Debra,
You may or may not have a point regarding the 20 years (I personally have not listened to Rev Wrights sermons other than the 20 second snippets that have been rolling along with Senator McCains's implicit blessing) but you alas are mistaken if you think the these numerous right wing Reverends' quotes won’t be flying around like gnats at a southern social. It will be the greatest hits, sure to include some golden oldies like “Katrina was a punishment from god” and Robertson’s belief on the cause of 9/11 “God continues to lift the curtain and allow the enemies of America to give us probably what we deserve.”

The separation of Church and State was clearly a great idea. McCain can't really claim the high ground as he sought these folks endorsements but good for him for having some common sense to dump the ballast. Now he just needs to kick out the Bush/Cheney's in his campaign and maybe he'll make a game of this.

      "So there should be no comparisons made to the
      Obama/Uncle Wright relationship."
      Debra | May 22, 2008 10:46:53 PM

McCain suffers a bit of an embarrassment, and the solution seems to be to quickly turn the talk back to Obama.  Which really doesn't have anything at all to do with McCain having suffered a bit of an embarrassment.  Ain't politics a grand thing?

So McCain sought these guys' endorsements when it was convenient in the Republican primaries, but then dumps them now that he is trying to appear moderate for the general. Not exactly straight talk, IMO.

Umm, what? "even though he endorsed me, and I didn't endorse him..."? Yes McCain DID endorse him. He called him a "truly great leader, moral compass and spiritual guide". Sounds like an endorsement to me. Or was Mr. Straight Talk just making that up when he knew absolutely nothing about the man?

McCain had no idea who Parsley was.

McCain met Parsely once in his life. He had little staff and little money back in February.

McCain's staff wasn't vetting endorsers back then.

Being endorsed by someone has never been held to this standard before.

When Giuliani was endorsed by Pat Robertson the press didn't ask him if he agreed with everything robertson had ever said.

McCain's pastor is Dan Yeary of Phoenix. McCain's spiritual guide is Dan Yeary. McCain has gone to his church for 15 years.

McCain has no relationship with Parsley or Hagee. He met them once in his life. McCain has never gone to Parsley or Hagee's church.

Obama wrote a book about wright, got married there.

Obama apologized to Wright when he didn't speak at his presidential announcment even after he said how 9/11 was our chickens coming home to roost.

Obama brought his kids to Wright's church.

McCain never brought his kids to parsley or hagee's church.

Obama gave Wright an official position in his campaign. McCain never did that for Hagee or Parsley.

McCain has since made his staff vet all endorsers. McCain had no staff back then. McCain had no idea who parsely or hagee were. They weren't household names.

McCain's real pastor is Dan Yeary. Pastor Dan Yeary preaches acceptance, kindness and redmpetion.

Lets compare him to Rev Wright and Rev Otis Moss.

Obama's church gave Farakkhan an award.

When is the press going to demand Obama stop going to that church.

But McCain called Parsley his "spiritual guide." How far did he guide you, old straight talk J Sidney McCain?

Several posters here claim that
McCain sought the endorsements of
Hagee and Parsons!
I say where's the proof?
McCain did not seek those endorsements just as Obama did not seek the
endorsement of Louis Farrakhan!

McCain sought the endorsement of these preachers. Obama did not bring his pastor on the campaign trail.

It is disingenuous to claim McCain didn't endorse Parsely, et al. A simple google search will prove you wrong. He called Parsely a spiritual mentor and approved of his message. The fact he didn't fully vet him only proves McCain more untruthful -- how could he say all those nice things about these men if he didn't know them?

Go ahead, McCainiacs, bring up Wright. Now it will get thrown right back at you. As you sow...

why
can't
Hillary
close
the
deal?

LOL

These guys are not even McCains pastor.

Excellent post, O.

This guy is no foreign policy expert. In fact, I bet he would struggle with the basics of international relations. He has already shown that he does not know the difference between a Sunni and Shia (or he had a "senior moment") and now he mocks a reporter who accurately described the power structure of the ISLAMIC Republic of Iran?!!! Hey John, think of Soviet Union...the power rests with the party, not the government...or should i say, the party is the government. But somehow he will manage to convince the duller of those among us that he is in full command of his faculties. Unbelievable.

Rejection or not... McCain is backed by those who fear God and love America.

On the other hand, the Big-O is endorsed or associated with those who call upon God to smite the US (Wright, Farrakahn, Hamas, etc.). I wonder what they know?

Keep bringing up religion and Wright keeps popping up... 20 years... but no rejection until Wright had the gall to call Obama a dirty word... politician. So much for Omama's judgment.

If president, will it take him 20 years to discover that some foreign powers play games and don't follow through on their promises? Will it take him 20 years to make a decision on the Iranian nuclear threat - or will he keep talking to them until after they build the bomb?

And then there's that pesky Rezko thing... and the Ayers thing. By the way have you seen that great picture of Ayers artully stepping on the US flag - classy guy that Ayers.

By they way... have you noticed that they've muzzled Michelle? She has handlers close by to stop her from going off the reservation.

Obama should have picked a nice Baptist church... but this one was more influential and a better choice for Chicago politics.

On the other hand, McCain should have remained Episcopalian.

So the General Election is here... "fasten you belts"... sweeties... "it's going to be a bumpy ride!"

This is about the public wanting to see Hagee's and Parsley's "hate" speech broadcast on the Clinton News Network and every other live television and radio station nationwide 24/7 for at least two weeks. Then every day after the story is over, right up to November, it needs to mentioned again.

BECAUSE....

"It goes to judgement"

"It shows his character"

"It is a part of the vetting process"

"We are judged by our associations"

"It is a legitimate presidential issue"

"Americans deserve to know who we are voting for"

"The media has an obligation to report the news"

Get it? Turnabout is fair play...

Obama '08!

Get religion out of the campaign and white house. Separation of church and state. Remember?

I always knew McCain was not the Straight Talk Express, however I never realized until this past month that he is an absolute liar. This being said McCain really would mean four more years of George Bush.

McCain courts these two crazys because he thinks they'll give him more votes. But he knows that they're nut jobs and thinks it's ok.
When they go "wright" on him, he dumps them and thinks he'll keep the voters? Further more, who are these people who follow these loonys? I'm really scared!
Although, this would explain Rush Limbaugh's lineage.

Way to go, McCain! Nip it in the bud! I applaud you for rejecting Parsley and Hagee.....continue to take this stand! Don't let it continue like one of the candidates did!

I agree that these guilt-by-association attacks are getting ridiculous but one thing is for sure: The Islamic world press is already saying with their headlines that the know John McCain will not give Muslims a fair shake because he is supported by such a hate-monger as Parsley. Now that this potential president has alienated a good portion of the world, not to mention the millions of Muslim-Americans, how are we going to fix our damaged image around the world?

@ Omentum:

You said: "This is about McCain and his misjudgment in seeking the endorsement of this guy without vetting him."

Get your facts straight. McCain did not seek the endorsement of Hagee or Parsley. He was not associated with either of them. He can't stop them from coming out to endorse. On the other hand, Obama called Wright his "spiritual mentor", "uncle", etc. This was a proven association with Wright who hates America. Don't try to bring McCain down to Obama standards....just won't work.

obama bloggers tried to create a scandal. It did not work. Now let's talk about uncle Jeremiah and nephew Otis.

Another Genius telling me that he's going to burn me alive because I keep telling the world that the planet earth is round. Parsely is telling everyone that the world is flat. It's such a shame that he's so brainwashed that he actually believes in what he's saying.

John McCain states:

"I admire the Islam. There's a lot of good principles in it. I think one of the great tragedies of the 21st century is that these forces of evil have perverted what's basically an honorable religion. But, no, I just have to say in all candor that since this nation was founded primarily on Christian principles.... personally, I prefer someone who I know who has a solid grounding in my faith."

It certainly was of no surprise that Senator McCain actively sought the endorsement of Reverends' Hagee and Parsley. He needed to court the "Conservative Base" of the Republican Party. And he did so…for a while. This was politics, nothing less. However, when light was shed on the bigoted remarks of these two Pastors’, Senator McCain began to feel the heat. Reverend Hagee's comments on Catholics and the Holocaust were heinous, and it would have had a profound impact on Sen. McCain, being that Jewish Americans and Catholic Americans are powerful voting blocks in US elections. The Parsley dilemma would have been to no effect. Normally, Muslim Americans do not constitute an influential voting block in the US. However, their external influence is overwhelming. A majority of Arab states loan billons to American Institutions and it would have been a matter of time before this story was popularized throughout the Arab world; thus resulting in massive Arab boycotts of the US. And you thought gas was high now!!!!

the Bible says in 2nd Timothy 3 that in the last days people will gather for themselves people who will tell them what their itchinh ears want to hear. The truth of the matter is that many people especially those who are spiritually bankrupt, dont want to subscribe to the truths that Rod Parsley and John Hagee are adressing. By denouncing Rod Parsley n John Hagee, MacCain has put himself in a collission course with the truth-this will cost him a place in white house. we should understand the context in which the two tele evangelists are speaking and the bibilical backing in the statements b4 giving them a blanket condemnation. lest you forget

Rod Parson's is McCain's "spiritual advisor". I wish that was mentioned in the article.

The discussion of religion always seems to bring out the nut jobs and this one is no different.

Railing against Muslims didn't bother McCain but when the video came out with Pastor Parsley railing against the Jews and talking about the End Times when all the Jews will be incinerated and how Hitler was sent by God to get rid of the Jews.....well then, THEN McCain had to dump Parsley...and all his financial support. 'Spiritual mentor' my old granny's patoot.

Every one is trying to make these ridiculous connections to McCain and these religious figures because Obama has a damaging relationship with this white hater Wright ( who incidentally is preparing to move into an exclusive gated community in a million dollar home). Obama supporters believe this to equate the two senators to questionable endorsements. There is one HUGE difference. See, McCain(whom I didn't vote for) has a lengthy senate record for supporters AND detractors to refer back to. What has Obama done for 2.5 years in the senate? We know he's been running for president for almost 2 of those years. HE won his former Illinois STATE senate office by politically sabotaging a Chicago civil-rights pioneer. Obama's associations are important because has has NO experience. His wife hates America. His pastor hates America. Do you really THINK he has a chance in the general election? I don't like any of these candidates. As far as I'm concerned, they're ALL too wishy-washy.Stating that,let me pose this last thought: most people vote for the candidate they most identify with. Does anyone know what demographic makes up the largest consistent voting block? DO your own research, you'll find it IS senior citizens.......

WOW! o. You are so smart and well-versed in the constitution and in every letter Franklin or Jefferson or Washington ever wrote. The only problem I see with your argument and documentation is we don't separate Islam from public education. In fact, every school system in this country goes out of its way to teach about Islam, Hinduism, Buddahism, and even Jedi-ism. The fact is Christianity is not separated from government, it is persecuted at Christmas every year,it is sued out of every courthouse, and mocked on every public television station. The fact that a country was not formed on a religion but became a predominately Christian nation expousing beliefs in freedom and liberty for all people must be very annoying to you. It is that same spirit in Christ that leads us to feed the world, to help out in any disaster, and to be kind to anyone who needs America. You see all the bad you want , but I still love this country and I have great respect for OUR Christian heritage.

Those that attend racist churches for 20 years should not cast stones. I don't remember McCain naming a book after a sermon that he heard from either of these 2 clowns. Black liberation theology is unpalatable to most Americans.

As someone else said, if McCain was in a nursing home, I'd vote for him before I'd vote for the faux uniter.

You have to love these holier than thou religious preachers.

How long has it been since a far-left candidate has won a presidential election? Obama will be humilated in the GE by a grumpy old man. And Hillary will be saying, "I told you so."

Most of you are missing the point. What has Parsley said that is not correct? You cannot answer the question unless you have read the Koran, read a little bit of world history and have read such documents as the PLO charter. These are all easy steps to take. But, I warn you, most of you will not like what you read, because Parsley is correct on his facts. His style is a bit over the top, but not his research. Wake up America, you are in Islam's sights.

Nat Turner - You asked me a question the other day, and I meant to get back to you. You asked me if I though Clinton or Obama would be tougher against McCain. I believe Obama will be stronger. He can separate himself from McCain on the war issue where Clinton can not. The fact that his contibutions come from many small donors whereas Clinton's are from large special interests types means that he can make policy geared more towards the general welfare of the people instead of a select few, and the whole realization of entrenched power needs to end. A Clinton or Bush since 1980 is enough for me anyways. Now we hear Chelsea might join the ranks. But what do I know, I am another wacky Ron Paul nut.

I think some one needs to speak up for the preachers here. Wright was not 100% wrong neither is Hagee or Parsley. They are not politicians they are preachers and they have a responsibility to a higher calling. By the way christians are people, voters, families and American. So dont put down those who are of the faith. We all know we need it in our lives.

Nat - agreed. I pray Obama brings us out of the mess we are in, because we are in a mess.

Now that pastors are no longer a"distraction" we can hear more about Wright, Moss, and Meeks

As far as McCain's hopes in the General...they are all but dead. Conservatives (in the mold of Goldwater) do not like this guy. And now that he just took a huge dump all over two of the biggest icons of the religious Right, he at a huge deficit. He will lose a majority of independents if for no other reason than his stance on the war and foreign policy in general. Taken in sum with ron paul and bob barr, the guy might as well save himself the effort and cherish the limited time he has left on this earth. Toast.

Nat,

Is he/she another Clinton supporter so convicted in his/her beliefs for Hillary Clinton that is voting for Pops McCain? The intelligence element among SOME of her supporters is just downright embarrassing.

American indian. Cherokee to be precise.

We walked over on this ice bridge. It was a long time ago.

NONE OF THESE MEN'S PASTOR'S ARE RUNNING FOR PRESIDENT!!! I don't agree with EVERYTHING my pastor says. Everyone is trying to dig up anything they can on Obama to discredit him and that is the best thing they could come up with. I'm so sick of it and will be glad when it's over.

Blame society for all of your own short comings. Excuses. Try working hard and have some self control.

The racism card gets old fast. The point is that you have many freedoms here that other countries don't have. Open your eyes.

like i said, ignorant.

peace

Maybe you would feel more comfortable at huffpo or dailykos? Lots of enablers over there.

Just for the record- Hagee & Parsley have MEGA-churches- Thousands of people literally beat down the door on Sunday morning hoping to get a GOOD seat! They have Millions of viewers who watch them on TV here in the US and around the world! I am absolutely convinced that Bush won Ohio because of Parsley. I'm not sure how this will end- but Obama may have just won by default!

What's wrong with what Rod Parsley said? Don't you people know anything about history? Islam spread by violence - for instance the two invasions of Europe, when the Arabs were stopped by the Christion army of Charles Martel at Tours in 732 and John Sobieski's force stopped the Turks at Vienna in 1683. The inhabitants of the Levant, Anatolia, Persia and large parts of India were conquered and forcibly converted to Islam. Islam is not, and never has been, a peaceful ideology. McCain knows this, I expect, but he's a politician so the truth isn't important.

McCain says no to Constitutional right of free speech

I'm a lifelong supporter of the values that the Republican Party stands
for. Things like free speech, property rights, freedom of religion. You
know, the basic values espoused in the Declaration of Independence and the
Constitution. Unfortunately I cannot support any candidate
indiscriminately just because they have an R after their name. John McCain
is the most obvious latest example. On Friday he rejected the endorsement
of a pastor who was quoted as having called Islam a "conspiracy of
spiritual evil." John McCain responded with the un-American and
constitution mocking remark, "I believe there is no place for that kind of
dialog in America." No place for free speech John? Sorry McCain and the
rest of the McSame's out there, but our country and our Constitution
deserve more respect. The point is not whether you agree with everyone,
but that in America we all have the opportunity to express our ideas and
have our voice heard. McCain here admits he disdains free speech.
Unfortunately the Democrats have not offered a promising alternative. So
I'd urge all voters to find a third party candidate who holds the
Constitution in high esteem and vote for him/her in November. Send the
Republicrats packing this fall. Many of them swore an oath to uphold the
Constitution and instead have trampled it under foot. Like I said McCain
is just the latest example.

I think a simple wikipedia search on Islamic history would be much more fruitful then anything you can learn about Islam from someone like Parsley. The FACTS seem to be biased against his erenous and biggoted views on Islam.

I love it. The Right Wing faction, concerning the T.V. Preachers are turned away by McCain.

My my my. What will the T.V. phony Shepards tell their flock to do now?

Go Obama!

GO Democrats!