WASHINGTON, Feb. 7 (UPI) -- A flurry of biting letters between Republican and Democratic senators has heated up the chamber's debate on lobbying and ethics reform.
The exchange is between Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., and freshman Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., whom McCain accused of backing down on his promise to support McCain's desire for a bipartisan panel.
Last week, Obama expressed support for a reform bill being pushed by Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., rather than McCain's proposal, CNN reported.
In a letter Monday, McCain blasted Obama for the apparent reversal.
"I have been around long enough to appreciate that in politics, the public interest isn't always a priority for every one of us," McCain wrote. "Good luck to you, senator."
In response, Obama wrote back that he still supported a bipartisan approach, but only after the matter had cleared the normal Senate committee process.
