Hagee isn't a problem, he's my buddy.

You may remember that Russert and Clinton demanded that Obama loudly and repeatedly denounce Farrakhan. You may also remember once McCain stood against the Religious Right and its influence on candidate. And that time flies and so do McCain's principals.

Well, last week McCain got a new friend, John Hagee, pastor and nut job. He's an End Times sort. Hates Catholics. Doesn't particularly care for Jews. And he seems to be eager for the plot lines of the pathetic Left Behind books to play out.

Now let us be clear. Farrakhan went out and threw out his support to Obama. There is no sign Obama sought the backing. It is not the same with McCain.

Let's be clear what happened here. John McCain solicited the support and endorsement of Hagee and then he held a joint appearance with Hagee in which he formally endorsed him. In these terms, Obama has no connection whatsoever to Farrakhan. He's just someone who said positive things about Obama. So the premise for even asking Obama is dubious in itself, whereas McCain has openly embraced Hagee.

As you can see Hutchison steadfastly refuses to reject or denounce or even say what she or McCain disagrees with Hagee about. Her big point seems to be that even if Hagee calls the Catholic Church the "great whore" and "anti-Christ" that he still supports Israel and has a big congregation whose support McCain needs. ... (video available)

Yglesias wonders how one can say he supports Israel.

...

Ask yourself if uniting the Arab nations in an anti-Israel alliance under the Russian banner sounds like supporting Israel? To me, it sounds like a disaster.

Meanwhile, Glenn Greenwald sensibly wonders why it is that an African-American politician is expected to deliver thirty lashes to a black Muslim leader with despicable views like Louis Farrakhan, while it's completely acceptable for a white politician to actively and successfully cour the support of a white Christian leader with despicable views like Hagee.

Yeah...Russia and "the Arabs" launch a bloody assault on Israel and Jesus returns to punish those that don't embrace him...Yeah...Why would a moderate, maverick, or straight talker want to be on stage with this?

TPM:

Over at Swampland, even Joe Klein is taking notice of the McCain-Hagee nomination and McCain's refusal to renounce or reject.

Says Klein ...

A McCain rejection of Hagee's support would be seen as another sign of weakness by Rush and such. An acceptance of Hagee's support would spell trouble for McCain with catholics and sane people everywhere. So, what's it to be, Senator?

As Chris Matthews once so aptly put it: "The press loves McCain. We're his base." So for McCain to lose Klein would be like a conservative losing James Dobson.

I fear that Klein probably finds some way to let McCain off the hook. But the temperature does seem to be rising.

But...McCain is Mr. Straight Talk...he's just going to go with is gut and say what he means...right?

McCain has come out to say he takes the support, but doesn't agree with ALL of his views. Wonder which ones he does agree with? TPM looks at some of the disturbing statements from Hagee.

I do have to give Chris Matthews a little credit though. It opportunity rarely occurs, so I have to jump at the chance. He has said he is unhappy with McCain on staying in Iraq and, it seems, this support he's taking (though I hardly heard him mention it, except today in passing). He has said it seems wrong. But Matthews sounds more like a friend who is disappointed in a friends decision, not someone who will stand and do critical analysis...you know, his job.