As the presidential primary races near their climaxes, the internet is abuzz with new controversy from both sides.

First, John McCain has recently been accused of having a romantic relationship with a female lobbyist - an accusation which he steadfastly denies. The question may not, in fact, be limited to whether he had a romantic relationship with a certain lobbyist, but whether his involvement with lobbyists in general conflicts with his firm stance against special interest groups.

What’s most interesting about this story is the timing. The New York Times broke this story just weeks after endorsing McCain (albeit begrudgingly) for the Republican candidacy.

Also making the rounds is the question of whether Obama’s recent comments about Sen. Clinton’s negative campaign tactics were sexist in nature. What he said:

“I understand that Senator Clinton, periodically when she’s feeling down, launches attacks as a way of trying to boost her appeal.”

How some people are taking it: “Clinton’s feelings get the best of her during her time of the month - we can’t trust women to be even-tempered.”

This is only the latest in a string of what some bloggers have called Obama’s sexist campaign against Clinton. The only problem is that it requires a bit of a stretch to see his comments as sexist. Clinton even used a more sexist remark about herself last summer:

“For 15 years, I have stood up against the right-wing machine and I’ve come out stronger. So if you want a winner who knows how to take them on, I’m your girl.”

In a comparison of sexist language, calling an adult female a “girl” is ultimately more sexist than mentioning the word “feeling” in a comment about the same woman.

Clinton is facing her own controversy as her aggressive campaigning has been said to be “ripping the party apart.” With reports of the Clinton campaign suffering from money troubles, one has to wonder if that aggressive campaigning is a last-ditch effort to stay in the race.