So McCain admires and respects Haggee's leadership; solicits and takes his endorsement; and condems his remarks about the Church, but doesnt understand how Obama can admire and respect Rev Wright. Come on, why do people try to cover up why they wont vote for Obama. It has nothing to do with him as a leader or person, it's his skin color. You can sugar coat it all you want, but everyone knows I speak the truth, even the hypocritic John McCain. He was caught today in the double standard and he knows it and so does America. Nice job today George S!!!!

I was deeply unimpressed with McCain this morning. I am not sure he said anything of consequence, and as in this case, when he did he seemed to back track almost immediately. It was a mistake to get his endorsement but I am glad to have it??? Other than that he just seemed smug and condesending to me, constantly referring to George Stephanopoulous as 'my friend' laughing at smiling at his own cleverness. If thats how he campaigns then Barry Goldwater will have company in the 'Arizona Senators who received a Presidential election thrashing' group. (Also I am guessing the DNC has a file marked 'John McCain misstatements' ready to work into a campaign add somehow.'

I lose more respect for John McCain on a daily basis. This is not the same man I supported for President in 2000. The John McCain from yesteryear would not sell his soul for another vote.

I think the majority of Americans want to see something new next year. John McCain is certainly capable of doing it, but I'm having my doubts that he will clean house of enough of the Bush/Cheney lackeys to make it happen. At least Obama had the decency to distance himself from Wright's comments.

If you voted for Bush/Cheney last time, I hope: 1. You've come to your senses, 2. You have enough shame to not vote this time, or 3. You decide who in your heart is the best candidate - then vote the opposite.

(yes, this is tongue-in-cheek - Kerry wasn't that much of great choice either...)

George and ABC would never ask McCain the truly damaging questions - about his marriage, about his "Gooks" comments...

McCain says it was a mistake and then right away says he's glad to have his endorsement?

what the hell is that?

MIguy are you kidding me Obama just praised Wright the other day.

Obama prayed with Wright before his presidential announcement. He called Wright and apologized for him not speaking this was after he knew about the 9/11 comments.

McCain doesn't even know Hagee.

McCain's is close with his own pastor for 15 years who is well respected.

Compare McCain's real pastor to Wright.

Obama has a far closer relationship with Ayres.

MIguy the religious right hates McCain for you not to vote for him because he is too close to the religious right is laughable.

MIguy you were never a McCain supporter because you are smearing him with lies.

If the Republicans can turn the debate into a "your pastor vs. my crazy religious endorsement", I think they will win. If the economy tanks, then the usual distractions may not be enough. It will be interesting to see how it all plays out. What Sharon in AZ was pointing out that the religious right may have to swallow hard on the morals of John McCain in regards to his first wife and youthful indiscretions. To me, what he did is in the past and done. I'm not sure religious/moral conservatives would agree.

(p.s. - I think you're right in that his VP candidate has to be someone with a clue about the economy)

@Jason:

You're getting a bit hot for no particularly good reason. I'm an independent and couldn't care less about what the democrats do here. If you supported McCain in 2000, then you should know what I'm talking about. Here he is cozying up to Bush, who practically called him the Manchurian candidate back then.

I'm not saying he is not a good man or don't vote for him. I am saying that he needs more distance between him and this current administration if he wants to win.

@Marcia:

Testing the mettle of a candidate is important. Even on things that many or most consider 'nonsense issues', it reveals a bit about the candidate in how they respond. Senator Obama is running for President and derisive and dumb comments come with that job. But, also keep in mind that for some Americans these were valid questions that they wanted answered. What's done is done.

As for myself, I think the country is still held hostage by the anger and venom and issues of the 1960's and 70's. It may be this year or another twelve, but eventually this country will get over those divisions and move forward.

McCain sold himself out to help get the evangelical vote. However, they went for Huckabee and now he is going to pay a political price as his butt kissing becomes public.

So McCain admits it was a mistake to solicit and accept Hagee’s endorsement, but he's still glad to have his endorsement.

Huh? I guess McCain fell off the StraightTalk Express again.

If he’s smart, he’d lay off the Ayers accusation because he’ll end up looking reeeeaaaallly silly.

Oh, it's going to be a long, exasperating slog to November.

C'mon, people--let's do our part to force the election to be about real issues. There's certainly a lot to be debated, especially between Obama and McCain.

Which part of this was the mistake? Can't tell from this story and the accompanying conclusive headline.

Look at the differences between mccain, clinton and obama.

Double Standards is a complete understatement.
Obama will always be held accountable for what others say and do, but not the mccain/clinton twins.

That's what you call fair and balanced. Just ask George and Sean.

McCain could easily become President of The FlipFlop Federation. He flipflops with every turn of the sentence! I've never seen anything like it.

Besides, he's a instable lunatic with a dangerous temper (check the Washington Post today... OUCH) so he can forget about the White House.

Silly old man.

Please, the inteview went well and McCain's point is well taken. Obama's choice of friends is in question. Ayers said he hadn't bombed enough buildings .. that is not the kind of supporter I'd want my next Pres. cozying up to ... and justifying it. McCain accepted an endorsement. Not cozy with the guy. Big difference. There were things that he mentioned he liked about Haggee and issues that they agreed on. But Haggee and McCain disagreed on the stand on Catholic Church. So what's the big deal? What does Obama like, exactly, about Rev. Wright's beliefs or Ayers. I would like to hear that, wouldn't you?

George S. is very hypocrite. He cannot pressure Senator McCain to be accountable of other people actions and words. Senator refuses to denounce to reject and denounce the support of pastor Hagee. George S. is a politicin who would to transform himself in journalist. In reality, he is pundit, playing the same game.

Good on Mc Cain to admit his mistake. This is an endorsment from a guy he doesnt even know.

The Obama lovers are CHAFFING at the bit to wash this out as somehow the same thing as taking advise for TWENTY YEARS from Pastor Wright.

But they WONT get away with it. Besides, Obama defended wright as a person. He never denounced the man.

Just the 'provable' offensive comments.

Dont get me started on how he stays at at the church when he KNOWS full well Farakkan was given a lifetime achievemenbt award.

Republicans are saving that swift boat for the general election.

I don't think the country is ready for Obama we have come along way since 1968 but not far enough there are still to many people of age that are not ready IMO

Hey George! How come you never asked Sen. McCain if not wearing a flag pin makes a person unpatriotic? I noticed he didn't have one on. Oh yeah, that question is only for democrats!

Since when has it been stated that Obama has been cozying up to Ayers? He doesn't condone what he did 40 years ago. He is now a university professor who obviously has been doing great work in the Chicago area and many people work with him, not just Obama. You guys are really trying to blow this out of proportion. I like seeing you guys running scared cuz you get desperate in your attempts to demean Obama. Go ahead and vote for a senile,aging,hot tempered republican hack if you want to and see how much further down this great country can go.

Not just Hagee, but Mitt Romney (who's Mormon religion discriminate against African Americans), Rod Parsley and Pat Robinson who said America got what it deserved with 9/11 because of all this sinning going on. Let him try to bring up anybody with reference to Obama in the general election. McCain called vietnamese people "gooks". So if we are to overlook all these things, lets overlook things across the board.