Potentially more problematic: the firm was paid $348,000 in 2002 to represent Burma's military junta, which had been strongly condemned by the State Department for its human-rights record and remains in power today. Justice Department lobbying records show DCI pushed to "begin a dialogue of political reconciliation" with the regime. It also led a PR campaign to burnish the junta's image, drafting releases praising Burma's efforts to curb the drug trade and denouncing "falsehoods" by the Bush administration that the regime engaged in rape and other abuses. "It was our only foreign representation, it was for a short tenure, and it was six years ago," Goodyear told NEWSWEEK, adding the junta's record in the current cyclone crisis is "reprehensible." Another issue: DCI has been a pioneer in running "independent" expenditure campaigns by so-called 527 groups, precisely the kind of operations that McCain, in his battle for campaign-finance reform, has denounced. In 2004, the DCI Group led a pro-Bush 527 called Progress for America, which was later fined (along with several other 527s on both sides of the political divide) for violating federal election laws. Goodyear, however, says that DCI is "not in the 527 business anymore."

"You suddenly decide enough is enough and opt for a different path. How you deal with someone could change dramatically. Anger and frustration start surfacing. Look for the most appropriate way to deal with this issue."

"Mister McClung," Murphy remarked in an interview with KARE 11, "If you want to meet me out on the Capitol steps and we'll talk about your comments, I'm more than willing to be there." Did he really want to fight McClung out on the Capitol steps? "I just want to have a civil discussion with him because his comments are troubling at best," Murphy said, "When he calls my credibility into question. That's just not right."