Obama denies romantic or improper relationship with......

[SoCalDem]

Does anyone think that republicans would eagerly dismiss the story if...........



Change a few words in the story, and the Republicans would totally "get" it.

Obama denies romantic or improper relationship with lobbyist


Sen. Barack Obama and his wife Michelle leave at the conclusion of a news conference in Toledo, Ohio.

His campaign dismisses the allegations as 'gutter politics.' His rival for the democratic presidential nomination, Hillary Clinton, says she knows Obama to be 'a man of integrity.'
By Johanna Neuman, Los Angeles Times Staff Writer

11:21 AM PST, February 21, 2008
Sen. Barack Obama (D-IL.) today denied allegations that he had a romantic or improper relationship with a female lobbyist, telling reporters at an early morning news conference that a New York Times story alleging both was "not true."

The story, first circulated by blogger Matt Drudge last December, shook the Obama campaign last night when the newspaper released a story on its website alleging that an unnamed former aide to Obama had warned the telecommunications lobbyist, Vicki Iseman, to stay away from him during his presidential campaign in 2000. His campaign dismissed the story as "gutter politics." Obama, who is on the verge of clinching the Democratic nomination for president, denied categorically that he had ever had a romantic relationship with Iseman or that he had ever done anything that would "betray the public trust" or give undue favor to lobbyists. He also said his staffers never told him they were concerned with the relationship. "I'm very disappointed in the article; it's not true," he said in a calm, deliberate voice. Calling Iseman a friend, Obama said he had dozens of friendships with lobbyists -- who seek influence on behalf of firefighters, police officers, senior citizens and other interests -- and had made hundreds of decisions after receiving what he called their "constitutional" input. He acknowledged flying on corporate jets -- a common practice in Congress that has since been banned -- and writing a letter to the chairman of the Federal Communications Commission. He said the letter did not tell the FCC what decision to make, just urged the agency to make one.

Michelle Obama, standing at her husband's side throughout the news conference, defended him. Calling her husband "a man of great character," she said she and their children "know he would never have done anything to disappoint not only our family but . . . our country." She too said she was "very disappointed in the New York Times."
Obama said he still hoped to secure the democratic nomination, acknowledging that he had work to do with democrats. Hillary Clinton, still challenging Obama for the nomination, said today that he knows Obama to be "an honorable man."

"I've campaigned now on the same stage or platform with Barack Obama for 14 months," Clinton said in Houston. "I only know him to be a man of integrity. Today he denied any of that was true. I take him at his word." L. Brent Bozell, head of a conservative media watchgroup called Media Research Center, described the newspaper's story as "a politically motivated hit job."

New York Times' Editor Bill Keller issued a statement saying the story "speaks for itself" and was "a long time in the works." The lobbying firm that employed Iseman, Alcade & Fay, also issued a statement, calling the newspaper's account "character assassination" and the "fantasies of a disgruntled campaign" staffer. Alcade & Fay said its relationship with Obama was appropriate and professional.

[hendo]

1. two headed question

Would McCain follow this up? probably not.

Would the rest of the republican party throw a fuss over it, quite possibly yes.

[SoCalDem]

2. McCain personally?..nope.. his "people" hell yes!

Politics is a dirty dirty "busines"

[rasputin1952]

3. McCain wouldn't, just as bush didn't jump into the fray over

Kerry's war history...but he certainly urged his minions on. It is the way of the GOP, smash, smear, destroy, do whatever they think they can get away with. They set the table years ago, and now they cry "foul"...well, it's just too bad that they are on the receiving end. Let them be basted for a while, they deserve virtually everything they get.

i can still recall the pain inflicted upon Max Cleland by the GOP...calling a triple amputee, that a few weeks before his accident was awarded a Silver Star for heroism, a coward, saying he was on a "beer run", all of the incredible lies about D candidates...let them soak in the venom they brought forth. The R's simply suck, they have nothing but drivel and lies to hand out to the American people...but when the truth comes out about them...they squeal as if they were as pure as the driven snow...let them boil...:D