Washington - Senator John McCain, the presumptive Republican presidential nominee, denied on Thursday a report in The New York Times suggesting he had a romantic relationship with a lobbyist during his run for the White House eight years ago. "Hopefully we can get this thing resolved and behind us," McCain said at a press conference after The New York Times published an article on its website late Wednesday citing unidentified former aides who were worried he was having a relationship with the lobbyist.
McCain said the article was "not true" and that he spent months responding to inquiries from The New York Times. He said seeing the story published was a "very disappointing event."
The New York Times alleged McCain, 71, had a romantic relationship with the lobbyist, Vicki Iseman, 40, and used his influence to pursue favours on behalf of Iseman's clients.
McCain addressed reporters with his wife, Cindy, standing beside him.
"I'm very disappointed in The New York Times," Cindy McCain said.
Iseman has also denied have an inappropriate relationship with McCain, The New York Times reported.
The story said several aides during McCain failed candidacy against current President George W Bush for the 2000 Republican nomination confronted him about the constant presence of Iseman and warned that it could ruin his political career.
McCain said that Iseman has been a friend of his and he last saw her a few months ago.
McCain, a senator from Arizona who has served more than 25 years in Congress, is on track to capture the Republican nomination to oppose either Hillary Clinton or Barack Obama, who are in a tight race for the Democratic nomination, in the November 4 general election.
A statement released by McCain's campaign after The New York Times article appeared called it a "a hit-and-run smear campaign."
"Americans are sick and tired of this kind of gutter politics," the statement said, "and there is nothing in this story to suggest that John McCain has ever violated the principles that have guided his career."
