Oh my it looks like their big hope has some skeletons going on. The New York Times has the full story here.

UPDATE

The dirty stuff is on page 4:

In interviews, the two former associates said they joined in a series of confrontations with Mr. McCain, warning him that he was risking his campaign and career. Both said Mr. McCain acknowledged behaving inappropriately and pledged to keep his distance from Ms. Iseman. The two associates, who said they had become disillusioned with the senator, spoke independently of each other and provided details that were corroborated by others.

(emphasis added)

UPDATE #2

Well image that. Vicki Iseman (the woman in question) lobbies for the telecom industry. Funny considering McCain just voted against telecom immunity.

UPDATE #3:

Pat Buchanan on Olbderman was just trying to play this down as some New York Times hit piece. That is rather interesting considering the NYT’s endorsed McCain for the Republican primary. If they wanted to hurt him in the general, then wouldn’t they have sat on it for a few months?

(More updates below the fold)

UPDATE #4:

Two months ago to the day, Drudge posted this:

Just weeks away from a possible surprise victory in the primaries, Republican presidential candidate Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz has been waging a ferocious behind the scenes battle with the NEW YORK TIMES, the DRUDGE REPORT has learned, and has hired DC power lawyer Bob Bennett to mount a bold defense against charges of giving special treatment to a lobbyist!

McCain has personally pleaded with NY TIMES editor Bill Keller not to publish the high-impact report involving key telecom legislation before the Senate Commerce Committee, newsroom insiders tell the DRUDGE REPORT.

The paper’s Jim Rutenberg has been leading the investigation and is described as beyond frustrated with McCain’s aggressive and angry efforts to stop any and all publication.

The drama involves a woman lobbyist who may have helped to write key telecom legislation. The woman in question has retained counsel and strongly denies receiving any special treatment from McCain.

I will be the first to admit I don’t like Matt Drudge, but he does have some damn good sources.

UPDATE 5:

Super secret sources have informed me that Rush Limbaugh was just caught on tape:

(ok I couldn’t resist hehe)

UPDATE 6:

The Washington Post also reported hints of this back in December – a day after Drudge’s report.

UPDATE 7:

The following statement was released by McCain’s communication director:

“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.”

The ironic part is that there is no denial of the allegations of the NYTs piece – just bashing them for reporting it.