Thread: McCain denies flip flop charge on immigration

June 27, 2008, 11:01PM
McCain denies flip-flop charge on immigration
Latino group says he U-turned on issue after first pushing for reform


By EUNICE MOSCOSO
Cox News Service


WASHINGTON — A group of Hispanic lawmakers Friday accused GOP presidential candidate John McCain of "flip-flopping" on immigration.

"Is it comprehensive immigration reform, or is it enforcement?" asked Iris Y. Martinez, a Democratic state senator from Illinois. "He can't have either/or — it has to be one."

A McCain spokesperson denounced the accusations as "a pathetic, partisan ploy."

The comments came at a press conference during the National Association of Latino Elected and Appointed Officials annual gathering. McCain and presumptive Democratic nominee Sen. Barack Obama are scheduled to appear before the NALEO convention separately today as they wage an aggressive battle for Latino voters.


Popular until recently
McCain has been popular with Hispanics in large part because he championed a measure that would have given many illegal immigrants a path to citizenship. The measure died in the Senate last year, after strong opposition from conservatives.

However, McCain has backed away from his immigration bill during the campaign, saying that the border must be secure before any legalization efforts.

At Friday's news conference organized by the Democratic National Committee, Pedro Colon, a state representative from Wisconsin, charged that McCain's "straight talk bus has done a U-turn on us."

Ana Navarro, who co-chairs McCain's Hispanic advisory board, said that the charge is false.

"John McCain risked his political skin" on the immigration bill and is committed to immigration reform, she said.

In addition, McCain recognizes that a new bill must be crafted to accomplish that goal and to regain the confidence of the American people, she said.


Intense fight for Latino vote
The sharp words reflect the importance of the Hispanic vote this November.

Political experts and Hispanic groups say the two candidates' battle for support could lead to unprecedented outreach efforts, including a record purchase of Spanish-language advertising.

"It will be an intense battle," said Cecilia Munoz, vice president for policy at the National Council of La Raza, a Hispanic civil rights group. "Both sides are going after Latino voters aggressively."

Some advocacy groups have estimated Hispanic turnout at up to 11.9 million this year.

Lydia Camarillo, vice president of the nonpartisan Southwest Voter Registration Education Project in San Antonio, which seeks to increase Latino voter participation, said that candidates must do more than advertise in Spanish and "put mariachis on TV" to win over Hispanic voters.

The candidates need to come to Hispanic communities and talk about top issues including education, the economy, health care, the war in Iraq, and immigration, she said.

But Gonzales said in battleground states, "Republicans might see an opportunity to gain some ground that they lost in 2006 with Latino voters."



http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/pol ... 61334.html

But Gonzales said in battleground states, "Republicans might see an opportunity to gain some ground that they lost in 2006 with Latino voters."

Note to Republicans.... Pandering may get you about 8-10% of the Hispanic vote at the cost of 20-25 % of the Conservative vote, choose wisely!

McCain has been on c-span for almost the last hour this morning in front of National Ass. of Latino's elected and appointed officals, promising them their comprhensive reform and he is just making me sick....I wanted to turn it off but had to hear what the pandering traitor fool was telling them. I HATE THIS MAN!!

Mc cain is done speaking it will re-air this afternoon, Obama will be up at the top of the hour....can't wait to see how bad he panders I am sure I am going to be sick!

Why is it that "Whity" is nothing but chopped liver??????