Walking the line with the Religious Right

Back in 2000, John McCain made it clear that he would not pander to the Religious Right:

They are corrupting influences on religion and politics, and those who practice them in the name of religion or in the name of the Republican Party or in the name of America shame our faith, our party and our country...

Neither party should be defined by pandering to the outer reaches of American politics and the agents of intolerance, whether they be Louis Farrakhan or Al Sharpton on the left, or Pat Robertson or Jerry Falwell on the right...

We are the party of Ronald Reagan, not Pat Robertson...

We are the party of Abraham Lincoln, not Bob Jones...

That same year he especially criticized George W. Bush for speaking at Bob Jones University:

If I were there, I would condemn openly the policies of Bob Jones, because I would want to make sure that everybody knew that this kind of thing is not American.

He also sent out anti-Bush calls to prospective voters, telling them not to vote for a politician who sought the endorsement of "anti-Catholic" religious leaders:

John McCain, a pro-life senator, has strongly criticized this anti-Catholic bigotry, while Governor Bush has stayed silent while seeking the support of Bob Jones University.

But by 2006, McCain was meeting with Jerry Falwell and giving the commencement address at the university of his "good friend":

While Sen. McCain and Liberty University Chancellor Jerry Falwell have had their share of political differences through the years, the two men share a common respect for each other and have become good friends in their efforts to preserve what they see as common values. This will mark his first ever appearance at Liberty University.

McCain also carefully avoided criticizing Bob Jones University and suggested he could be willing to speak there:

I can’t remember when I’ve turned down a speaking invitation. I think I’d have to look at it," he told The State newspaper. McCain, R-Ariz., says he would have to look at Bob Jones University’s latest policy statements. "I understand they have made considerable progress.

In 2007 McCain began actively seeking the endorsement of anti-Catholic Reverend John Hagee, speaking at a Hagee-sponsored event and thanking him for his:

spiritual guidance to politicians like me...It’s hard to do the Lord’s work in the city of Satan.

In February 2008, McCain again shared a stage with Rev. Hagee while he publicly endorsed McCain, assuring voters:

John McCain is a man of principle. He does not stand boldly on both sides of any issue.

McCain had also been seeking the endorsement of controversial televangelist Ron Parsley, and later in February McCain publicly appeared with Rev. Parsley, calling him a 'spiritual guide' and accepting his endorsement.

In March 2008, Hagee made it clear that McCain had actively "sought" his endorsement. When attention was drawn to Hagee's pattern of anti-Catholic and anti-Muslim statements, McCain would not reject the endorsement, and tried to sort of defend him and repudiate his words at the same time:

I will say that he said that his words were taken out of context, he defends his position. I hope that maybe you’d give him a chance to respond. He says he has never been anti-Catholic, but I repudiate the words that create that impression.

In April 2008, McCain said that it was a mistake to seek Hagee's endorsement:

STEPHANOPOULOS: So was it a mistake to solicit and accept his endorsement?
MCCAIN: Oh, probably, sure.

but just a few seconds later said he was still glad to have the endorsement:

I’m glad to have his endorsement. I condemn remarks that are, in any way, viewed as anti-anything. And thanks for asking.

In May 2008, Joe Lieberman defended Hagee for McCain:

He accepted his endorsement. He represents a lot of people in this country, particularly Christians who care about the state of Israel. He founded a group called Christians United for Israel.

But just a week later, with Hagee's negative comments continuing to get media attention, McCain finally rejected his support and strongly criticized the man:

Obviously, I find these remarks and others deeply offensive and indefensible. I did not know of them before Reverend Hagee’s endorsement, and I feel I must reject his endorsement as well.

Later in the same day, he rejected the support of Rev. Ron Parsley:

I believe that even though he endorsed me, and I didn’t endorse him, the fact is that I repudiate such talk, and I reject his endorsement.