McCain Reverses Course on Obama's Pastor

Days after denouncing fellow Republicans for producing a television advertisement linking Senator Obama to polarizing comments made by his former pastor, Senator McCain is softening his opposition to political use of the issue and is even stoking the story by publicly condemning newly published inflammatory remarks from the Reverend Jeremiah Wright Jr.

Speaking at a news conference in Coral Gables, Fla., the presumptive Republican nominee for president linked his new view to Mr. Obama's statement in a television interview that it was "legitimate" for his opponents to seize on Rev. Wright's sermons.

"I was interested that this morning Senator Obama said it was a legitimate political issue," Mr. McCain said, repeating the phrase "legitimate political issue" three times during the brief session with reporters. "If he believes that, then it will probably be a political issue."

"I saw yesterday some additional comments that have been revealed by Pastor Wright, one of them comparing the United States Marine Corps with Roman legionnaires who were responsible for the death of our savior — I mean being involved in that," Mr. McCain said, referring to the death of Jesus Christ. "Then, of course, saying that Al Qaeda and the American flag were the same flags. ... I can understand why people are upset about this."

Mr. McCain said he did not believe that Mr. Obama shares Rev. Wright's views, but the Arizona senator's response to a question about the issue moved seamlessly into a critique of Mr. Obama's statement about "bitter" small-town Pennsylvanians clinging to their faith. "Again, Senator Obama: out of touch," he said.

Mr. Obama's presidential campaign reacted by accusing Mr. McCain of claiming to be above the fray even as he exploits questions about Mr. Obama's ties to the clergyman.

"By sinking to a level that he specifically said he'd avoid, John McCain has broken his word to the American people and rendered hollow his promise of a respectful campaign," a spokesman for the senator from Illinois, Hari Sevugan, said in a statement sent via e-mail to reporters.

On Friday, a conservative radio show host, Hugh Hewitt, broadcast a 2003 sermon in which Rev. Wright said: "Remember, it was soldiers of the 3rd Marine Regiment of Rome who had fun with Jesus, who was mistreated as a prisoner of war, an enemy of the occupying army stationed in Jerusalem, to ensure the mopping up action of Operation Israeli Freedom. ... What we are doing is the same thing Al Qaeda is doing under a different-colored flag, calling on the name of a different God to sanction and approve our murder and our mayhem."

On "Fox News Sunday," Mr. Obama said of Rev. Wright: "The fact he's my former pastor I think makes it a legitimate political issue."

The North Carolina Republican Party has indicated that it plans to go forward with an ad tying Mr. Obama and two local Democratic candidates to Rev. Wright, notwithstanding Mr. McCain's letter last week calling the spot "offensive" and asking that it not be shown. The Republican presidential candidate, who had earlier left open the possibility of taking some action against the North Carolina party, ruled that out yesterday. "I won't continue to try to be the referee here," he said.