John Weaver, On The Record

Former McCain strategist John Weaver e-mails:

"The New York Times knew about my meeting with Ms. Iseman and asked me about it and why it occurred. I informed the Times, in a written reply, that Ms. Iseman's comments about having strong ties to John's committee staff, personal staff and to him I felt were harmful and not true. And so I informed her and asked to to stop and desist. The moment I answered the inquiry from the New York Times I sent that answer also to Mark, Steve and Charlie. All of this happened in December. I've wanted John McCain to be president since I first approached him in 1997. I do so today. I love John McCain and I believe the country badly needs him."

Note that on MSNBC this a.m, McCain adviser Steve Schmidt said that "[n]obody on the McCain campaign believes that John Weaver was the source on this."

(McCain said as much at his press conference this morning.)