Lieberman Insists He'll Speak To Hagee's Group Despite Protests

WASHINGTON — Sen. Joe Lieberman said Wednesday he will address a conference hosted by the Rev. John Hagee, who was spurned by Republican John McCain for his claim that God sent Adolf Hitler to help Jews reach the promised land.

"I believe that Pastor Hagee has made comments that are deeply unacceptable and hurtful," Lieberman, I-Conn., said in a statement. "I also believe that a person should be judged on the entire span of his or her life's works. Pastor Hagee has devoted much of his life to fighting anti-Semitism and building bridges between Christians and Jews."

Lieberman is one of the strongest supporters of likely GOP presidential nominee McCain. He also has been mentioned as a possible running mate.

Lieberman plans to appear at Hagee's "Christians United for Israel" summit in Washington. He called Hagee's group "a vital force in supporting the war against terrorism and defending our ally, Israel."

The liberal advocacy group Democracy for America called on Lieberman to cut his ties to Hagee and his extremist views.

"If even Lieberman's new best friend, Senator McCain, can figure out that Hagee's message is bad for America and bad for Israel _ so can Joe," the group's executive director, Arshad Hasan, said in an e-mail to supporters.

McCain, R-Ariz., last week rejected Hagee's months-old endorsement after an audio recording surfaced in which the preacher said God sent Adolf Hitler to help Jews reach the promised land. McCain called the comment "crazy and unacceptable."

Hagee has referred to the Roman Catholic Church as "the great whore" and called it a "false cult system." He also has linked Hitler to the Catholic church, suggesting it helped shape his anti-Semitism. Hagee apologized to Catholics earlier this month.

Lieberman had praised Hagee during his speech to the pastor's group last year.

Lieberman was Democrat Al Gore's running mate in 2000. He unsuccessfully sought the Democratic presidential nomination in 2004.

Comments

[Doubtom43]

McCain is just smart enough to read the wall on which is written, "if thou aspireth to the presidency, neglect not the jewish vote". Look for the weasel Lieberman to be the VP. All the rest is just glitz and circus.

[AlexVonHussein]

Look at Mccain, Bush, Hagee, Liebermann, what is the name of the other guy.......they are all birds of the feather.....they think alike......can you imagine them, in a room smoking cigars while young people are dying in Iraq

[wm1066]

Yes Joe its time to come to Jaeeezus!

[Johnz52]

Joe Liebermann's only loyalty is to Tel Aviv. He will climb in bed with any fundamentalist and support any action like obliterating Iran, including their large Jewish population if it helps the Zionists. This Senator should be tried for treason, have his citizenship revoked and be deported to Damascus.

[Doubtom43]

Your comment is closest to the truth than any other in here.

[mellene]

Lieberman's gone off the deep end again.

[mollysgran]

Lieberman seems to be melting down. He has made a complete ass of himself. If he is bent on commiting political suicide, then that is his decision.

[dadw5boys]

Liberman letting his CHENY hang out.

ZIP UP JOE NO ONE WANTS TO SEE YOUR CHENY!!!!!!!

[bola47]

time for joe to check into a connecticut state mental institution. this man needs serious help.

[RoSull]

Where is the clock ticking away the days/years Lieberman has left in office? Crafty way that Lieberman got re-elected. "I'm a democrat running independent for republican policy."

[robeson]

Lieberman has called Hagee, Moses. How could he turn down a command from him?

[Cakey4814]

Did I read correctly; Did Lieberman say that Hagee should be judged on the entire span on his life..ummm..then what was the flack about Rev. Jeremiah Wright? Have to laugh at the hypocrisy of Lieberman!

[NoSillyName]

Lieberman, the McCain Whisperer --- sellout to the Democrats, sellout to his fellow Jews.

[realtalk]

This is McCain's secret way of keeping contact with, and still getting the support of Hagee and his congregation. You didn't think that McCain was going to risk all those voters did you, McCain is all about winning at any cost, and what better way to do that than McCain send his right hand man Liberman to smooth things over with Hagee, and his congregation. After all for McCain it is all about winning in the end.

[zonafan51]

Joe Lieberman is a joke. Does anyone even listen to, or care, what he thinks or says? He has proven himself to be a complete weasel. He is another example of what is wrong in politics and, hopefully, he will soon be gone!

[ChristiB]

Wouldn't it be great if this guy DID NOT get elected again? He is such a weasle.

[lobear00]

Lieberman is the "Cowardly LemonDrop of the Neocon regime.