Follow-up

OK, some reporters actually did their jobs in New Orleans and asked John McCain about nutty televangelist John Hagee's claim that the city was struck down by god via Katrina due to a planned "homosexual rally."

Q: What is your reaction (to Hagee Katrina comments)?

McCain: It’s nonsense.

Q: Would you withdraw accepting his endorsement?

McCain: It’s nonsense, it’s nonsense, it’s nonsense. It’s nonsense. I don’t have anything additional to say about that. It’s nonsense.

Q: Do you regret accepting his endorsement?

A: It’s nonsense. I don’t have anything more to say about that. Of course–I apologize for that. It’s nonsense. I reject that categorically and I would point out there’s a lot of people who have endorsed me. They support my views. That does not mean that I support–would I consider repudiating his endorsement? I certainly condemn those parts of his remarks. I continue to appreciate his support for the state of Israel and for many of the good things that he and his church has done. But I repudiate as strongly as possible those remarks and those of the Catholic church as well.

So basically, he wants it both ways. Condemn the comments, but keep the nut.

Contrast this to Obama, who completely rejected an unwanted endorsement from Louis Farrakhan. Even then, the media still wouldn't let the matter drop.

Will they keep on McCain? Will he be grilled on whether he agrees with Hagee that the Catholic Church is a "great whore?"

But McCain has an excuse for it all:

I didn’t attend Pastor Hagee’s church for 20 years. There’s a great deal of difference in my view between someone who endorses you and other circumstances.

See! All is forgiven!


Oh, and bear in mind that Hagee didn't come to McCain unsolicited. The Straight-talkin' MaverickTM aggressively courted the TV preacher for months to get his backing.


Photo of Hagee from AP