SEDONA, Ariz. (AP) — Endorsed by an influential Texas televangelist, Republican John McCain endeared himself to one group of voters but risked alienating another with the pastor's anti-Catholic views.
The controversy has been mild so far, but still, every vote counts in a presidential election that is expected to be closely contested.
Evangelical or born-again Christian voters were key to George W. Bush's victories, but so were Roman Catholics, who chose Bush over their fellow Catholic John Kerry in 2004 and over Al Gore in 2000.
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.
He also has linked Adolf Hitler to the Catholic church, suggesting it helped shape his anti-Semitism.
McCain said he does not agree with some of Hagee's past comments. "It's simply not accurate to say that because someone endorses me that I therefore embrace their views," McCain told reporters at a news conference Monday in Phoenix.
Catholic groups are pressuring McCain to go further and reject the endorsement, which he announced at a news conference with Hagee last week. The Democratic National Committee also is publicizing Hagee's views.
"Indeed, for the past few decades, he has waged an unrelenting war against the Catholic Church," said Catholic League President Bill Donohue.
"Senator Obama has repudiated the endorsement of Louis Farrakhan, another bigot," Donohue said. "McCain should follow suit and retract his embrace of Hagee."
He was referring to Barack Obama, who said he would "reject and denounce" any help from Farrakhan when pressed in last week's Democratic presidential debate.
It remains to be seen how much Hagee's views may hurt McCain's standing among Catholics, a group that can hardly be considered monolithic. Though they lean Republican, their views span the political spectrum and split nearly evenly along party lines.
Despite the recent publicity, Hagee is not well-known outside his sphere of influence, which includes a congregation in the tens of thousands and an even wider television audience.
"What he holds about Catholicism in my mind is despicable," said the Rev. James Heft, religion professor at the University of Southern California. "I totally reject Hagee's view of Catholicism, but I don't know how widely known it is."
If Hagee's views become well-known, the endorsement could hurt McCain among some Catholics.
"If you offend even a small percentage, that could make the difference in an election," Donohue said in an interview Sunday.
Democrats are doing their best to keep the fracas alive, with Democratic National Committee Chairman Howard Dean raising it Sunday on CNN's "Late Edition."
"What about a guy who is a vicious anti-Catholic, who is supporting John McCain, and John McCain does not denounce or reject him?" Dean said.
So far, McCain has enjoyed strong support from Catholics, who make up about a quarter of the electorate.
When I commented last week on the Hagee endorsement of McCain, I was unaware of Hagee's being a religious bigot when it comes to the Catholic Church. I simply trusted my gut feeling in the comments I made.
While in my part of the world John Hagee is perhaps better known, being based in nearby San Antonio, I doubt that his views on Catholicism have thus far been all that widespread. However, I have often found such extremism--and even hatred--in regard to the Catholic Church to be a common view among certain so-called evangelical groups. It only surprises me a little to find out that Hagee has such views.
However, keep in mind that Hagee is the fellow of whom McCain said that he is "very proud" to have his support. Emphatically I believe that the thing for McCain to do is to rescind his acceptance of Hagee's support.
The evangelicalism that I recall of my pre-Catholic youth did not include such narrow-minded ignorance, though I do recall it among some groups. I was quick to disassociate myself with what didn't feel right, and for me the rejection and hatred of Catholicism never felt right. Moreover, I rejoice that I came to embrace the faith.
Our Catholic understanding of the Church as the Body of Christ should make something clear: those who reject the Church also reject the lordship--and perhaps even the person--of Jesus Christ. Indeed John McCain should take note of what Catholic groups are saying in regard to his continued acceptance of Hagee's support.
Howard Dean is still alive??
Politics in a campaign year is like watching a slow-motion bloodless Goodfellas, isn't it? I hope Huckabee shakes 'em all up at least, but if neither he nor Paul scores a whopping percentage of delegates from Texas, I hope the rest of the country will save their pro-life face for 4 years from now, and this time simply write in a name. Those who insist we Catholics must fulfill our civic duty will never know we wrote in Daffy Duck. I'd not vote for a warmonger nor an abortionist. Period.
Posted by: JustMe | March 04, 2008 at 11:45 AM