Demagogue

Not the underage teen thing, but the disappearing act so quickly after shocking allegations. I wonder if rehab is far behind.

Facing shocking allegations that he paid a gay prostitute for sex, prominent Colorado Springs pastor Ted Haggard placed himself on administrative leave Thursday from his church position and resigned as president of the National Association of Evangelicals, a platform that made him a rising star in conservative politics.

Haggard, 50, said in a statement released by his 14,000- member New Life Church that he could "not continue to minister under the cloud created by the accusations made on Denver talk radio this morning."

I am not at all assuming the allegations are true and if they are lies the accuser deserves serious punishment for attempting to ruin a man's life and career. However, and maybe it's just me, but if I were Haggard (or his PR manager) I think I'd put up more of a public fight, be outraged beyond my control, assure my congregation and the world at large that the man is lying and draw upon their support for comfort and assistance.

The other thing that strikes me as strange is that in evangelical circles this kind of emotional drama is generally welcomed, as he could stand before them and proclaim himself a man under seige, his family is under attack, by the homosexual agenda. It's odd he isn't seizing the opportunity.

This is one of those times where the initial reaction to allegations does give an impression of innocence or guilt, thus far Haggard is not acting especially innocent.

Update: Oh, he didn't act innocent because he isn't innocent of the charges.

After Pastor Ted Haggard went public Wednesday night denying allegations of a homosexual affair, senior church officials told KKTV 11News Thursday evening, Pastor Ted Haggard has admitted to some of the claims made by a former male escort. The church's Acting Senior Pastor, Ross Parsley, tells KKTV 11 News that Pastor Haggard has admitted to some of the indiscretions claimed by Mike Jones, but not all of them.

Yet another one of those examples of someone who was preoccupied with attacking gay people in public BUT was attacking them in an entirely different way in private. He doth protest too much and all that.

Most interesting is how this may (or may not) play in Colorado on Tuesday, as Haggard was an outspoken supporter of Amendment 43 that would define marriage as between a man and a woman.