Media Scrutinizing Anti-Gay Background of Presidential Endorsers

As influential religious and political figures endorse presidential candidates, the media have begun to examine how their statements about different constituencies square with the candidate’s political platform.  San Antonio televangelist John Hagee's (right) recent backing of John McCain led journalists to scrutinize Hagee's incendiary anti-gay and anti-Catholic comments.  On The Washington Post/Newsweek Interactive's "On Faith" website, writer Claire Hoffman questioned whether McCain's proud association with Hagee – who had asserted that God's anger at an upcoming New Orleans gay pride parade caused Hurricane Katrina – reflected the Republican candidate's aspiration to unite a diverse coalition of voters.

Similarly citing Hagee's offensive remarks about gay people and Catholics, both MSNBC's Countdown with Keith Olbermann and the CBS Evening News with Katie Couric recently raised questions about McCain's uncritical acceptance of Hagee's endorsement. If the media continue to responsibly examine the anti-gay background of presidential endorsers, they will look into McCain's recent appearance with and praise for Ohio televangelist Rod Parsley.  Parsley, like Hagee, is known for his espousal of virulently anti-gay rhetoric.

This is not the first time the media has questioned the association of anti-gay figures with presidential hopefuls. Last fall, Donnie McClurkin, a conservative minister and supporter of the degayification attempts of so-called “ex-gay” activists, took part in South Carolina rallies for Democratic candidate Barack Obama. After media brought to light McClurkin's anti-gay background and scrutinized it in the context of Obama's inclusive political platform, Obama publicly stated that he "strongly disagrees" with the preacher.  

It is encouraging that the media are continuing to ask whether the anti-gay views of presidential endorsers conflict with candidates' promises to build inclusive and unifying political campaigns.

Cindi Creager is the Director of National News