McCain's Latest, Biggest, Religious Stumble

Religion in America requires a roadmap, no less than the political factions. Most Evangelical leaders could have warned McCain about Hagee. Richard Land with the SBC could have warned him. There are websites available. Wikipedia is there, fer cryin' out loud. Hagee isn't an Evangelical. You don't seek someone's endorsement if you don't know them and what they stand for. McCain's people were just plain lazy; and this gaffe shows that they don't have anyone they can simply ring up and confidently ask, "Hey, what can you tell me about So-and-So?".

James, what was it about this incident that pushed your button? Do you feel that McCain should have stood by these ministers in spite of their statements? Do you agree with their statements?

To my knowledge, McCain does not pretend to be a Christian like Bush did and, I guess, still does. It is really difficult to believe that the Republican party has done a complete 180 and has nominated a secularist for president. Now that I have said that, he may claim Christianity tomorrow and then deny it after a few days pass. Mc Cain is so desperate for votes, he says what he thinks it takes to get the vote of one group, that offends another group and forces him to continually flip flop on a lot of issues. Mc Cain was until recently one of the most respected Republicans by nearly all groups. He has gone from that to being a laughing stock in the few weeks the light has been shined on him and we have all had a good look.

In today's San Antonio Express-News, Hagee complains that his words were misused for "political purposes". That is rather hypocritical considering that Hagee has positioned himself as a political power broker who should be sought out for endorsements. Republicans such as Gov. Rick Perry, Senator John Cornyn are regulars speakers at Cornerstone.
All this begs the question- is Hagee finally admitting that he's a politician without a party? Pastors who give specific political endorsements are political lackeys, and should be paying taxes for their political support.
Although I'm not a McCain supporter it's refreshing to see that our political leaders and the general public are finally recognizing the idioacy of hateful theologicial bile that spews from megachurches lead by the likes of millionaires like Hagee, Falwell, Parsley and others. It's about time that we start to make the distinction between traditional Christianity which teaches that we are saved by grace through faith. It is unearned and undeserved. No one "finds" Jesus. No one has earned salvation. The prosperity gospel is a cheap attempt to bribe God.

McCain is every bit as religious as Bush -- which is to say "Not very." The big difference is that Bush's handlers put the right words in his mouth and did all of the necessary legwork for him.

Bush & his handlers *used* the Religious Right in order to gain power for himself and his cronies. He doesn't and has never had the first clue as to what being a Christian means, being content to twist it for political purposes.

Tell me what 8 years of Bush and Republican Party rule has gotten the Religious Right. Nothing. They held almost complete power for 6 years and got all of their political agendas through ... but strangely seemed unable to do anything the Religious Right wanted.

The Corporatist Republicans used the Religious & Social Conservatives, who were gulled into accepting sweet words and assurances over action.

pkohan: You commented "If he denounces Hagee, then he's seen as not worthy anough by evangelical Christians."

Let me interject a caution: All "evangelical Christians" are not members of the "Religious Right." Many of them actually know true Christianity and are horrified at the politicalization and debasement of their religion. We should be careful not to tar an entire group of people because of the actions of a loud, but vocal, minority within their ranks.

The Religious Right is neither Religious nor Right. They are a group with a political agenda who have done more to discredit true Christianity and Conservatism than any "Godless Communist" or "Secular Liberal."

The funny thing is even after McCain had to denounce the remarks Hagee made about Catholics, his campaign sat on it's hands and didn't do any further vetting to see if this wackadoodle had any other unvetted nonsense floating around. So McCain figured he could denounce the words but not the man and that came back around to bite him in the ass.

McCain sought out this endorsement and tried to do everything he could to keep after since he put in so much work to get it.

Good job McCain. I can't wait to see what other damage you do to your campaign this summer.

(oops! I meant: "The evangelical's PROBLEM is this:")