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ON THE TRAIL

March 8, 2008

John McCain repudiated any views Friday of a prominent televangelist who endorsed him last month "if they are anti-Catholic or offensive to Catholics." McCain has come under fire since televangelist John Hagee endorsed him Feb. 27, but until Friday his response had been tepid. But he said Friday he had been hearing from Catholics who find Hagee's comments offensive. Hagee, leader of a San Antonio megachurch, has called the Roman Catholic Church a "false cult system." Hagee's endorsement had been intended to shore up McCain's support among evangelical Christians.

The Clinton Presidential Library withheld more than a thousand pages about clemency the former president granted during his last days in office - including a pardon to fugitive financier Marc Rich - from a batch of documents recently released to the public. The library released 2,830 pages of documents this week on pardons President Bill Clinton considered during his last months in office. But the library withheld 1,114 pages archivists said would disclose confidential discussions or would violate someone's privacy. The delays in releasing documents have prompted criticism of Hillary Rodham Clinton and her husband. The archives said it might have misinterpreted Bill Clinton's instructions.