Vicki Iseman

- Works for Alcalde & Fay
- Represents corporate and public clients on issues such as government contracting and regulatory reform
- B.A. from Indiana University of Pennsylvania
- Worked on 1992 and 1996 communications bills

Vicki Iseman is a partner in the Washington, D.C.-based lobby firm Alcalde & Fay. A February 2008 New York Times story alleged that she was kept away from presidential candidate John McCain during his 2000 presidential bid because of suspicions among his staff that the two were romantically involved. Several of Iseman's clients had been major contributors to McCain's campaigns.
On December 30, 2008, Iseman filed a $27 million defamation suit against the Times in response to the article.The Smoking Gun: NY Times Sued Over McCain Affair Story (December 30, 2008) The suit was settled in February of 2009 without the Times paying any money to Iseman or retracting any part of its story.Politico: Iseman claims win; NYT stands ground (February 19, 2009)
"A Note to Readers"

Part of the settlement deal will involve the publication by the Times of a "Note to Readers" on the Corrections page. Iseman's lawyers are characterizing this note as a retraction of the implication that Iseman and McCain had an inappropriate relationship.Politico: Iseman claims win; NYT stands ground (February 19, 2009) The Times, however, is denying that any retraction has been made, and maintains that the Times stands 100% behind its original reporting. The "Note to Readers" device has never previously been employed by the paper to make corrections or clarify an earlier story.Politico: Iseman claims win; NYT stands ground (February 19, 2009)
Iseman's Response

In the wake of the February 2008 report, Iseman had denied the allegations in general terms via email. However, she did not speak in detail on the matter until an October interview with The National Journal. In the interview, she stated, "I never had an affair or an inappropriate relationship with Senator McCain, and that means I never acted unethically in my dealings with the senator. I have never even been alone with Senator McCain."National Journal: Lobbyist Speaks: Rumor Of McCain Affair False (October 18, 2008)
McCain's Response

On February 21, 2008, John McCain held a news conference denying all allegations of inappropriate relations with Vicki Iseman, saying he was no closer to her than any other lobbyist. Earlier, McCain's campaign criticized the report, saying, "It is a shame that the New York Times has lowered its standards to engage in a hit and run smear campaign."The New York Times: McCain Denies Aides' Statements About Lobbyist (February 21, 2008)
Allegations History

The Drudge Report was the first to break the story about McCain and Iseman in December 2007. Politico.com reports that the New York Times was forced to run the story because the New Republic was prepared to run a similar piece on February 25, 2008. The New Republic has denied that it was working on such a story.