by Mark Silva
Who needs political enemies?
The question is, what are the candidates for president doing about them?
Louis Farrakhan, the anti-Semitic leader of the Nation of Islam, has spoken up for the campaign of Democratic Sen. Barack Obama.
The Rev. John Hagee, the anti-Catholic tele-and-radio evangelist, has spoken up for the campaign of Republican Sen. John McCain.
Obama, under pressure from Sen. Hillary Clinton in their last debate this week, not only “rejected’’ but also “denounced’’ Farrahkan’s support – “reject and denounce.’’
McCain is still looking for the right answer, saying Friday that he is proud of Hagee’s “spiritual leadership,’’ but “that does not mean that I support or endorse or agree with some of the things that Pastor John Hagee might have said or positions that he may have taken on other issues.’’
So who’s embracing whom?
Obama seemed to have a little difficulty in letting go of Farrakhan’s endorsement during his debate with Clinton. NBC’s Tim Russert noted that Obama’s “hometown paper,’’ the Tribune, had reported: “Louis Farrakhan Backs Obama for President at Nation of Islam Convention in Chicago.’’
.”Do you accept the support of Louis Farrakhan?’’ Russert asked.
“You know, I have been very clear in my denunciation of Minister Farrakhan's anti-Semitic comments,’’ Obama replied. “I think they are unacceptable and reprehensible. I did not solicit this support.
“He expressed pride in an African-American who seems to be bringing the country together,’’Obama said. “I obviously can't censor him, but it is not support that I sought. And we're not doing anything, I assure you, formally or informally with Minister Farrakhan.’’
“Do you reject his support?’’ Russert pressed.
“Well, Tim,’’ Obama said, “I can't say to somebody that he can't say that he thinks I'm a good guy… I have been very clear in my denunciations of him and his past statements. And I think that indicates to the American people what my stance is on those comments.’’
Pressed about Farrakhan’s anti-Semitism, Obama said:
“Tim, I have some of the strongest support from the Jewish community in my hometown of Chicago and in this presidential campaign. And the reason is because I have been a stalwart friend of Israel's. I think they are one of our most important allies in the region, and I think that their security is sacrosanct, and that the United States is in a special relationship with them, as is true with my relationship with the Jewish community.
“And the reason that I have such strong support is because they know that not only would I not tolerate anti-Semitism in any form, but also because of the fact that what I want to do is rebuild what I consider to be a historic relationship between the African-American community and the Jewish community,’’ he said. “ou know, I would not be sitting here were it not for a whole host of Jewish Americans, who supported the civil rights movement and helped to ensure that justice was served in the South.’’
Clinton saw an opening here.
“I just want to add something here, because I faced a similar situation when I ran for the Senate in 2000 in New York,’’ she said in the Cleveland debate. “And in New York, there are more than the two parties, Democratic and Republican. And one of the parties at that time, the Independence Patty, was under the control of people who were anti-Semitic, anti- Israel.
“And I made it very clear that I did not want their support,’’ she said. “I rejected it. I said that it would not be anything I would be comfortable with. And it looked as though I might pay a price for that. But I would not be associated with people who said such inflammatory and untrue charges against either Israel or Jewish people in our country. ‘’
“Are you suggesting Sen. Obama is not standing on principle?’’ Russert asked.
“No,’’ she said. “I'm just saying that you asked specifically if he would reject it. And there's a difference between denouncing and rejecting.’’
Obama wrapped it up with a meld of his and Clinton’s words: “Tim, I have to say I don't see a difference between denouncing and rejecting. There's no formal offer of help from Minister Farrakhan that would involve me rejecting it. But if the word reject Sen. Clinton feels is stronger than the word denounce, then I'm happy to concede the point, and I would reject and denounce.’’
“Good,’’ Clinton said, point scored. “Good. Excellent.’’
In the case of Hagee, it’s not a matter of anti-Semitism, but rather a support so strong for Israel that he and other Christian evangelists want to spark the final war with Israel’s enemies.
He helped found Christians United for Israel in 2006, serving as a sort of Christian American Israeli PAC to lobby Congress for support of Israel. And in the eyes of many in that movement, that makes taking the war to Israel's enemies. Iran wants to destroy Israel? Bring on Iran.
But Hagee has also taken stances that raise plenty of other questions.
“New Orleans had a level of sin that was offensive to God and they were recipients of the judgment of God for that,’’ he proclaimed after Hurricane Katrina.
“Most readers will be shocked by the clear record of history linking Adolf Hitler and the Roman Catholic Church in a conspiracy to exterminate the Jews,’’ he has said.
Bill Donohue, president of the Catholic League, contends that Hagee "has waged an unrelenting war against the Catholic Church."
Yet McCain appears ready to neither “reject’’ nor “denounce’’ Hagee.
“I think it's important to note that pastor John Hagee who has supported and endorsed my candidacy supports what I stand for and believe in,’’ McCain said Friday in Texas. “I don't have to agree with everyone who endorses my candidacy. They are supporting my candidacy. I am not endorsing some of their positions."
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Comments
McCain has it right.
We can't all agree and we all can't be agreeable. As citizens, though, we all have a right to express ourselves and to cast votes.
This is not something that William F. Buckley, Jr. embraced. Apparently, he did not believe that everyone who was 18 should be allowed to vote - according to a 1989 interview on public radio. I'm not sure what criteria he would choose but this was apparently the foundation of his stand against the civil rights voting act.
I say, let the pastor and the minister have their say. Take it all with what you already know. Embrace the good and challenge and reject the bad.
Their just teachers - not prophets or gods.
Posted by: Bud McFarlin | March 1, 2008 9:25 AM
EACH WEEK WE HEAR ANOTHER CORRUPT BACKER WITH HUSSEN OBAMA!!! OBAMA IS CONSTANLY SURROUNDED BY CORRUPTION, ESPECIALLY WHERE CAMPAGINE FUNDS ARE CONCERNED WHERES CNN? MSNBC? FOX/ ROLAND MARTIN? IDIOT TUCKER CARLSON? BILL KRISTOL? TIM RUSSETT? AND ANYOTHER SO-CALLED TABLOID ENQUIRER TYPE ANTI FEMALE JOURALIST
Obama and his team have ducked "legitimate questions" about Rezko, who faces federal corruption charges most centrally involved with Gov. Blagojevich's administration. "Now the trial is beginning, it will be more difficult for him to avoid these various serious questions. I can guarantee you that. Obama's Relationship with Rezko Goes Back 17 Years. Obama Kept Contributions from Accused Fixer's (REZKO) Wife and Others ABCNews.com Analysis Shows. Obama opportuned Rezko to obtain jobs in the Blagojevich administration for Obama allies. For the third time in more than a year, Obama's presidential campaign announced it SO-CALLED shedding more donations
WHERES THE MEDIA??? We are sick of the media pushing obama down our throats! Another indictment former Dallas Mayor Hill, Obama camp financial contributor and supporter charged with federal bribery, extortion and conspiracy. Again has their hand full with other publically indicted bankrollers like Rezko.
NEXT! British-Iraqi billionaire lent millions of dollars to Barack Obama's fund just weeks before an imprudent land deal investigation. Money transfer from Nadhmi Auchi, one of Britain's wealthiest men, helped Mr Obama buy his mock Georgian mansion in Chicago. A company related to Mr Auchi, who has a conviction for corruption in France, registered the loan to Mr Obama's bagman Rezko. Mr. Auchi says the loan, through the Panamanian company Fintrade Services SA, was for $3.5 million.
Another Obama “financial friend” Rep. Rick Renzi indicted Friday on multiple federal charges, law enforcement sources tell CNN. In a 35-count indictment handed up by a grand jury in Arizona, Renzi is charged with conspiracy, wire fraud, money laundering extortion and insurance fraud. The indictment stem from Renzi's efforts to use his position in Congress to promote “land deals” Again more corrupt camp donations for Obama!
Posted by: CORRUPT BACKERS | March 1, 2008 9:27 AM
McCain is still looking for the right answer,
I think McCain will tell him what he told them last time....you are just agents of intolerance....oh..no..that was when he didn't need the votes.
Posted by: bill r. | March 1, 2008 9:30 AM
Corrupt Backers;
Hillary has hers too:
http://deepbackground.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2008/02/29/718285.aspx
Accepted 170,000 dollars from firm linked to sexual harrassment and corruption.
Posted by: Lisa | March 1, 2008 9:50 AM
Obama will be sniped at the rest of the year by those who want to bring him down but he will whether the mud and s*** storms and emerge the winner and our leader in the White House.
OBAMA 2008
Posted by: Lamartrotti | March 1, 2008 9:57 AM
Yeah, what about Barack's bestest friend, Tony Rezko? You know, the guy that Barack helped to get funding for public housing projects that were so shoddy they were uninhabitable? The guy who couldn' afford to fix the heat, but could afford to give Barack money? Hmmm...?
Bud McFarlin,
Buckley's criterium was that voter's should be intelligent and informed, hence he favored intelligence tests in principle. (Those tests happened to be unfairly administered in the Jim Crow South, something which was addressed by the Voting Rights Act.)
Posted by: MJ | March 1, 2008 10:01 AM
BTW, the Rezco story was already investigated by the Chicago Tribune and they ended up endorsing him. Nothing at all was found on this. Nothing people. And the Farrakan thing was unfortunate. He doesn't even know this man.
ATTENTION BALTIMORE SUN: WAKE THE HELL UP AND START REPORTING THE NEWS. Distractions, distractions!!
Posted by: JJ | March 1, 2008 10:45 AM
Colbert I. King, writing for the Washington Post, talks about the double standard Hillary's camp has been using against Obama during the primary season ("A Double Standard on 'Reject and Denounce''', 3/01/2008), particularly goading Obama to 'reject and denounce' the endorsement of Louis Farrakhan. But according to the column, Senator Clinton didn't denounce the comments of Adelfa Callejo, a Latina supporter of Hillary's, who told a Dallas TV station that Blacks have not done anything for Latinos. Two direct quotes from her interview was "They used our numbers to fulfill their goals and objectives," and "Obama has the problem that he happens to be black." Clinton is reported as saying in a separate interview that she sees no comparison in Obama rejecting and denouncing an endorsement by Louis Farrakhan from the statements made by Ms. Callejo. Her statements show prejudice, but it's OK, because Hillary said so. And you wonder why she having trouble in this campaign season.
Posted by: ji_john | March 1, 2008 10:55 AM
"In the case of Hagee, it’s not a matter of anti-Semitism," Mark Silva writes.
Actually, it is a matter of anti-Semitism.
In his book, "Jerusalem Countdown: A Prelude to War," Hagee basically blames Jews for anti-Semitism.
Posted by: RAK | March 1, 2008 11:07 AM
Hagee argues that "the United States must join Israel in a preemptive, biblically prophesized military strike against Iran that will lead to the second coming of Christ".
Obama didn't seek Farrakhan's endorsement. McCain and Huckabee were actively fighting for Hagee's endorsement.
I find the difference very troubling.
Posted by: Tom J | March 1, 2008 12:09 PM
There is a rift between some Blacks and some Latinos. Hate is directed especially to the ones perceived to have Mexican heritage. Check out some of the talk shows (radio) and listen to all the hateful talk. Of course there are exceptions, but these persons voices are drowned out by the haters.
Posted by: Anonymous | March 1, 2008 12:37 PM
So, what's Donohue going to do? Will he send out questionares to root out all bigots toward Catholics. He's been around long enough to know that Catholics have to have thick skin. There are others who probably share Hagee's beliefs. That's why he's so successful. I heard awful things said about Catholics as I was growing up. Out in the open is better. We know where these people stand. Donohue should stop politizing the Catholic faith.
Posted by: Elizabeth | March 1, 2008 1:22 PM
BTW, the Rezco story was already investigated by the Chicago Tribune and they ended up endorsing him. Nothing at all was found on this. Nothing people.
Posted by: JJ | March 1, 2008 10:45 AM
BTW, JJ you're delusional. The Trib's (and the SunTimes and other news organs) reporters have many unanswered questions about Obama's twenty year personal and financial relationship with Rezko and the money that passed to the Obama campaign. Obama chooses to ignore them to his own peril. Now we may all watch him get beaten over the head with Rezko in November.
There's something here, people. There's definitely something.
http://www.suntimes.com/news/politics/184540,122306obama.article
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/chi-obama-rezko_both26feb26,0,7653210,print.story
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/taylor-marsh/obamas-faustian-bargain-_b_82863.html
Posted by: MJ | March 1, 2008 1:43 PM
This is a horribly written article. Silva failed to mention what a true religious extremist Hagee is and how powerful he is relative to the marginalized and reviled Farrakhan.
Hagee is an overtly homophobic, anti-Catholic, anti-Muslim war-mongering religious extremist of the worst sort. Not only did McCain not "reject and denounce" Hagee, but he actively sought his endorsement and traveled to San Antonio to accept it! Imagine if Obama had made a special trip to Chicago to accept an endorsement from Farrakhan.
The media bias in this election is simply beyond belief. Obama has to "reject and denounce" a marginalized, virtually irrelevant religious extremist who didn't even "endorse" him, but only offered two sentences of praise of him in a 2-hour speech, while McCain actively courts and receives the endorsement of one of the most powerful religious extremist war-mongering haters in the country. A man who wants the U.S. to nuke Iran to facilitate the Rapture and Second Coming of Christ. No wonder this country is so screwed.
Posted by: Troy Baker | March 1, 2008 1:53 PM
Maybe they ran out space, having donated 2/3 of the article to reporting about the Farrakan issue, so they couldn't give a full and fair analysis of Hagee's virulent beliefs. Of course it could simply be just another of the anti-Obama posts seen frequently on this site.
Posted by: Destiny | March 1, 2008 3:51 PM
I have to agree with Troy...This guy is bad news and unlike Obama, he was sought out for his endorsement. This guy makes Farrakhan look like a chiorboy.
Posted by: bill "Hussein" r. | March 1, 2008 3:56 PM
Mark Silva -- yet another member of the Media in the tank for John McCain. The pathetic equivalency you made between Obama and McCain on this is par for the course of the Tribune -- a GOP shill for decades.
Obama neither sought out, or accepted any praise of support from Louis Farrakan. And, n fact, he went out of his way to condemn his antisemitsm. McCain actively sought out and embraced Hagee. Mccain only managed to tepidly state that he "disagrees" with Hagee. The fact that McCain "disagrees" with Hagee's bigotted and wacko views is all the more reason to question McCain's character. If you disagree with them, Senator, why are you so "honored" to have Hagee's support -- and give his bigotry credibility?
Mark Silva should either aploogize for this pro-McCain BS blog entry, or quit his job in digrace for pretending to be an honest journalist.
(Silva's note: No apologies, still working. Have a great day.)
Posted by: Hesiod | March 1, 2008 3:59 PM
I see that Troy Baker agrees with me, although he called you an asshole in a much more civil way than I did. No matter. In this case, I meant to say exactly "fuck you," you dishonest, corrupt, ass-kissing son of a bitch. There are cases where these kinds of words are the only ones that apply, and this is definitely one of them.
Posted by: Jeff Elijah | March 1, 2008 4:19 PM
This column is dishonest. Silva spends the majority of it making Obama defend himself against charges that he has already answered to, rejected, renounced and disputed in an non-ambiguous way. Also, as has already been pointed out by Troy Baker, Obama did not solicit Farrakhan’s support. McCain, however, did solicit and accept the support of Hagee, and he still has not turned down that support, as Obama has already done with Farrakhan. McCainb is just spouting his usual "straight-talking" weasel words to try to have it both ways, as he always does. This column is Silva's latest attempt to suck up to the Republicans, something that he is very good at. I'm sure he will try to hone that valuable journalistic skill in the general election.
Posted by: Jeff Elijah | March 1, 2008 4:43 PM
I can't vote for Mr. Obama, The Manchurian Candidate..where's the history man? Manufactured from the get go..to many he offers "new hope." I just see an empty suit.
As for McCain..can't do him neither...the proud sponsor of McCain/ Feingold or the ultimate legislation to deny one freedom to express their political ideology..no way.
I'm voting for Hillary Clinton in the general election.
Posted by: Ken Cook | March 1, 2008 6:09 PM
AMERICA HAS BEEN BLESSED WITH GUIDANCE IN PASTOR HAGEE'S EXCITING WORD OF PROPHECY!!!
"John McCain is a man of principle!!!!"
SO TRUE!!!! SO TRUE!!!! SO TRUE!!!!
A MAN OF PRINCIPLE!!! A MAN OF PRINCIPLE!!! A MAN OF PRINCIPLE!!!
PASTOR HAGEE'S ENDORSEMENT ALSO VINDICATES AND AFFIRMS AMERICAPHILE'S ANALYIS!!!!
NOW, AMERICA'S GREATEST PRESIDENT NEEDS TO MOVE FORWARD WITH THE BEAUTIFUL COULTER PLAN FOR MIDDLE EAST STABILITY!!! WHAT A BEAUTIFUL GIFT TO SENATOR MCCAIN, TO AMERICA, TO ISRAEL AND TO THE PEOPLE OF IRAN WHO ARE COMPLETELY UNAWARE ABOUT THE COMING RAPTURE!!!
MAHMOUD AHMADINEJAD IS THE PERSIAN PIAPS!!!!
STRIKE NOW, MR. PRESIDENT, AND SPREAD FREEDOM!!!!
THANK YOU, PASTOR HAGEE, FOR EXPOSING POPERY!!!!!
REMEMBER, THE ROMAN POPE HAS BEEN EXPOSED AS AN AGENT OF PIAPS!!!!
THANK YOU, TOO, FOR READING AMERICAPHILE!!!!
THE IN-DEPTH ANALYSIS PROVIDED BY AMERICAPHILE CAN BE FOUND NOWHERE ELSE!!!
ALSO, THE MORNING AFTER IS A POWERFUL TOOL FOR WITNESSING AND PREPARING SERMONS!!!!
SENATOR MCCAIN, PLEASE READ THIS EXCITING FACT-BASED ONLINE NOVEL YOURSELF!!!! A PRINTOUT HAS BEEN SENT TO YOUR CAMPAIGN HEADQUARTERS!!! IT IS WHAT EVERY CANDIDATE NEEDS TO INFORM AN INTELLEGENT FOREIGN POLICY!!!!
THANKS AGAIN, PRESIDENT GEORGE W. BUSH, SENATOR JOHN MCCAIN PASTOR JOHN HAGEE!!!
SEE YOU ALL AT THE RAPTURE!!!!!
Posted by: RALPH | March 1, 2008 10:08 PM
Vote for Nader, like myself, and let's shut them all up!!!
Posted by: Richard the indepedent | March 2, 2008 8:06 AM
I'm not absolutely sure that Silva is in the tank for McCain. As others have pointed out, there is a vast difference between what transpired in these two cases. McCain has in fact gratefully accepted the support of a lunatic fringe far-right 'religious' bigot. Obama has in fact rejected the support offered by Farrakhan. Obama didn't have to be pressured to do so; he was persuaded to add a second verb at the prodding of Russert and Clinton, who together pretended that a rejection wasn't a rejection. The whole thing was absurd. The reporting on this in this blog post is equally absurd. The easy explanation is that Silva is biased toward McCain, but I think it may simply be typical 'journalistic' (false) objectivity, wherein the reporter pretends to be above it all as if to say, "Look how fair I am! I see both sides as the same!"
Posted by: trace | March 2, 2008 10:43 AM
Praise Oprahma? I think not. The duped shall inherit the White House? I hope not.
Posted by: therockofages | March 2, 2008 12:28 PM
As an Jewish person of conscience, I am disgusted at the way that Israel-Firsters (not American-Firsters) have been attacking any politician in America (not just Barack Obama), who dares to say that Israel's murderous occupation of the West Bank and treatment of the Palestinians has maligned America`s entire image in the world (not just the Muslim world). In a manner similar to the way that so-called Israeli settlers (really squatters), have hijacked Israel`s body politic, Israel-Firsters in America have hijacked America`s body politic!!!! As a Jewish person of conscience, it disgusts me even more the way that all American politicians seem to be grovelling at the alter of the special interests representing Israel-Firsters. These politicians seem to be willing to sell out America and American lives for the benefit of Israel, and the cult of AIPAC (American Israel Public Affairs Committtee), and the ADL and so on.
Israel-Firsters from the cult of AIPAC are the reason why thousands of Americans have needlessly died in Iraq in addition to tens of thousands of Americans wounded (not to mention how many hundreds of thousands of Iraqis have died.
It is because of Israel-Firsters of the cult of AIPAC that Americans feel like they don`t own their country any more and that they are simply a pocket book of Israel.
Well enough is enough. It is time to make it about America-First and not foreign parasitic nations like Israel that leech off America for perpetuity (fifty plus years and counting), thanks to the work of Israel-Firsters who want to make the United States of America into the United States of America. As many of my African-American friends say, it is disgusting that Israeli settlers/squatters are living well off the tax dollars of hard-working Americans while poor white Americans,Afro-Americans, Hispanics and other minorities make do with food stamps and so on, and their neighborhoods start looking like decrepit ghettos as home fore-closures keep on multiplying. Meanwhile, Israel-Firsters keep on demanding that Israel feed at the trough of America (fifty plus years and hundreds of billions and still counting which makes it the biggest welfare bum in American history bar none).
No wonder that Israel makes nice lush communities for its squatters with their own roads and highways as American communities and infrastructure decline. Meanwhile American politicians keep on swearing loyalty to the cult of AIPAC on an ongoing basis because of the fear it will destroy their political futures.
Americans should start identifying AIPAC AL`s as the Israel-Firsters that they are.
As far as I am concerned, Israel-Firsters`s attack on Barack Obama almost seems like insidious racism.
Moreover, as my Afro-American friends are pointing out. the Afro-American community is very angry and rightfully getting angry over the overt racism demonstrated by Israel-Firsters against such a wonderful member of the Afro-American community such as Barack Obama.
Afro-Americans should not take the commentary of Israel-Firsters silently and I say that as Jewish person of conscience because many good Jewish people say that Israel-Firsters don`t speak in our name and we despise their allgiance to the cult of AIPAC and that of the vast majority of American politicians.
Instead they should start pointing how Israel-Firsters love to see poor white Americans, Afro-Americans, Hispanics, and other Americans being sent to die in needless wars for the benefit of their precious Israel.
If they don`t, they will find Israel-Firsters have succeeded in having more Americans sent to fight and die in places like Iran for the benefit of Israel.
Americans should take note that in Israel itself, Israel-Firsters in America are being seen the same way as we see their own headjob fanatical settlers/squatters. Both of these groups have hijacked the body politics of the respective nations and their invidious controls should now not only be challenged but shattered!
If not the proud United States of America will continue to be a slave of Israel-Firsters and Israel and become known as the United States of Israel (which most of the world is calling America). Hagee, McCain and other Israel-Firsters belonging to the cult of AIPAC might be willing to pay $4,$5, $6 or more for gallon of gas because they insanely want to support Israel`s racist apartheid occupation but poor Americans are not!!!
The reality is that Afro-Americans and many other Americans are now rightfully seeing Israel-Firsters as parasites on America`s body politic.
Posted by: shlomo amir | March 2, 2008 4:12 PM
The only reason Farrakhan has endorsed Obama was to stab him in the back because Obama has always distanced himself from him. Don't you think Farrakhan would know what this effect would have on Obama? He's not stupid and he knows the game. Probably very close to to Clinton's campaign.
Posted by: beth | March 2, 2008 6:19 PM
I just dont like how Hillary Clinton are being treated by the Media, please give Hillary a chance she is a good woman just looking out for the country and its people. Hillary will make the best president for the United States of America she could take this country out of depression just like her husband did in the past
Posted by: Anonymous | March 2, 2008 10:04 PM