Comments on: The Politics of Personalities

By: Paul Wilden

Paul Wilden — Mon, 05 May 2008 02:30:22 +0000

Interestingly enough, quite by accident I ran across this article confirming my allegation that McCain did indeed seek out Hagee’s endorsement.

Mr. McCain says he does not endorse any of Mr. Hagee’s calumnies, any more than Barack Obama endorses Mr. Wright’s. But those who try to give Mr. McCain a pass for his embrace of a problematic preacher have a thin case. It boils down to this: Mr. McCain was not a parishioner for 20 years at Mr. Hagee’s church.

That defense implies, incorrectly, that Mr. McCain was a passive recipient of this bigot’s endorsement. In fact, by his own account, Mr. McCain sought out Mr. Hagee, who is perhaps best known for trying to drum up a pre-emptive “holy war” with Iran. (This preacher’s rantings may tell us more about Mr. McCain’s policy views than Mr. Wright’s tell us about Mr. Obama’s.)

There’s no way to put a positive spin on this. Wright is nowhere near the hateful wingnut Hagee is. And the disproportionate amount of press given to Wright over Hagee reflects very poorly on our national media.

Reply – article<\/a> confirming my allegation that McCain did indeed seek out Hagee\'s endorsement.\r\n\r\n

\r\nMr. McCain says he does not endorse any of Mr. Hageeâ��s calumnies, any more than Barack Obama endorses Mr. Wrightâ��s. But those who try to give Mr. McCain a pass for his embrace of a problematic preacher have a thin case. It boils down to this: Mr. McCain was not a parishioner for 20 years at Mr. Hageeâ��s church. \r\n\r\nThat defense implies, incorrectly, that Mr. McCain was a passive recipient of this bigotâ��s endorsement. In fact, by his own account, Mr. McCain sought out Mr. Hagee, who is perhaps best known for trying to drum up a pre-emptive â��holy warâ�� with Iran. (This preacherâ��s rantings may tell us more about Mr. McCainâ��s policy views than Mr. Wrightâ��s tell us about Mr. Obamaâ��s.)\r\n<\/blockquote>\r\n\r\nThere\'s no way to put a positive spin on this. Wright is nowhere near the hateful wingnut Hagee is. And the disproportionate amount of press given to Wright over Hagee reflects very poorly on our national media.'); return false;">Quote

By: Paul Wilden

Paul Wilden — Mon, 05 May 2008 01:56:25 +0000

HE SHOULD LEAVE THE COUNTRY So you're inviting Wright to leave this country? Funny because he didn't have much choice about coming to this country to begin with did he? Of course my post was not about Wright or Hagee but about setting aside these useless personality based judgements and looking at where the candidates actually stand on the issues. And, as I already pointed out, Obama no more like Wright is than McCain is like Hagee. He is 100% nuts Wrong! He's not 100% nuts. Maybe he's 50% nuts or even 80% nuts but as I pointed out, at least some of what he says is actually based in truth. Slavery did exist, segragation did exist and the disproportionate number of blacks in poverty is still a reality. Maybe Wright should "get over slavery" (easy enough for you to say), but that doesn't change the fact that his anger is based in reality. What is Hagee's excuse? Hagee is a disgusting bigot and his bigotry isn't the result of any type of oppression whatsoever. You might be right that McCain didn't seek Hagee's endorsement, I believe I read somewhere that he did, but lacking proof I'll let that one go. But when he did give McCain his endorsement, McCain not only accepted it, he actually embraced this vile, hateful man. What this is really about is Wright's remark, "god damn America." That is what you find so unacceptable. Never mind that freedom of speech is a founding principle of this country. And so what if he does "hate" America, how does that actually hurt you in any way. The fact is this: Wright, for all his faults has also done much good, while Hagee is a truly hateful man, and you're asking which one to leave? And which one is getting all the press?

Reply - is<\/em> based in reality. What is Hagee\'s excuse? Hagee is a disgusting bigot and his bigotry isn\'t the result of any<\/em> type of oppression whatsoever. You might be right that McCain didn\'t seek Hagee\'s endorsement, I believe I read somewhere that he did, but lacking proof I\'ll let that one go. But when he did give McCain his endorsement, McCain not only accepted it, he actually embraced this vile, hateful man.\r\n\r\nWhat this is really about is Wright\'s remark, \"god damn America.\" That is what you find so unacceptable. Never mind that freedom of speech is a founding principle of this country. And so what if he does \"hate\" America, how does that actually hurt you in any way. The fact is this: Wright, for all his faults has also done much good, while Hagee is a truly hateful man, and you\'re asking which one to leave? And which one is getting all the press?'); return false;">Quote

By: Political Disgust

Political Disgust — Sun, 04 May 2008 01:18:05 +0000

I disagree pretty strongly. You said “most of what he’s said has not been that unreasonable.” WRONG. He is 100% nuts. He might be spewing a view shared by older African Americans, but it is still 100% wrong. When Wright says “god damn America” HE SHOULD LEAVE THE COUNTRY. Let’s get over slavery already. We all agree that it was wrong. The government starting AIDS on purpose?? Oh come on already.
McCain did not seek out the endorsement of Pastor John Hagee. Hagee gave publicly. McCain did not sit in his church for 20 years by choice. I am not supporting Hagee and he says just as vile stuff, but it is very different. Obama went to Wright’s church, by choice, for DECADES. He openly supported him and called him a close personal friend. Very different. Obama heard the crap Wright said over and over, week after week, yet chose to remain at that church. He did not have to stay, yet he did. And only now, when Wright is just being Wright, and it has become public and is hurting Obama’s campaign chances, does he come out against him. That does not somehow change or make right his past 20 year relationship with Wright. You can not discount this association.

Wright will ALWAYS be WRONG to me.
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