As usual, Glenn Greenwald hits the nail on the head in pointing out the incredible double-standard that the media (in the person of Tim Russert, particularly) use when judging Democrats and Republicans. In this case, he details the bigoted, twisted, hateful rantings of Rev. John Hagee, who has endorsed and even introduced John McCain at rallies… and yet, John McCain isn’t ever asked to rebuke Hagee – indeed, figures like Hagee are given respectful treatment by the media. On the other hand, Obama – who neither sought nor accepted Rev. Louis Farrakhan’s endorsement – is forced to repeatedly distance himself from the Reverend’s bigoted rantings.

Typically, Greenwald is difficult to excerpt (he builds up quite a head of steam), but, for the too-busy-to-click crowd, here’s the nut:

Watching the media’s treatment of Farrakhan and Hagee, is it possible to imagine a more transparent, and grotesque, double standard? In the framework of the Russert-led establishment press, white evangelical Christians are, by definition, entitled to great respect no matter how radical, extreme and hateful their professed views are. These are, after all, religious Christians — People of Faith — and, as such, it is wrong, even bigoted, to suggest that they should be repudiated. There is nothing ever radical, hateful or dangerous about the views of white evangelical Christians like Hagee.

Thus, white evangelical Ministers are free to advocate American wars based on Biblical mandates, rant hatefully against Islam, and argue that natural disasters occur because God hates gay people. They are still fit for good company, an important and cherished part of our mainstream American political system. The entire GOP establishment is permitted actively to lavish them with praise and court their support without the slightest backlash or controversy. Both George Bush and Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert sent formal greetings to the 2006 gathering of Hagee’s group.

By contrast, black Muslim ministers like Farrakhan, or even black Christian ministers like Rev. Jeremiah Wright, are held with deep suspicion, even contempt. McCain is free to hug and praise the Rev. Hagees of the world, but Obama is required to prove over and over and over and over that he does not share the more extreme views of black Ministers.

How come Tim Russert — in all the times he sits and chats with Lieberman, McCain and various high Bush officials — never reads all of the inflammatory, disgusting, crazed “Rapture-is-Coming/ All-Jews-will-Burn/ Kill-All-Muslims/ Hurricanes-are-Punishment-against-Gays” pronouncements from John Hagee and James Dobson and Pat Robertson and demand that John McCain and George Bush and Joe Lieberman “denounce” those views and “reject” their support? What’s the difference, exactly?

Relatedly, Michael Berube (writing as Mister Answer Man) takes it all one step too far:

Famously tough but fair questioner: Abrenuntiatis farrakhanae? [Do you renounce Farrakhan?]

Liberal black officeseeker: Abrenuntio.

Famously tough but fair questioner: Et omnibus operibus eius? [And all his works?]

Liberal black officeseeker: Abrenuntio.

Famously tough but fair questioner: Et omnibus pompis eius? [And all his pomps?]

Liberal black officeseeker: Abrenuntio.