Joseph Lieberman To Headline Upcoming Pastor Hagee Summit

Senator Joseph Lieberman is scheduled to headline Pastor John Hagee's 2008 Christians United For Israel Washington-Israel Summit this July 22. In accepting Hagee's invitation, Lieberman became the most senior elected representative confirmed to appear at the annual gala. Last year, when Lieberman spoke at Hagee's summit, he compared the Texas televangelist to the biblical prophet Moses, dubbing him "an Ish Elochim," or "a man of God." Unless he rescinds his pledge to appear at this year's summit, Lieberman can be expected to deliver another soul-stirring tribute.

Hagee's vitriolic condemnation of Catholicism, his jeremiad declaring Hurricane Katrina divine punishment for New Orleans' hosting of a "homosexual rally," and his generally disturbing apocalyptic theology became national news last February when John McCain accepted his endorsement in a widely publicized ceremony.

While initially resisting pressure to reject Hagee's endorsement, McCain finally ended his relationship with Hagee when a sermon by the preacher describing the Holocaust as the will of God registered on the mainstream media's radar (Hear the now-infamous sermon here).

"Obviously, I find these remarks and others deeply offensive and indefensible, and I repudiate them. I did not know of them before Rev. Hagee's endorsement, and I feel I must reject his endorsement as well," McCain said on May 22.

How extreme is Hagee? And how cozy are he and Lieberman? Watch this video by Bruce Wilson of Talk2Action.org to find out.

Lieberman was aware of many of Hagee's vile statements well before McCain renounced him. On May 13, Fox News' Megyn Kelly asked Lieberman to respond to the gathering criticism of Hagee's remarks. But instead of distancing himself from Hagee's views as McCain had, Lieberman launched into a spirited defense of the televangelist, describing him as someone who "represents a lot of people in this country, particularly Christians who care about the state of Israel."

At the time, prior to McCain's sweeping renunciation, Lieberman could have reasonably claimed to be unaware of the preacher's repugnant views on the Holocaust. Now, he has no excuse for ignorance. As a key McCain surrogate who McCain may select as his running mate, Lieberman must know why Hagee is no longer welcome on the so-called Straight Talk Express.

So why the silence? Why won't Lieberman, who is married to the daughter of Holocaust survivors, end his relationship with Hagee as well? Why, in apparent defiance of the McCain campaign, does he remain scheduled to headline Hagee's upcoming summit? If Lieberman plans to continue touting his moral fiber and independence as his greatest assets, he must renounce the hate-mongering Hagee.

The new progressive pro-Israel lobbying organization J Street released a petition today calling for Lieberman to terminate his relationship with Hagee. You can add your name by clicking here. With your help, Lieberman may finally conclude that Hagee is really a mamzer, not a man of God.

Comments

[BubbaC33]

The only person who cares what Joe Lieberman ssays or thinks might be the man he has served as a mentor, Barack Obama. Consider this, Obama supporters are quick to point out his good judgement, but why? Obama stayed with Trinity until it became a political liability. He worked closely with his mentor in the senate, Joe Lieberman. I'd say those are two judgements that call his ability into question.

[zigzag1]

The jews know these rapture, end-time wackos are just that. They are smart enough to know the world is not coming to an end and they are not going to be destroyed by some mystical, magical god from outer space. They will however accept all the financial and political support these nut cases are willing to provide. Leiberman and the complicit jews will ride this cash pony as far as they can.

[Lefty Larueaux]

Does anyone know how Old Joe is polling in Conn. these days? I am really wondering if the citizens of Conn. feel they made a mistake. Any "buyer's remorse" ? I respect Joe, but I think he is really, really wrong on the war issue. I am hoping that the next congress will render him less relevant.

[NEANDERTHALL]

SHAME ON YOU LIEBERMAN!

[nuglet304]

lordy. lordy. lordy.

[pakean3]

I'm from CT and Lieberman sickens me..

[Axolotl]

I am not from CT, and he makes me puke. Unfortunately, his DC residence is close to mine.

What a big embarassment. He will be sorry that he is backing McCaine. He can't wield the shovel fast enough behind behind McCaine. He will end up more full of shit himself.

God save us.

[elpollo]

I recently read the King James version of Revelations, and it seems that 144,000 will be transported in the Rapture, 12,000 from each tribe of Israel. Seems to me that this leaves Hagee and Pat Robertson rather earthbound, unless they are Cohens or Levis, ect. and forgot to tell the rest of us. Can someone explain this to me? And will Joementum be saved. If so, I think I would rather be left behind and eaten by locust.

[profmsf]

Liberman appears to have a bit of Stockholm syndrome. I have no doubt that he was raised with a keen awareness of the Holocaust. Unfortunately it appears that one of the lessons he has taken from that experience is that perhaps a more sympathetic approach to Hilter or to the camp guards would have saved some of his relatives who surely perished. Certainly his continued sympathy for "Hitler was a hunter" Hagee looks like that to me. But wait, that would be appeasment. Say it ain't so Joe!

With respect to his nomination as a VP candidate, I think it shows that the Democratic Party in 2000 felt compelled to appease some type of swing voter. That did not work then and it won't work now. I hope that we have learned from these defeats that we need to be who we are and do our best to sell it to persuadable voters. We have better arguments. Let's just make them effectively. Obama needs to choose someone who enhances his story, not one who muddles it.

[The 13 Colonies]

Joe can't figure out which side he's on, so he's for all sides. Two sides against the middle. Sound familiar?

[Americano]

I tell you this Liberman, how in hell did Gore pick this guy??? What a loser!

[elpollo]

Because St. Albert is not all he is cracked up to be. Next time someone badmouths Nader, just remember who Big Al picked to be a heartbeat from his presidency.

[aaronr2000]

How did Gore pick Lieberman? The same way he lost - by deliberately separating himself from Bill Clinton, taking the Karl Rove bait, and therefore picking someone who was "culturally conservative" and on the record for criticizing the president during the Lewinsky witch hunt.

[pmag88]

I grew up going to church three times a week for about twelve years. Lot's of bible study . I can tell you without reservation that the end timers firmly believe that there MUST be an apocolyptic war waged against Israel by ALL the nations of the world. They believe that at the end the Jews will be saved only through repentance and acceptance of Jesus Christ as their savior.

How any sane person would consider what Lieberman is soliciting from these self proclaimed 'christian zionists' as support for Israel is beyond me.

[Americano]

This is all about politics and power. Noticing to do about faith. Religion is interwoven and part of the fabric of politics.in a global scale. All are tied in to this corrupt system that we live and breath! Remeber who Babylon on the Bible is! Thaat is right, False religions! And that includes all of them!None follow the teachings of the Bible.

[ObamAtomic]

He is looking for a few good one's,Oh mr Lieberman,Dems,REP,or Independent?
You see everything TWISTED!

[drd1044]

Lieberman ran against a sleazy no-name Republican and got Republican votes as a result. I worked for Lamont and am sick that CT voters cannot get rid of Israel's Senator. I was upset when I saw the HBO movie Recount and saw how Lieberman went against the party to ask for the counting of unsigned, unpostmarked votes from the military in Florida. He is a disgrace

[elpollo]

Yeah, the "I-Conn" after Lieberman stands for Israeli Neocon traitor.

[Palspal]

Anybody who follows the thought process of Israel-Firsters knows that the operative function is not where one stands on the Holocaust, but where one stands on Israel. Hagee could call for another Holocaust (in fact, he has no problem with Israel's genocide of Palestinians) but as long as he is 110% behind Israel - he's A1 in the Zionist camp and with Joe Lieberman (an Israel-Firster if there ever was one).

[jeanwny]

Lieberman will act as a spoiler for the candidate he backs in 2008 as he did in the election he ran as VP, remember the Fla. debacle and his role in it.. Is this what the voters of Connecticut bargained for, I think not, certainly not a team player in any way. The Dems should ask him to leave the party and the GOP are welcome to him, he votes with them anyway. Thanks for nothing J Lieberman and Connecticut!

[Okieborn]

jeanwny,
I AGREE WHOLE HEARTEDLY !!
JOE LIEBERMANN IS NOT AN INDEPENDENT HE A BUSH LICKER !!!
BOOT HIM OUT OF THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY !!!

[Geauterre]

Concerning Joe Lieberman's intent not to distance himself from Hagee, the raging, ranting Texan televangelist from the Mount, all I can ask is ... has anyone bothered to question the senator if 'he' was on anything? It could explain a lot.