Over the past few weeks, more than a few eyebrows were raised about Senator John McCain’s acceptence of an invitation to speak at Jerry Falwell’s Liberty University. Falwell, known for being an outspoken and sometimes over the top Christian Conservative, had previously clashed with McCain following the 2000 GOP presidential primaries.

In Sunday’s New York Times, Falwell attempts to explain the invitation:

Many in the news media have portrayed my invitation to the senator as an effort to repair a relationship damaged during the 2000 Republican primary. Nothing could be farther from the truth… I have always admired Mr. McCain and nothing said or done in the 2000 campaign changed this opinion.

The decision to ask him to speak to our graduates was a reflection of our agreement on many important issues facing our nation, but it did not mean our positions were in perfect harmony. For example, both of us agree that the traditional family needs to be protected, but we disagree on how it should be done. I support the Federal Marriage Amendment while Mr. McCain favors protections passed by individual states.

These differences, however, do not separate us as friends. As we continue to prosecute the war on terrorism — a war that I have argued is just — I could not think of a better example for our students than Mr. McCain, who knows both the civilian and military sides of a country at war.

So I wonder who was taking more heat? McCain from deluded moderates who are now dissolusioned or Falwell from frothing-at-the-mouth extremists convinced McCain is the next Ted Kennedy? Who caved and decided this op-ed needed to be written?

My money would land on McCain. He is a weaker man who will do anything to get a few votes.