Thread: Excerpt from McCain's Interview in Vanity Fair

Excerpt from "Prisoner of Conscience" in Vanity Fair

"But God knows McCain is trying. He began this mid-October day in Sioux City, appearing at a fund-raising Siouxland Breakfast for Representative Steve King, an immigration hard-liner. Recently he had called McCain an "amnesty mercenary" for daring to work with Senator Ted Kennedy on a compromise bill that would provide an eventual path to citizenship for the millions of immigrant workers already in the United States illegally. A day earlier, in Milwaukee, in front of an audience of more sympathetic businessmen, McCain had been asked how debate over the immigration bill was playing politically. "In the short term, it probably galvanizes our base," he said. "In the long term, if you alienate the Hispanics, you'll pay a heavy price." Then he added, unable to help himself, "By the way, I think the fence is least effective. But I'll build the goddamned fence if they want it."

"I'm willing to negotiate anything," McCain tells the breakfast crowd in Sioux City, explaining that there is no way the millions of illegal aliens now here can be sent back to their countries of origin. But he acknowledges that anything seen as amnesty for illegals is "totally unacceptable, particularly to our Republican base." Later, McCain tells me that Congressman King "really knows this issue," but he sounds as if he is trying to persuade himself as much as me."

The entire interview is here: http://www.vanityfair.com./politics/fea ... ntPage=all

Later, McCain tells me that Congressman King "really knows this issue," but he sounds as if he is trying to persuade himself as much as me."

Sounds like he's talking about himself... How about simply enforcing existing immigration laws, Senator McCain?

But I'll build the V********V fence if they want it."

You will? That's so generous of YOU. Surprise! YOU are not going to be the man in charge to build the 'V********V fence'.

But I'll build the V********V fence if they want it."

I'll furnish the work gloves, overalls, and sombrero! When you're done - how about picking that lettuce Americans wouldn't pick for $23 an hour.