NJDC Condemns McCain for Sticking by Hagee Endorsement
Listed in: GOP Hypocrisies, NJDC News, Press Releases
NJDC: Anti-Catholic Rhetoric Inexcusable
WASHINGTON, DC - Today, the National Jewish Democratic Council (NJDC) condemned presumptive Republican presidential nominee John McCain for actually courting and accepting an endorsement from controversial pastor John Hagee. Hagee has a history of making offensive remarks. His comments about Catholics are of particular concern.
"As Jews, we know what it is like to feel the sting of intolerance andbigotry. As such, we feel a special obligation to speak out when our friends and neighbors who practice other religious faiths face similar intolerance," said NJDC Executive Director Ira N. Forman. "Because of Pastor Hagee's history of anti-Catholic rhetoric, John McCain should do the right thing and reject his endorsement."
The Associated Press reports that "The televangelist, San Antonio megachurch leader John Hagee, has referred to the Roman Catholic Church as ‘the great whore' and called it a ‘false cult system' and ‘the apostate church'; the word ‘apostate' means someone who has forsaken his religion." [Associated Press, 3/3/08]
The New York Times' blog "The Caucus" reports that: "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.'" [New York Times "The Caucus," 2/27/08]
