Did the New York Times – whose slogan is All the News That’s Fit to Print – err when it ran a front page story suggesting that the number one contender for the Republican Party nomination for the Presidency Senator John McCain once had an affair with a woman lobbyist in Washington about half his age.

The story offered no specifics, no direct accusations, just hints that the 71 year-old senator – who spent six years in a Hanoi prison during the Vietnam War – may have been ‘romantically involved’ about eight years ago with Vicki Iseman, an attractive blond lobbyist .

The story – without quoting names – said some of his staff became concerned because many of Ms Iseman’s clients did business with the US Government. The story suggested the staff was so concerned they advised the Senator not to see her any more – and that she should stay away from the Senator.