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  Lieberman Defends Hagee

  Sen. Joe Lieberman has been taking some heat on the blogs ever since Huffington Post reported that he will be headlining Pastor John Hagee’s annual Christians United For Israel conference this July. Lieberman, like McCain, has praised Hagee in the past for his support of Israel. But recent remarks about Hitler being sent by God to drive the Jews out of Europe—on top of earlier comments about the Catholic Church—forced McCain to reject Hagee’s endorsement. But Lieberman has remained on the bill for the conference.
  

  Lieberman has posted a statement explaining his decision. Here it is, in full:

  I believe that Pastor Hagee has made comments that are deeply unacceptable and hurtful. I also believe that a person should be judged on the entire span of his or her life's works. Pastor Hagee has devoted much of his life to fighting anti-Semitism and building bridges between Christians and Jews. The organization that he has helped build, Christians United for Israel, is a vital force in supporting the war against terrorism and defending our ally, Israel. I will go to the CUFI Summit in July and speak to the people who have come to Washington from all over our country to express their support of America and Israel, based on our shared eternal values and our shared contemporary challenges in the war against terrorism. At that conference, I will also make it clear that it is imperative that our language is always respectful and tolerant of all of our fellow citizens.

  I can’t think of any good explanation for this, other than Hagee has naked photos of Joe Lieberman … eating shellfish.

  Published Wednesday, May 28, 2008 6:01 PM by Christopher Beam
  Email jcbeam@gmail.com

  Filed under: John Hagee, Joe Lieberman

About Christopher Beam

• Christopher Beam is a Slate political reporter.