"Good Morning America" on Thursday picked up an attack on John McCain that has grown popular in left-wing media outlets and turned it into a Brian Ross investigation of the senator's "pastor problem." In a preview, co-host Diane Sawyer solemnly intoned, "This morning, John McCain's pastor problem. Is the preacher McCain calls a spiritual guide fueling the fire of Muslim hatred in America?" Investigative reporter Ross then preceded to warn how the Arizona senator's appearance with a pastor who loudly attacked Islam has "badly complicated" McCain's attempts to reach out to the Muslim world. [audio available here]
Where did Ross find the various clips of the Reverend Rod Parsley condemning Islam and standing on a podium with John McCain? The story has already been touted in liberal outlets such as Mother Jones magazine and heavily featured on the website Brave New Films, a creation of Robert Greenwald, best known for documentaries bashing Fox News and Wal Mart. (Despite this, Sawyer touted the "exclusive" nature of the investigation.) Additionally, the web version of Ross's story featured a misleading attempt to more closely associate McCain and Parsley. The ABC News headline asserted: "McCain Pastor: Islam Is a 'Conspiracy of Spiritual Evil.'" McCain's pastor? The Republican presidential candidate sought the reverend's support in February 2008. McCain is not a member of Parsley's World Harvest Church in Columbus, Ohio.
Although the parallels between McCain, Parsley and Senator Obama and Reverend Jeremiah Wright weren't specifically mentioned, the subtext was clear. In an intro for the segment, Sawyer proclaimed that the story was "about the new pastor problems plaguing another presidential hopeful." Of course, the obvious difference is that McCain's associations with Parsley are rather slight, despite the misleading "McCain's pastor" headline. However, Obama went to Wright's church for 20 years. Brian Ross is the man who, on March 13, 2008, filed one of the first investigations into Obama and Wright. However, in that piece, Ross did not feature several back to back clips of the candidate and the preacher, strung together in such a way as to make Obama look like a hypocrite. That's exactly what Ross did with McCain in order to show "contrast:"
ROSS: McCain has done nothing to reject Parsley's endorsement, even though his comments seem in stark contrast.
MCCAIN: Our goal must be to win the hearts and minds of the vast majority of moderate Muslims who do not want their future controlled by a minority of violent extremists.
PARSLEY: I will counter respectfully that what some call extremists are instead mainstream Muslim believers who are drawing who are drawing from the well at the very heart of Islam.
MCCAIN: We must remember that our freedoms are not only depended by our diplomacy and military power, but very importantly, by the decency and respect with which we treat one another.
PARSLEY: I will rail against the idea that the God of Christianity and the God of Islam are the same being. I will sound the alarm about the pernicious agendas of the enemies of my country and cross of my Christ. And I will proclaim the truth at every opportunity.
Ross also slammed McCain for being "apparently unconcerned about what Parsley stands for." In contrast, during the March segment, although Ross featured Wright's more extreme statements, he wasn't as harsh on the Democratic candidate. Instead, he rather weakly observed, "With a powerful voice and his strong words, Reverend Wright can be a mesmerizing presence."
A transcript of the segment, which aired at 7:02am on May 22, follows:
7am tease
DIANE SAWYER: This morning, John McCain's pastor problem. Is the preacher McCain calls a spiritual guide fueling the fire of Muslim hatred in America? An exclusive Brian Ross investigation.
7:02am
SAWYER: But let's begin now with an exclusive Brian Ross investigation. It is about the new pastor problems plaguing another presidential hopeful. This time, John McCain facing questions about his ties to a preacher who has made controversial, fiercely anti-Islamic comments. Brian Ross is here with us right now. Brian? .
ABC GRAPHIC: McCain's Pastor Problem: Fueling Anti-Muslim Hatred?
BRIAN ROSS: Good morning, Diane. In dealing with what he calls the central threat of the time, Senator McCain says the U.S. has failed to win the hearts and minds of the Islamic world. But, if that is McCain's plan if elected, he seems to have already badly complicated it by recruiting the support of an evangelical minister now known in the Arab world as a hate monger. It was at a critical moment in his campaign. Trying to win support from the Christian right that John McCain sought and received a big endorsement in the evangelical world.
SENATOR JOHN MCCAIN: And I'm very honored today to have one of the truly great spiritual leaders in America, a moral compass, a spiritual guide, Pastor Rod Parsley, who is here. Thank you for your-- for your leadership and your guidance. I'm very grateful you're here, sir.
ROSS: Campaign aides later positioned Parsley right behind McCain for photographers, apparently unconcerned about what Parsley stands for. As the senior pastor of the World Harvest Church in Columbus, Ohio, Parsley has made no secret of his feelings that Islam is the enemy.
REVEREND ROD PARSLEY (World Harvest Church): Islam is an anti-Christ religion that intends through violence to conquer the world.
ROSS: In sermons sold on DVD since 2005 and in a book "Silent No More," Parsley has warned about Islam.
PARSLEY: America was founded in part with the intention of seeing this false religion destroyed. And I believe, September 11, 2001 was a generational call to arms that we can no longer ignore.
ROSS: Parsley's words, his connection to McCain are now showing up on Arab websites and newspapers. The headline here [Photo of Arab newspaper]: "McCain's spiritual adviser calls for the destruction of Islam." A huge handicap for McCain, according to a former CIA intelligence officer.
JOHN KIRIAKOU (Former CIA officer): The handicap is that it's already assumed that the Muslims are not gonna' get a fair shake from a McCain's administration.
ROSS: McCain has done nothing to reject Parsley's endorsement, even though his comments seem in stark contrast.
MCCAIN: Our goal must be to win the hearts and minds of the vast majority of moderate Muslims who do not want their future controlled by a minority of violent extremists.
PARSLEY: I will counter respectfully that what some call extremists are instead mainstream Muslim believers who are drawing who are drawing from the well at the very heart of Islam.
MCCAIN: We must remember that our freedoms are not only depended by our diplomacy and military power, but very importantly, by the decency and respect with which we treat one another.
PARSLEY: I will rail against the idea that the God of Christianity and the God of Islam are the same being. I will sound the alarm about the pernicious agendas of the enemies of my country and cross of my Christ. And I will proclaim the truth at every opportunity.
ROSS: In a statement, the McCain spokesman said the senator obviously strongly rejects such statements but the spokesman would not answer the question of whether the senator or the campaign knew of Parsley's widely publicized views before seeking his endorsement or before Senator McCain called Parsley one of the truly great leaders in America, a moral compass, a spiritual guide.
SAWYER: Yes, we head it there on stage. Spiritual guide and leader. Chief investigative correspondent Brian Ross. Thank you, Brian.
—Scott Whitlock is a news analyst for the Media Research Center.
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And yet another insult and
May 22, 2008 - 11:38 ET by marpelAnd yet another insult and assault on the intelligence of the American people...
Lets see now
May 22, 2008 - 11:42 ET by cvgbuckeyeLets see now. Where is Reverend Parsley wrong in his characterization of Islam as a "Conspiracy of Spiritual Evil"? I believe, and any credible Christian should believe that the Reverend is absolutely and right on.
How else could you define Islam if you are truly a Christian? Does Islam not deny the Divinity of Jesus Christ? Is not denial of the Divinity of Jesus Christ as THE ONLY way to inherit the Kingdom of God not evil?
Answer and be true to yourself.
It's unfortunate
May 23, 2008 - 05:00 ET by Not-Steve-DoocyIt's unfortunate prejudiced, racist, ignorant people such as yourself are allowed to vote. Oh, no, wait. Exist. That's what I meant to say. Maybe you should learn about love and acceptance instead of the hateful rhetoric you're espousing here. I'm sorry to tell you, but Christianity isn't the be-all end-all and it has flaws just like any other religion. Nothing's perfect. The only thing that might be, in the spiritual sense if you believe in a god, is god.
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"In this world of sin and sorrow, there is always something to be thankful for; as for me, I rejoice that I am not a Republican." -H.L. Mencken
"The only thing older than a 'John McCain is old' joke...is John McCain!"
"
Barack Obama's high school, Punahou of Hawaii, was recently chosen as the school with the top athletic program in the country by Sports Illustrated. This angered Hillary Clinton, who attended Maine
East High in Parkridge, Ill., and John McCain, who was educated through
oral tradition and cave drawings"
I think it is more
May 23, 2008 - 12:06 ET by seaniepI think it is more unforntunate that you are allowed to vote since you don't seem to understand the issue that was brought up that you responded to
you don't seem to understand that the clergy are not politicians, they do not have to appeal to someone not in their parish, its not how it works, religion is not politics, so if someone is totally devoted to their religion, they do not owe another religion anything, at least not in their minds
multi-culturalism is not the greatest thing in the world, sorry
Grind
May 22, 2008 - 11:43 ET by ThisnThatThis is the old MSM playbook. Keep a story alive by repeating it every single day. Grind it out by asking a different question. Bring up old, tired talking points, no matter how much they have been discredited, or how often they have led to dead ends.
This is exactly how the Macaca story went -- several months of negative stories. It doesn't matter whether the stories have any basis, or whether they are minor -- the important thing is to keep pounding away until the viewers are convinced that this is really important, and that the person is a terrible person.
In the meantime -- ignore the Dim candidate's very real problems. No noise; no mention; didn't happen. Therefore, by comparison, the Republican becomes evil; the Dim walks on water and is pure as the driven snow. SNAKE OIL -- sold by the MSM; bought by dupes across the country.
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If you can read this, thank a teacher. If it is in English, thank a Soldier. - My barber
No, islam isn't an enemy, they love us!
May 22, 2008 - 12:20 ET by SickofLibsDamn. Now McCain has lost the all-important uncommitted muslim vote (the ones not already swearing allegiance to Obama)
Quit bending over and apologizing for every single little thing, John. This is a poorly crafted smear by a hack... it's a non-issue.
Breaking news: muslims' actions alone 'fuel anti-muslim hatred'.
This washes Rev Wright; Move Along...
May 22, 2008 - 12:42 ET by jeffjackieLet's see... We have two guys running for President of the United States - a 90%-plus Christian nation.
We have a McCain pastor supposedly questioing the validity of Islam - the professed religion of our enemy. And we have Obama's pastor railing against White America and the "US of KK-A".
Yep... moral equivalance. Rev Wright is no longer an issue. Move along now, folks.
The darling and proclaimed
May 22, 2008 - 13:17 ET by jdhawkThe darling and proclaimed "maverick" of the Republican Party, John McCain, being attacked by the drive by news media!
Say it isn't so?
The important thing now is what will McCain do about it?
Wake me up when he responds . . .
Unlike Obama's pastor
May 22, 2008 - 13:28 ET by suzycreamcheeseUnlike Obama's pastor problem--which attacks white Americans--, McCain's "problem" will actually help him because a lot of Americans have a similar view on Islam and terrorism.
Good try, though, Brian.
Are Ross and Sawyer making the point...
May 22, 2008 - 13:37 ET by ThalpyAre Ross and Sawyer making the point that Wright and Parsley are like minded? Well, good for them! I'm surprised that either Ross or Sawyer could recognize evil if confronted by it. Unfortunately, they have it right by half: Reverend Wright is incorrect.
So, using this thin logic,
May 22, 2008 - 14:10 ET by FreakyBoySo, using this thin logic, Farrakhan is a Pastor and is supporting Obama; does that make him Obama's "Pastor"?
I will assume that I, like
May 22, 2008 - 15:24 ET by seaniepI will assume that I, like most people who post here, enjoy talk radio. I like all kinds of it, my favorite being local shows, then the national ones, and I like them all because whether it is Michael Savage, or Alan Colmes, you still learn something and usually get a laugh.
One night I was listening to Alan Colmes on my way home from work, and he had on a "right wing nut job"(who actually did sound like a nut job, I think that the call screener only lets that kind though) who was making an exact comparison between Pearl Harbor and 9/11 and even then going on to using that to explain why we are in Iraq. Basically the caller was making it out to be very simple. I will concede that this caller was not a help at all as he did not know what he was talking about. Alan said to him "If you can't see the difference between Pearl Harbor and 9/11 then there is no helping you"
I think that this liberal was on to something with that statement, if these people cannot see the difference between Wright and Parsley, there is no helping them
if they cannot see the difference between a abu graid and daniel pearl, there is no helping them
if they cannot see the difference between the soviet union and a small religious country with a nuke, there is not helping them
there are just too many people out there who want it all to be black and white, or even when we get into grey, the same exact shade of grey for everyone, the one thing that they are missing, which is what we all need, is the ability to make a judgement call and realize that while yes, Bush ran a country while at war, and Hitler did the same thing, it does not make Bush into Hitler
This is it? This is the big hit on McCain?
May 22, 2008 - 23:31 ET by JWFA minister shining the cold hard unvarnished truth on Islam?
This is too rich. Oh please, I hope this has some traction on the Dinosaur media.
They all have their head in the sand about Islam. Yea, get this guy out there telling them they have their head in the sand about Islam. Keep playing those quotes. Oh please please please run those clips on MSNBC and CNN. This is fun.