Pelosi Blasts McCain Over Anti-Catholic Pastor

Speaker Nancy Pelosi, the most prominent Catholic serving in the U.S. government, called on Sen. John McCain to reject the endorsement of Texas televangelist John Hagee, who has labeled the Catholic church "the great whore," a "false cult system," and linked it to Hitler's Nazi movement.

"That behavior is outside the circle of civilized debate in our democracy," Pelosi said during a Thursday conference call. "I certainly think John McCain should reject his endorsement and I'm sure it won't be long before he does."

McCain has come under heavy fire from Catholic groups across the political spectrum for appearing with Hagee last week and declaring he was "proud" of the endorsement. Subsequently, McCain told reporters that Hagee's backing "does not mean that I embrace everything that he stands for and believes," but added, "I am very proud of the Pastor John Hagee's spiritual leadership to thousands of people." [See video of Hagee speaking about Catholicism here.]

But several Catholic groups insist that McCain should specifically condemn Hagee's "hate speech" about Catholicism. Bill Donohue, president of the conservative Catholic League, charged in a statement that McCain "has shown horrendous judgment in buddying up to this bigot and spin doctor." The progressive group Catholics United yesterday circulated remarks from McCain in 2000 condemning the "strong anti-Catholic statements" of Bob Jones.

Catholics were a key voting bloc for George W. Bush in 2000 and 2004, supporting him over Democratic rivals Al Gore and fellow Catholic John Kerry.

On Thursday, Pelosi also used President Bush's White House ceremony with McCain to tee off on the GOP nominee. Bush's endorsement "was appropriate," she said, "because [McCain] has endorsed whatever George Bush has wanted, whether it's his failed economic policies, or his failed policy in Iraq."

She pressed Democrats to publicly highlight the sharp contrasts between McCain and his two Democratic rivals. "Even on subjects that he's good on, like global warming and the rest -- he was good on immigration and he did a one-eighty on that," she said. "I think it's fair to say he cannot be counted on, even on some of his priority issues like immigration."

Pelosi added that she viewed the prolonged Democratic primary as a positive development. "While I hope that our candidate will be chosen soon," she remarked, "I know also that the vitality of our debate will be healthy for us as we choose a nominee."

Comments

[atlantajoe]

Where was Nancy when all those kids were being abused by the pedofhiles ? You can't blame the leadership if a priest does something wrong once but the church ignored sexual assaults and shipped the pedofhiles to other churches and let them continue. And why would Nancy defend a group that want to take the right to choose away from women.

[Stokes]

Luke 7:31-35
"What description, then, can I find for the men of this generation? What are they like? They are like children shouting to one another while they sit in the market place:
"We played the pipes for you,
and you wouldn't dance,
we sang dirges,
and you wouldn't cry."
"For John the Baptist comes, not eating bread, not drinking wine and you say "He is possessed.­" The Son of man comes, eating and drinking, and you say, 'Look, a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners." Yet Wisdom has been proved right by all her children"

[Boobaloo]

Pelosi: You are the height of hypocrisy, duplicitiousness and irrelevance.

You and Hagee share the EXACT same views both politically and relgiously so spare me your sanctimonious pronouncements.

Hagee, founder of United For Israel.

"We love Israel", Hagee speech to AIPAC
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EDRxmqOn7x4

On Iran: ""The coming nuclear showdown with Iran is a certainty.­.."Israel and America must confront Iran's nuclear ability and willingness to destroy Israel with nuclear weapons"

Nancy Pelosi:

"We stand with Israel now and forever.No­w and forever."

On Iran: ‘The greatest threat to Israel’s right to exist…now comes from Iran...It threatens the security of Israel."

http://news.newamericamedia.org/news/view_article.html?article_id=d664338ddefe6dec22e5c6f723c256ca

[carlgt1]

well, if Obama (rightly) has to repudiate Farrakhan, why shouldn't Repukes repudiate Falwell, Robertson, Bob Jones, Hagee, and the other drooling inbreds on the right?

[Bystander]

I didn't realize McCain was a member of Hagee's church. You may have missed the linkage between Obama and the racist / antisemite Farrakhan being Obama's church / pastor. Perhaps this is an honest oversight on your part. But now you know. Pelosi, however, has no cover...cl­early, she's a partisan political hack.

[FZliveson]

Fancy Pillow-fuzzy is a nerd. Who gives a flier about whether she genuflects when she prays or not? Her credibility sucks. After bringing so much hope and "determination" with her to the speaker's chair she just stabbed the basketball with a knife. Pelosi can't pretend to care that much about the game.
At one point I'd considered Nan as a potential VP candidate. Today, she has blended in with the rest of the Washington chameleons­...just another active fork in the House dining room, a proud mom, waiting anxiously for her spawn, Christine, to cast her first vote as a super-delegate. What a momentous flop.

[LorettaSingbiel]

Bill Donohue, president of the conservative Catholic League, charged in a statement that McCain "has shown horrendous judgment in buddying up to this bigot and spin doctor."

A Catholic BIGOT (Bill Donohue) chastising a Televangelist BIGOT (John Hagee) ... PRICELESS!

Stay safe, healthy and happy,
Love, Loretta

[wsblake]

For two years Pelosi has had the power to put an end to the slaughter of thousands of Muslims, but does zilch. Friggin hypocrite. She gives all good Catholics a bad name.

[godlessclif]

If McCain or any Republican had said anything about Obama's Muslim education

the Obamabots would be screaming bigotry, but going after McCain religion seems to be fair game.

I guess we cam predict the democratic campaign.

A series of attacks playing on race and religion

[Casper]

My my--don't talk about the cult that calls itself the catholic church--but it's fine that Bush and company are constantly abusing the Constituti­on--Nancy-­-I had such high hopes for you--if you are any indication what a woman in power would do as President--no way can we have that! You are Speaker of the House for ALL of us--not just for your church! You don't belong in that seat behind Bush--

[Vespasian]

Agreed! Casper has it right (ie: correct). Nancy has been a real disappointment. Her performance does not help me to choose Hillary over Obama. I'm afraid 'Washington insiders' are just Washington insiders, regardless of gender or party!

[mamacat]

It does seem rather strange that an out-and-out right-wing anti-catholic looney tune would get a free pass by the press.

[Abycat]

Who cares about him? Let's force the media to take a close look at McCain. They will give this little twit a pass because he's a 'war hero'. Yet Hillary and (soon) Barack go under a microscope. This just ain't fair! We need a full examination of the Keating S & L scandal and Mc Cain's role in it. I'd also like to know McCain's answer to his own question 'Why is Chelsea Clinton so ugly?' .

[marthlois]

Anti-Catholic? That's just the beginning. Why the hell aren't people reading up
on this guy and holding McCain accountable? McCain is being endorsed by
America's most powerful bigot! I encourage everyone to read up on Hagge and
the groups that he hates. The press has allowed this story to sleep since it broke.
Why?

[HowardRoarke]

Pelosi knows the job of the Democrats is to ATTACK McCain.

Hillary is off endorsing him.

One of those two women has the "experience" to be running for President as a Democrat.

[ratmach]

They're both idiots. Hillary has proven what she really is over the past couple weeks. And Pelosi . . . it's HER fault Bush and his minions are still in office. She had the power to hold hearings that would have brought the scumbags to their knees by now. Had she done her DUTY, Bush and others would now be behind bars (or at least on their way).

[zamerdee]

Right from the start when she became House Speaker she had a meeting with Bush. I always thought that Bush had something on her that he told her about that day. That week she said impeachment was off the table. I always wondered if Bush's wire tapping got something on her that she doesn't want revealed that stops her from going forward and get the criminals.

[lobear00]

Nancy left her voice and head back in San Francisco. Folks out West have a lot to be sad about in this Speaker of the House.
But we must also remember all those in Congress who are,have been, taking lobbyiest (Money and Perks) and are owned by the Corporatio­ns.. These Representatives do not and will not work for or Represent the people of the United States. Think about that " CORPORATIONS OWN OUR REPRESENTATIVES!

[factotem]

No scandal to be found here Nance. Move along.

Maybe someone will steal some candy next week, and you can use that to further spare yourself the responsibility to impeach Bush, you useless dumbass.

[StrayTalk]

C'mon Nancy, get over it! Couldn't we all agree to take ANTI anti-Catholicism OFF THE TABLE and shelve it next to Impeachment? After all you set the new tone in Washington. As Karl Rove and Dick Cheney have pleaded many times: can't we all just get along??