Max Blumenthal recently alerted The Nation readers that Joe Lieberman To Headline Pastor Hagee’s Upcoming Summit.
In spite of McCain’s apparent rejection of the apocalyptic preacher John Hagee, it is reported that his ally Joe Lieberman is scheduled to headline Hagee’s upcoming Washington summit. Since Lieberman has been McCain’s shadow throughout his presidential campaign, one has to wonder whether McCain actually did give up on Hagee, or whether a wink-wink relationship now exists between McCain and the Religious Right through Joe Lieberman’s continued advocacy.
As for Lieberman, anyone who uses terms such as “a preemptive military strike against Iran” cannot be abandoned. As the representative of the right wing Israeli Likud party in the US Senate, Lieberman’s own drum beating against Iran has been relentless. Joe has not withdrawn to date and it is unlikely that he will.
Here is a summary of Max Blumenthal’s report:
May 27, 2008
Senator Joseph Lieberman is scheduled to headline Pastor John Hagee’s 2008 Christians United For Israel Washington-Israel Summit this July 22. In accepting Hagee’s invitation, Lieberman became the most senior elected representative confirmed to appear at the annual gala. Last year, when Lieberman spoke at Hagee’s summit, he compared the Texas televangelist to the biblical prophet Moses, dubbing him “an Ish Elochim,” or “a man of God.” Unless he rescinds his pledge to appear at this year’s summit, Lieberman can be expected to deliver another soul-stirring tribute.
Hagee’s vitriolic condemnation of Catholicism, his jeremiad declaring Hurricane Katrina divine punishment for New Orleans’ hosting of a “homosexual rally,” and his generally disturbing apocalyptic theology became national news last February when John McCain accepted his endorsement in a widely publicized ceremony.
While initially resisting pressure to reject Hagee’s endorsement, McCain finally ended his relationship with Hagee when a sermon by the preacher describing the Holocaust as the will of God registered on the mainstream media’s radar.
In truth, Hagee stated in no uncertain terms that Hitler was an agent of God, a “hunter” of Jews, which ultimately spurred the birth of Israel. Israel, for course, is where all Jews will then convert to Christianity presumably in some sort of end-times Cecil B. DeMille extravaganza choreographed by Hagee.
Rosner, the Israeli newspaper Ha’artez DC correspondent, said this about the McCain-Lieberman relationship in late February:
Israeli experts on American politics said in recent weeks that a campaign between Obama and McCain will place Israel at center stage and will require extreme caution on the part of Israel. McCain is hoping to attract Jewish American votes, both because of his many years of support for Israel, and also as a result of the endorsement he received from Senator Joe Lieberman.
Lieberman is often mentioned as a possible member of the McCain administration, possibly as secretary of defense.
Secretary of Defense? That’s what it says.
Still, how can Joe Lieberman be expected to give up the centerpiece of Israeli Middle East policy: a US attack on Iran, which Hagee advocates. Joe will show.
