WWW- John McCain (R-Ariz.) today denied allegations that he had a romantic or improper relationship with a female lobbyist, telling reporters at an early morning news conference that a New York Times story alleging both was “not true.”

The story, first circulated by blogger Matt Drudge last December, shook the McCain campaign last night when the newspaper released a story on its website alleging that an unnamed former aide to McCain had warned the telecommunications lobbyist, Vicki Iseman, to stay away from him during his presidential campaign in 2000. His campaign dismissed the story as “gutter politics.”

McCain, who is on the verge of clinching the GOP nomination for president, denied categorically that he had ever had a romantic relationship with Iseman or that he had ever done anything that would “betray the public trust” or give undue favor to lobbyists. He also said his staffers never told him they were concerned with the relationship.

“I’m very disappointed in the article; it’s not true,” he said in a calm, deliberate voice.

Calling Iseman a friend, McCain said he had dozens of friendships with lobbyists — who seek influence on behalf of firefighters, police officers, senior citizens and other interests — and had made hundreds of decisions after receiving what he called their “constitutional” input. He acknowledged flying on corporate jets — a common practice in Congress that has since been banned — and writing a letter to the chairman of the Federal Communications Commission. He said the letter did not tell the FCC what decision to make, just urged the agency to make one.

Cindy McCain, standing at her husband’s side throughout the news conference, defended him.

Calling her husband “a man of great character,” she said she and their children “know he would never have done anything to disappoint not only our family but . . . our country.” She too said she was “very disappointed in the New York Times.”

McCain said he still hoped to secure the Republican nomination, acknowledging that he had work to do with conservatives. Former Arkansas Mike Huckabee, still challenging McCain for the nomination, said today that he knows McCain to be “an honorable man.”

“I’ve campaigned now on the same stage or platform with John McCain for 14 months,” Huckabee said in Houston. “I only know him to be a man of integrity. Today he denied any of that was true. I take him at his word.”

L. Brent Bozell, head of a conservative media watchgroup called Media Research Center, described the newspaper’s story as “a politically motivated hit job.”

New York Times’ Editor Bill Keller issued a statement saying the story “speaks for itself” and was “a long time in the works.”

The lobbying firm that employed Iseman, Alcade & Fay, also issued a statement, calling the newspaper’s account “character assassination” and the “fantasies of a disgruntled campaign” staffer. Alcade & Fay said its relationship with McCain was appropriate and professional.