Reinhard, Like McCain, Silent on Hagee, Armageddon and Iran
In the Oregonian today, David Reinhard fought a rearguard action to protect John McCain from the fallout of his endorsement by the End Times Texas pastor John Hagee. But while Reinhard narrowly focused on the nature of McCain's relationship with the anti-Catholic bigot Hagee, he conveniently ignored the question the Republican nominee has never answered or even been asked. 72 days after he declared himself "very proud" and "honored" to have Hagee's endorsement, John McCain has been silent on the question that should matter most:
Does John McCain agree with Pastor John Hagee that war with Iran is the fulfillment of the biblical prophecy of Armageddon?
On February 27, 2008, Senator McCain shared a stage with the End Times minister and declared, "I am very proud to have Pastor John Hagee's support." As it turns out, John McCain not only actively sought Hagee's endorsement. In 2007, McCain addressed Hagee's organization, Christians United for Israel (CUFI), which just happens to believe the final biblical battle against the Anti-Christ will be fought by the United States - against Iran. During the annual CUFI conference in July 2006, John Hagee bluntly described his vision of Armageddon as foreign policy this way:
"The United States must join Israel in a pre-emptive military strike against Iran to fulfill God's plan for both Israel and the West...a biblically prophesied end-time confrontation with Iran, which will lead to the Rapture, Tribulation, and Second Coming of Christ."
On January 29, 2007, Hagee emailed a "Newflash" to CUFI members about a meeting he held that day with McCain. While noting that he did not "want to put the specifics of our conversation in this update" because "I don't want to read it in the media tomorrow," Hagee crowed about the future Republican presidential nominee:
"Senator McCain's comments concerning Israel are on target! He gets it!"
But what exactly is that McCain "gets?" During an April 2, 2006 interview by Tim Russert on Meet the Press, McCain gave a hint. Discussing Tehran's nuclear program and Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's inflammatory rhetoric towards Israel, John McCain sounded as much preacher as president:
MR. RUSSERT: So we could have two wars at once?
SEN. McCAIN: I think we could have Armageddon. But I think that, that if we handle this right, and our European allies stand with us, and the Russians and the Chinese stand with us, sanctions might do the job. And I am confident that this administration will exhaust every effort before contemplating seriously a military option.
Russert, of course, did not follow up to clarify with McCain what he meant when he said "we could have Armageddon." Was he literally speaking of the final conflagration involving the mass conversion and killing of the Jews described in the Bible? Does John McCain believe, as Pastor Hagee clearly does, that American foreign and national security policy should be governed by the Book of Revelation?
During an April 2007 campaign event, John McCain joked about confrontation with Tehran, singing "bomb bomb bomb, bomb bomb Iran." But as tensions with Iran continue to rise, the end-times views of McCain supporter Hagee are no laughing matter. So the McCain-Hagee Armageddon watch continues. When will David Reinhard and the rest of the American media ask John McCain the question he must answer: does John McCain agree with Pastor John Hagee that war with Iran is the fulfillment of biblical prophecy?
UPDATE: As this video shows, Pastor Hagee did not "allegedly" (as Reinhard claimed) but in fact called the Catholic Church "the great whore" and a "false cult" system. Meanwhile, Mother Jones offers video footage of John McCain's "spiritual guide" Rod Parlsey claiming of Islam, "America was founded, in part, with the intention of seeing this false religion destroyed." John McCain sought their endorsements and on more than one occasion, shared the stage with the John Hagee and Rod Parsley. So the question remains: does McCain share their values, views and objectives?
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May 8, 2008 |
Jon Perr | Comments (23 so far)
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Comments
Posted by: Murphy | May 8, 2008 1:16:34 PM
Just when I didn't think it possible for Reinhard to surpass his record of disingenuousness, this morning's effort proved me wrong. I realize he's nothing but a corporate shill, but still, you expect a certain level of competence in that role. But not here -- not with this this guy.
It's not even entertaining.
Posted by: RyanT | May 8, 2008 1:18:44 PM
I wrote in to ask Reinhard about Hagee in response to his diatribe against Obama. I asked what he thought about this issue, (the armageddon quote,) and also his notion that New Orleans deserved Katrina because of homosexual activity. Reinhard's response to everyone's reasonable questions was total B.S. I realize it's his job to keep people writing letters, but, damn, it's amazing to watch someone selectively ignore anything that doesn't fit with a particular view.
Posted by: Bill McDonald | May 8, 2008 1:42:58 PM
I'm amused by these pastors who think they have to do something to make Biblical prophesies happen. Doesn't that show a complete lack of faith? You would think a pastor would work on anything but the fabled steps to Armageddon if they truly believe these events are hardwired into the future. And why be surprised now about the media coverage given to religious types? They've been streaming into the White House urging President Bush to act to fulfill these prophesies from Day 1. That was one component of the Iraq War, while we were sidetracked with the phony War on Terror. And speaking of terror, what would we call any other group that was actively seeking to finish off the human species? Yet, these people get rock star status as they try and get us all killed. I was also amused by the reaction to Jeremiah Wright. If we're not allowed to sit in a place of worship and listen to someone say things that sound crazy, organized religion would be over by nightfall.
Posted by: Tom Soppe | May 8, 2008 1:52:51 PM
If Fox News were a person, it would be David Reinhard.
Posted by: Steve | May 8, 2008 2:15:48 PM
Does Reinhard the hack really get get permission from his corporate masters?
Or does that just sound good?
Posted by: Jeff Alworth | May 8, 2008 2:48:49 PM
Reinhard employed his usual ham-fisted sophistry today, but you point out why that won't be enough to protect McCain from the Hagee debacle. He either agress with Hagee or he doesn't, but in the general election, he won't be able to say, "hey look, Obama's got a scary black preacher" like Reinhard tried to do.
Posted by: j_luthergoober | May 8, 2008 3:36:05 PM
Everyone in Oregon knows that Little Davy Boy is crazy as a March hare. Surely those rapier-sharp editors at the "O" can find a more scholarly, more erudite "personality" to shill for the Christian Zionist zealots in the Beaver State.
Posted by: Ed Bickford | May 8, 2008 4:14:48 PM
"Senator McCain's comments concerning Israel are on target! He gets it!"
One wonders if Grampa McCain had an epiphany like the ultimate revelation to acolytes of the EST movement of yesteryear: It's all a scam!
Posted by: Jefffrane | May 8, 2008 4:37:08 PM
Hagee isn't his only problem. Don't forget Rod Parsley, who has claimed that we have a divine call to destroy Islam, and that this country "was founded, in part, with the intention of seeing this false religion destroyed".
Posted by: Brian | May 8, 2008 5:55:32 PM
Wouldn't Obama supporters best serve their candidate by leaving this one alone? Hagee is a conservative fire & brimstone, end times kinda preacher with a hard on for Israel. Who else is he gonna endorse? It's not like McCain has ever been a member of his church or shares his religious views. Jeremiah Wright anyone? Didn't Louis Farrakhan endorse Obama? You're playing a very weak hand here while the guy across the table is holding Aces.
Posted by: Ed Bickfrord | May 8, 2008 6:19:57 PM
Ha Ha! A McCain supporter calling some other candidate a weak player! Let's see him challenge Barack to arm wrestle. . .
Posted by: Brian | May 8, 2008 7:15:49 PM
I'm a McCain supporter? Good to know. Think you completely missed my point there Ed.
Posted by: Bill Bodden | May 8, 2008 7:18:27 PM
Reinhard touted all the Bush/neocon bullshit about WMDs, etc. to justify going to war. Did he ever admit to having being wrong, or does he still believe that crap?
Does Reinhard the hack really get get permission from his corporate masters?
Or does that just sound good?
The "corporate master" point applies not only to Reinhard but most of the anchors and pundits. Faux News is obvious. None there would dare transgress Rupert Murdoch. Check this story on Brian Williams.
Keith Olberman on Bill Moyers Journal said he thought he might get fired when he first made controversial statements but came to realize as long as he was making money for MSNBC he could say what he wanted even if it wasn't what management might want to hear. If Reinhard (perhaps I shouldn't include him in the same paragraph with Olberman) didn't have an audience, its a good bet management would tell him to knock off that crap, and Reinhard would salute and say, "Yes, sir."
Posted by: Bill Bodden | May 8, 2008 8:42:39 PM
Hagee is a conservative fire & brimstone, end times kinda preacher with a hard on for Israel. Who else is he gonna endorse? It's not like McCain has ever been a member of his church or shares his religious views. Jeremiah Wright anyone?
Hagee and his ilk are a hell of lot more out of touch with reality that Wright. While Wright did go overboard on some occasions some of the points for which he was criticized were valid. Take his point about 9/11 and the chickens coming home to roost. Michael Scheuer, head of the Bin Laden unit at the CIA, said something similar in his book, "Imperial Hubris" by Anonymous. Our foreign policy created enemies. Same goes for Chalmers Johnson in "Blowback." This does not mean that 9/11 was justified, but if we offend people we shouldn't be surprised if they retaliate and over-react. Wright also had some valid points regarding Palestine and the Palestinians. It's a pity he got carried away and went on an ego trip and rendered himself out on the fringe.
Posted by: doretta | May 8, 2008 8:47:11 PM
Just be glad The O hasn't traded up for someone with half a brain. DR has no influence. Good to keep it that way.
Posted by: Anonymous | May 8, 2008 10:15:42 PM
The parallels are so close:
- Wright was Obama's pastor for 20 years, and Hagee... was never McCain's pastor.
- Wright is a racist, and Hagee... apparently isn't.
- Both are preachers.
- Both are nuts.
- Wright hates America. Hagee... apparently doesn't.
- Wright thinks, if America is attacked, America deserves it. Hagee... apparently doesn't.
- Wright says black people are "naturally" more criminal than white people. Hagee... apparently doesn't.
Stunning, really.
Posted by: Bill McDonald | May 8, 2008 10:38:10 PM
Hagee wants us to attack Iran because he's trying to jump-start Armageddon. He thinks if he crosses enough things off a list, the End Times will happen. Of course, billions may die but he's fine with that because of his religious beliefs.
In case you're confused, this isn't the one that promises 40 virgins in the afterlife - but it's similar in that we're trading life on earth for somebody's notion of the after-world.
It sounds completely crazy to me and yet this guy is a valuable endorsement for the GOP candidate. And people like him helped give us the Bush administration, which is probably heading for a big finish.
At this point, if we make it though the next few months without attacking Iran, it will be a surprise.
As much as we've paid for this self-righteous group latching onto power through President Bush, we might still be in for the worst part of all. I hope not.
Posted by: Chris Lowe | May 8, 2008 11:51:03 PM
John McCain actively courted Hagee's endorsement. Obama rejected Farrakhan's.
The quotes/clips from Jeremiah Wright are a tiny portion of what he has said; it's not like the Obamas have been hearing that every week. Even when they lived in Chicago.
I don't believe Wright hates America. I don't believe Wright is a racist. His church is part of the United Church of Christ & has had widespread backing from UCC ministers around the country. It is the largest UCC congregation in the country and contributes actively and extensively to denominational activities -- most UCC members are white although Wright's is a primarily black congregation. Testimony from many white visitors to the church speak of it as warmly welcoming to them.
Posted by: a sinner | May 9, 2008 6:31:44 AM
This is the great whore of Babylon, this is the apostate church, and the fallen condemned, that the Lord himself might stretch out his hand himself to smite and humble, to bring forth a new truth and peace.
video
John Hagee- The Last Man to Die in Iraq
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ymov3Ip0_P4
Posted by: Bill Bodden | May 9, 2008 8:30:14 AM
Wright hates America. Hagee... apparently doesn't.
It is meretricious nonsense to say that Wright hates America and Hagee doesn't. Wright hates some things that happen in America as many loyal citizens do; that is, those who believe America can be a better place if it cleans up some of its acts. Wright apparently did a lot of good to make his area in Chicago a better place. His motivation was probably hatred of some of the inhumanity he saw there. Hagee may not hate America but if he is lusting for the end times and that fantasy ever became real, then those end times would make 9/11 seem like a fender-bender.
Wright thinks, if America is attacked, America deserves it. Hagee... apparently doesn't.
Wright thought if America was attacked it deserved it in some specific cases. Well, if America abuses its power overseas no one should be surprised if it is attacked. In 1953 the United States and Britain engineered a coup against the democratically elected president of Iran and installed the brutal dictatorship of the Shah Reza Pahlavi. After 26 years of that horror Iranians rose up, overthrew the Shah and took over the American embassy in Tehran. Should anyone have been surprised at Iranian hostility given the preceding history? Ours is an occupying force in Iraq. Should anyone be surprised that Iraqis, like the French during France's period of occupation during WWII, created a resistance movement and attacked U.S. Forces?
Brush up your history with an open and fair mind, Anonymous. Start here then read "Imperial Hubris" by Anonymous (Michael Scheuer) and "Blowback" by Chalmers Johnson.
Hagee believed Katrina was a just punishment from God because New Orleans was planning some homosexual gathering. His God apparently got His navigation off. The "sinful" French Quarter was one of the few areas to be spared by Katrina.
Posted by: Pat Ryan | May 9, 2008 8:46:49 AM
And hey, McCain didn't sit in a pew for twenty years listening to.............blah, blah, blah.......
Which is all the more reason to attack McCain on his sudden Christianization Choice.
McCain has about as much interest in following Jesus as I do. He's never cared about religion until he needed it for the election. When he figured that out, he went out and specifically chose these radical wingnut hatemongers to set the doctrine of his campaign.
He could have chosen any flavor of fundy preacher(s) since he isn't actually a church going christian, but Paisley and Hagee are the ones he chose.
Posted by: pdxatheist | May 9, 2008 4:59:39 PM
come on people! it's perfectly obvious that having the u.s. attack iran is part of the lord's plan for america, and katrina is evidence of the heavy hand of jesus smiting america for our loving embrace of those gay sinners!
repent!
repent, for the end draweth nigh!
(ahh...thanks for letting me get that off my chest. as an atheist, i seldom get the chance to spew hysterical, superstitious horseshit. i can see why they do it...it feels kind of good!)
is a vote for mccain a vote for armageddon? mccain is definitely delusional, but not from a religious point of view. however, we know that that little warmongering troll will stop at nothing until he's got us entangled in another foreign war; he's chomping at the bit. but any fundamentalist christians who think mccain is really their friend are gravely mistaken. he's just using them and exploiting their sad delusions. nothing new here; republicans have ridden to victory in the presidency on the backs or the religious right since 1980. the cracks in that facade are manifold, and i think they'll play out nicely in november. president obama here we come.
if mccain does win in november, those haggee-ite armageddonists might just get everything they want. we'll see, though, if they want what they get.
Posted by: Bill Bodden | May 8, 2008 11:52:38 AM
When will David Reinhard and the rest of the American media ask John McCain the question he must answer: does John McCain agree with Pastor John Hagee that war with Iran is the fulfillment of biblical prophecy?
Probably never but certainly not before they get permission to do so from their corporate masters. That's how hacks function.