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After The Drudge Report broke the news that The New York Times had rejected an opinion piece submitted by John McCain on his views on the military situation in Iraq, the newspaper issued the following statement:

"It is standard procedure on our Op-Ed page, and that of other newspapers, to go back and forth with an author on his or her submission. We look forward to publishing Senator McCain's views in our paper just as we have in the past. We have published at least seven Op-Ed pieces by Senator McCain since 1996. The New York Times endorsed Senator McCain as the Republican candidate in the presidential primaries. We take his views very seriously."

The New York Times' rejection of the McCain piece on Friday came less than a week after it published an op-ed on Iraq penned by presumptive Democratic nominee Barack Obama.

McCain's submission to the Times touted the success of the troop surge and also heavily criticizes Obama, according to The Drudge Report.

"Senator Obama has said that he would consult our commanders on the ground and Iraqi leaders, but he did no such thing before releasing his 'plan for Iraq.,'" McCain wrote. "Perhaps that’s because he doesn’t want to hear what they have to say."

Sen. John McCain responded today to an internet report that the New York Times is investigating him for alleged legislative favoritism, the Associated Press reports.

McCain said he has "never done any favors for anybody — lobbyist or special interest group."

The Drudge Report, citing "newsroom insiders," reported that "McCain has personally pleaded with NY TIMES editor Bill Keller not to publish the high-impact report involving key telecom legislation before the Senate Commerce Committee."

McCain denied personal contact with the Times, but said the paper has been "communicating with our staff and with us."

He also questioned the timing of the report, which come roughly two weeks before the Iowa caucuses.

"We're getting close to the primary," he said. "These allegations are coming out at a very interesting time, and I have never, ever done a favor for any lobbyist or special interest group."

Washington lawyer Bob Bennett, whom McCain has hired to respond to the allegations, vowed that McCain would not be brought down by them. "What is being done to Senator McCain is an outrage," he said in a statement.

The Washington Post reports that "Bennett is preparing answers to written questions submitted by a team of New York Times reporters who have spent weeks investigating questions about the senator and the lobbyist."

In a statement, the McCain campaign said "John McCain has a 24-year record of serving this country with honor and integrity. He has never violated the public trust, never done favors for special interests or lobbyists, and he will not allow a smear campaign to distract from the important issues facing our country."