Broadcaster Rebuts McCain Lobbying Denial

John McCain's campaign has flatly denied that the senator met with a broadcaster or his lobbyist before writing to the FCC on his behalf in 1999. But Bud Paxson remembers the meeting; he says VIcki Iseman set it up, and may have attended, too. "Was Vicki there? Probably," Paxson tells the Washington Post. And he specificially remembers asking McCain to write the letter.

McCain himself admitted speaking with Paxson when he made a deposition in a 2002 lawsuit. Mac's attorney was quick to downplay the contradiction. "Now it appears he did speak to him. What is the difference?" he asked. "McCain has never denied that Paxson asked for assistance from his office. It's not that big a deal." (More John McCain stories.)