The Preacher Problems of McCain and Obama
In search of vice presidential running mates, presidential candidates are expected to carefully vet their choice. One would think those same candidates would be as careful about high-profile preachers and their backgrounds and words.
Sens. Barack Obama and John McCain have already slipped up on the preacher side. They have both been embarrassed by the support of preachers who have gone far over the line from the pulpit and beyond.
McCain is the latest to suffer humiliation. The Rev. John Hagee of San Antonio has stepped over the bounds of propriety not once but twice. His support was sought by the presumptive GOP nominee long before his rants were made public.
A search of Hagee's sermons found that he said God had sent Hitler to deliver Jews to the Promised Land. That was too much for McCain, and he denounced his words and disavowed his endorsement.
Earlier, Hagee had made disparaging remarks about the Roman Catholic Church that McCain disavowed. But he said he couldn't be responsible for everything a supporter might say.
Obama was put to the test, and failed at first, on fiery words said by the Rev. Jeremiah Wright, his pastor in Chicago. Wright damned America for its treatment of African-Americans during the nation's history. Obama separated himself from those words but not his pastor. He was ripped by Republicans and their pundit allies in the media.
Wright compounded the problem with some ridiculous comments during a speech at the National Press Club. He seemed to be enjoying his time in the limelight. Obama finally freed himself from his ties to the preacher.
McCain claims his situation is unlike Obama's because Wright is his rival's pastor. That is truly disingenuous even for a politician. McCain knows better but is trying to keep an issue alive against Obama.
Both candidates are already looking over a large field of potential running mates for November. Have they learned a lesson with Hagee and Wright?
Voters in both parties should hope so since both candidates have looked rather foolish on their preacher issue.
Tags: presidential election 2008 | running mates | Barack Obama | John McCain | religion | John Hagee | Jeremiah Wright
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Hello -Ii'm new to this site.
Hello guys!
I'm new here. I've eventually found this wonderful site and took decision to sign up here!
I hope we'll communicate with each other nicely! So this is my first post!
for blog host...
(apologies for the <br/> paragraphs. Perhaps they can be removed? I didn't know it would auto-break for me! Thanks much)
Barry's clueless about our GreatGrand Nation
I love the critieria espoused by Khajawall above:
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1. Vision
2. Character, Integrity
3. Sound/sustained Temperament and Judgment
4. Little "Washington exposure", connected with future generation
5. Inspires rather than Tears us Down
6. Not based on sexism, racism, regionalism, ageism.
7. USA-Centric
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And Obama supposedly fits this?
Obama -- definitely inspiring to some (#5) and little experience (#4)... fits together nicely: Barry attracts people with little experience or understanding.
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Barry defines himself mostly by being <i>different</i> -- whether the change is helpful or not. Yeah, he's different all right, one of the most liberal senators out there, right up there with Boxer and the rest. He doesn't like labels, but actions speak louder than words.
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#1, a man of vision? Hardly - "let's change everything" is hardly a useful vision.
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#2, Character and Integrity? Hardly. He willingly accepts the African-American moniker and ingratiates himself with inner-city blacks. Facts: Barry Obama was raised by white (single) mom and grandparents while receiving elite private schooling in Hawaii (and like all non-Hawaiians, was sometimes mistreated.) I have friends who grew up with Barry, and laugh about claims he really understands what it is to be poor in America.
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#3 Sustained judgement? Hardly. Barry, Mr "that's not the guy I knew!" Barry's disavowing his chosen mentors tells all we need to know. It isn't the mentors who changed, it's Barry: beginning to wake up to just how bad his own judgement is. Terrible.
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#4 An outsider with little experience? YES! You want lack of experience? Then Barry's your guy. Listen to his May 19 talks in Billings and Portland. Besides the obvious no threat/grave threat Iran stuff... what does he really believe? He's impressed that the USSR had <i>visible</i> power, but doesn't understand the terrorists pose a greater threat because their power is invisible and driven by longer-term focus. Scary immaturity.
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#5 Inspires rather than tears down? Yup, if you're needing a handout, Barry is inspirational. If you believe we all need to work hard to achieve the American dream, like Reagan did, Barry will tear you down.
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#6 Not based on... racism... ageism? What was that about the younger generation? What was that about climbing to the top because of his race? Sorry, if ever there was a candidate defined by race and age, Barry's it! And he sops it up.
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#7 USA-Centric? Hardly. If you understood the terrorist's strategy (read up on Qutb and predecessors), you'd know we're not gonna preserve the USA by looking inward. We need to beat the terrorists on their own turf (yes, somehow maintaining our own principles at the same time!) Barry has no clue.
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So much for the professional, political and personal wisdom embodied in linking Obama to these criteria.
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Barry Obama: inspires those with little experience or understanding, who want change, whether it will help or harm.
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John W. Mashek covered politics in Washington for four decades with U.S. News & World Report, the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, and the Boston Globe. His primary beats were Congress, the White House, and national politics. He covered every presidential election from 1960 to 1996. He was a panelist in three televised presidential debates in 1984, 1988, and 1992.