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Republican presidential front-runner John McCain dismisses as "untrue" a New York Times report suggesting he had close ties to a female lobbyist nine years ago in a potential conflict with his high ethical stances. Republican presidential candidate John McCain denied he had an inappropriate relationship with a telecommunications lobbyist at a news conference on Thursday (February 21). "Obviously I'm very disappointed in the article. It's not true," the four-term Arizona senator told reporters. "At no time have I ever done anything that would betray the public trust or make a decision which in any way would not be in the public interest and would favor any one or any organization," McCain said. The New York Times reported on Wednesday that McCain had a close relationship with the lobbyist, Vicki Iseman, saying that early in McCain's failed bid for the 2000 presidential election, members of his campaign had grown concerned the relationship might harm the campaign. At the news conference, McCain described Iseman as a "friend" whom he has seen on various occasions in Washington including fund-raisers and receptions. "I have many friends in Washington that represent various interests," he said. "I consider her a friend." He said he last saw her several months ago at "some event." According to the Times article, "Convinced the relationship had become romantic, some of his top advisers intervened to protect the candidate from himself -- instructing staff members to bl...