For his part, McCain, of course, while he once referred to Parsley as “one of the truly great leaders in America, a moral compass, a spiritual guide,” keeps reminding everyone that he was not a member of either Hagee or Parsley’s church for the last twenty years, an obvious reference to Obama’s affiliation with Jeremiah Wright’s Trinity United Church of Christ in Chicago. 

McCain has been a member of North Phoenix Baptist Church for a number of years. If I were his pastor, whose name is Dan Yeary, I think I would be rather nervous right about now, wondering what I’ve said that may come back to haunt me … and Senator McCain.

“In my zeal to oppose anti-Semitism and bigotry in all its ugly forms, I have often emphasized the darkest chapters in the history of Catholics and Protestant relations with the Jews. In the process, I may have contributed to the mistaken impression that the anti-Jewish violence of the Crusades and the Inquisition defines the Catholic Church. It most certainly does not.”

It was John McCain’s seeking and acceptance of Hagee’s endorsement and McCain’s at least initial refusal to reject Hagee’s controversial statements that prompted increased media scrutiny, especially in light of the problems Barack Obama has faced with his pastor, Jeremiah Wright.

I haven’t been able to find the actual text of the letter, so it is not clear whether Hagee repudiated any of the other controversial positions he has taken over the years, and, other than for political purposes, one has to wonder why he wrote this letter. Hagee has often made references to the Roman Catholic Chruch as ”the apostate church” and the “great whore.” Hagee now says he better understands that his use of those descriptions, taken from the New Testament book of Revelation, are “a rhetorical device long employed in anti-Catholic literature and commentary.” He just figured this out now?

And there is no word on whether he still believes some of his other wacky statements: about Israel, his belief that Katrina was the result of God being angry at a gay pride parade in New Orleans, that the Koran teaches that all Muslims want to kill Jews and Christians, and, well, I could go on.

UPDATE (May 22, 2008): John McCain has just repudiated Hagee’s endorsement after audio has surfaced where Hagee claims Hitler was sent by God to help Jews reach the promised land. In a variant on the old you-can’t-fire-me-I-quit routine, Hagee has released a statement saying he is tired of “baseless attacks” and is removing himself from any active role in the 2008 campaign.

UPDATE: In the meantime, Frank Rich has more details on another preacher to be watched in this election year, Reverend John Hagee and his candidate of choice, John McCain. Be sure to watch the video. Scary stuff …