Vicki Iseman Sues New York Times Over McCain Story

Vicki Iseman May Have a Valid Case

Washington Lobbyist Vicki Iseman is suing the New York Times over a story it had published on February 21, 2008. The New York Times story had suggested that John McCain had cheated on his wife with Vicki Iseman. Although the front-page article did not directly accuse them of having an affair, the article did suggest that they had grown too close and that it could potentially damage McCain's presidential campaign.

New York Times spokesman Abbe R. Serphros stands behind the accuracy of the story, arguing that "it was an important piece that raised questions about a presidential contender and the perception that he had been engaged in conflicts of interest."

Vicki Iseman Sues New York Times: John McCain's Fall-Out with the Mainstream Media

Until Super Tuesday, John McCain had been a favorite of the mainstream media. The New York Times and other outlets consistently portrayed him as a likeable maverick, emphasizing his moderate positions on many issues such as campaign finance reform, immigration, and his vote against the Bush-Cheney Energy Bill. Many Republicans preferred Mitt Romney and Mike Huckabee, as they felt McCain lacked conservative credentials.

At the Alfred E. Smith dinner, John McCain humorous described his fallout with Chris Matthews. "Once upon a time he used to like me, but then he met someone else (referring to Obama)." McCain explained that "maverick I can do, but messiah is above my paygrade."

Vicki Iseman Sues New York Times: Timing

The New York Times Vicki Iseman story was a pivotal moment in McCain's fallout with the mainstream media. One can't help noticing the timing of the story, February 21, after Super Tuesday, after it had become certain that McCain would be the Republican nominee. Had the story been published a few weeks earlier, McCain's primary bid could have suffered, allowing Romney or Huckabee a chance of winning the nomination.