CNN reports that Sen. John McCain (R-AZ) has finally rejected the support of radical pastor John Hagee. McCain’s repudiation comes as recent attention has turned to a sermon in which Hagee said that Hitler was fulfilling God’s will:
McCAIN: Obviously, I find these remarks and others deeply offensive and indefensible and I repudiate them. I did not know of them before Reverend Hagee’s endorsement, and I feel I must reject his endorsement as well.
The audio of Hagee’s remarks was first posted by Bruce Wilson on Talk to Action and later circulated by the Huffington Post. In February, McCain said he was “very honored by Pastor John Hagee’s endorsement.” It is important to note that 'McCain spent hundreds of dollars on Chapstick kissing ass and chasing the endorsement of Hagee and he held a press conference to announce it. [HERE] After controversy broke out over offensive comments made by Hagee, McCain originally evoked Hagee’s support for Israel as his reason for continuing to embrace his support. McCain’s full statement is here. [MORE]
Last Month McCain said 'Endorsement was a Mistake but I'm Glad to Have it'
Just one month ago McCain appeared on ABC’s This Week and he seemed a bit confused as to whether or not he still accepts Hagee’s endorsement –- first agreeing that it was a “mistake” to accept it, but less than 30 seconds later saying he is “glad” to have it:
STEPHANOPOULOS: So was it a mistake to solicit and accept his endorsement?
MCCAIN: Oh, probably, sure. […]
STEPHANOPOULOS: So you 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. And thanks for asking. [MORE]
Considering the fact that the media has put Obama through hell over Reverend Wright, it is fitting that we review some of the racial statements that Hagee has said:
HURRICANE KATRINA WAS CAUSED BY GAYS & NEW ORLEANS DESERVED IT. On the Fresh Air radio show with host Terry Gross on September 18, 2006 he stated -- GROSS: I just want to ask you one question based on one of your sermons that--and this isn't about Israel. You said after Hurricane Katrina that it was an act of God, and you said "when you violate God's will long enough, the judgment of God comes to you. Katrina is an act of God for a society that is becoming Sodom and Gomorrah reborn." Do you still think that Katrina is punishment from God for a society that's becoming like Sodom and Gomorrah?
Pastor HAGEE: All hurricanes are acts of God because God controls the heavens. I believe that New Orleans had a level of sin that was offensive to God, and they are--were recipients of the judgment of God for that. The newspaper carried the story in our local area that was not carried nationally that there was to be a homosexual parade on the Monday that the Katrina came, and the promise of that parade was that it was going to reach a level of sexuality never demonstrated before in any of the other Gay Pride parades. So I believe that the judgment of God is a very real thing. I know that there are people who demure from that, but I believe that the Bible teaches that when you violate the law of God, that God brings punishment sometimes before the day of judgment, and I believe that the Hurricane Katrina was, in fact, the judgment of God against the city of New Orleans. All of the city was punished because of the sin that happened there in that city.
HELD SLAVERY FUNDRAISER FOR SCHOOL. In March 1996 Hagees church, Cornerstone Church announced a ''Senior High School Slave Sale'' in which students volunteered to be ''sold'' to church members, who assigned them to household chores and other duties. The announcement of the event came in the Rev. John Hagee's column in the Baptist church's newsletter. Hagee's advertisement stated,' 'Slavery in America is returning to Cornerstone Sunday night, March 31st with the Senior High School Slave Sale.'' He later stated, ''we certainly did not intend to offend anyone and apologize to anyone offended,'' said the Rev. John Hagee of Cornerstone Church. But, in a radio interview, he protested about pressure to be "politically correct" and joked that perhaps his pet dog should be called a "canine American." [MORE]