0N THE TRAIL

The Associated Press

May 14, 2008

John Hagee, a Texas televangelist who endorsed John McCain, apologized yesterday for his stinging criticism of the Roman Catholic Church and for having "emphasized the darkest chapters in the history of Catholic and Protestant relations with the Jews." Hagee's support for McCain has drawn outrage from some Catholic leaders who have called on McCain to reject Hagee's endorsement. McCain has said he disagrees with some of his past comments but did not reject his support. In a letter to William Donohue, president of the Catholic League for Civil and Religious Rights, Hagee wrote, "Out of a desire to advance a greater unity among Catholics and evangelicals in promoting the common good, I want to express my deep regret for any comments that Catholics have found hurtful." Said Donohue: "He's seen the light, as they like to say. So for me it's over."

- The Associated Press

Democrat Travis Childers won a U.S. House seat yesterday in Mississippi's deeply Republican 1st Congressional District. Childers defeated Republican Greg Davis in a special election to fill the final few months of a two-year term in Congress. The seat was vacated when Roger Wicker was appointed to the U.S. Senate after Trent Lott resigned. The win allows Democrats to add to their 235-199 majority in Congress - if only for a few months until November's general elections. Elsewhere, Nebraska voters were deciding the Republican and Democratic candidates to run to replace retiring Republican Sen. Chuck Hagel.

- The Associated Press