McCain Struggles To Explain Away Hagee Connection In Attempt To Criticize Obama, Ayers

Today on ABC's This Week, John McCain attempted to go on the offensive about Barack Obama's tenuous connection to Weatherman Bill Ayers because that was what all the cool kids were attempting to do. McCain said that those loose connections were indicative of Obama's overall attitude and he thought it was wrong for Obama to not condemn Ayers' actions of four decades ago.

The only problem for McCain is that a). Obama, did, in fact, condemn those actions, and b). McCain is chummy with bigoted scumdumpster extraordinaire John Hagee. How did McCain manage to navigate his way through this seemingly dense thicket of contradiction and hypocrisy? Not very well, if you must know! Not very well at all.

STEPHANOPOULOS: A lot of Senator Obama's allies and others say that you should condemn the comments of Reverend John Hagee, an evangelical pastor...

MCCAIN: Oh, I do. And I did. I said, any comments that he made about the Catholic church I strongly condemn, of course.

STEPHANOPOULOS: Yet you solicited and accepted his endorsement?

MCCAIN: Yes, indeed. I did. And I condemned the comments that he made concerning the Catholic church.

STEPHANOPOULOS: But you're going to hold onto his endorsement? Your own campaign acknowledged that you should have done a better job of vetting Pastor Hagee.

MCCAIN: Oh, sure.

STEPHANOPOULOS: So was it a mistake to solicit and accept his endorsement?

Story continues below

advertisement

MCCAIN: Oh, probably, sure. But I admire and respect Dr. Hagee's leadership of the -- of his church. I admire and appreciate his advocacy for the state of Israel, the independence of the state of Israel. I condemn remarks that are made that has anything to do which is condemning of the Catholic church, but -- so...

(CROSSTALK)

STEPHANOPOULOS: ... no longer want his endorsement?

MCCAIN: I'm glad to have his endorsement. I condemn remarks
that are, in any way, viewed as anti-anything. But thanks for asking.

[WATCH.]

Comments

[Ruppy]

I saw this interview...McCain was laughing and snickering like a middle school boy. He doesn't agree with Hagee about Catholics, but will still keep his endorsement? George sat there and let McCain take no heat about this. McCain then went to be completely outrage about Obama's tenious connections to William Ayers. I guess he is too old to think for himself and take his talking points from Hannity...All you Clinton and Obama supporters who are so dug in that if your candidate doesn't win you say you will vote for McCain...beware!!!! This guy is no maverick!

[nsiah7]

It is only the dumbest person in America who will vote for McSame. He cannot articulate his views and does not even understand whay he says himself. He appears to be robboted and quoting from prepared answers. Did Obama agree wit the comments of his pastor? NO! Did he say he supports Ayres (is the spelling right!!!!!!) NO! Was he left alone but the media? NO!. Turn on the TV and see if there would be any panalist questioning answers given by McSame. Obama's candidacy is a threat to the status quo (the media, the lobbyst and a lot more politcians) and they would do anything to stop it unless the American people stand up. GOD SAVE AMERICA

[nton]

unfortunately the same dumb people who voted twice for a moron will vote for another moron. Note to Democrats - lets see if u can provoke the Mcain temper in a public forum - would make for great TV

[Max7073]

Where are McCain's health records. That's what I want to see. Great ad by DNC. We need to keep them coming. Stephanopolus is a sad joke.

[MikeMidCity]

McCain in an unelectable side show.

[08timefortruth]

Do you think the media will play this up the way they did Rev Wright (who is Nice compared to Hagee) of course not but do a google on Hagee and you will see this man is a fanatic.

[CindyM2008]

Not bloody likely.

[MickyD10]

Why didn't George ask him the tough questions, like, When was the last time you cheated on your wife? Or, Do you still call your wife Cindy a c*nt in puplic? Or how about, What other words besides, "shithead", "f*cker" and "boy" do you use to describe people who strongly disagree with you politically? Seems perfectly fair considering some of questions Steponallofus asked during the last debate.

[08timefortruth]

I'm surprised George even ask about Hagee so I guess we have to take what we can get.

[booksnmore4you]

This whole line of questioning, irrespective of candidate, is representative of how terrible our political culture has become.

[EspritDeVoltaire]

You said a mouthful there. Whatever happened to Article VI of the Constitution?

[DustyRebel]

So Obama lives near and served on a board with some random, unknown 60's radical, WHO HAS NO ENDORSED Obama ....and it's a massive stain upon his character.

McCain actively courts the endorsement of an anti-Catholic hate-monger. If this man has ENDORSED you Sen, McCain, that means you and he share a common vision and goals.

ps. Don't you love how shocked McCain seems to be he was pressed on a "hard" question, with an arogant laugh he says "Thanks for asking..."

[midtown]

Stephanopoulos doesn't know how to interview. He should have asked point-blank: what does Hagee believe?

[midtown]

How many Christians even among Hagee's own flock know that he denies Jesus Christ is the Messiah, and proclaims that after the Temple of Solomon is rebuilt in Israel that the real Messiah will show up. (google for this)

Now, I'm no christian theologian, but apparently there's some passage in the bible that states that IF this temple gets rebuilt, whomever becomes the head of it will be the anti-christ.

Go figure.

[sandtats]

The article itself was entertainment enough after a long day, but your comment was the cherry on my sundae! lol You can't make this stuff up, seriously. With that, good night my friends!

[AurigaRa]

time for my nap now, my friends

[SpaceCadet]

The fact that McCain made yet another "misstatement" is kind of disturbing, this time claiming that Obama didn't condemn Ayer's actions when he should have already known that he had. Obama should make a big deal over this and demand that McCain apologize.

McCain seems to be a serial "misspeaker" -- or maybe serial liar would be more accurate. And the media lets him get away with this while they're busy looking over everything Obama has ever said or done with a microscope looking for flaw that they can magnify into a "controversy."

I'm getting pretty cynical. I don't see how Obama or any non-Republican can win the White House when the GOP attack machine is calling the tune and the elite corporate media are playing it.

[apoyo]

Another senior moment? How many of these senior moments can we afford?

[Vige]

Hagee wants Iran bombed in order to bring about the Rapture. McCain runs around singing Bomb, Bomb, Bomb.

Hagee calls the Catholic Church the Great Whore. So one idiot has insulted over 1 billion people world wide.

So one man stands in the pulpit and pisses off over a billion and wants to bomb another 71 million.

Then there is McCain who wants to win the Iraq war at the cost of American soldiers lives.

They make a great pair in my book.

[Shelly1970]

So if you've been in the same room with someone or you've been on the same board as someone, you must adopt that person's views about the world -- all of them, past and present?

I like how McCain was trying to talk in a low whisper to try and suggest that he's sharing some dirty secret.

What a dork.

[jiggystyles]

All Republicans must now Condemn everyone before they judge Democrats for not doing so?

[DocJerome]

Again, this is what the GOP has become. A group of incompetent bungling idiots who's ideology has become obsolete. It is devoid of any real leadership and ideas. McCain is the candidate they settled on to tread water while they wait for a sign from God. They need to inject fresh new leadership, but can't, because much like HRC, they did not plan for the future. They thought the 9/11 gravy train would never end.

[TN]

I would add also that their greed took over any common sense they might have previously had before 7 years of unfettered power.