McCain Courts Secret Radical Religious Conservative Group For Support In Presidential Bid
McCain Courts Secret Radical Religious Conservative Group For Support In Presidential Bid
Last month, hard-line conservative Pastor John Hagee, founder of Christians United for Israel, announced his support for Sen. John McCain’s (R-AZ) candidacy for president. Despite Hagee’s numerous bigoted remarks — including his claim that the Catholic church is “the Great Whore” and a “false cult system” — McCain said that he was “very honored” by the endorsement.
McCain is continuing his tradition of courting the bigoted right-wing fringe. This afternoon, McCain addressed the Council for National Policy (CNP) in New Orleans in a “make-or-break pitch” for support from the secretive, ultra-conservative group that describes itself as a “self-selected, conservative counterweight” against “liberal domination of the American agenda.” McCain advisor Charlie Black said McCain “was anxious to appear” in front of the group.
CNP was founded in 1981 by Rev. Tim LaHaye, “an early Christian conservative organizer and the best-selling author of the ‘Left Behind’ novels about an apocalyptic Second Coming,” and fellow Christian conservative Paul Weyrich. Like Hagee, the group and its members have at times expressed and encouraged radical and intolerant views:
– LeHaye once said that Catholicism is a “false religion” and called popes “antichrists.”
– Weyrich has claimed that CNP is a group of “radicals working to overturn the present power structure in this country.”
– A speaker received a standing ovation at one CNP meeting when he suggested that AIDS was a sign from God that homosexuality was an “abomination.”
Because the group is shrouded in secrecy, its official roster is unknown. However, in 1998, the Institute for First Amendment Studies obtained a CNP member list, which contained many right-wing Christian leaders who have a history of extremist remarks, including Pat Robertson, James Dobson and the late Jerry Falwell.
McCain is no stranger to pandering to the extreme religious right when it suits his political needs. In a 2000 speech, he referred to Falwell and Robertson as “agents of intolerance.” Yet he repudiated that remark in 2006 and later delivered a commencement address at Falwell’s Liberty University.
UPDATE: McCain has now “repudiate[d]” Hagee’s past remarks about Catholics but still seemingly accepts his endorsement.
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March 7th, 2008 at 5:56 pmMcNutjobs for McCain.
March 7th, 2008 at 5:56 pmfalse christians..the worst and unfortunately, most prevalent kind..
March 7th, 2008 at 5:57 pm.
Who would be surprised if McCampain didn't accept the endorsement of the KKK or say the NeoNazi movement, either. Anything for a vote, eh, Johnny?
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March 7th, 2008 at 5:59 pmAll aboard the Pander Express!
March 7th, 2008 at 5:59 pm"CNP was founded in 1981 by Rev. Tim LaHaye, “an early Christian conservative organizer and the best-selling author of the ‘Left Behind’ novels..."
He can write a new book in the series, Pork Chop, about how far you got left behind in the November elections!
LOL
March 7th, 2008 at 6:02 pmHey TP, how about some news about Hillary Clinton's pandering...?
**crickets**
March 7th, 2008 at 6:04 pm.
People like Dobson, Hagee, Lahay, Robertson, Fallwell, etc. give new meaning to the phrase "BULLY PULPIT" ... NO?
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March 7th, 2008 at 6:07 pm– A speaker received a standing ovation at one CNP meeting when he suggested that AIDS was a sign from God that homosexuality was an “abomination.â€
-----------------------------------------
Wow -- who knew that CNP endorsed lesbianism? Since lesbians are less likely to get AIDS from sex than even heterosexuals, they must be God's chosen people, according to CNP logic.
March 7th, 2008 at 6:07 pm"My friends, I will leave no principle intact in my quest to prove my father wrong..."
he's a lot more like w than anyone would ever think.
March 7th, 2008 at 6:09 pm.
Zooey,
You see the McClinton?
.
March 7th, 2008 at 6:10 pmWhich is most disgusting... McCain seeking the religious right.. or the religious right going for this? such hypocrisy both ways.
March 7th, 2008 at 6:10 pm***Had Hussein Enough***
caption:
"Ohhhhh, mea culpa........."
March 7th, 2008 at 6:13 pmRack another nutjob Xian cult for McJeebutz.
March 7th, 2008 at 6:18 pmAnd the religious wingnuts cannot see through his lame attempt at pandering to every crackpot 'talking head' who can deliver a few more votes? Aren't they going to be mad when they discover the truth - or do they like being lied to?
March 7th, 2008 at 6:21 pmCaption:
How am I going to sell this crap to the next bimbo blonde mistress>? Woe is me!
March 7th, 2008 at 6:24 pmIs there no group MCShame won't pander to?
Have you no sense of decency sir? At long last, have you no decency?
March 7th, 2008 at 6:25 pmSpeaking of nutjob Xian cults, where's Daryll to buck up his butt buddy McFornicate?
What are the odds that Daryll's cult is somehow connected to the CNP
Christian Nazi Party?
March 7th, 2008 at 6:31 pmHagee's support for Israel isn't about philo-Semitism, it's because Israel's existence is a pre-condition for Armageddon. Hagee is anti-Semitic and has said loathsome things about Jews, too, but this doesn't seem to interest the media. Or interests the MSM even less than the other bilge he's spouted. Can you imagine the furor if Obama had been endorsed by Hagee?
March 7th, 2008 at 6:31 pmChrist, do we ever need an atheist president.
March 7th, 2008 at 6:36 pmChrist, do we ever need an atheist president.
Comment by Badmoodman
True words...An intolerant Christian is the same as an intolerant Muslim, Jew, etc...We do not need a taliban in this country - we already have republicans.
March 7th, 2008 at 6:39 pmI want to hear of priests, bishops and the Pope himself speaking out against Hagee and McCain's embrace of the hate monger.
March 7th, 2008 at 6:45 pmCaption:
What's the name of that group I am addressing today? I knew it a second ago. Damn, I hate when I forget to take my Ginko Biloba.
- Ms J Hussain el Saywhaa?
March 7th, 2008 at 6:46 pmComment by Max-1 — March 7, 2008 @ 6:10 pm
I just saw it, Max. Thanks!
What a vicious woman. She's her own candidacy's worst enemy.
March 7th, 2008 at 6:47 pmMarie, not much chance of that, they'll likely turn the other cheek, and ask for another reaming...
March 7th, 2008 at 6:47 pmBadmoonman, you are 100% right on that -- we need someone who claims no religion, no god. No belief in superstitions, no hearing from higher powers, no having a god that is greater than the other guy's god.
March 7th, 2008 at 6:48 pmJust a person living an honest and just existence, with respect for the people and the Constitution, and a promise to protect rights for all will do just fine.
RUC, I am LOL :)
March 7th, 2008 at 6:51 pmWell McStain,
It's time to "bend over and feel the power of Jesus!"
March 7th, 2008 at 6:56 pm.
And yes Hussein Zooey,
TP needs to do some equal time.
I mean,
Since when has (s)Hillary sat in the Oval Office at 3am answering phones?
Max-Hussein-1
.
March 7th, 2008 at 6:57 pmMay God bless and keep John McCain ...
FAR AWAY FROM US!!
(With apologies to Tevye and "Fiddler on the Roof")
~L. Hussein Annie
March 7th, 2008 at 7:01 pmMcCain has now “repudiate[d]†Hagee’s past remarks about Catholics but still seemingly accepts his endorsement.
Oh, good! So now he just likes the anti-gay, anti-Muslim stuff. Well, one out of three ain't...
Ah, never mind.
- Hussein Toasterhead
March 7th, 2008 at 7:06 pmI've never understood why people follow these false prohets who claim to be Christian. They endorse republican criminals, republican adulterers, republican corruption, republican homosexuality, republican pedophilia and any other republican sex scandals and crimes. There are plenty of churches and religions to get oneself "saved." How can someone feel so empty and useless to have to feel like the only way they can have any meaning to their lives is to align themselves with these dispicable people.
If there is such a thing as a soul then we are all witness to the selling of one. The soul formerly belonging to John McCain. It is pathetic to watch a man sink lower and lower into the abyss of political avarice. He is shedding everything that made him who and what he was and never again will be. The saddest thing of all is not that he is turning his back to everything he was and believed in, or turning his back on everyone that believed in him and gave him his opportunity to serve this once great nation, he's turning his back on himself. And shall he be roundly defeated this November he will succumb to the selling of his soul by being reduced to a bitter, conflicted, twisted empty shell of what he once was, a respected, fearless political "maverick."
March 7th, 2008 at 7:06 pmHmm, a rebublican endorsed by a secret, radical, religious group: sounds like a fitting endorsement. With that much self-righteous bigotry, they couldn't endorse any other.
March 7th, 2008 at 7:12 pmUnfortunately this is a common tactic for politicians that want to attract the radical (what some call moderate) voters. Just look at Obama, he brought Homophobic Donnie McClurkin as one of his advisers and co-campaigners. This courting turned me off when Obama did it, just as it turns me off when McCain does it. That's one of the many reasons I voted for Hillary in the primary.
I'm sure I'll get trashed from the Hopium addicts on this, but if you're going to trash McCain for this, I would hope you'd also trash Obama and request he back off of his overly religious and bigoted rhetoric!
March 7th, 2008 at 7:15 pmHow hard is it to get involved with a normal person?
March 7th, 2008 at 7:21 pmOT:
The Department of Homeland Security's Transportation Security Administration (TSA) is moving forward to institute a rule that would require all passengers to go through a government review process before boarding any airplane that takes off or lands anywhere with in the United States.
So much for those pesky "freedoms" - maybe now "they" won't hate us anymore.
March 7th, 2008 at 7:21 pmOk, I'm out of here for the night, Have a snarking good weekend all.
March 7th, 2008 at 7:22 pmI think we need a third political party. A party with strict, true adherence to the constitution and the bill of rights. And one main stipulation would be that any religious entity, whether organized or individual, that seeks to influence a political party or influence an election shall be subject to the revocation of their tax exempt status. You're able to practice your religion of choice because of that piece of paper and the men and women who fought for the right to conceive and write it. Your religion or religious beliefs are no more relevant than any others nor are they any less. Religion should be a private matter between the individual, their church of choice and creator. It is not a vehicle, nor shall it ever be used, to facilitate one's political agenda.
March 7th, 2008 at 7:37 pmOur present two parties of today are corrupted seemingly beyond repair. Therefore I propose we form the American Party. Exposing republican corruption and indifference to the constitution that the spineless democrats do nothing to protect and rising to the challenge to put America back on track to lead the world into the future.
I mean,
Since when has (s)Hillary sat in the Oval Office at 3am answering phones?
Max-Hussein-1
As if!!
March 7th, 2008 at 7:41 pmI’m sure I’ll get trashed from the Hopium addicts on this, but if you’re going to trash McCain for this, I would hope you’d also trash Obama and request he back off of his overly religious and bigoted rhetoric!
Comment by republicans hate facts — March 7, 2008 @ 7:15 pm
I'm sure you'll be holding Hillary Clinton to the same standards. You might want to start trashing her now -- you've got some catching up to do.
March 7th, 2008 at 7:42 pmComment by tombaker — March 7, 2008 @ 7:21 pm
Those impending actions are just a tiny beginning step in what is quickly becoming a one-world dictatorial regime. From the NYT today regarding England's plans for it's visitors...and eventually its citizens. Note the "not permitted to work" statement:
"The cards will not initially be compulsory for British citizens — although airport employees will not be permitted to work without them. But they will be required for foreigners from outside the European Union staying in Britain on visas.
The government is phasing in the policy until most of the population is covered before deciding whether to pass laws to make the cards compulsory."
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/03/07/world/europe/07britain.html?_r=1&scp=1&sq=britain+to+issue+identity+cards+for+foreigners&st=nyt&oref=slogin
March 7th, 2008 at 7:42 pmMcCain should just get the KKK's support and end all this stuff. Let's just see if Americans are willing to vote old man John in so the USA can hit rock bottom. Dubai is giving loans to Citibank and any other American own company. Once they get enough shares they will how the company. Thanks Bush/Cheney for the sign that reads USA for Sale.
March 7th, 2008 at 7:44 pmMcCain is continuing his tradition of courting the bigoted right-wing fringe.
Of course he is...he's pandering the very core of the RePugniScum, jesusmongering, fascist, warmongering, racists, mouth-breathing, snot sucking, piss soaked, virus ridden, bacteria contaminated, whining, misinformed, Ghoul-Aid guzzling, kid molesting, woman hating, intolerant, impatient, childish and useless party!!
March 7th, 2008 at 7:50 pmWho would have known Hillary was capable of the nasties she is pulling. Clearly, she is putting herself first before our party. Could Randi Rhodes be correct in: Hillary wants McCain to win as it is most likely he would have only 4 years, as compared to Obama 8 years, therefore giving her another chance to run in 2012?
March 7th, 2008 at 7:51 pmC'mon dixie blood, I sense you're holding back some. Tell us how you really feel.
March 7th, 2008 at 7:52 pmC’mon dixie blood, I sense you’re holding back some. Tell us how you really feel.
Comment by Mr. Evil — March 7, 2008 @ 7:52 pm
You're right. Let me sum it up. They are not nice people...
March 7th, 2008 at 7:56 pmI couldn't agree with you more!
March 7th, 2008 at 7:57 pmThere is a fifth dimension, beyond that which is known to man. It is a dimension as vast as space and as timeless as infinity. It is the middle ground that joins church and state, confuses science and superstition, and it lies between the depth of faith and the summit of ignorance. This is the dimension of fundamentalism. It is an area which we call the Religious Twilight Zone. (Apologies to the Rod Serling Memorial Foundation)
March 7th, 2008 at 7:59 pmI’m sure you’ll be holding Hillary Clinton to the same standards. You might want to start trashing her now — you’ve got some catching up to do.
Comment by Zooey — March 7, 2008 @ 7:42 pm
That's not what I've seen with your Hopium advocacy of Obama, I'd like for you to start holding them both to the same standards, it would be a nice change. So far all of the Hopium addicts have just gotten annoying, without saying anything of substance.
When Clinton goes around and refuses to have her picture taken with the Mayor of San Francisco to avoid the 'gay' issue, and campaigns with one of the most homophobic religious fanatics around, perhaps you'll have a leg to stand on. Until then, perhaps you should hang out with the other zoo animals, and smoke some more hopium.
March 7th, 2008 at 8:09 pmWho would have known Hillary was capable of the nasties she is pulling. Clearly, she is putting herself first before our party. Could Randi Rhodes be correct in: Hillary wants McCain to win as it is most likely he would have only 4 years, as compared to Obama 8 years, therefore giving her another chance to run in 2012?
Comment by had enough — March 7, 2008 @ 7:51 pm
More hopium attacks on Hillary, what a crock of sh*t. You people are just nuts! You sound like drudge anymore! Last time I checked more people have voted for Hillary than Obama, even if you don't want to count the votes of all of them (fl, mi).
March 7th, 2008 at 8:11 pmUntil then, perhaps you should hang out with the other zoo animals, and smoke some more hopium.
Comment by republicans hate facts — March 7, 2008 @ 8:09 pm
Maybe you can show some evidence of your allegations, with links, and proof of intent.
If you're not disappointed in Hillary, you're not paying attention. You're going to be so disappointed.
March 7th, 2008 at 8:13 pmI'm really sick of the "hopium" term used to berate and/or insult Obama supporters. I hope someone wins this eletion and destroys the neocon agenda. I hope someone wins this election and restores our credibility in the world. I hope someone wins this election and immediately ends the war in Iraq. Hope is a GOOD thing. I'm not addicted to hope as I won't hold my breath for any politician. I want results that benefit the whole of this nation. And cutesy little Anne Coulteresque insults won't get us there. I HOPE my son has a better country for his children than I do for mine.
Now tell me, What The Fu(k is wrong with hope?!!!
March 7th, 2008 at 8:26 pmRHF - it's a fact that hillary said she and mccain were qualified, and obama was not. that is bullsh*t.
there will be no "embracing" of republicans. period.
has no one learned a damned thing in the last 28 years???!!!
March 7th, 2008 at 8:43 pmComment by Max-1 — March 7, 2008 @ 6:10 pm
You see the McClinton?
Thanks Max-1
Excellent ad.
Wow! The section where she is virtually echoing Cheney is stunning! Its like word for word. She is either making a blatant pitch for the pro war voting block or she really is a neocon lite person. Frankly, I think she is the latter. Her applauding Bush during the SOTU when he claimed the surge was working puts her in that camp, in my view.
March 7th, 2008 at 8:47 pmShe can talk differently all she wants but that unguarded applause moment tells it like it is.
Clinton is RePugniScum Light
Obama is Working Democrat
It really is that simple people....
March 7th, 2008 at 8:49 pmComment by good_golly — March 7, 2008 @ 9:04 pm
You support fascists. Just imagine waht that makes you.
~Hussein Zooey
March 7th, 2008 at 9:06 pmIt’s too bad your party has so much bigotry that it cannot unite behind a single candidtate, but sexist Democrats will not support Clinton, and racist Democrats will not support Obama. It really is that simple.
Comment by goon_golly — March 7, 2008 @ 9:04 pm
The only simple thing around here is you, goon. It's so funny that a Republican "conservative", representing a party that has never nominated anything but rich white men, should accuse the Democrats, whose front runners include a Black man and a white woman of being either racist or sexist.
If we needed any evidence of your dishonesty and stupidity, this pretty well sums it up. Thanks for your contribution, goon.
March 7th, 2008 at 9:22 pmAnd, goon, lest I forget: the Democrats are engaged in a democratic process. The Republicans have already selected their candidate for Great Leader, and we do recognize that you and your party are better at lining up behind dictators. Apparently, you think this is a virtue.
March 7th, 2008 at 9:24 pmYou support fascists. Just imagine waht that makes you.
~Hussein Zooey
Comment by Zooey — March 7, 2008 @ 9:06 pm
And pedophiles, corruption, fraud, lying, cronyism, treason and a plethora of unconstitutional acts. Oh yeah... and stealing elections.
March 7th, 2008 at 9:25 pmComment by good_golly — March 7, 2008 @ 9:04 pm
Tell me what the name of the game you are playing is called. You poke people with verbal sticks and watch with a smug look for their irritation. Don't you have better things to do with your time? Oh, never mind, I forgot. Its .05 cents per post.
March 7th, 2008 at 9:27 pmClearly our party is becoming more divided by the day... playing right into the hands of the neocons... and because of this they may win. More war, the draft restarted, more tax breaks for the very wealthy, less money to rebuild our crumbling infrastructure and schools, less and less health care for We the People, college tuition continuing to rise, and the nomination of probably 3 S C justices. This is serious sh!t. Let's get the true facts out there, accept the truth and get over and on with it.
March 7th, 2008 at 9:27 pmHow sad to se our once-great war hero, whoring in the gutter.
March 7th, 2008 at 9:39 pmTwist in the wind.
March 7th, 2008 at 9:50 pmAnn Coulter endorsed Hillary on MSNBC the other day. How about a post on that topic TP?
March 7th, 2008 at 10:01 pmdemocraticunderground has much to say about clinton also.
March 7th, 2008 at 10:21 pmI am very worried what she, this is doing to our party.
Ann Coulter endorsed Hillary on MSNBC the other day. How about a post on that topic TP?
Comment by Shayne — March 7, 2008 @ 10:01 pm
Normally, TP loves them some Ann Coulter threads. What's up, TP?
March 7th, 2008 at 10:40 pmSomething is going on in Hillaryworld. Ann (pus crack) Coulter is being unusually quiet these days. Hillary is cozying up to McCain. Hillary has these small, discreet meetings (listed as charity functions) with Rupert Murdoch. Something's starting to smell.
March 7th, 2008 at 10:47 pmComment by Mr. Evil — March 7, 2008 @ 10:47 pm
Probably the pus crack in your first sentence. ;)
March 7th, 2008 at 10:51 pmComment by Zooey — March 7, 2008 @ 10:51 pm
Ahhh, touche'.
March 7th, 2008 at 11:38 pmfor We the People, college tuition continuing to rise, and the nomination of probably 3 S C justices. This is serious sh!t. Let’s get the true facts out there, accept the truth and get over and on with it.
Comment by had enough — March 7, 2008 @ 9:27 pm
bullshit. stop peeing your pants, you sound like a lily-livered, weak-kneed pansy-ass republican. man up. it's a political fight for the biggest job in the world. look at the republicans, calling for their own people to vote for Clinton, they hate mcStain so much.
March 8th, 2008 at 1:05 amDid anyone else see McCain on the Newshour? I swear, he's just babbling already. The "maverick" has become a sacrificial lamb.
March 8th, 2008 at 1:31 amIs it surprising that Europe kicked out their religious nuts in the 17th and 18th Centuries. Their good fortune was America's misfortune. These people are a cancer on true American values. All those things that made America great was a product of liberal democracy. Liberal democracy is a threat to those that feel a theocracy is the ideal from of government.
March 8th, 2008 at 7:27 am"If a politician found he had cannibals among his constituents, he would promise them missionaries for dinner." - H.L. Mencken
March 8th, 2008 at 10:52 amself-selected, conservative counterweight†against “liberal domination of the American agenda.â€
That pretty much sums up how little the conservative right wing Religious Reich thinks of America. If the liberal agenda of America dominates, than it must be a majority agenda, which apparently doesn't dawn on them. They would rather foist their minority held dogma on everyone.
And notice the phrase, "self-selected." That also sums up what form of government these wingnuts prefer. They know they could never get away with an open policy or elected members of this semi-secret society. Mainly because they have decided to forget about being a city on a hill, shining their light inot darkness. They have sold that heritage for political power. Which means they instead resort to lies and half truths to forward their restrictive, dogmatic, and anti-American agenda in obvious violation of their own religion, God, and rhetorical values.
March 8th, 2008 at 2:31 pmThe Daily Show's Jon Stewart tried to warn him in 2006, but John McCain didn't listen. Battered by all sides over his embrace of End Times Pastor John Hagee, John McCain is finally experiencing the blowback from his pandering visits to "crazy base world."
For the details, see:
March 8th, 2008 at 6:14 pm"Jon Stewart Warned McCain About 'Crazy Base World.'"
There are plenty of churches and religions to get oneself “saved.” How can someone feel so empty and useless to have to feel like the only way they can have any meaning to their lives is to align themselves with these dispicable people.
If there is such a thing as a soul then we are all witness to the selling of one. The soul formerly belonging to John McCain. It is pathetic to watch a man sink lower and lower into the abyss of political avarice. He is shedding everything that made him who and what he was and never again will be. The saddest thing of all is not that he is turning his back to everything he was and believed in, or turning his back on everyone that believed in him and gave him his opportunity to serve this once great nation, he’s turning his back on himself. And shall he be roundly defeated this compaq nc4010 battery,compaq dd880a battery November he will succumb to the selling of his soul by being reduced to a bitter, conflicted, twisted empty shell of what he once was, a respected, fearless political “maverick.”
October 15th, 2008 at 4:32 am