Mike Jones in NYT

Mike Jones, the male escort who exposed right-wing evangelist Ted Haggard, is interviewed in the NYT magazine today.

And perhaps not so coincidentally, the Colorado Springs Gazette interviews the interim leaders of Haggard's former church. Though most of the interview is behind a subscription wall, they do have the answer to the fascinating question: "Did Mike Jones do New Life (Church) a favor" by exposing Haggard?

Haggard's hooker doubts '100% heterosexual' claim

Mike Jones, the rent boy who exposed Ted Haggard and recently visited Haggard's former church, said he doubts Haggard's claim that he emerged from a counseling program "completely heterosexual." Quoth Jones:

Give me a break. He's been performing oral sex on me for three years. You don't change that in three weeks.... I know him well enough by now, and you know what he's doing when those letters come out? He's playing the sympathy card. He's saying, 'Please feel sorry for me.'

Jones went on to display some of the insight into human psychology that Haggard claims he wants to learn: "Until he's honest with himself, he'll never be happy."

Snap! Jones also said that Haggard's communiques just gave him more material for the book he's writing: "Every time he opens his mouth, I have to add another chapter."

technorati: Ted Haggard, Mike Jones, New Life Church