From The Road
February 29, 2008 1:36 PM

McCain Criticized for Megachurch Pastor's Endorsement

By
Andante Higgins
Topics
John McCain
(CBS)
From CBS News' Dante Higgins:

ROUND ROCK, TEXAS -– As criticism of John McCain mounts because of megachurch pastor John Hagee's endorsement of his candidacy, McCain is on the defensive.

"I think it's important to note that Pastor John Hagee who has supported and endorsed my candidacy supports what I stand for and believe in. When he endorses me, it does not mean that I embrace everything that he stands for and believes," McCain told reporters today after a town hall meeting.

Hagee is a quite a controversial figure, due in part to comments he's made in the past about Catholics, including suggesting in his book "Jerusalem Countdown" that Adolf Hitler was Catholic and that the Vatican turned a blind eye to the Holocaust because of his religion.

Catholic League President Bill Donohue said that McCain should reject Hagee's endorsement.

"Just this week, McCain repudiated the remarks of talk radio host Bill Cunningham," Donohue said in a written statement, referring to Tuesday's comments by Cunningham, who criticized Barack Obama and repeatedly used his middle name "Hussein" throughout the criticism.

"He should now repudiate Hagee's long record of bashing Catholicism. After all, George W. Bush apologized for speaking at Bob Jones University, and Hagee makes Jones look like a lightweight in the ring of bigotry."

McCain said he is "very proud" of Hagee's "spiritual leadership to thousands of people and I am proud of his commitment to the independence and the freedom of the state of Israel. That does not mean that I support or endorse or agree with some of the things that Pastor John Hagee might have said or positions that he may have taken on other issues. I don't have to agree with everyone who endorses my candidacy. They are supporting my candidacy. I am not endorsing some of their positions."

Add a Comment
by giantrobot2 March 1, 2008 5:03 PM EST
Top 10 Reasons John McCain should not be the Republican presidential nominee.

Number 10 - McCain has to get "permission" from the big wig party bosses who sit in their luxury rooms smoking cigars, counting their money and their power before he is allowed to say anything.

Number 9 - McCain was not born in America and technically not allowed to become US President.

Number 8 - All the true conservatives are not supporting him. Dr. James Dobson endorsed Huckabee not McCain.

Number 7 - McCain wants to water down or eliminate the Federal Marriage act between one man and one woman.

Number 6 - McCain does not actively support pro-life causes. He only reluctantly does when forced too.

Number 5 - The McCain-Fiengold law that he pushed thru to become law restricts him from spending any more in the general election against Obama.

Number 4 - McCain will have not power in the White House because he is not allowed to make decisions until he get''s permission from party big wigs.

Number 3 - McCain does not want to seal the border. The biggest threat to American security right now.

Number 2 - McCain''s speeches are just a tad more exciting than boring falling a sleep Fred Thompson.

And Number 1 - McCain is just too old. He will not be able to compete against the 46 year old Obama on his firepower. If elected he will be the oldest president ever.

Huckabee is the ONLY won who can compete with Obama in the general election. Vote for Huckabee!
Reply to this comment
by bogi666 March 1, 2008 2:08 PM EST
Hagee, while not the Great *** of Revelations, is a Harlot, a little ***. He''s an agent of the anti Christ which does not mean against Christ but PRETENDING TO BE CHRIST which more aptly fits Hagee who''s also a closet homosexual ridden with guilt which in his case is unhealthy shame a mental illness. Use these two proverbs "me thinks dost has protest too much", Shakespeare, and "those who yell the loudest have the most to hide", unknown identify Hagee''s repressed homosexuality. He thinks himself a "queer magnet" which is self flattery. He deflects his guilt of latent homosexual repression by shrill accusations against homosexuals and others. Hagee complains about American taxpayers who complain about the cost of American imperialism, BUT HE''S TAX EXEMPT, SUBSIDIZED BY THE GOVERNMENT[S]and receives government services. His congregation of fool''s donations are tax deductible. With all this Hagee is A CORPORATE WELFARE KING.
Reply to this comment
by akprayingmom March 1, 2008 8:09 AM EST
A true conservative is against higher taxes.
A true conservative supports strong traditional families.
A true conservative believes that pro-life means more than just in the womb. It means, concern for and care of life through conception, infancy, childhood, adolescence, teen, adult, middle age, elderly to natural death.
A true conservative does not support embrionic stem cell research or cloning.
A true conservative supports parental rights.
A true conservative supports a strong military and nation defense.
A true conservative believes that we are each endowed with inalienable rights and have intrinsic individual value.
Values Voters, our candidate is MIKE HUCKABEE! He can win despite what the RNC and pundits say. He can go all the way to the convention. The RNC and pundits hope you will buy their lies so they can continue to control your lives for their benefit. Let show them we aren''t listening any more!
He that hath an ear, let him hear!
Vote HUCKABEE and take back the freedom millions of Americans have fought and died for!!
Reply to this comment
by musquash1 February 29, 2008 9:57 PM EST
As far as I can see, all TV evangelists - Hagee included, are interested in one thing - sucking as much money as possible from superstitious and vulnerable Americans.
McCain should run as fast as possible from people like Hagee (and I include Bill Donahoe on the ultra-bigot list).
Reply to this comment
by szevi-2009 February 29, 2008 9:10 PM EST
Hagee''s "commitment to the independence and the freedom of the state of Israel" is tightly tied to his beliefs that Israel''s existence is prelude to the rapture at which time Jews the world over will be slaughtered and sent to hell. This kind of support Israel can do without. Senator McCain as well, I would think.
Reply to this comment
by reginabrown February 29, 2008 8:18 PM EST
Well, McCain had to have it to try to prove he could get the Christian vote. I hope he''s satisfied. And I''m sure Hagee''s church is just thrilled about all the negative attention this is bring them.
Reply to this comment
.

Follow From The Road

Scroll Left
Scroll Right More »
CBS News on Facebook
  • Building You a Better Morning

  • CBS This Morning

    "CBS This Morning," anchored by Charlie Rose, Gayle King and Erica Hill, airs weekdays from 7 to 9 a.m. ET and at the same time in other time zones.
    Learn more...