Sullivan’s Latest Crush

Here’s a pretty good demonstration of Andrew Sullivan’s latest bout of intellectual inconsistency:

Remember this next time someone on the religious right says something vile. “The full record of _____’s oratory is much broader, more complicated and more nuanced than the handful of quotes from a few inflammatory sermons.”

Also, where was this guy when Fallwell blamed 9/11 on gays? “When will people accept that strongly worded condemnations of the United States are a fundamental part of our literary tradition–as they should be of any vibrant democracy?”

And then there’s this: “Because I think that the kind of politics that ensures that someone’s pastor’s rhetoric trumps every other issue in a campaign is waning.” Why, just a few days ago John McCain’s fleeting association with John Hagee was worth mentioning.

I wonder why Sullivan doesn’t understand that the full record of Hagee’s oratory is much broader, more complicated, and more nuanced than the handful of quotes from a few inflammatory sermons. When will he accept that strongly worded condemnations are a fundamental part of our literary tradition–as they should be of any vibrant democracy?
Why did Sullivan make such an uproar about Hagee, but so little uproar about Wright? Doesn’t the answer have to be about race?

How can anyone take this guy seriously when his value system seems entirely dependant on whether he likes someone or not?