WASHINGTON ( CNN ) -- Muslim and Jewish groups on Monday sharply criticized Sen. John McCain 's comments that he would prefer a Christian president to lead the United States . The Arizona Republican 's remarks came in an interview with Beliefnet , a Web site that covers religious issues and affairs . `` I just have to say in all candor that since this nation was founded primarily on Christian principles , personally , I prefer someone who has a grounding in my faith , '' the GOP presidential hopeful told the Web site in an interview published Saturday . McCain also said he agreed with a recent poll that 55 percent of Americans believe the U.S. Constitution establishes a Christian nation . `` I would probably have to say yes , that the Constitution established the United States of America as a Christian nation , '' he said . On Sunday night , McCain sought to clarify his remarks while campaigning in Hollis , New Hampshire . `` What I do mean to say is the United States of America was founded on the values of Judeo-Christian values , which were translated by our founding fathers which is basically the rights of human dignity and human rights , '' he said . `` I believe that anyone can be president of the United States of any faith , '' McCain said , saying he was angry his remarks were misinterpreted but `` there 's nothing I can do about it . '' Ibrahim Hooper , spokesman for the Council on American-Islamic Relations , said McCain 's comments failed to recognize that Christianity is not the only faith with beliefs that support the concept of human rights . `` Sorry , Islam and other faiths have their basis in human dignity , '' Hooper said . McCain 's remarks also `` go against the traditions of American pluralism and religious pluralism and inclusion , '' Hooper said . Hooper 's organization , a Washington-based Islamic civil rights and advocacy group , said it 's trying to organize a group of Muslim leaders to meet with McCain . The National Jewish Democratic Council , an advocacy group representing Jewish Democrats , also called on the Republican Party to denounce the remarks formally . `` Former maverick John McCain 's statements were repugnant , '' the group 's executive director , Ira N. Forman , said in a statement . `` It 's been sad watching him transform from political maverick to religious right mouthpiece . '' Forman added , `` Someone running for president ought to understand the Constitution a little better . Nowhere does it say the United States is a 'Christian ' nation . How can we trust someone to uphold the Constitution who does n't even know what is in it ? '' McCain 's communication director , Jill Hazelbaker , issued a statement Sunday defending her candidate 's comments : `` Read in context , his interview with Beliefnet makes clear that people of all faiths are entitled to all the rights protected by the Constitution , including the right to practice their religion freely . `` In the interview he also observed that the values protected by the Constitution , by which he meant values such as respect for human life and dignity , are rooted in the Judeo-Christian tradition . That is all he intended to say to the question , America is a Christian nation , and it is hardly a controversial claim . '' E-mail to a friend . CNN 's Alexander Mooney , Sareena Dalla and Scott Anderson contributed to this report .
Sen. John McCain says Constitution established U.S. as a `` Christian nation '' McCain later said U.S. founded on Judeo-Christian tradition of human rights . Arizona Republican says comments not meant to exclude other religions . Muslim and Jewish groups critical of GOP presidential candidate 's remarks .