SAN ANTONIO (AP) — A Texas pastor and televangelist says his life’s work has been “mischaracterized and attacked” in the media storm over his endorsement of Republican presidential candidate John McCain.

McCain on Thursday rejected the Rev. John Hagee’s endorsement after an audio recording surfaced in which the preacher said God sent Adolf Hitler to help Jews reach the promised land.

At a news conference Friday, Hagee said parting with McCain is “best for both of us and the country.” He went on to say he in no way condones the Holocaust or “that monster Adolf Hitler.”

Hagee said, “I have worked tirelessly to eliminate the sin of anti-Semitism from the Christian world and to ensure the survival of the state of Israel.”