What can I say about Ted Haggard, leader of New Life Church in Colorado and the National Association of Evangelicals, vociferous pro-discrimination operative, and apparent homo- or bi-sexual that hasn't already been said?

Haggard only just denied allegations of paying a male escort for sex.  "I did not have a homosexual relationship with a man in Denver," the indignant pastor emphatically told television station KUSA on Wednesday night.  However, an associate pastor at New Life confirmed this morning that Haggard had admitted "some truth" to the accusations regarding gay sex and methamphetamine use.  It is unclear, at this point, if the truth relates to the former, the latter or both.

James Dobson of Focus on the Family and Reverend Steve Holt of Mountain Springs Church have both stated they feel the timing of the accusation are related to the election.  Mike Jones, the escort making the accusations, does not deny that Colorado's proposed Amendment 43, defining marriage as between one man and one woman, impacted his decision to come forward.  However, he began approaching Denver news outlets two months ago, after learning just 4 months prior that his client "Art" was a leader of the movement against gay rights.

Once again, one of the most vocal proponents of discrimination may have been screaming from the closet.  Combine that with the use of the bully pulpit of his power and position, and the bully closet once manned by former Governor Jim McGreevey opens just another crack.

According to the Colorado Springs Gazette, a woman drove by the media encamped outside Haggard's home last night and said:

I hope you all aren't giving our pastor a hard time.  He's a good man.

I guess here is where I can take a different tack.  While schadenfreude is often immensely enjoyable, and I am certainly not immune, maybe the fact that many people view this guy as a "good man" (despite whatever feelings I may have to the contrary) means they can begin to see that one can be a good person and be homosexual.  The two are not mutually exclusive.

Of course, I think it would be easier to reach that conclusion had Haggard not been doing drugs and cheating on his wife for three years, but ideologues tend to rationalize and forgive their leaders for even the most egregious of sins - just look at George W. Bush.

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Update: According to NPR, Haggard has admitted buying meth and "getting a massage" from Jones, though he still denies intercourse.  His books remain on Church bookstore shelves, for now.

Oh, and Haggard says he threw the meth away without using it, though Jones insists he saw him use it, and the voicemails Jones released indicate a repeat purchase.

I wonder if Haggard will have the book thrown at him for buying drugs, or if he'll be let off the hook with the Limbaugh defense?  I know, silly question.