By SAMANTHA GROSS, Associated Press
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 a speech in which he said 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."
Paladino spokesman Michael Caputo said in an e-mail that the rabbi and Paladino "agree on many things and disagree on some, too. He's entitled to his opinion."
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