(CNN) – Conservatives – who have often been wary of likely Republican nominee John McCain - came out in his defense Thursday following a New York Times report that suggested an improper relationship between the Arizona senator and a lobbyist.
“I’ve campaigned now on the same stage and platform as John McCain for 14 months and I only know him to be a man of integrity,” his GOP rival Mike Huckabee told reporters on the campaign trail in Texas. “Today he denied that any of that was true, I take him at his word, I’ve had no further comment other than that. I think for me to get into is completely immaterial – again, I only know what I know him to be, and that’s a good and decent and honorable man.”
In an e-mail to Politico, conservative talk show host Rush Limbaugh said the biggest news was not the Times report itself: "The story is the Drive By media turning on its favorite maverick and trying to take him out," he wrote.
And the Christian Broadcasting Network's David Brody wrote Thursday the story might actually give a boost to McCain's bid to win over his party's conservative base.
"In [the] conservative world, if the New York Times does a 'hit job' on you then you wear that as a conservative badge of honor," he wrote Thursday morning. "This story could actually HELP John McCain."
–CNN’s Rebecca Sinderbrand and Alexander Marquardt
From CNN Politics
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Its funny.After all he was endorsed by the Times.
I can't believe there isn't some truth, New York Times could be sued if it is correct....
Obama 08
Whether everyone likes this or not. this IS news! anything that either candidate has done can and should be brought up to all the new, and short minded voters. I had no idea this happend 8 years ago.
A candidate should not be able to run on 35, 40 or 17 years of "experience" unless they committ to running on all of them. It makes no sense to carve out 5 years of bad experience and run on the rest. So John, Hillary, & Barack every single year of your life is up for debate – even if its been reported on previously. If you dont like it, just stay in the senate
Conservatives are no doubt going to defend their canidate because he represents them. Even if any of these allegations hold water, they will defend him right and right because the Republican party's reputations is on the line. I do not remember any of these voices when the media was reporting on the Clinton's scandals. This is nothing other then protecting your own and letting the other side of the isle go to die. This is the exact type of politics most Americans are sick and tired of.
mccain is a hero, nuff said.! and if obama is the democrats choice,
he'll get my vote.
bowling green, mo.
Well, John. Let's hope you're telling the truth.....
I dont like McCain, but I really dispise Obama. If Obama is the nominee or on the ticket in any way, I will switch my party affiliation and vote rebublican for the first time ever.
The democratic party has finally lost it's mind.
I'm a liberal and I'll defend McCain against this claim!
What a smear tactic!
The irony to this whole thing is that the NYTimes appears to have found a way to unite the conservatives behind McCain, when he couldn't.
Leave McCain alone. He did nothing, and does not need to waste his time denying false accusations.
Leslie
He is defending him because he knows that he will not win the nomination and he doesn't want this scandal to hinder McCain's bid for President. It doesn't take a rocket scientist to read between the lines.
It has begun. Now that it's clear that McCain will be the Republican nominee, the New York Times (and CNN) will stop at nothing to smear and attack him from every angle. Thank God for FOX News.
Huckabee remains in this race to show that Mccain is electable. This is a tactic that the GOP arranged with him just before the Super tuesday elections.
Limbaugh needs to decide if radio is still a part of the "media" or not. This also smacks of something an older sibling says; "only I can hurt my little brother!" For Limbaugh, only he can attack McCain and some outside organization that appears to be independant should leave him alone.
He just trying to make people believe he did'nt put this out there. Maybe Huck new this was gonna come out and thats why he hung in for soo long
That explaines why Republican will win this election again! United.
I must admit that these neo-conservative bible thumpers, do as I say, not as I do nuts really stick together. Of course, none of them have ever owned up to doing wrong...i.e....President Bush, Rush Limbaugh, etc. As for this story helping John McCain, I do not think that will happen. McCain will not win the general election. I believe Americas have been pushed to the limit of their endurance with Republicans/Conservatives...I know I have!
i guess he got his miracle right? ahhahah this is hilarious!! Go Huck! Then Lose to Obama!
Obama O8!
Of course this story will boost McCain, Republicans love corruption and chaeting, that is why thaey have an SM fascination with Bill Clinton.
I wonder if the Conservatives in Texas will be as forgiving as Rush is.
Mike Huckabee does not represent the viewpoint of mainstream America, and he will not be the nominee, period.
Mitt Romney doesn't carry baggage. I hope you people are pleased with your choice of John McCain to represent the Republican Party. Once we had a GOP candidate of CHANGE and let it slip away. We blew it!