Religious Right, White House Seek Distance from Haggard Scandal

Religious Right leaders and the White House distanced themselves from fallen leader Ted Haggard, touted last year by a national magazine as one of America's 25 most influential evangelicals because of his access to the Bush administration.

"He represents 30 million conservative Christians spread over 45,000 churches from 52 diverse denominations," Time wrote of the then-head of the National Association of Evangelicals in February 2005. "Every Monday he participates in the West Wing conference call with evangelical leaders."

Haggard resigned from NEA leadership on Friday, amid allegations that he had a three-year homosexual relationship and bought drugs from a male escort. Haggard's New Life Church, which Harper's Magazine called "the most powerful megachurch in America," removed him as minister on Saturday.

"Our investigation and Pastor Haggard's public statements have proven without a doubt that he has committed sexually immoral conduct," the church said in a statement. "In consultation with leading evangelicals and experts familiar with the type of behavior Pastor Haggard has demonstrated, we have decided that the most positive and productive direction for our church is his dismissal and removal."

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