MSNBC is going overboard taking McCain and Iseman at their word...

[high density]

The overall reporting from MSNBC seems to be, "Well they both denied it, so this must be a non-story."

I don't like crazy reporting on issues like this, but this is something else. I guess they don't have to do their jobs of investigative journalism anymore, they can just interview people and take all of their words at face value.

[thepurpose]

1. Yep, but all the liberals and progressive must be lying.

[Seen the light]

2. Denied what?

The Times isn't alleging that they had an affair and neither is any staffer. Nobody is alleging any affair.

[high density]

5. Mr. McCain, 71, and the lobbyist, Vicki Iseman, 40, both say they never had a romantic relationship.

^^ That.

[Seen the light]

7. And.....so?

Are you saying that the Times is reporting that they did? Where in the article did it state that?

[high density]

11. They're talking about "protecting McCain from himself"

So it doesn't take too much reading between the lines to understand what that means.

[Seen the light]

17. I don't get my news by "reading between the lines"

If the Times has evidence of some sexual relationship, then let them come out and openly say "John McCain and lobbyist had a sexual relationship."

If they don't, then don't waste my time. By the way, even if he did have an affair, I wouldn't care.

I WOULD care if he started doing illegal or even unethical things due to his relationship with the lobbyist. However, that's not what DU/MSNBC/The New York Times are focusing on. It's all SEX SEX SEX SEX SEX bullshit that's pissing me off.

[high density]

21. Well...

I think that's a naive way of thinking, but go ahead and believe nothing but the exact written word if that's what you want. You can be sure they'd be SEX SEX SEX SEX if it were a Democrat involved, so I'm not going to get outraged about them eating up a Republican.

There does seem to be unethical stuff coming up, but the media doesn't ever concern themselves with ethics issues.

[karynnj]

10. But did he do favors for her clients - that would be a major ethics problem

whether they had sex or not.

[babylonsister]

13. That would be the story, especially since he's claimed he's done no

'favors' for lobbyists.


McCain Says Allegations That He Did Favors for D.C. Lobbyist Are Untrue

By Howard Kurtz
Washington Post Staff Writer
Friday, December 21, 2007; A05


Sen. John McCain said yesterday that he has "never done any favors for anybody -- lobbyist or special interest group," as his presidential campaign issued a statement denouncing allegations of legislative favoritism as "gutter politics."

The Arizona Republican has hired a prominent Washington criminal attorney, Robert Bennett, to deal with the matter. "What is being done to John McCain is an outrage," Bennett said in an interview.

Bennett said he sent prepared answers yesterday to written questions submitted by New York Times reporters who have spent weeks investigating questions about whether the senator did favors for a Washington lobbyist or her clients. She has also retained a lawyer, according to a knowledgeable source who spoke on the condition of anonymity because he was discussing legal matters.

McCain called Times Executive Editor Bill Keller this month to deny the allegations and to complain that he was not being treated fairly by the Times reporters, who had not yet interviewed him, the source said.

more...

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/12/20/AR2007122001356_pf.html

[gateley]

3. I think it's a non story, regardless of whether it's true or not. I don't care. nt

[Bunny]

9. I agree. At this point it just seems irrelevant.

[redstate_democrat]

14. WRONG

MCINSANCE IS RUNNING FOR PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. THIS IS A STORY...DEFINITELY MORE THAN OBAMA'S ALLEGED "PLAGIERISM".

THERE ARE ACCUSATIONS HE TOOK BRIBES AND POSSIBLY HAS A SEXUAL RELATIONSHIP WITH THIS LOBBYIST. I'D SAY THIS IS A "STORY".

[gateley]

20. Please - caps off, okay? It may be a big story. It may have a big effect on

his nomination. But I just don't care personally if he had an affair.

I do care if he took bribes, and I do care that he wants to stay for 100 years in Iraq. An affair? Not important to me in the least.

[book_worm]

4. Maybe, but unless the NY Times can produce more than this

there is nothing to this story.

[Renew Deal]

6. It's better to give the accused the benefit of the doubt

This is life ruining stuff.

[high density]

8. Yeah because they always do that for the Democrats... NM

[Renew Deal]

19. This is not our fight right now.

Also, there's still not much here. Wait until you get the DNA.

[redstate_democrat]

15. NO

I DON'T GIVE ANY REPUBLICAN THE BENEFIT OF THE DOUBT. THEY CAN'T BE TRUSTED.

[NRaleighLiberal]

12. But you know what? It is out there. Rovian tactic - put it out there and repeat...repeat...

Create the doubt, blow the straight talk image. All pieces of the puzzle. Keep describing the event, then say "there is nothing to it". What will people remember??? The event, not the denial. It is how the administration has half the country thinking Saddam had a hand in 911.

[Lint Head]

16. A politician screws a lobbyist. Wow. I would never have thought

that was possible. If anyone thinks people don't have sex to make money either as a prostitute or to solidify a business proposition (no pun intended.)they are not mature adults. :dem:

[my3boyz]

18. There goes Mr. Ethical McCain..trying to call Obama out

He needs to get his own stuff straight before he tries to put someone else in place.

[GoldieAZ49]

22. The purpose of the story

is they did not like Cindy McCain one upping on American Pride against Michelle Obama

Remember the NYT endorsed McCain last month, this story is 8 years old, they knew about it all along



Next the question to Cindy McCain will be, are you as proud of your husbands relationships as you are your country?



there will be hit after hit back and forth against McCain and Obama

But the MEDIA must call the shots, not the candidates



and the beat goes on, ugh.

[Renew Deal]

23. Oh bullshit.

This has nothing to do with Obama. Get over it.

[GoldieAZ49]

24. Nothing to get over

I don't care