Reverend Hagee Apologizes To Catholics

Whoop-de-doo.

I never saw this story as McCain’s own lunatic Pastor counterpart to Obama’s lunatic Pastor Reverend Wright.

But the nutroots did.

To their addled minds, a goofy, anti-Catholic preacher with a large following who endorses a candidate is the same as…nay, worse than a malicious, racist, Marxist with a large following (that actually includes the candidate) endorsing said candidate.

Yes, Reverend Hagee has had some bizarre things to say about Catholics. Most Catholics are aware that there are fundamentalists out there who consider the Catholic church “The whore of Babylon” and whatnot. Such people are annoying, but not dangerous. And although it’s impossible to know how much hate is preached from the pulpit in these churches, one can easily imagine that some unfortunate anti-Catholic rhetoric peppers some of the sermons. But one can not easily imagine them rising to the level of Reverend Wright’s shocking hate-speech.

That said, there is also the obvious difference between accepting an endorsement from a questionable Pastor (while repudiating his anti-Catholic pronouncements), and being closely associated with a problematic Pastor, (in fact, having him on your campaign’s ’spiritual advisory’ committee), and being an active member of his congregation for 15+ years. Then, (finally!) throwing him under the bus only after he embarrasses you in public.

See?…there’s a minor difference there.

Still, I looked into the Reverend Hagee story, myself about a month ago, (out of curiosity) and found this story in Catholic Online, by Deal Hudson, some of which I’ll share with you, here:

A few days ago I met with Hagee and his wife, Diana, in New York City for a three-hour conversation.

The meeting came at the suggestion of a mutual friend who was concerned both for Hagee’s reputation and the relations between Evangelicals and Catholics. My friend, a national religious leader himself, told me, “John Hagee is my friend, and he is a good man. Also, it would be a pity if a wedge was driven between conservative Catholics and Evangelicals on the eve of the 2008 election.”

-snip-

Since I had been critical of Hagee myself, I thought it reasonable that I sit down with him and discuss the anti-Catholicism charge. As a young man I was also an Evangelical from Texas, and I knew I could find some common ground with him — and maybe find out more about what appeared to be an open-and-shut case. (I called Donohue to tell him that a meeting had been proposed, and Bill said he appreciated my letting him know.)

Next, I contacted Hagee. He seemed genuinely hurt that he was being seen by the nation as anti-Catholic. He said, “Deal, how can people think I am anti-Catholic when my wife is an ex-Catholic, and a third of my congregation are former Catholics?” I bit my tongue. We really needed to talk; there were some things about Catholics he truly didn’t understand.

When we met later, I told Hagee about “biting my tongue,” and he looked surprised. I explained that Catholics don’t like being reminded of all those who have left the Church. As he started to nod in agreement, his wife Diana said, “He’s right, John.” She would repeat that sentence several times during our long conversation, and each time her husband would acquiesce in agreement.

You’ll want to read the rest of this edifying story. Because when you hear someone come out with a big apology, and there are political stakes on the line… it’s very easy to be, well….dubious of the sincerity. Yet when Hagee says:

“Out of a desire to advance greater unity among Catholics and Evangelicals in promoting the common good, I want to express my deep regret for any comments that Catholics have found hurtful. After engaging in constructive dialogue with Catholic friends and leaders, I now have an improved understanding of the Catholic Church, its relation to the Jewish faith, and the history of anti-Catholicism.”

I tend to believe him, after having read that article.

And, again, a compare and contrast is in order. What did Reverend Wright do when his teachings came under fire? Did he apologize, engage in constructive dialog with those who were criticizing him, or take any of it back?

Oh, HELL no. He just reiterated his words more forcefully.

Anyway, Bill Donahue of the Catholic League has accepted Reverend Hagee’s apology, saying:

“The tone of Hagee’s letter is sincere. He wants reconciliation and he has achieved it. Indeed, the Catholic League welcomes his apology. What Hagee has done takes courage and quite frankly I never expected him to demonstrate such sensitivity to our concerns. But he has done just that. Now Catholics, along with Jews, can work with Pastor Hagee in making interfaith relations stronger than ever. Whatever problems we had before are now history. This case is closed.”

Got that nutroots?

CASE CLOSED.

PS: The Obama/Wright Case?

NOT CLOSED!

Obama’s Rules

Well, Rich Lowery’s piece, Obama’s Rules, is being commented on all over the net today, so I thought I’d weigh in. First, here are the rules as spelled out by Rich:

He can’t be called a “liberal” (“the same names and labels they pin on everyone,” as Obama puts it); his toughness on the war on terror can’t be questioned (“attempts to play on our fears”); his extreme positions on social issues can’t be exposed (“the same efforts to distract us from the issues that affect our lives” and “turn us against each other”); and his Chicago background too is off-limits (“pouncing on every gaffe and association and fake controversy”). Besides that, it should be a freewheeling and spirited campaign.

Democrats always want cultural issues not to matter because they are on the least-popular side of many of them, and want patriotic symbols like the Pledge of Allegiance and flag pins to be irrelevant when they can’t manage to nominate presidential candidates who wholeheartedly embrace them (which shouldn’t be that difficult). As for “fear” and “division,” they are vaporous pejoratives that can be applied to any warning of negative consequences of a given policy or any political position that doesn’t command 100 percent assent. In his North Carolina speech, Obama said the Iraq war “has not made us safer,” and that McCain’s ideas are “out of touch” with “American values.” How fearfully divisive.

Any deviations from these rules will be attacked as distractions, racism, or fear mongering.

Needless to say (I hope)…Nice Deb will not be deterred. I will continue to carry on as I have, pointing out every objectionable thing I discover about the man.

And I will unhelpfully laugh at his gaffes, too.

Sadly, I can see McCain obediently and enthusiastically following Obama’s rules, but is it too much to hope that the RNC demur?

The Thing That Wouldn’t Leave

So it seems that finally, the Democrat primary race is winding down, with Obama the presumptive nominee. Obama is shifting his focus to McCain, as Hillary battles on, seemingly unaware that the powers that be have already counted her out. But of course she does realize that she’s down for the count. The question on everyone’s mind is…’Why does she continue to campaign?’

One explanation is that she’s in it now for 2012, which of course benefits McCain. The other….scarier explanation is that she is gunning for a high profile spot in Obama’s cabinet; possibly his VP pick. This of course would be a nightmare scenario for Republicans because it would unite two Democrat constituencies that were previously at odds with each other. This of course is the smartest and most obvious move, but one that insiders are saying Obama will resist because of his dislike for Hillary.

One thing to keep in mind, though, is that according to Bill Clinton, Hillary and McCain are “close”. Remember this story from January?:

“She and John McCain are very close,” Clinton said. “They always laugh that if they wound up being the nominees of their party, it would be the most civilized election in American history, and they’re afraid they’d put the voters to sleep because they like and respect each other.”

Sens. McCain and Clinton last met publicly at an ABC debate earlier January, when presidential candidates of both parties shared the same stage. The two were seen exchanging pleasantries, and a Clinton side said she told the Arizona senator he’d done a “good job” staging a comeback in New Hampshire. He asked that she say hello to Bill Clinton for him.

I don’t think she has any warm feelings for Obama. Still, I tend to agree with Charles Krauthammer who predicts that this is what is coming:

There’s only one remaining chapter in this fascinating spectacle. Negotiating the terms of Hillary’s surrender. After which we will have six months of watching her enthusiastically stumping for Obama, denying with utter conviction GOP charges that he is the out of touch, latte-sipping elitist she warned Democrats against so urgently in the last, late leg of her doomed campaign.

At any rate, she’s making Democratic leaders nervous because she’s forcing Obama to spend his precious time and money on his primary fight against her, instead of the general election fight against McCain. She’s also been hitting him where it hurts with her “late leg of her doomed campaign” urgent warnings to the superdelegates: He’s not as electable as she is.

Meanwhile, on the McCain front, a couple of positive developments:

1. He seems to have a kick-ass top adviser in Mark Salter, who continues to impress.

2. Rush Limbaugh seems to be coming around.

Now if only we can get Ann Coulter on board.

Introducing…”The Next Right”

The Next Right is the brainchild of Republican Wonder-Boy, Patrick Ruffini:

The Next Right is the place for wired activists to build a new Republican Party and conservative movement. As a community-driven grassroots action website for the right, we’ll feature in-depth political analysis, on-the-ground reports, and strategic discussion and debate.

Go sign up, and get plugged in. As Beth at MVRWC says, it’s about time we conservatives stopped whining and complaining. It’s time we got as organized as the nutroots on these intertubes, so we can be as effective as those squeaky wheels are.

McCain/Schrute?

Who’s this Dwight Schrute person? I’ve never heard of him. But MDefl at Rightpundits has, and is endorsing him for McCain’s VP pick. McCain announced his choice of Schrute as his VP pick on the Daily Show, yesterday:

McCain doesn’t seem to know who he is either, since he had to read his name off of a piece of paper.

UPDATE:

As for McCain/Clinton….please! I can’t believe anyone is even taking that seriously.

Al Franken’s Senatorial Campaign On The Skids

Thanks to an intrepid Minnesota Republican blogger:

Senate candidate Al Franken wants to talk about jobs, health care and global warming. Republican blogger Michael Brodkorb wants to talk about Franken’s failure to pay all his income taxes on time.

Guess what everyone is talking about?

From the kitchen table in his tranquil suburban neighborhood, Brodkorb for the last year has used his blog “Minnesota Democrats Exposed” to launch a furious political assault on Franken. He’s labeled the former comedian and liberal commentator a “mean-spirited and un-Minnesotan” candidate who’s running a “desperate and ridiculous” campaign.

“Un-Minnesotan” means “not nice”.

That’s routine stuff in the world of political blogging, but in the last two months Brodkorb has scored two direct hits that have the Franken campaign reeling. Brodkorb scooped the traditional media by detailing extensive bookkeeping problems in New York and California that ultimately prompted Franken, this week, to pay about $70,000 in back taxes to 17 states.

The stories have knocked Franken off balance as he prepares to take on Sen. Norm Coleman, in what’s expected to be one of the most expensive and toughest-fought U.S. Senate races this year.

Which is excellent news because 2008 is going to be a brutal year for Republicans, and Coleman has at times fallen behind Franken in the polls.

Democrats have tried to downplay Brodkorb by portraying him as part of coordinated Republican attacks.

“When people talk about the right wing noise machine, that’s what it is,” said Franken spokesman Andy Barr.

But even some of his harshest critics admit Brodkorb, who has no real counterweight on the left, has been effective.

A typical Brodkorb scoop is splashed across his Web site under bold-faced banners like “Shock!” or “Breaking News!” The items are often followed soon after by a news release from the state Republican Party on the same subject, and many of his themes find their way into Coleman’s talking points.

Now that’s the way the VRWC is supposed to work. I hope the RNC is paying attention to this.

Oh…and the latest Rasmussen poll has Coleman leading Franken by 7 points, 50%-43%.

You can read more about the “soft spoken and polite 34 -year-old” at the link.

RELATED:

Where the heck did Al Franken get all that money (to owe so much in taxes) anyways?

Paultards trying to subvert the National Convention (posted by Beth)

I saw this at Digg (where else?) last week, but ignored it after burying it. It seems, though, that Paultards are quite serious about hijacking the Republican Convention. If you don’t want to see the “plan” at the Paultards’ blogs, read it here. Snip:

*The Strategy:*

The strategy therefore must be to get as many Ron Paul delegates selected to represent their states at the National Convention.

That means our delegates need to stay low-key.

Resolutions are a dead giveaway, especially when they are fought over things like opposition to the war, or abolishing the Federal Reserve and the IRS, all signature issues of Ron Paul.

So, the best plan is to shut up, move along, do what you have to do to get selected, sign the pledge to “support” McCain (it doesn’t say you promise not to abstain!) and just get in short of outright lying, of course.

If there are any ethical concerns about this supposed “stealth tactic,” think about what ethical concerns you may have if you allow McCain to become president by your inaction. [Continue reading...]

Ethics? We don’t need no stinkin’ ethics! It’s REVOLUTION! Forget about the sheeple’s votes, this is a coup!
/vomiting

At least one person is fighting back. Heather Johnson of Moms4Mitt.com:

I am a Mitt fan and have a blog for his support. But I have also pledged on my blog my support for McCain as a our GOP nominee. I am trying to do my part in stopping these Ron Paul fans from overtaking the convention with their agenda nonsense and just get McCain officially nominated.

Heather is trying to just GET to the convention, but she needs help (financially) getting there. If you can drop a few shekels her way, you’ll be doing your part to shut up these asshat Paultards. Make no mistake, they are extremely well-organized (online activity and caucus results should tell you that much) and you can be sure they’ll make their presence known at the National Convention. Unless you want to see the GOP have an even more f’d up convention than it looks like the Dems will have, the Paultard kiddies must be stopped.

Ron Paul has even given tacit support to this idea (or that’s how it’ll be read by his fanatic supporters), while leaving his options open for a third party run:

“I’ll be very cautious about what I do,” he said, noting his effort to encourage his supporters to get involved with their local Republican committee.

And you know Ron Paul–he’s a stickler for the last letter of the Constitution. If it can be interpreted to allow this “loophole” that can get him nominated–or at the very least, create chaos–it’s A-OK. He’ll say this is exactly what the Constitution was designed for. (Nevermind the votes for the candidates–the votes for delegates matter more? LOL.)

Please help Heather out - I absolutely vouch for her honesty and ethics 100%. She needs help getting to the Convention, and we need to put the final nail in the Paultard coffin of crazy once and for all.

[Cross-posted]

Exit Polls Show Party Switchers In PA Leaned Toward Obama

That would put the lie to the effectiveness of Operation Chaos:

About half the party-switchers had been registered Republicans, while the rest had been unaffiliated with either party or were voting for the first time in Pennsylvania.

Most of those new Democrats were mobilized to come out for Obama, and they were nearly one-fifth of Obama’s supporters. Even the former Republicans favored Obama over Clinton, largely invalidating rumors that Republicans would vote strategically in the Democratic primary in support of Clinton, hoping she would be easier to defeat in November.

I don’t think Rush can go on his show tomorrow and say that Operation Chaos has “met and exceeded expectations”. Unless many of those polled were just dinking around with the exit poll questioner. Which is a distinct possibility. Another one is, many Republicans are looking at Obama as the candidate who would be easier to beat in November.

The supposed Obama Republican, or “Obamican”, I sense is an urban legend. Or I should say, farce.

What few there are, I believe are statistically insignificant. But liberals love to pretend, as S Weasel points out in her hilarious post about “pro gun” ‘Duck Slaying Moonbats’ of The American Hunters and Shooters Association.

The choice facing Republicans who wanted to enter the fray, was, “Do we vote for Hillary and help prolong this crazed raccoon fight for awhile longer, or do we help knock her out once and for all”?

I think the latter choice is the saner one at this point. She is a ruthless, and determined opponent who fights like a cornered animal when the going gets tough. She would be harder than Obama to beat at this point in the general. Obama has gotten some damaging media attention in recent weeks and the hits just keep coming. Every day must be like Christmas for the RNC’s opposition research team, when it comes to Obama. Most of the dirt on Hillary is already out there, but new things are popping up about Obama every other day.

Republicans who voted for Obama, I believe did so for strategic reasons.

Gop Meanies Gonna ‘Swiftboat’ Obama

Some Democrat emo-brainiac is all worried that Obama may possibly get ‘Swiftboated’ by the Republicans because of his connections with The Weather Underground, and other lefties:

Rick Sloan says he doesn’t want to see the Democrats get “Swift Boated” again this time. So the communications director for the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers has sent a couple of dozen friends — union leaders and Democratic activists, mainly — an urgent plea to pay attention to Sen. Barack Obama’s connections with the 1960s anti-war group, the Weather Underground, and other leftist thinkers.

Democrats “can’t be an ostrich on this” with their heads buried in the sand, Sloan said in an interview.

Gee, fella….ya think???

Since “Swiftboat” means roughly, “Telling the truth about a Democrat”, it’s greatly feared and reviled by the left. And they’re not going to take it sitting down, either.

They’ve already got some hardcore, war room ninjas on the job of counter-swiftboating operations, and so far have come up with this devastating revelation about the McCain campaign…*GASP* (Make sure you’re sitting down for this!): RECIPEGATE!!11!

When will these McCarthyist tactics cease?

UPDATE:

More swiftboating:

Apparently McCain’s also got a temper…..ooooh-wee! That one’s gonna leave a mark.

Attack Dog Mitt

Aw nuts…it’s looking more and more like Mitt is going to be McCain’s VP pick, seeing as he’s already practicing the traditional role of the VP candidate; that of attack dog. Romney told the National Journal:

“He, (Obama) in the debate, made a number of promises that he cannot possibly deliver — populist approaches that sound good to the public but that are counter to the growth and strength of our economy and the well-being of our nation.”

Referring to “Bittergate”, he also said:

“… I think what’s happening is that people are getting a better sense about Barack Obama,” Romney continued. “They didn’t know who he was… but now we’re getting a better view of Barack Obama as the — not just the liberal, but the political liberal that he is.”

Hell, yeah.

I like Mitt…don’t get me wrong…but will he be tough enough to keep this up, all the way until November? He does come off as rather stiff, and insincere at times, which was always my biggest problem with him. Still, he does project a very competent and professional image…

On the other hand, if we want someone who could really open up a can of whoop-ass if need be, (and with Barry O as his adversary, wouldn’t that be constantly?), who better than Fred?

But something tells me that’s a pipe dream.

It’s gonna be Mitt.

Just An Aside:

I had to search far and wide to find a semi goofy looking picture of Mitt. The man doesn’t take too many bad pictures.

He’s got that going for him.

Ace Of Spades On BlogTalkRadio

Right now. (11:00 eastern).

He’s being interviewed by Fausta, along with two other guests.

He’s says doing it stone cold sober.

McCain/Fred?

                    

 

That I can see.

NBC and National Journal have learned that former presidential candidate Fred Thompson is visiting GOP nominee John McCain at McCain’s Arizona cabin in Sedona this weekend.

No word of what’s been discussed, although a source with knowledge of the visit says that the purpose may be more of a relaxing weekend getaway than a business meeting.  (The two men have been longtime personal friends, even during their overlapping presidential bids.)

Oh sure…this could be nothing. But what was the press reporting just three days ago?

Uh huh. See what I mean?

 

John McCain/Mitt Romney

The ticket???

I could live with it:

In a show of Republican unity, one-time bitter foes John McCain and Mitt Romney raised money and campaigned together Thursday for a single goal - getting McCain elected president.

“We are united. Now our job is to energize our party,” the Arizona senator said in an airport hangar, flanked by Romney and Utah Gov. Jon Huntsman Jr., an early McCain supporter. Both have been mentioned as potential vice presidential picks, and McCain praised each.

Romney lauded McCain and promised to do all he can to help, saying: “He is a man who is proven and tested” and without question the right man to be president.

All of a sudden they’re best buds…it’s a sure sign, I’m thinking.

The McCain Girls

Warning: May cause bleeding of the ears.

Help me out here…could this possibly be a Democrat dirty trick?

Hat tip: Jonah Goldberg

RELATED (Sort of…at least according to Youtube):

This is really scraping the bottom of the barrel, but my nine year old thinks it’s hilarious.

So without further ado, I bring you…Farting and Burping McCain:

McCain’s Daughter Has A Blog

Meet 23 year old Blogette, Meghan McCain.

At McCain Blogette you are privy to things like, 10 Things You Don’t Know About MY Mom, and her Night At The Plaza, (a campaign stop with dad, where she makes the discovery: There ARE Republicans in NY!).

I’ll be sure to check in from time to time.

See also her interview in GQ:

Charming and self-deprecating, McCain Blogette often makes Meghan’s 71-year-old father seem less old, which is surely one of the reasons it exists, even if Meghan occasionally does something like refer to Barack Obama as “sexy,” which she did right before the New Hampshire primary.Today Meghan doesn’t back off that observation at all. “He’s a rock star,” she says of the Illinois senator. “Everybody flipped out, but I think universally women find him attractive. Whatever.”

By the time we arrive at Garduño’s, the discussion has moved on to the Romney brothers’ dad, Mitt. It’s two days after he suspended his run, and we’re trying to puzzle out why voters never really got around to liking the guy.

“Mitt didn’t keep it real,” Meghan says, munching on a nacho chip.

At the time of our meeting, John McCain’s pretty much got it in the bag. His closest GOP competitor is Mike Huckabee, a former Baptist preacher who has managed to siphon off a surprising number of right-wing voters. Some have suggested that John McCain consider Huckabee as a potential running mate, to placate the Bible Belt.

“That’s not going to happen,” Meghan says firmly. “I don’t think they’d be a good match for a lot of reasons and am not even sure if that’s what Huckabee’s going for, anyway. I think he wants to be the head of the evangelical movement.”

Veddy interesting.

Hat tip: The Politico, via Lucianne