading and hearing about little else in the news except Clinton's affairs for 8 years, with the latest that year, 1999,, an expose on Dateline TV where a woman claimed to have been raped by Clinton. Seems to me that the New York Times has a Dan Rather mentality, issuing a story with no evidence or fake evidence and then announcing "it could have happened that way." I recall the New York Times firing reporters for falsehoods, what, is it now that they are fading in importance they will go to the grocery store shelf style of news, e.g., "Britney Spears Refuses To Admit Sexual Encounter With Father Of Her Children - Ever."
- Posted By: vicinnewyork @ 02/26/2008 18:48:09
  
  Comment: Way to go vclayson...I support Senator McCain all the way. This man has dedicated his life to the United States...as a citizen, military person, and elected official...never "sugar coating" the truth of any situation...remaining strong to his beliefs. That's an usual trait in anyone. Truth, Loyality, and Dedication. I admire this man's character.
Posted By: Gruth @ 02/25/2008 5:53:12 PM

Comment: How could this not be a politically motivated article in view of the noncoverage of the Juanita Broderick story. That involved a felony and a pretty serious one. This story only insinuates what people usually infer from the man/woman close working relationship. The press becomes very bizarre at moments like this.
Posted By: orrdc @ 02/25/2008 5:49:14 PM

Comment: The Yanks missed out on the best man already - Mitt Romney, a credible, proven success had the character and intelligence to pull the country out of recession and possibly straighten Washington out. He seemed like an honest guy who didn't need the job (independently wealthy and all), but wanted to make a difference for his country. Now you're left with McCain and a Democrat. Better luck next election.

Truly Canadian
Posted By: abe4600 @ 02/25/2008 4:16:32 PM

Comment: McCain..."I didn't have a lobbying relationship with that woman" ...hmmm
- Posted By: HolyRoller @ 02/25/2008 17:59:43
  
  Comment: Hussein Obama..".I did not smoke crack rock and have oral sex with that Sinclair guy in the back of a limo"
  
  or, "That was not a Somali Muslim Warlord induction ceremony."
  
  or, "My indicted Syrian friend Mr. Resko and I never made any unethical deals."
  
  or. My Church does not influence my beliefs in any way."
  
  ...hmmm, hmmmm, double hmmmm...
  
  NOBAMA!!!
Posted By: djd1992 @ 02/25/2008 12:06:14 PM

Comment: Are we really to believe that McCain is influenced by lobbyists and Clinton and Obama are not? Nonsense All members of Congress are influenced by lobbyists. Is he more beholden to the interests of the rich and powerful than are Clinton or Obama? If that's the case, why have they raised more money than he.has? Is he an immoral philanderer? Again, nonsense. Because some of his aides worried that there might have been an appearance of impropriety, we must assume that he had been unfaithful to his wife?

As an independent who leans Republican on social issues, I have some serious disagreements with McCain. I don't think we should ever have gone to war in Iraq and said so before we ever did. I don't think that "trickle down" ecoomics is all that helpful to those on the bottom. I don't think that our healthcare crisis can be solved by merely by solely relying on the private sector. I would like to hear serious debate on these and other issues. I get very frustrated with news reporters who believe that are serving voters by raising misleading accusations.
Posted By: djd1992 @ 02/25/2008 11:37:25 AM

Comment: Does the author of this article seriously want his readers to believe that McCain is more influenced by lobbyists than are Clinton or Obama? Nonsense. There are serious reasons why someone might vote for either Democratic nominee over McCain: They disagree with his positions on Iraq, Healthcare, civil rights, economic policy, etc. We need to hear serious debate on these issues. Unsubstantiated charges of scandal only keep the focus off from issues that should decide this election.
Posted By: neophyte @ 02/25/2008 10:31:58 AM

Comment: Seems like the initial NYT interest in the McCain lobbiest story was triggered back in Nov/Dec. At that time the only campaign interested in attacking McCain was not Clinton or Obama, it was Romney. I believe that is who fed this story to the NYT.
Posted By: nolancam @ 02/25/2008 1:34:27 AM

Comment: @gigamick and @ Nuculer George:
Yes I did read the article, and yes I do care about the facts. So, please point to a fact - let me know (and everyone else reading) what you believe I need to know. I don't see it in the article - please point it out to me. And uhhh... what's with the whole "right-wing smoke screen artist" comment? Please chill out. Instead, show me the substance I am missing in the article.
Posted By: eddiewhere @ 02/25/2008 1:15:46 AM

Comment: you can THANK BUSH and all the citizens who criticized their brothers for being unpatriotic for criticizing this administration. WELCOME TO THE HELL you voted FOR. I hope that you all learned a lesson and do not vote for McCAIN.
McCAIN is not economically grounded and will continue BUSH policies. ECONOMIC FEUDALISM. STAGNATION OCCURS WHEN THE GOVERNMENT RIps off it's own people.
Posted By: gigamick @ 02/24/2008 9:42:57 PM

Comment: @eabg_22, how much would you like to bet that this whole Larry Sinclair thing wasn't the well-time manufacturing of one of the many right-wing nutjob organizations (there are many) like "worldnetdaily" who have a long history of bigotry and lies? Name it!
- Posted By: eabg_22 @ 02/25/2008 15:12:04
  
  Comment: If the accusations were at anyone else, McCain or Clinton, they would be brought up in the MSM
Posted By: eabg_22 @ 02/24/2008 8:38:07 PM

Comment: How much longer can Fineman, Isikoff and the other fair journalist continue to ignore the Larry Sinclair issue. The story is going to get broken soon, maybe after Obama ties up the nomination, just like NYT and Newsweek are trying to do to McCain. It will be interesting to see how long these pariahs can turn their back on the Sinclair issue and try to pretend Clinton and McCain are the real villans
Posted By: desapience @ 02/24/2008 7:45:49 PM

Comment: Mccaine is a man who is "trying" to characterize himself as a straight-talking and likable "guy", and loves to promote himself as a being a war-hero. He laso happens to be married to an extremely weathy "heiress", and in reality is a guy who simply got shot down and was captured during an illegal war (Vietnam, like Iraq, was a war promoted by lies, and utter the ineptness of ALL our then politicians).

Being a highly trained fighter pilot, his entire early life was one as a man who blindly followed orders to accomlish a "mission", right or wrong. the fact is, if mccaine wastruly a straight-talking, self-thinking man with guts, he would have long ago spoke out against the Vietnam war, and the Iraq war for that matter. However, mccaine is a odd mix of elitism and self-serving selfishness, and is the very last thing we need as a president after the 8 year bush-fiasco of criminal lies and elitist favoritisms. and, mek no mistakes, mccain is actually just a false front: a leeming-like PNC- bush patsy. With b ush-senior endorsing mccaine, what you will see next is "jeb bush" being slowly shoe-horned into the "promoted" gop candidate for the VP slot. And, god forbid, if mccaine were to somehow become president (by yet another bush-sneior orchestrated theft of the election process), you can bet he would not last-out the first term, and we'd see jeb ascend to the white house -- which ha salwys been the "master" PNAC corrupted, bush-senior plan.
- Posted By: eabg_22 @ 02/24/2008 20:38:51
  
  Comment: you should have posted this a few more times desapience
  - Posted By: Cazador72 @ 02/25/2008 00:27:38
    
    Comment: Although I agree with you in principle, one thing to know about McCain is that he is in love with the romance of war. Mind you, not with just or unjust concepts of war, but with war itself. The way he sees it, the US an do no wrong if it is involved in a conflict. This is not a rational thing for him, it's a deeply held emotional drive.
    
    Much like going out with a cousin of mine when he is drunk, to elect McCain is to guarantee conflict.
    - Posted By: HolyRoller @ 02/25/2008 13:29:20
      
      Comment: Its probably not your cousin's drinking, but the fact so have nothing to offer than to a conversation but sissified remarks. poor, poor little Victimcrate. I would say cry me a river, but then the Nat'l Guard might have to rescue you.
      
      NOBAMA!!!
Posted By: desapience @ 02/24/2008 7:44:17 PM

Comment: Mccaine is a man who is "trying" to characterize himself as a straight-talking and likable "guy", and loves to promote himself as a being a war-hero. He laso happens to be married to an extremely weathy "heiress", and in reality is a guy who simply got shot down and was captured during an illegal war (Vietnam, like Iraq, was a war promoted by lies, and utter the ineptness of ALL our then politicians).

Being a highly trained fighter pilot, his entire early life was one as a man who blindly followed orders to accomlish a "mission", right or wrong. the fact is, if mccaine wastruly a straight-talking, self-thinking man with guts, he would have long ago spoke out against the Vietnam war, and the Iraq war for that matter. However, mccaine is a odd mix of elitism and self-serving selfishness, and is the very last thing we need as a president after the 8 year bush-fiasco of criminal lies and elitist favoritisms. and, mek no mistakes, mccain is actually just a false front: a leeming-like PNC- bush patsy. With b ush-senior endorsing mccaine, what you will see next is "jeb bush" being slowly shoe-horned into the "promoted" gop candidate for the VP slot. And, god forbid, if mccaine were to somehow become president (by yet another bush-sneior orchestrated theft of the election process), you can bet he would not last-out the first term, and we'd see jeb ascend to the white house -- which ha salwys been the "master" PNAC corrupted, bush-senior plan.
Posted By: desapience @ 02/24/2008 7:43:58 PM

Comment: Mccaine is a man who is "trying" to characterize himself as a straight-talking and likable "guy", and loves to promote himself as a being a war-hero. He laso happens to be married to an extremely weathy "heiress", and in reality is a guy who simply got shot down and was captured during an illegal war (Vietnam, like Iraq, was a war promoted by lies, and utter the ineptness of ALL our then politicians).

Being a highly trained fighter pilot, his entire early life was one as a man who blindly followed orders to accomlish a "mission", right or wrong. the fact is, if mccaine wastruly a straight-talking, self-thinking man with guts, he would have long ago spoke out against the Vietnam war, and the Iraq war for that matter. However, mccaine is a odd mix of elitism and self-serving selfishness, and is the very last thing we need as a president after the 8 year bush-fiasco of criminal lies and elitist favoritisms. and, mek no mistakes, mccain is actually just a false front: a leeming-like PNC- bush patsy. With b ush-senior endorsing mccaine, what you will see next is "jeb bush" being slowly shoe-horned into the "promoted" gop candidate for the VP slot. And, god forbid, if mccaine were to somehow become president (by yet another bush-sneior orchestrated theft of the election process), you can bet he would not last-out the first term, and we'd see jeb ascend to the white house -- which ha salwys been the "master" PNAC corrupted, bush-senior plan.
Posted By: gigamick @ 02/24/2008 6:10:09 PM

Comment: @schnoodle5... you are obviously right, but the sex tale is really just the MacGuffin to the real issue, which is McCain's 25 year history of lobbyist corruption. I'd urge everyone to read a well-researched analysis of John McCain's (continued) involvement in the Jack Abramoff cover up on the blog DailyKos: http://www.dailykos.com/story/2008/2/23/03912/3990
McCain is the epitome of political corruption, just as he has been since his involvement in the ???Keating Five??? scandal starting back in 1982! Instead of focusing on one misstep made by the NYT, take a moment to instead consider the larger issue of widespread corruption due to our current lobbyist situation in Washington. If only a conscientious media outlet had the fortitude to pick this story up, it would really expose how corrupt McCain really is...
Posted By: smugamer @ 02/24/2008 6:01:03 PM

Comment: I seriously cannot believe Holyroller is at it again. This is the fifth time in recent years I've seen him spreading blatant lies claiming Barack Obama is a muslim.

Holyroller... I don't believe it's possible for you to be as unintelligent as your posts make you sound. It's not possible for anyone to be that dense. All I can conclude instead is that you are simply a bald-faced liar.

Here's a link from your precious Fox News itself...

http://youdecide08.foxnews.com/barack-obama/

Click that link. See anything interesting? Fox News has Obama's religion listed as ''United Church of Christ'. Now, we all know Fox News is the only 'fair and balanced' news organization (ha!) but I'd think as an obvious die-hard right wing nut you'd have to accept it's ruling.

Every time you lie about Obama's religion, you suck away that much more of your credibility. Honestly, I don't think you have any left.

There's a reckoning coming in November 2008, and hypocritical, bald faced liars like yourself are on the way out.
- Posted By: HolyRoller @ 02/24/2008 22:00:37
  
  Comment: The Senator from the great mulim nation of Indonesia, where he recieved teachings and indoctrination in the Wassabi anti-Western ideology. He also attended a Catholic school there, where his religion was listed as Muslim. He was excussed from religious teachings there. 20 yrs ago he "converted" and joined the cult like "church" he attends today. This "church" requires devotion to Africa, awarded Louis Farrakhan its Man Of The Year award(guess there were no deserving black Christians available. It is ver muslim friendly. His Rev. and mentor is quoted in the NYT blaming the USA for 9/11. His cousin in Kenya is involved in the ethnic cleansing of Christians as we speak. He is in up to his neck with his indicted Syrian buddy Resko(Retained his Syrian citizenship), his wife spoke her views on this country last week. And as we all can see, his well documented snub on our flag. He wants to play footsie with terrorist heads of state. If it looks like a pig, squeals like a pig, and smells like a pig...it's a PIG. The man is a MOHAMMED.
  A Islamic Sympathizer at best. Throw in this latest Sinclair bit and the picture is clear...NOBAMA!!!
  - Posted By: Cazador72 @ 02/25/2008 00:33:53
    
    Comment: DoobieRoller,
    
    I don't know if you got the memo, but your cross-burning, fear-mongering, fake-Christian philosophy will not deliver you the power you are looking for, not this time around. Somehow when I think of Jesus, I see him expecting more of people like you.
    - Posted By: HolyRoller @ 02/25/2008 18:06:20
      
      Comment: Wow, I'm afraid to respond to your comments. You make such compelling arguments against my statements. By the way I'm curious. Are you an Obama mohammed or a MoveOnYouTuber. Just to get a point of reference ya know.
      
      p.s. I thought Hussein looked really cute at his Warlord Induction.
      
      NOBAMA!!!
      - Posted By: bluethunder1962 @ 02/27/2008 17:15:05
        
        Comment: Could you please take your medication right away! Also, please seek out your local community college and consider remedial English and writing. You are such a nut job, I can't even believe you can stand yourself.
Posted By: A-politicl-novice @ 02/24/2008 5:59:16 PM

Comment: This McCain thing has the smell of conservative dirty tricks on it. Can I put such things past people who would rather lose the WH than allow a centrist Republican to try for it?
Posted By: schnoodle5 @ 02/24/2008 5:56:52 PM

Comment: I can never understand why the U.S. press continues to peek into the bedrooms of your Presidents and/or Presidential candidates. Who cares who Bill Clinton or John McCain slept with or didn't sleep with? That is a matter left between themselves and their spouses. Much more important are the policies of your Presidents and Presidential candidates. Former Prime Minister of Canada, Pierre Trudeau, had a daughter outside of marriage, Presidents and Prime Ministers all over the world have mistresses and children out of wedlock....WHO CARES??? Unlike that "Good Christian" they aren't starting pre-emptive wars and lying about killing thousands of innocent people. Come on, U.S. Press, get real and report the 'REAL NEWS"
Posted By: gigamick @ 02/24/2008 5:55:53 PM

Comment: @HolyRoller... Where are you getting your facts from? How about some sources rather than a seemingly intolerant and ignorant statement about Obama being some sort of evil muslim psycho? Way to put your best foot forward...
- Posted By: Cazador72 @ 02/25/2008 00:41:07
  
  Comment: Don't waste your time, brother. People like DoobieRoller are interested in using Christianity as a means to justify the hatred they already hold. It's not the often difficult but enlightening and loving road to Christ they look for, it's the easy, hateful, fear-mongering road that allows them to keep the hatred they already feel.
Posted By: A-politicl-novice @ 02/24/2008 5:55:04 PM

Comment: I smell Karl rove and Rush Limbaugh in this. Both are so conservative that each would rather lose to the Dems rather than help a fellow Republican more centrist than they are succede.
Posted By: widollar @ 02/24/2008 4:52:42 PM

Comment: All winter long, reporters seeking to find out more about the relationship between Iseman and McCain tried to track down Mark Buse, who had been the commerce-committee chief of staff in 1999. Buse had become a lobbyist for a time but appeared to have left that job and gone to ground, or at least avoided the press. In recent weeks, however, Buse re-emerged. He had just been hired by McCain to run his Senate office. Buse

tells NEWSWEEK that he recalled Iseman's coming by his office and leaving briefing material that was used by Buse to help draft letters under McCain's signature. Nothing unusual here, he says: "That's Lobbying 101."

Yes, the plan is to always silence the harmful messenger by putting them on your payroll. John McCAin you are as transparent as a window pane old stick.
Posted By: gigamick @ 02/24/2008 4:21:04 PM

Comment: Nolancam and so many other posters on this site could care less about the facts and instead are here just to defend their "team". I'm a registered Rupublican, but am for one disgusted by the hopelessness of our governmental regime. McCain has a history of lobbyist wrongdoing and corruption dating back over 25 years. This cable scenario sounds almost identical to his involvement with Charles Keating starting back in 1982.
Posted By: Nuculer George @ 02/24/2008 3:54:35 PM

Comment: Sorry about the disregard for the facts too, nolancam. Did you read this article at all, or are you just another right-wing smokescreen artist?
- Posted By: HolyRoller @ 02/24/2008 16:17:26
  
  Comment: Yea your right. This lobbyist story is right up there with this Sinclair and Obama story about crack rock, homo bj's, and lie detector tests.
  
  Won't they ever learn.
  
  NOBAMA!!!
Posted By: tyler214 @ 02/24/2008 3:51:32 PM

Comment: McCain himself said about the matter that "his relationship with Paxson???flying on the corporate jet, taking $20,000 in campaign contributions???would "absolutely" look corrupt to the ordinary voter." Even though he may not have used his position to influence the FCC decision, it looked corrupt. It shows he has the standard Republican attitude of "the rules don't apply to me because I'm the good guy".
Posted By: nolancam @ 02/24/2008 3:26:10 PM

Comment: Sorry for the double-post, I didn't think it worked the first time :(
Posted By: nolancam @ 02/24/2008 3:24:37 PM

Comment: So let me get this straight... McCain's crime is encouraging the FCC to make a decision one way or the other about the lobbyist's request? That he didn't even encourge the FCC to decide in the lobbyist's favor? What a non-story. zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz
Posted By: nolancam @ 02/24/2008 3:21:54 PM

Comment: Let me get this straight... McCain's crime is writting a letter to FCC encouraging them to make a decision one way or the other? Not even encouraging which way the FCC should decide? zzzzzzzzzzzzz What a non-story. Now a story about William J. Johnson hiding FBI's money in his freezer - that's a story.
Posted By: Medge @ 02/24/2008 3:14:23 PM

Comment: Senator McCain is washed out. Even if he were to switch his soft spoken demeanor for a ranting style, like big mouth radio host, Rush Limbaugh--it would not do any good. He can't run on a 20 year record of questionable unethical practices, as the NYT article suggests, for president of the United States of America.
He should kiss his candidacy good-bye and save his time and money. He may even reach a ripe and restful old age..
- Posted By: HolyRoller @ 02/24/2008 16:13:24
  
  Comment: How about against an opponent running on the Islamic sympathizer ticket. Kerry swiftboats will look like little rubber duckies. Hussein will have to ANSWER real questions of background and character. Can you say Resko? Syria? Louis Farrakhan? Muslim? Indonesia? Kenya? Genocide?
  - Posted By: lelolai @ 02/24/2008 16:32:24
    
    Comment: Who are you talking about? This is an honest question. I don't know what you mean.
    - Posted By: HolyRoller @ 02/24/2008 17:38:57
      
      Comment: If you don't know, you will very soon. If Hussein Obama is your candidate you need to research him. He is all rhetoric with no substance. He usually votes Present instead of yea or nea. His muslim ties are undeniable. His cousin has been involved in the ethnic cleansing of Christians in Kenya, a man named Larry Sinclair is making allegations of a homosexual encouter incl. smoking crack rock, etc. etc.
      
      Hussein is not the good little mohammed he presents himself as.
      
      NOBAMA!!!
Posted By: lelolai @ 02/24/2008 3:00:29 PM

Comment: I am always suspicious of men's claims of "she is just a friend." Has anybody asked Mr. McCain if Mrs. Iseman was also Cindy's friend? If the woman had been McCain's employee, it makes sense that she worked closely with him. Why was a lobbyist so near him that he can call her a friend? I want to believe that there was no romantic relationship, but I think he was at the time a little sweet about her and that natural weakness made him write the letters. Never underestimate the stupid things that happen when you put together a man an a woman in a room together. Think about this: she is young and ambitious, he is old and foolish, they travel on private jets, dine in wonderful places, the wife and kids (and their problems) are far away . . .
Posted By: lelolai @ 02/24/2008 2:46:39 PM

Comment: I am always suspicious of married men claims of "she is just a friend!" Has anyone asked Mr. McCain if Ms. Iseman was also Cindy's friend? Had Ms. Iseman been his employee, of course she (or he) might have been close to him, but that doesn't hold for a lobbyist. Why was she so near him unless she wanted some "favors" ? That's what bothers me about the story, even though I have always liked him.
Posted By: nikozzie @ 02/24/2008 2:41:43 PM

Comment: Does anyone remember John McCain and Charles Keating?
Posted By: DMVL @ 02/24/2008 2:32:41 PM

Comment: The New York Times is losing it's relevance. After its lousy reporting on Wen Ho Lee, it's disgrace of a reporter, Judith Miller and her stories on WMDs, Jayson Blair's made up stories, are any of you surprised they've sunk this low? And, as a person not fond of lobbyists, I can actually say I am sorry for Ms. Iseman.
Posted By: gigamick @ 02/24/2008 2:28:19 PM

Comment: In addition to the fact that Newsweek has already caught the McCain camp in a blatant lie with their recent article, I'd urge everyone to read a well-researched analysis of John McCain's (continued) involvement in the Jack Abramoff cover up on the blog DailyKos: http://www.dailykos.com/story/2008/2/23/03912/3990 McCain is the epitome of political corruption, just as he has been since his involvement in the ???Keating Five??? scandal starting back in 1982! Instead of focusing on one misstep made by the NYT, take a moment to instead consider the larger issue of widespread corruption due to our current lobbyist situation in Washington. If only a formidable media outlet out there had the fortitude to pick this story up, it would really expose how corrupt McCain really is...
Posted By: 3holycow7 @ 02/24/2008 2:04:25 PM

Comment: ENOUGH OF THE SLEEZE REPORTING. IT'S THE MEDIA AND THEIR REPORTERS WHO SHOULD BE INVESTIGATED. LET'S STOP ALREADY!
Posted By: mstan1799 @ 02/24/2008 1:55:56 PM

Comment: 24 Feb 2008
mstan1799
There no story in this story. The NYT is dying. This story was published in hopes of boosting circulation. Expect more enquirer style stories from this crumbling "institution".
Posted By: Tommypie @ 02/24/2008 1:48:10 PM

Comment: The New York Times, a liberal bastion of the most unsavory kind, is trying to discredit Mr. McCain at a time they feel it would do the most harm to him. They have no proof of any "romantic relationship" with the lobbyist, but if there is no proof, The Times figures the next best thing is to sow doubts in the minds of its readers and some will believe it. Some believe because they want to believe and are salivating at the prospect of destroying Mr. McCain. In fact, it is only rallying the conservatives more to Mr. McCain's side. Some would not have voted for him until this happened, but now they will because of The New York Times hatchet job. Bring on some more lies, dear Times, and McCain will be our next president.
Posted By: EffYou @ 02/24/2008 1:44:52 PM

Comment: Who cares about who he slept with. Why don't you do an important story about Rick Renzi's Indictment. McCain's Co-Chair hit for fraud and extortion. If you dig deep enough, you'll find Sen John McCain involved in this deal. McCain's only signed legislation in the 109th congress had to do with AZ land and transfers of valuable public lands near highways in exchange for acreage in the outback. Mor(http://www.aliciapatterson.org/APF2101/Olsen/ Olsen.html)

John is well known for helping his friends - like Charles Keating - make big money at the taxpayers' expense.
Posted By: Steve in Stamford @ 02/24/2008 1:26:39 PM

Comment: The NYT Public Editor column today acknowledged the speciousness of the sexual innuendo as the lead of their original story and admitted it fell below their own prior standards for reporting. They also indicated that four or more reporters worked on this story full-time for more than half a year. And this story was all they came up with...? The recent layoffs in the newsroom over there certainly are justified if that's all the production they can get. Maybe there are too many "innuendo" reporters at Newsweek, too...
Posted By: J Druid @ 02/24/2008 8:52:56 AM

Comment: Clinton and Obama make me want to puke. McCain is a Clinton wannabe who basically is more Pro-War. All three of these fools who keep talking about how much they care about the American people, voted YEA (Yes) to authorize the Patriot Act, which undermines all of our civil liberties (urban, rural, whatever). If the average American knew what these crack pot politicians were doing to our basic rights as American citizens, I think they would be outraged (well, may be I am wrong on that point, but they really should be in my opinion).
Please, please, please. I hope a Third Party is going to emerge that will call for the Repeal of the Patriot Act, as well as oppose the McClinObama train wreck policies of bigger government, more subsidies, less civil rights, and higher taxes.
McCain should be fully investigated for his violation of his own McCain-Feingold campaign finance reform. Sounds like the true McCain, Washington insider, Washington Politician, Washington Corruption will become the face of his campaign, no matter how much the media tries to spin the latest scandal with this lobbyist into some kind of rallying cry of conservatives behind McCain just because of the New York Times article. Americans dislike a bunch of things, they can dislike the Hypocritical New York Times at the same time they dislike the Hypocritical McCain.
Posted By: Martin123 @ 02/24/2008 1:11:33 AM

Comment: I am curious. Why is it that so many Senators have such large jaw muscles. Any ideas?
Posted By: The Scribbler @ 02/23/2008 11:22:41 PM

Comment: Thanks for this explanation of what goes on in Washington among politicians, lobbyists and journalists but it simply proves what we already know, each protects its own interests at all costs. Although I support McCain, I'm hardly naive or alone in knowing he didn't get where he is by playing it safe. Lobbyist influence has a stranglehold on politicians who have a stranglehold on legislation that affects our lives every day. And journalists have a stranglehold on the message. Is it sheer irony Iseman lobbied for a media interest? Influence-peddling by powerful lobbyists protect legal, financial, healthcare, and of course, media interests, to the detriment of us all. Is there anyone out there who doesn't agree these institutions are in need of drastic reform? Given these lobbyists rake in millions protecting those interests, it's unlikely to happen in my lifetime, much less that of my children and grandchildren. The news media are as corrupt as the lobbyists and politicians they love to hate and criticize: Their motivation to print or not to print had nothing to do with what's right or wrong. Rather, it had everything to do with timing and egos, i.e., who would break the story first, credible or not. The NYT ignored the most basic tenet of journalism, couching the article's foundation on unnamed sources citing all manner of hearsay. In the end, this 10-year-old non-story isn't worthy to wrap a good fish.
Posted By: AdirondackAl @ 02/23/2008 10:06:03 PM

Comment: Does this now give the msm a pass when it comes to examining McCrook's other dealings with lobbyists?
Posted By: herbiemax @ 02/23/2008 9:16:07 PM

Comment: With Friends Like This!! you are so slanted. Why have we not seen anything by you about MR Obama's Long Time Friend? Under investigation, a person that took advantage of the very people that Obama was suppose to represent when he was in Ill Senate. Why won't any newsmen get into the nitty gritty of that friendship. I do not believe that the letter written was asking that a certian decision be made, just that they make one after years of this being in front of them.
Posted By: hartman_john @ 02/23/2008 7:37:40 PM

Comment: Whether or not McCain was scthupping Iseman is unimportant. What is important is that after Iseman "lobbied" McCain, he wrote an entirely inappropriate letter to the FCC regarding Iseman's client, Paxson Communications in order to sway the FCC's decision. McCain headed the congressional committee which dealt with the FCC's budget. Perhaps McCain should have been stchupping Iseman and not writing letters at her urging. Who you sleep with is your business. What you do or don't do in a position of authority is the business of all Americans. McCain has demonstrated that he lacks judgement in this sensitive area and consequently he should not be awarded the nation's most important position, a job that demands sensitivity and credibility.
Posted By: 4th gen floridian @ 02/23/2008 4:17:14 PM

Comment: McCain's "coverup lies" will sink him, as usually happens. In 2002 under oath he Swore that "He HAD met with Paxon Before writing the Two Letters to FEC." Yesterday, McCain said "He Did Not Meet with Paxon Before writing Letters, or Talked with Lobbiest before". McCain cannot have it Both Ways, one is a Falsehood.
- Posted By: LemB @ 02/24/2008 13:15:14
  
  Comment: It's amazing how it's all with these unnamed sources, and these journals -- now Newsweek -- can write articles about it, and it's considered oki This source for Newsweek may be the same unnamed source as in the New York Times article, but now they've dropped the sexual part. So there may be nothing new here. It's gotcha journalism that I don't think should be
  
  legal. Once we now that McCain didn't give favors (and we do: all he did was ask for a decision by the FCC, not a particular kind), the rest should stop. But Newsweek continues it . . .
  Newsweek continues sleazy journalism. We know McCain didn't give favors, only asked in a letter to the FCC that a decision, long late, be made. The rest is an offensive invasion in his personal life. He denies the affair with Iseman. She denies it. We've already heard in the New York Times about an unnamed aide claiming to meet with him. No need to repeat it here.

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