Gary Bauer accuses NYT of 'yellow journalism' in McCain story

A prominent evangelical Christian backer of Republican presidential frontrunner John McCain says a New York Times report claiming the Arizona senator had an improper "close" relationship with a female lobbyist is a "liberal hit-piece at its worst."

The New York Times alleges that McCain's ties to lobbyist Vicki Iseman prompted favors for her clients. According to the paper, eight years ago -- during his first run for the White House -- McCain aides were so concerned about his relationship with Iseman that they blocked her access to him to "protect the candidate from himself."
 
At a press conference today, McCain said repeatedly the story was "not true," and his campaign has accused The Times of a "hit-and-run smear campaign." (See related video) And former Republican presidential candidate Gary Bauer, a McCain supporter, calls The Times report "yellow journalism at its worst."
 
"That is the cut-and-smear type of journalism that we see more and more in U.S. politics. There's nothing in the story specific; they just leave an impression," says Bauer. "And certainly the lobbyist -- the female lobbyist, in this case -- is not making any allegations about Senator McCain."
 
According to Bauer, McCain and his wife seemed very calm at the press conference, but they were "obviously angry and disappointed that they would have to go through this."
 
Several people have come forward with claims of having inappropriate sexual relationships with a number of "headline" liberal candidates, adds Bauer, but The New York Times has chosen not to run those stories. Bauer also notes that in 2004 there was an attempt by CBS News to air a last-minute report suggesting Bush had avoided the draft, yet it turned out to be a complete fabrication for which the network later had to apologize.
 
Bauer also suggests the report may be an effort by the newspaper to further damage McCain's relationship with some conservative Christians. "Often it seems pretty clear that the real audience is Christian conservatives," he states. "That is, left-wing newspapers will go after conservative politicians in order to undermine them with Christian conservatives."
 
He recalls that in 2000 -- literally days before the presidential election -- there were reports that George W. Bush had been arrested for drunk driving in New Hampshire years earlier. According to Bauer, subsequent research showed that report cost Bush millions of votes and almost cost him the presidency.

The subject is being discussed at

http://www.firesociety.com/forum/thread/22444/Story-in-the-Times-about-Mccain-and-a-lobbiest/;jsessionid=00401E36A2B408E3BB7080E9A8C907BA

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