Hotline After Dark -- Not The Wright Kind Of Wrong

Yesterday, CNN's Brian Todd delivered a breaking news report on John McCain's decision to reject the endorsement of Pastor John Hagee.

Todd: "As a result of our inquiries today, John McCain makes a dramatic turnaround and rejects the endorsement of a key religious leader in the United States. ... We have been in contact with ... Pastor Hagee and his representatives. Mr. Hagee would not go on camera with us or do any kind of interview with us. His representatives say, however, that he was badly mischaracterized. ... Here is a statement that we just got a short time ago from John McCain: 'Obviously, I find these remarks and others deeply offensive and indefensible, and I repudiate them. I did not know of them before Reverend Hagee's endorsement, and I feel I must reject his endorsement as well.' ... A very important note here from McCain's campaign, who says that Reverend Hagee was never John McCain's pastor, that McCain did not have the kind of relationship with Pastor Hagee that Barack Obama had with Jeremiah Wright" ("Situation Room," 5/22).

Newsweeks' Alter: "Best defense is a good offense. He's engaged in sensible damage control on this by separating himself further from Hagee. The problem is if they want to have any Republican sponsorship of Reverend Wright ads this fall, Democrats are going to be right back at them with Hagee, with Pat Robertson and Jerry Falwell" ("Verdict," MSNBC, 5/22).

Dick Morris: "He didn't baptize the kids. He didn't marry him. He wasn't his pastor for 20 years" ("Hannity & Colmes," FNC, 5/22).

Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC): "When you're running for president it's not guilt by association. We have a lot of supporters out there we don't always agree with. ... There comes a point in time when you're running for president that you have to disconnect yourself from rhetoric because you're trying to be the pros of everybody. You're trying to reassure people that as president of the United States you have a big view and you're a tolerant person. There comes a point in time where you have to break and John made that decision today" ("Situation Room," CNN, 5/22).

After the jump, McCain goes on "Ellen" and a FL superdelegate files a lawsuit (KATHERINE LEHR).

ONE LOVE

McCain appeared on the "Ellen DeGeneres show" 5/22, and host Ellen DeGeneres, who announced last week that she and her partner plan to marry, brought up the CA court ruling allowing same-sex marriage in that state.

DeGeneres: "Let's talk about the big elephant in the room. ... By the way, I was planning on having a ceremony anyway this summer, even though it wasn't legal. But I feel that at least I get to celebrate my love. And then it just so happened that I legally now can get married like everyone should. And what are your thoughts?"

McCain: "I think that people should be able to enter into legal agreements. I think that's something we should encourage, particularly in the case of insurance and other areas. ... I just believe in the unique status of marriage between man and woman, and I know that we have a respectful disagreement on that issue."

DeGeneres: "There is this old way of thinking that we are not all the same. We are all the same people, all of us. You're no different than I am. Our love is the same. ... When someone says, 'You can have a contract, and you'll still have insurance, and you'll get all that,' it sounds to me like saying, 'Well, you can sit there, you just can't sit there.'"

McCain: "I've heard you articulate that position in a very eloquent fashion. We just have a disagreement, and I, along with many, many others, wish you every happiness."

DeGeneres: "So, you'll walk me down the aisle? Is that what you're saying?"

McCain: "Touché" (NBC, 5/22).

HERE WE GO AGAIN...

Superdelegate/FL Senate Min. Leader Steven Geller (D) was on "Lou Dobbs Tonight" last night to talk about filing a federal lawsuit to force the DNC to recognize FL's votes. Some highlights:

Geller, on the lawsuit: "It's important to note that I filed it. I'm one of those uncommitted superdelegates. But in addition to me, we have a Clinton delegate and an Obama delegate also. And I had agreed to endorse John Edwards before he dropped out. So let's be clear, we're not doing this to help or hurt any candidate. We're doing this because in nine days, May 31, the Democratic National Committee Rules and Bylaws Committee is going to be hearing Florida's appeal. I've sent them a very nice letter, asking them to seat Florida's delegation and explaining why we should be seated. ... I never get a response from them."

On what he expect to happen as a result of the lawsuit: "I'm hoping that they're going to read the lawsuit and say, oh, my God, I can't believe, they're going to win this, so we better, on May 31, moot the lawsuit and seat their whole delegation. If not, if they don't do it voluntarily, I expect a federal judge will tell them to seat our whole delegation" (CNN, 5/22).