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Wed Feb 20, 9:47 PM ET

The Nation -- In a bombshell article that is already roiling the presidential race, the New York Times reports that Sen. John McCain has a long-running entanglement with a lobbyist, a series of “potentially embarrassing conflicts of interest” and a “self-contradictory” fundraising operation that he ran through the nonprofit Reform Institute.
 
According to two former McCain associates who became “disillusioned” with the Senator, McCain admitted to “behaving inappropriately” with telecommunications lobbyist Vicki Iseman. The Times reports that McCain denied allegations of a romantic relationship, and he “declined repeated interview requests, beginning in December. He also would not comment about the assertions that he had been confronted about Ms. Iseman.” The article raises several other allegations about McCain’s acceptance of corporate favors, private jet rides, corporate contributions, and conflicts of interests with companies that he oversaw as a U.S. Senator.

Tom Mattzzie, a Democratic operative and former MoveOn.org official, said it was potentially devastating for McCain. “We have a story that carries the narrative about McCain and lobbyists in bed together -- pun intended,” he told The Nation.

The McCain Campaign rushed to stem the fall-out, assailing The Times for lowering “its standards to engage in a hit and run smear campaign” and issuing a denial of the allegations of conflicts of interest. “John McCain has a 24-year record of serving our country with honor and integrity. He has never violated the public trust, never done favors for special interests or lobbyists, and he will not allow a smear campaign to distract from the issues at stake in this election,” said Communications Director Jill Hazelbaker.

Yet the article meticulously details McCain’s questionable ethics history, dating all the way back to his role as an original member of the Keating Five.

[MjL -->  I followed the links on this one to the original article.  It is all interesting reading.  There doesn’t appear to be any proof that the old buzzard actually got into her pants but there is ample evidence that she got much of what she wanted in the way of Washington influence.  It certainly takes a lot of gall for McCain to go about slamming his opponent’s honesty when you look at McCain’s history of corruption and special influence.  He is rumored to have been thrown out of Annapolis for drunkenness and his Admiral Daddy got him back in.  Google the name “Gilbert “John” Styskal” to read his story of McCain killing Marines in Viet Nam with “Friendly Fire” and drunken flying.  The history of the Keating scandal is amply documented.  His hot temper and foul language is documented on the Senate floor.  Real Presidential material this one.]