Left In Lowell

When Will the Media See McCain’s Pastor Problem?

9 Responses to “When Will the Media See McCain’s Pastor Problem?”

1. joe Says:
   May 8th, 2008 at 11:55 am

   Oh, it’s coming.

   There’s a lot of pent-up demand among the media to start talking about McCain’s problems. Even Chris Matthews was talking about it Tuesday night.

   They’ve been focusing on Clinton-Obama because that’s the race that’s actually going on. Or rather, it was.

2. kami Says:
   May 8th, 2008 at 12:47 pm

   I don’t understand why McCain would want this mans endorsement. But I do see the difference. Reverend White was Obama’s pastor and MENTOR for many many years. McCain is just making the rounds picking up endorsements. Stupid, yes, an influence in his life, no. Reverend White married Barack and his wife, baptized his children, he mentions White’s impact on his life in his book. He’s like a father figure to him. That is not the same as McCain’s relationship with Hagee. I think he’ll regret meeting with the man to accept his endorsement but it is not the same relationship. McCain wasn’t sitting in the pews week after week while Hagee ripped apart the United States and spewed hatred against whites. It was definitely poor judgement on McCains part to show up for that endorsement. But the link between the two just isn’t as close. The link between Barack and Wright was almost familial. The link between McCain and Hagee is a very weak one. That seems to be the difference. As a white person I feel like Wright hates me and thinks I’m the cause of all the problems African Americans face today. It makes me angry and concerned that Obama shares his opinion. If not, he would have walked out of that church long before he was pushed out by the Reverend. It makes me concerned that Obama is the Manchurian candidate. It makes me certain I’ll vote for McCain.

3. Peter Says:
   May 8th, 2008 at 2:30 pm

   Somebody help me! I’ve become adicted to trying to explain to the right-wing morons who post after the Lowell Sun articles what’s wrong with what they’re saying. They’re nuts! They’re completely nuts! I think I might throw my computer out the window soon!!!!

4. Christopher Says:
   May 8th, 2008 at 3:43 pm

   I actually think the difference is just the opposite of comment #2. To me the Hagee-McCain relationship is worse in a lot of ways because it is entirely political. They found each other strictly because of politics and there is no other context. The Wright-Obama relationship was merely a personal one until Obama happened to become a candidate for President. The video outtakes of Wright were not at a campaign rally, whereas Hagee has said some awful things while stumping for McCain. It is interesting you use the term “familial”; it reminds me of a joke that went around the Eastern Bloc countries during the Cold War. The question they asked themselves was whether the Russians were friends or brothers. The answer was that they must be brothers since you can choose your friends. McCain has chosen Hagee as a political friend whereas Wright was part of the Obama “family” long before this campaign.

5. joe Says:
   May 9th, 2008 at 8:46 am

   Reverend White was Obama’s pastor and MENTOR for many many years. McCain is just making the rounds picking up endorsements.

   Exactly right. One of the politicians running for president had a relationship with a crazy preacher based on religious rituals, Bible teachings, charity work, and community involvement. On the question of politics, he has renounced that preacher’s ideas and statements, and put forward a dramatically different vision.

   The link between Barack and Wright was almost familial. Right, exactly. The link between Obama and Wright is like having an uncle who says crazy stuff about politics at the dinner tablek, who you keep having dinner with because you love him, and like to talk about sports, fishing, and landscaping. The link between McCain and Hagee is like going out and hiring someone for a job based on the stuff he says about politics.

   The other has a relationship with a crazy preacher based entirely on shared POLITICAL values. There was never any religious ritural, community involvment, charity work, or Bible study involved. He sought out and associated with this preacher entirely for reasons of politics.

   I know which relationship matters more to me in making a decision in a political race.

6. Mr. Lynne Says:
   May 9th, 2008 at 8:52 am

   Don’t worry Joe… we won’t hold your crazy uncle against you.

7. Link Says:
   May 9th, 2008 at 2:38 pm

   The description at YouTube identifies this guy as McCain’s Pastor. That’s misleading. This whole thing is a stretch. Yes, McCain’s handlers should have done a little more homework on choosing who gets to speak, but there’s no indication that McCain has any sincere idea who this guy is. If you want to accuse McCain Inc. of being lazy that’s fine. But if you want to accuse them of being in love with this guy and his ideas please provide a little more evidence. FWIW, I agree that Obama’s “crazy uncle” was also blown way out of proportion, but at least that’s a legit connection.

8. Mr. Lynne Says:
   May 9th, 2008 at 3:11 pm

   Its just amazing how far this guy’s integrity has fallen. Of course he hopes he sold it for a good price. Whether he loves him or not, he used to look this kind of thing in the eye and call it out ala Falwell ca. 2000. He would have like the religious rights support back then but he wasn’t willing to sell his integrity to get it. Of course now, with the GOP brand what it is today, he really needs them. Of course all that is necessary for evil to triumph is for good men to do nothing. He could have made a stand and a point about integrity. He’d rather have the money and political support.

9. Shawn Says:
   May 12th, 2008 at 8:51 am

   evil?

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