New York - Rabbi Levin Drops Endorsement of Paladino, Says He Was Wrong to Apologize to Gay Community

New York - An Orthodox rabbi says he’s withdrawing his endorsement of New York gubernatorial candidate Carl Paladino because the Republican apologized for comments he made about gays.

Rabbi Yehuda Levin, who represents an umbrella organization of ultra-Orthodox clerics, accused Paladino on Wednesday of bowing to political pressure when he apologized for saying children shouldn’t be “brainwashed” into thinking homosexuality is acceptable.

Levin — speaking in New York City in front of St. Patrick’s Cathedral — says he can’t support Paladino’s campaign “until such time as he straightens out.” He also called on Archbishop Timothy Dolan to speak out against Paladino.

The campaign didn’t immediately respond to a request for comment.