WASHINGTON, Sept 30: Republican presidential hopeful Senator John McCain said on Sunday that religion should play a role in one’s selection of a presidential candidate.

“I think the number one issue people should make [in the] selection of the President of the United States is, will this person carry on the Judeo-Christian principled tradition that has made this nation the greatest experiment in the history of mankind?”
Mr McCain made the comments in an interview with beliefnet, a website that covers religious issues and affairs.

“I just have to say in all candour that since this nation was founded primarily on Christian principles, personally, I prefer someone who has grounding in my faith,” he said when asked about a Muslim candidate running for president.

However, Mr McCain contacted beliefnet after the interview to clarify his remarks. “I would vote for a Muslim if he or she was the candidate best able to lead the country and defend our political values,” he said.

“The senator did not intend to assert that members of one religious faith or another have a greater claim to American citizenship over another,” Mr McCain’s spokesman added.