John McCain denied the NY Times' assertion this week that the Republican candidate did favors for lobbyist Vicki Iseman's clients, Alcalde & Fay and Paxon Communications. McCain insists he never had personal contact with officials from those companies, but a 2002 deposition says otherwise. Said McCain: "I was contacted by Mr. Paxson on this issue. He wanted their approval very bad for purposes of his business. I believe that Mr. Paxson had a legitimate complaint." Gun smoking? [Newsweek]