McCain Campaign Calls 'NYT' Article a 'Smear'

By: E&P Staff The John McCain campaign released the following statement tonight in response to The New York Times finally running a long-simmering story linking the candidate to a female lobbyist in possibly embarrassing ways.

"It is a shame that the New York Times has lowered its standards to engage in a hit and run smear campaign. 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.

"Americans are sick and tired of this kind of gutter politics, and there is nothing in this story to suggest that John McCain has ever violated the principles that have guided his career."

But while the statement said he "never violated the public trust, never done favors for special interests or lobbyists," it did not specifically deny a romantic affair.