Republican presidential candidate John McCain has rejected the endorsement of Texas televangelist John Hagee, as the Texas preacher withdrew his endorsement of McCain.
McCain rejected Hagee's support after an audio surfaced in which the Texas Holy Roller declared that "God sent Adolf Hitler to help Jews reach the promised land." Hagee was apparently referring to Israel and not to the afterlife for the some six million Jews murdered under Hitler's regime.
McCain said in a statement: "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."
Later, in Stockton, he told reporters: "I just think that the statement is crazy and unacceptable."
A petulant Hagee issued a statement declaring that he was tired of baseless attacks and removing himself from any active role in the 2008 campaign. He did not deny or repudiate the remarks on the audiotape.
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