McCain dumps Hagee endorsement

SAN JOSE, Calif., May 22 (UPI) -- U.S. Sen. John McCain Thursday rejected the Rev. John Hagee's endorsement after it was disclosed that Hagee believes Adolf Hitler was part of God's plan.

Hagee, pastor of a mega-church in San Antonio, responded by withdrawing his backing, The New York Times reported. He endorsed McCain three months ago when the presumptive Republican nominee was trying to build ties with religious conservatives.

In a 1990s sermon, Hagee said the Holocaust fulfilled Old Testament prophecies.

"Obviously, I find these remarks and others deeply offensive and indefensible," McCain said. "I did not know of them before (the) endorsement, and I feel I must reject his endorsement as well."

Hagee said he will play no active part in the 2008 campaign.

"Ever since I endorsed John McCain for president, people seeking to attack Sen. McCain have combed my records for statements they can use for political gain," Hagee said.

ABC News reported Thursday that McCain had sought the support of Rod Parsley of the World Harvest Church in Columbus, Ohio. Parsley has been quoted as calling Islam as "anti-Christ" and Mohammed "the mouthpiece of a conspiracy of spiritual evil."

McCain once called Parsley "one of the truly great leaders in America, a moral compass, a spiritual guide," but the McCain campaign now says the candidate "obviously strongly rejects such statements."