John McCain has come out an publicly denounced and rejected San Antonio based Pastor John Hagee amid pressure surrounding Hagee's sermons regarding the Holocaust and other controversial statements. Hagee has reportedly made statements saying that Hitler was sent by God to force the Jews back to Israel, and that the Catholic Church is the "great whore" referenced in the book of Revelation. Needless to say, Jews and Catholics have been pretty upset by the remarks, so Hagee's endorsement of McCain on the heels of the blowup about Rev. Jeremiah Wright's controversial remarks were bad timing for McCain.In a statement to CNN on Thursday, McCain said "Obviously, I find these remarks and others deeply offensive and indefensible, and I repudiate them. I did not know of them before Rev. Hagee's endorsement, and I feel I must reject his endorsement as well."
Shortly after McCain's announcement Thursday afternoon, Hagee withdrew his endorsement, citing critics who had been "grossly misrepresenting" his positions.
Now. Let's watch how the media handles this. John McCain has repeatedly tried to draw a distinction between his relationship with Hagee compared to Obama's relationship with Wright by saying that Hagee was not his spiritual advisor or pastor and that he didn't sit in his church for 20 years. Yeah, okay John. That makes it sooo much different. You're not getting out of this that easily.
The conservative media wanted to play the game of character assassination to Rev. Wright, but they didn't take into account that the same rules would apply to conservative candidates. Do I disagree with the tactic as a whole? Yes. Rev. Wright was taken out of context and reportedly Pastor Hagee was too, but unfortunately this is not a gentleman's war. There aren't even definitive candidates yet and this things is already nasty. What in the world will we have to endure on the road to November?!
I believe now more than ever, we will see the media for who they really are. Just watch and see.
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