While most of America seemed to focus on the New York Times story yesterday linking Sen. “Saint” John McCain with a flirtatious lobbyist (If you somehow missed that story you can it read it here .

But aside from opening the door on the issue of Sen McCain’s hypocrisy when it comes to lobbyists and the other Washngton special interests that have kept his campaign afloat till now, we shouldn’t ignore the full weight of the Rep. Rick Renzi indictment, The Arizona Republican was co-chair of the McCain committee and his indictment on no less than 35 counts only further deflates the aura of the Maverick straight-shooter.

Michael Isikoff in Newsweek has already caught McCain in a flat-out lie with his blanket denial of the New York Times’ charges, so this story is unlikely to vanish as quickly as the McCain campaign would like.

It is curious though that the talk-radio wing of the Republican which has excoriated McCain these last few weeks should now rush to his defense. Funny, how the sulphuric smell of corruption seems to attract them.

Are they admitting that corruption is the defining quality of a “real” conservative? It seems like it’s coming awfully close to that.

Here’s a snap of Sen McCain with friend and supporter Rick Renzi standing behind him.

With minority leader Boehner pushing for Renzi to just resign his congressional seat and go away, the aftershocks are not going to be good for Sen. McCain.

Just another chapter in the unfolding story of Sen. John McCain and the company he keeps….

To see where a candidate stands on the issues, visit Issue 2008