Obama Wants Truce Even as McCain Spins Pastors' Ties

Barack Obama is tweaking John McCain for slinging muck on Rev. Jeremiah Wright on one hand while distancing himself from Rev. John Hagee on the other, the Chicago Tribune reports. “Nobody thinks that McCain believes that stuff," Obama said. "For McCain to then suggest that every single statement that was made by somebody is somehow attributable to me is just wrong.”

McCain dispensed with Hagee earlier this week—after the pastor was quoted as saying the Nazis had done God’s will toward Jews—he also was “clear” that he didn’t “attend his church for 20 years” (unlike some Democrat with some Chicago firebrand). Meanwhile, the Republican dumped yet another pastor yesterday, Talking Points Memo reports, “rejecting” the endorsement of Islam-bashing Ohioan Rod Parsley.