McCain Seeks Distance From Anti-Gay Pastor (I'm flabbergasted!)

[WillParkinson]

(Phoenix, Arizona) John McCain is refusing to renounce the endorsement of a prominent Texas televangelist who Democrats say peddles anti-Catholic and other intolerant speech.

Instead, the Republican presidential candidate issued a statement Friday afternoon saying he had unspecified disagreements with the San Antonio megachurch leader, John Hagee. Hagee endorsed him at a news conference Wednesday in San Antonio.

"However, in no way did I intend for his endorsement to suggest that I in turn agree with all of Pastor Hagee's views, which I obviously do not," McCain said in the statement.

His campaign issued the statement after two days of criticism from the Democratic National Committee, the Catholic League and Catholics United.

http://www.365gay.com/Newscon08/03/030108hag.htm

Did Democrats say the same thing about Mr. Obama's friend? Will Mr. McCain let Mr. Hagee get up and speak on his behalf?

[KaptBunnyPants]

1. If all you know about Hagee is that he is anti-gay, then you need to read up on him.

http://www.prospect.org/cs/articles?article=pastor_strangelove

This guy is the most dangerous man in America. He's building a fanatical religious faction for the purpose of causing a nuclear war with Iran and Russia in order to bring about the end times. I don't care how anti-gay McClurkin (?) is, any man looks rightous and reasonable when compared to Hagee. I've been watching Hagee since I was a teenage, about 10 years now. I hated all Christians for a long time because of him, and it took me years to understand that he doesn't represent Christianity but some satanic war-cult.

[provis99]

2. I don't know about Hagee being on the fringe; he seems pretty mainstream to me

He's got a huge following in San Antonio, and a large tv audience. But most Christians are crazy and evil; reasonable ones are in the minority.

[Bluenorthwest]

4. If all you know about McClurkin is that he's 'anti-gay'

then you need to read up on him. Seriously. He's a Fundamentalist Bush backing spreader of hate speech. Period. Same stuff as Hagee. Same stuff. And you know, wrong is wrong, that is the point. Our Party should have nothing to do with any of that divisive form of religionism, and no part of using any group as a wedge one against the other. McClurkin sang all teary eyed for Mr President George W Bush at the Republican Convention 2004, while some of us were trying to unseat Bush, McClurkin was praying on TV for his re-election.
Is it ok for our Party to engage in such alliances if they are anything at all like Hagee? How much end times Pentacostal fire and brimstone is alright at actual Democratic events, do you think? Is the deal that it is ok as long as they stick to the gay part? Because you know, they are all anti-choice, science hating Fundamentalists just like the rest of them. McClurkin is not 'anti-gay' as you put it. He is a Fundamentalist like Dobson or Robertson,Hagee or Caldwell, they are all cars on the same train if you ask me.
Just saying.

[KaptBunnyPants]

5. Hagee is worse than Roberson, Caldwell, or Dobson.

Watch his show. I've seen the others, and they are evil, but Hagee may very well be the worst human being in America.

[Metta]

3. Note: he clarified his acceptance *after* people complained.

Nothing like taking the high road.

[NMMNG]

6. It will be interesting to see if McBraindead does renouce Hagee

I'll have to keep an eye out for that.