Leave it to John McCain to straight talk himself into the ground over John Hagee. Isn’t it interesting that it took all this time for the media to finally discuss McCain’s relationship with John Hagee? McCain foams up over Obama’s knowledge of Ayers, not an endorsement mind you, but says he still is very happy with the endorsement of the extreme Catholic hating preacher by the name of John Hagee and is proud to have lobbied to get it. Obama never asked anything of Ayers, but McCain begged Hagee’s help. It probably was a mistake actually says STM, but he’s glad he got his support anyway. What the heck is he talking about?
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STEPHANOPOULOS: Well, you say he should condemn these comments.
MCCAIN: Sure.
STEPHANOPOULOS: A lot of Senator Obama’s allies and others say that you should condemn the comments of Reverend John Hagee, an evangelical pastor…
MCCAIN: Oh, I do. And I did. I said, any comments that he made about the Catholic church I strongly condemn, of course.
STEPHANOPOULOS: Yet you solicited and accepted his endorsement?
MCCAIN: Yes, indeed. I did. And I condemned the comments that he made concerning the Catholic church.
STEPHANOPOULOS: But you’re going to hold onto his endorsement? Your own campaign acknowledged that you should have done a better job of vetting Pastor Hagee.
MCCAIN: Oh, sure.
ABC News supplies the transcripts:
MCCAIN: Because if you’re going to associate and have as a friend and serve on a board and have a guy kick off your campaign that
says he’s unrepentant, that he wished bombed more — and then, the worst thing of all, that, I think, really indicates Senator Obama’s
attitude, is he had the incredible statement that he compared Mr. Ayers, an unrepentant terrorist, with Senator Tom Coburn, Senator
Coburn, a physician who goes to Oklahoma on the weekends and brings babies into life — comparing those two — I mean, that’s not –
that’s an attitude, frankly, that certainly isn’t in keeping with the overall attitude…
(CROSSTALK)
STEPHANOPOULOS: Senator Obama said…
MCCAIN: And it’s very insulting to a great man, a great doctor, a great humanitarian, to compare to him with a guy who says, after 2001, I wish we had bombed more.
I had a reconciliation with the anti-war movement. One of the great experiences of my life was to get to know and love David Ifshin.
I had a reconciliation with the Vietnamese, when we normalized relations.
But how can you countenance someone who was engaged in bombings which could have or did kill innocent people…
STEPHANOPOULOS: Senator Obama says he was eight years old when that was happening.
MCCAIN: But he became friends with him and spent time with him while the guy was unrepentant over his activities as a member of a
terrorist organization, the Weathermen. I don’t — and then to compare him with Dr. Tom Coburn, who spends so much of his life bringing babies into this world — that, in my view is really — borders out outrage.
STEPHANOPOULOS: He also pointed out that he and Mr. Ayers have a very loose relationship. They live in the same neighborhood. There
was an organizing meeting many, many years ago, in his house. And he says, frankly, I don’t agree with these comments that Mr. Ayers made.
MCCAIN: Doesn’t agree with them? Does he condemn them?
Would he condemn someone who says that they’re unrepentant and wished that they had bombed more — and compare him to a doctor, one
of the great humanitarian — in my view, one of the greatest spokespersons for the rights of the unborn in America?
STEPHANOPOULOS: Well, you say he should condemn these comments.
MCCAIN: Sure.
STEPHANOPOULOS: A lot of Senator Obama’s allies and others say that you should condemn the comments of Reverend John Hagee, an
evangelical pastor…
MCCAIN: Oh, I do. And I did. I said, any comments that he made about the Catholic church I strongly condemn, of course.
STEPHANOPOULOS: Yet you solicited and accepted his endorsement?
MCCAIN: Yes, indeed. I did. And I condemned the comments that he made concerning the Catholic church.
STEPHANOPOULOS: But you’re going to hold onto his endorsement?
Your own campaign acknowledged that you should have done a better job of vetting Pastor Hagee.
MCCAIN: Oh, sure.
STEPHANOPOULOS: So was it a mistake to solicit and accept his endorsement?
MCCAIN: Oh, probably, sure. But I admire and respect Dr. Hagee’s leadership of the — of his church. I admire and appreciate
his advocacy for the state of Israel, the independence of the state of Israel.
I condemn remarks that are made that has anything to do which is condemning of the Catholic church, but — so…
(CROSSTALK)
STEPHANOPOULOS: … no longer want his endorsement?
MCCAIN: I’m glad to have his endorsement. I condemn remarks that are, in any way, viewed as anti-anything. But thanks for asking.
Filed Under: John McCain, Right Wing Stupidity, This Week/George Stephanopoulos
Tags: John McCain
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” MCCAIN: Oh, probably, sure. But I admire and respect Dr.
Hagee’s leadership of the — of his church. I admire and appreciate
his advocacy for the state of Israel, the independence of the state of
Israel. ”
Question Georgie Boy Should Have Asked: “You previously condemned Dr. Hagee for his adverse comments about the Catholic Church, yet you refuse to denounce him and actively sought his endorsement. Senator, do you, like Dr. Hagee, hate the Catholic Church? Is your hatred merely confined to the Pope and Vatican City? Or do you hate the government of Italy, against which your father fought in World War II, and its people?
Why didn’t Georgie Boy ask this question. Sean Hannity refused to let him.
Dear Mainstream Media. This is anonymous…
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DjRpdVVWFAM
hagee only supports israel, because he prays everyday that a huge conflaguration will occur in the mideast, killing all the jews and bringing back jesus
and enuf of the rehashing of the 60s
and enuf of ayers, who really has had nothing to do with obama since his state campaigns
and coburn is a wonderful man???? he is a fucking nutjob
Hypocrite Express.
HYP-O-you know the rest
Wow, he is trying very hard to be buddy buddy with George. Come on Georgie, have a rib, let’s talk about how we are friends, not enemies. I mean, does John understand that he is blaming Obama for one thing, then saying it is ok for him to do the same thing? really?
More evidence of the unholy alliance between right-wing Israelis, neocons, and end-timer right wing evangelicals. These characters have been planning for us to meddle in the the middle east for some time and McCain has to suck up to them to be bush’s heir-apparent. Hagee is the Grand Kludd of the kill-an-A-rab-for-Christ crowd.
George should’ve blown him
What about McCain’s relationship with indicted Congressman Rick Renzi, who works on McCain’s campaign? Renzi was indicted for extortion, money laundering, wire fraud and other crimes. When will McCain fire Renzi from his campaign and renounce him?
What about McCain’s relationship with televangelist Rod Parsley, whose called for the destruction of Islam? Parsley is a key McCain ally in Ohio. When will McCain renounce him?
McCain has no business with this man’s endorsement! None! Guy reminds me of Father Coughlin (talking of Hagee, here.) He wants a second Holocaust to bring back Christ! If Obama must denounce and disassociate from Wright, this Southern Baptist wants to see McCain dissociate himself from Hagee! A man like Hagee has no business being the mentor of a leader of a country with thousands of nuclear warheads.
Personally, I’d like to see my fellow Christians get it through their heads that Jesus said Caesar’s realm is distant from God’s and stay the Hell (pun not intended) out of politics. For the world’s sake.
Once again, two standards: Republicans can do what they want and Democrats must do what Republicans say.
I know this may rankle some, but I think the Weathermen were American heroes. Misguided, yes, Reactionary, maybe. Ineffective, ultimately, but these people didn’t sit around and let our country walk blindly into all-out imperialism without making people pay attention.
If you can, see the documentary “The Weather Underground” I’ll take Bill Ayers love over Hagee’s hate any day.
Other questions that never came up: You’ve also supported George Bush in the past. Do you still do so, knowing he regularly had religous guidance from a methamphetamine using, male prostitute frequenting pastor? Also, do you denounce the late Reverend Falwell, as he stated Americans were responsible for at least partially responsible causing 9/11?
Man, they should just compile McCrazy’s interviews into one segment and call it “Everywhich Way But Loose” because that’s how his answers are - they go in every direction, contradict previous positions. Jesus, this guy is something else. At least Stephanopoulos seemed to be doing his job this time (but then again, he had just about everybody in the blogosphere watching him didn’t he?).
Why does Stephanopoulos let Gone InSane get away with hyper-extending Obama’s analogy between Coburn and Ayers? Sane people know that he wasn’t saying that Coburn and Ayers were comparable in their actions. He was saying that merely being friendly with someone does not mean that one agrees with their viewpoints, and that, in fact, one can be friendly with someone whose viewpoints one finds despicable.
I hate when people hyper-extend analogies. It’s a slimy debate tactic, and somehow always succeeds in derailing discussions. Stephanopoulos is a terrible interviewer.
Hyper Extender: You said that you have certain personal tastes in common with Ronald Reagan. Does that mean you agree a lot with him?
Analogizer: Of course not. That’s silly. I mean, you’re a vegetarian. Hitler was also a vegetarian. Does that mean that you’re agree a lot with Hitler?
Hyperextender: Oh my god! How can you say Ronald Reagan is the same as Hitler?
If McCain can’t handle the rather gentle, kid gloves type treatment the media gives him, just what the fuck is he going to do in debates when he goes one on one against Obama? It ain’t gonna be pretty; McCain will probably do a complete meltdown right there on teevee.
…my friends…well um sure…my friends…um where is my mistress um wife..um my beer fortune, um, um, um
guy is TOO OLD TO BE PREZ
not only that HE HAS ANGER MANAGEMENT ISSUES
McFriendy receives another free pass from the media. Too bad Republicans aren’t made to live up to the standards they like to set for everyone else.
Karen @ 14:
And how about McSame’s debate tactic of holding himself to a different standard than he holds Obama?
mccain’s been pastorized?
So, if this was Germany, 1936 McCain would say “I’m glad to have Adolph Hitler’s endorsement but I condemn remarks
that are, in any way, viewed as anti-anything.”
Sorry Karen,
I hope my remark, #18, didn’t sound like a criticism of you. I’m frustrated with McCain and the media and my comment was intended for them.
C&L is trying to show that Boy George is now making nice-nice (with hard-hitting questions) after his disastrous sniper attack on Obama last week. That’s your duty (to be fair), I guess, but…
It’s just not going to work for me.
That so-called debate had a huge national audience, and THIS interview has a fraction of the viewers. Boy George set out to damage the Dem candidates, and that can’t be reversed. I will always liken him to a neo-con.
It’s still the American Bullshit Corporation, too. Thank God I don’t have to watch it and I can just read about it here.
Leslie [Bitter Elitist Hussein] @ 21:
Didn’t take it that way at all. ;)
I cannot stand Gone InSane, and whether Obama, Clinton or some other come-from-nowhere candidate emerges from the Democratic convention as the nominee, I’ll do whatever I can to keep the Republicans out of the White House.
As a Catholic, the whole Hagee mess really turned me off to McCain. This seems to be a double standard, since McCain can get away with being buddy-buddy with somebody like Hagee, not wear a flag pin, etc. solely because of - what? His age? Military service? It seems like anti-Catholicism is still a legitimate form of bigotry in this country, especially with the wacko right-wing evangelical group. It’s ridiculous how “conservative” Catholics are tricked into voting for these nutjobs who appeal to them on abortion while calling their faith an “apostate church.” Sickening.
It’s good to see that these baby-boomer are finally getting old and dying off. McCain and Hillary will most likely be the last boomer presidential canidates that we have to put up with. What a worthless generation. They destroyed our healthcare system and moved all of our factories overseas. Once the boomers die off; we can get to work fixing the damage that they did.
Obama was pressed during a debate to “reject” Farrakhans endorsement. But McCain can without fuss accept Hagees endorsement despite he frequently says outrageous things about catholics, muslims, homosexuals etc etc
galmud @ 26:
IOKIYAR, mein Freund. IOKIYAR.
Hagee is a nasty piece of work. Much worse than Rev. Wright.
General_Rennenkampf @ 27:
Really? How so?
Ayers is a murderer. He bombed the pentagon. He should have been executed for treason. Whatever absurdity Hagee said, it pails in comparison at Ayers.
Moreover, the moral equivalency on the Left demonstrates just how out of touch you are with America.
“MCCAIN: I’m glad to have his endorsement. I condemn remarks that are, in any way, viewed as anti-anything. But thanks for asking.” [You jerk, you’re drafted.]
I bet after each interview, McShitForBrains runs to the nearest TV to watch a tape of it and continuously says throughout the tape “OMG, did I really say that?” Any poll that shows this geezer ahead in anything is rigged.
lolo @ 28:
As I’ve stated, he thinks a nuclear war and the annihilation of Israel are the key to the Second Coming. He forgets, and so do all of the “OMG LOL IZREEL BEN REGAITHERED LULZ” types that this already happened, once, under a certain Judas Maccabeus. No reason to suspect that if a general Middle Eastern war occurs that unless Israel’s nuclear club comes into play, it won’t get punked, again.
The fixation by the religious right on a Jewish state with a bad human rights record regarding both Muslims and Christians is both worrying and ironic. These loons are sooner or later, if the Second Coming keeps delaying like it has since forever, start their attempt for it by starting WWIII. And instead of going magically “POOF!” they’ll dissolve in nuclear fire with the rest of us.
Bottoms up, me boy, bottoms up.
General_Rennenkampf @ 27:
I listened to one of Hagees sermons. And it was just 40-50 minutes of nonstop of hate against Muslims, “200 million muslims are ready to invade and destroy both America and Israel!!”
Wright you have to cherrypick him out of context to find something controversial. Hagee you can just pick any 10 seconds at random
29 Devil’s Advocate
Pervez Musharraf’s human rights record was every bit as bad as Saddam Hussein but the former is our allie, and the latter our allie turned enemy.
Under booshco we’ve buddied up with Heydar Aliyev the leader of Azerbaijan after he attempted genocide against the Nagorno-Karabakh. booshco took him off the list of nations not to deal with, where President Clinton placed him for human rights abuses, because they wanted to get their hands on the Caspian sea oil.
Talk about the moral equivalency of the Right.
Devil’s Advocate @ 29:
The Weathermen never hurt anyone with their bombs. Maybe you should check your facts. Oh, WAIT! You’re a Republican. Nevermind.
ysbaddaden @ 33:
Did Musharraf declare war against the United States and Bomb our pentagon. Did Musharraf klll Americans on American soil!! Ayers did just that!! This is exactly what I am talking about.
If bombing a bathroom is treason, then every kid who drops a cherry bomb in the toilet better WATCH OUT!!!
One thing that Repuklicans like McInsane can’t do is spell HYPOCRISY. This is why even when they win, they are all losers. Like Bush, McInsane is someone I can’t stand to see or to listen to.
But how can you countenance someone who was engaged in bombings which could have or did kill innocent people…
Is McCain talking about himself here, remember dropping bombs on the Vietnamese,
Oh, I forgot, those yellow people don’t count.
Only in America
chuck @ 25:
Sorry, we can’t wait for them all to die off. The country will go down the tubes in the meantime. Gotta do it this year with Obama. We are losing our freedom of speech and our justice system. The class divide will only be able to be solved by revolution if we don’t do something now. Torture. Our status in the world. You name it. Hillary and McCain both represent this establishment. A PRE-boomer supporter of Obama here!
Devil’s Advocate @ 29:
Let’s be clear. I’m not excusing the Weatherman organization for any actions, but let’s get some facts on the table:
Via Wikipedia:
They tried to minimize the loss of life as much as possible. The damage done in the Pentagon bombing was to information, not people. Again, that does not excuse what they did, but your inflammatory rhetoric does not make for an honest discussion.
From Ayer’s own blog: