by Thomas Pierce

The story goes something like this:

At a McCain rally on Saturday in North Carolina, Republican Rep. Robin Hayes warms up McCain supporters (before McCain has arrived) by telling them that, "liberals hate Americans that work and accomplish and achieve and believe in God."

A spokesman for the congressman denies — twice — that Hayes ever made the comment.

An audio recording of the comment surfaces, courtesy of The Crypt.

Hayes then acknowledges the remarks in a statement to The Charlotte Observer: "There is no doubt that it came out completely the wrong way."

David Greene was at the rally and has provided this recording of the comment (which occurs at 1:57):

David was there to do a story on the anatomy of a McCain rally — from start to finish. Tomorrow morning, he'll give an Obama rally the same treatment.