Tim Russert, in front of millions of Americans on Tuesday night, was quick to force Barack Obama to denounce Louis Farrakahn repeatedly until he worded it to Russert's satisfaction (evidently "unacceptable and reprehensible" didn't quite get the job done). Despite the fact that Obama never sought Farrakhan's endorsement, Russert felt this line of questioning was appropriate given Farrakhan's intolerant remarks about Jews in the past.
Okay, fair enough. But if that's the case, then why isn't he pressing John McCain about radical religious extremist uber-nut John Hagee?
Mr. McCain, who has been on a steady search for support among conservative and evangelical leaders who have long distrusted him, said he was "very honored'' by Mr. Hagee's endorsement. Asked about Mr. Hagee's extensive writings on Armageddon and about what one questioner said was Mr. Hagee's belief that the anti-Christ will be the head of the European Union, Mr. McCain responded that "all I can tell you is that I am very proud to have Pastor John Hagee's support.''
Notice the "been on a steady search" part. If Obama had actively sought Farrakhan's endorsement, his campaign would be over. Watch the video above. McCain is downright proud of this Hagee endorsement.
Hagee was, if you'll remember, the guy who said that Hurricaine Katrina was God's revenge for a gay pride parade. He thinks war with Iran is essential so as to bring about Armageddon (when you can say bye-bye to the Jews). But as Glenn Greenwald says, he's a white Christian evangelical bigot, and therefore entitled to respect from the pundit class:
[W]hite evangelical Ministers are free to advocate American wars based on Biblical mandates, rant hatefully against Islam, and argue that natural disasters occur because God hates gay people. They are still fit for good company, an important and cherished part of our mainstream American political system. The entire GOP establishment is permitted actively to lavish them with praise and court their support without the slightest backlash or controversy. Both George Bush and Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert sent formal greetings to the 2006 gathering of Hagee's group.
By contrast, black Muslim ministers like Farrakhan, or even black Christian ministers like Rev. Jeremiah Wright, are held with deep suspicion, even contempt. McCain is free to hug and praise the Rev. Hagees of the world, but Obama is required to prove over and over and over and over that he does not share the more extreme views of black Ministers.
How come Tim Russert -- in all the times he sits and chats with Lieberman, McCain and various high Bush officials -- never reads all of the inflammatory, disgusting, crazed "Rapture-is-Coming/ All-Jews-will-Burn/ Kill-All-Muslims/ Hurricanes-are-Punishment-against-Gays" pronouncements from John Hagee and James Dobson and Pat Robertson and demand that John McCain and George Bush and Joe Lieberman "denounce" those views and "reject" their support? What's the difference, exactly?
Enter...Bill Donahue.
Yes, Mr. Catholic League/Chocolate Jesus himself, who is (justifiably) miffed that Hagee refers to Catholics as "'The Great Whore,' an 'apostate church,' the 'anti-Christ,' and a 'false cult system.' Glenn Greenwald interviewed him yesterday:
Donohue was particularly insistent that McCain's behavior would severely harm his standing with Catholic voters -- the group of voters which Karl Rove maintains is the key group for enabling the GOP to win: "This thing seems to be to be blowing up in his face. McCain has stepped in it big time."
It's significant that this is not a partisan issue, both sides of the political spectrum are in agreement that McCain should be forced to account for this. Even the National Review is applauding Glenn Greenwald's efforts on this front.
It's going to be hard for Russert to garner an audience to address this matter that is quite as big as he did in a Presidential debate, so I'm going to make a suggestion here that I never thought I would...
(*sharp intake of breath*)
...he needs to have Bill Donohue on Meet the Press.
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The "my Jesus is better than yours" or the equivalent "my God is better than yours" is proof that any form of extremism is a detriment to faith. Just as the term "God's chosen people" to refer to the Jews seems to imply that if I'm the chosen one I'm better than you! Remember God didn't choose you.
The above is available in extreme dosis all over the world and McCain should be asked if his brand is the right one! I believe the framers of the Constitution realized this many years ago and rightfully decided to include that idea called separation of church and state. I believe we should be cautious to vote for candidates that receive religous endorsements because to me its seems to be debilitating the separation clause of the Constitution. Oh that's right Republicans have been doing that for the last eight years...no wonder its cool to receive endorsements from zealots and or biggots, even if they are evangelical ones!
Ha. Don't hold your breath. Tim Russert has no credibility. He won't challenge John McCain for
the hateful remarks of Hagee and the like; nor will he follow-up on his demand during the last debate for Hillary's income tax returns. It was reported last night that the Clintons were terrified that they would be asked to produce their records before the Texas, Ohio, Vermont, Rhode Island, primaries. One thing you can bet on is; if he doesn't follow-up, John McCain will do it for him.
that's funny, since mc cain has whored himself to the right wing republican party. in my book, since mccain is so proud of hagee's support, mccain is as much a bigot against catholics as he is.
If Senator McCain has to reject (or condemn or abjure or whatever) the endorsement of religious zealots then he'll have no chance. These people are such a large part of the Republican Party that he wouldn't have a chance without them. There just aren't enough bigots and xenophobes to get the job done all by themselves.
Timmy's on the phone to daddy asking for advice, since we all know that daddies, especially Big Russ, know best. Timmy told us so in his daddy-worshipping book. This'll be a tough one for little Timmy--having a decrepit and feeble Republican candidate who hangs with Catholic haters. After telling us in 2001 that Republican daddies always know best, Russert's now going to have his head explode trying to defend McCain.
FAUX HEADLINE NEWS: "TIMMY RUSSERT ASKS SENIRS TO SEND MONEY!" Jeffy "Scoop" Gannon, Ace Reporter for the Washington Times has just learned that Timmy Russert has asked all our senior citizens to send their Social Security checks to the Honorable Reverand John Hagee. Apparently, GOD has threatened to recall Pastor Hagee to Heaven, if his beloved followers fail to send him more money! Timmy stated "It would be shames if Pastor Hagee, like the Right Reverend Oral Roberts, had to go to Heaven and could no longer do God"s work here on earth"
p.s. I approve this FAUX News Alert. Sun Fat Moon, God's Supreme Editor, Washington Times
This is a dumb blunder by Donahue. He's letting his ego get in the way of good sense. I've watched Hagee many times. You have to understand, Hagee is an entertainer. People watch him because they enjoy the sermons. It doesn't mean you agree with every word from his mouth. Where is this new, absolutist theory emerging from, where if we say we accept someone's support or their vote, then somehow that translates that we must agree with everything they say or do? I've always been dubious about all religions but I welcomed Jerry Falwells support of Reagan with the Moral Majority because it aided the overall Conservative victory. McCain is being too squeamish about who his friends are, he's going to have to toughen up to win.
Only brain dead Christian fanatics listen to even one word from the idiot Hagee. Anybody with a brain that works would see that he is a businesspuke first, last and always. He and the rest of the faux preachers that scare their parishioners into filling the coffers of his business (not a church) have their act down pat, but rest assured they are not entertainers. They tell the undereducated what they need to hear to vote for the rightist bastards that are in bed with them. Those that allow his hate and fear vitriol to affect how they vote deserve what they get. The laws of karma will catch up with the neocons, religious right and cowboys that are flushing our country down the tube. Their hell may be gilded but it will catch up with them.
Those unfamiliar with Hagee's Cornerstone Church School in San Antonio wouldn't know that it has been banned from competition by private and public schools because of questionable recruiting. A true Christian does not cheat to enhance the image of his church. Oh, what a sec! Hagee is in the business of fooling fools. Those state entities banning his school are no fools.
your "entertainer" theory doesn't jive with Hagee's political sermons and activities...
listen to Hagee's brainwashed followers, they weren't being entertained... these folk wholeheartedly believe in Hagee's bastardized telling of the bible... these folks have been led to hate and support evil... israel to them is their welcomed destruction of the world...
In case you didn't see the video, Hagee is a major league anti- Catholic, as well as an anti-Semite. He's in favor of Israel as long as it leads to the Rapture, when all of the Jews who don't believe in Jesus will die. Nice guy.
And McCain not only doesn't renounce or denunciate this dunce's moronic views, he embraces Hagee in all of his religious idiocy. What a total dip-shit idiot.
Remember, John McCain was not really a war hero. He lost five very expensive American planes (3 of them in training) before he was shot down over N. Vietnam after only 20 hours of combat. He was a bad pilot, before he was a prisoner-of-war (and he got special treatment because his father was a 4-star Admiral in charge of the War).
John McCain is a total suck-up to George W. Bush and the religious right (Hagee) now that he's running for President.
You need to revisit your Bible. The rapture doesn't directly effect non-believers Jewish or otherwise. It promises to remove Christians from the planet for a while. Of course things get a little dicey for the remainder, but they can still change their minds vis-a-vis who they believe in etc.
Hagee has been working with the Jewish community since the early 80s in a supportive way, and has lately sponsored "Nights to Honor Israel" , gatherings which honor Jews in the local community and in Israel and raise funds for needy Israelis. I wouldn't call that anti-semetic, but that's just me.
Not everyone can handle Hagee's personality, but I haven't seen too many, even Jesus, who was loved by all........go figure.
Hagee is a quack and a bigot whose followers are not watching his sermons to be entertained, by *agree* with him. If Hagee was a real man of the cloth, he would be denouncing the depravity, corruption, and utter hypocrisy of the "Gang of Pedophiles" rather than endorsing a candidate who has tacitly *ignored* and *enabled* a laundry list of corruption, cronyism, and criminal acts if only by his silence. Were Hagee a Christian IMHo he'd be denouncing the "Sodomite" propensities of the "Repedophiles" rather than condemning innocent victims of a natural disaster.
I'm an old fisherman, "genseric," so I know *red herrings* when they're tossed my way.
Well we know McCain will never really be called to account for this, because its OK for you to be supported by intra-Christian bigots. Its the extra-Christian (aka non-Christian) bigots we must attack.
I mean, Farrakahn? Even the name sounds scary and foreign.
I almost WANT to be hated by a man with a good Christian sounding name like Hagee.
I do not think double talk express will be derailed in Rupturist town. The media knows the Republican Party is mainly made up of racist, homophopic, anti-Semitic, sexist, reactionary bigots, who will not mind this pastor"s views. They will continue the pretence that McCain is an honourable man who often makes hard choices so that he does not compromise his integrity, even when it causes him support. They will move from this story to manufacturing rifts among blacks and Hispanics or finding another farfetched connection between Obama and someone who said something objectionable against Jews and unpatriotic. If that fails, then they will move to flag-pin gate.
One of the more interesting columns I've read recently was EJ DIonne in the Washington Post comparing the transformational character of Barack Obama to .... Ronald Reagan. After I stopped gagging, I had to admit it made a lot of sense and is the reason why there are a number of Obamacans surfacing, just as Ronald Reagan caused a realignment of the parties with his message of inclusion to the Reagan Democrats. Mainstream Republicans, people who for years have clung to the narrowing moderate wing of the party, are getting pushed out the door by the Limbaughs and Hagees and DeLays and, yes, Roves. I believe that if the Dems are smart enough to blow past the death throes of the Clinton dynasty and nominate Barack Obama he will attract the disaffected from the Republican party, people of good conscience embarrassed to be associated with wingnuts like this guy. I used to vote split tickets; I had great admiration for people like Lowell Weicker and Chuck Percy and Nelson Rockefeller -- hell, the 1964 Civil Rights Act would not have passed without Republican support. But the Republican party of homophobia, anti-semitism, rapture-spouting bigots has not even a nodding acquaintance with that GOP. Come on over, Obamacans -- I truly believe we can find common ground once again for actual political discourse and common solutions for the good of the country, not just the party in power.
What makes it worse is that McCain's media outreach people are ALREADY complaining that Obama is getting a free ride by the press.
McCain is complaining. About unfair press treatment. McCain.
Look, as Obama and Clinton supporters, I'm sure we have disagreements about whose candidate the media favors more. But we can all agree that there is not a single politician on earth who the media carries more water for than John McCain.
Aside from Russert - do any of you realize that this story was leaked out on Friday and as far as I can tell, not ONE of the news channels are carrying this story now? McCain has taken two days of in Arizona (probably scrambling with his managers to figure out what in the world to do about it) while the media drops the story? I support Obama, but I cannot help but feel sorry for Huckeby - who is out there giving it his all while this story is sleeping. Surely people in the next four primary states would be appalled if this story was running and being investigated. America doesn't need Tim Russert right now - they need all of the media to run with this story. The Huffington Post, as far as I can see, is the only paper mentioning this latest McCain screwup. Not the NY Times, not the Washington Post, not CNN online. I'm disgusted.
I thank you, Jane Hamsher, for this article!!!
Where's Tim Russert now? Are you kidding? Tim Russert will never ever confront a Republican front runner with the same vitrolic aggressiveness he showed towards both Hillary and Barack. McCain could gain the backing of the Ku Klux Klan, the White Supremist Party, and the Nazi Party and Russert would remain silent as a clam. Scratch Tim just a little and you with find a conservative partisan shill.
Russert occasionally screws around with those he chooses to pin down and pursue the point of exposing his obvious political dislike. However, he appears unable to conceal his overwhelming hatred for Hillary. At times even his eyes seem to take on a satanic gleem, Is there something that has occurred in the past that has caused him to lose control when damn near savaging her. His questioning when she ran for the senate the first time was damn near obscene.
remember Lisa Meyers and the Clinton Rape Allegation?the story broke on Saturday night because Tom Brokaw had just settled his Richard Jewel lawsuit and couldn't handle another one while Tim Russert wanted a big anti-Clinton topic for Meet The Press.It backfired bigtime with even conservative Republicans refusing to discuss it.Tim Russert turned NBC news into a whorehouse with his constant attacks on the Clintons and his sucking up to Newt Gingrich and Ken Starr.Russert never forgave the Clintons forsurviving his attacks and reminding him what an impotent little toad he is.
I am loving this. Both Hagee and Donohue are maniacs. I'm going to have some popcorn, and enjoy the hell out of this battle. Oh, and Farrahkan should be condemned and dencounced.
I think that Americans have had enough of religion and politics, as perpetrated by George Bush. I have seen little of it in this primary and thank god, except for little Obama is a Muslim smear by a member of Hillary's staff.
Please don't try to stir up this religion mess. We do not need it in a campaign at all, Just call it silly season like Obama and stop trying to stir up this relgion pot. In Gore vx Bush campaign it just turned ridiculous and the people were sick of it day after day over who is the more religious and who is most blessed by a god. It is, indeed, silly; and distasteful and I hope this religion issue does not dominate the presidential campaign . Just ignore it instead of trying to stir up this pot.
Sorry you republicans won't get off with condoning this type of garbage. McCain courted Jerry Falwell and is courting the most rabid bigots. Republicans want to claim that they are the party "values conservatives" and the "moral majority," yet, the debaucheries of elected republicans (oh and lets not for get old Ted Haggert what a charmer) proves that the republicans are just hypocrites.
Sen. McCain will not denounce nor reject any of these bigots because he'd be denouncing and rejecting the republican base that he needs to win in November.
Sen. McCain's silence on this matter has shown that he is not heroic at all.
McCain's loyalty to this depraved, corrupt party of his speaks volumes about his own "family values," if only by his willingness to enable such behavior by ignoring it.
wow... deep breath.. I have not heard nor seen anyone explain the Repub's relationship with the evangelical right as clearly & truthfully as you just have.
My hat is off to you.
This country would improve greatly if it was said a bit more often.
McCain is on very dangerous ground not condemming an anti-Catholic preacher and Tim Russert ought to challange McCain on this more than asking Obama as to Farrakhahn's unconnected 'endorsement'. Obama clearly rejected any connection to Farrakhan, made it clear he doesn't respect his anti-semite views and knows that any connection to him would lose him many million votes by many voters, especially white voters.
Problem here is that In effect, McCain has accepted the opinion and endorsement of this jerk. The Republican party has attracted many Catholics due their their more (to me phony) values and anti-abotion views and greater support of religious organizations. This could lose him the general election many millions of Catholic voters, especially among Hispanic and Latinos, and critical states like Ohio. I am quite sure the Democrats would slam him with this 'endorsement'.
I can understand critizism of the Catholic church administation for their horrible policies as to the sexual abuse of children for generations by Priests, but Russert who most probably a nominal Catholic as well as any other person in the news media no matter thier faith should also condem any anti-Catholic or any other bashing of any other faith. Anti-Catholic bashing to me is just as bad as anti-Jewish or anti-Islamic bashing and must be rejected in no uncertain terms.
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Posted 02:11 PM on 03/06/2008
Posted February 29, 2008 | 02:14 PM (EST)