Thread: Immigration isn't setback for McCain

The BS express in action. Please click on the link below & leave comments at the end of the story.
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Jan. 4, 2008, 10:57PM
Immigration isn't setback for McCain
Polls show he's rebounding after his earlier stance on volatile issue
By BENNETT ROTH

NASHUA, N.H. — When John McCain opened up a town hall meeting here for questions on Friday, someone immediately asked if he favored pardoning illegal immigrants.

The GOP presidential contender, who has been harshly criticized for backing a comprehensive immigration plan that was rejected by Congress last summer, denied he supported an amnesty. He said he first would secure the country's borders, then create a temporary workers program for illegal immigrants.

With that answer the audience, comprised of employees of BAE Systems, a military contractor, quickly moved on.

While the hot-button immigration issue had threatened to sink McCain's campaign six months ago, it still dogs him but no longer appears to be a major liability in the final days before Tuesday's first-in-the-nation primary here.

Independents and moderate Republicans who supported him in the state's 2000 primary seem to be returning to the fold, and recent polls suggest the Arizona senator has rebounded and is now tied with former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney for the lead.

A number of voters interviewed said that while they continued to disagree with McCain on immigration, they appreciated his honesty and liked his stance on other issues, particularly foreign policy.

The immigration issue also failed to hurt Mike Huckabee, who won the GOP caucuses in Iowa Thursday despite being attacked for backing college scholarships to illegal immigrants while Arkansas' governor.

McCain adviser Charlie Black said the candidate has mollified voters by stressing that he first wants to control the United States' borders before moving onto more controversial elements of the comprehensive immigration plan he co-sponsored last spring with Sen. Edward Kennedy, D-Mass.

"He tells them he got the message," said Black.

Other GOP contenders, including Ron Paul, the Lake Jackson congressman, are attempting to make illegal immigration the overriding issue in Tuesday's primary.

The comprehensive immigration proposal, which was backed by President Bush, would have included a temporary guest worker program and a path to residency and eventual citizenship for illegal immigrants. But as it was being debated on the Senate floor, conservatives and some Democrats blocked provision after provision, finally forcing Congress to abandon the legislation.

At the time McCain, who had been considered the front-runner for the GOP nomination, found himself on the defensive, responding to his opponents' attacks. He has since admitted that the immigration issue along with extravagant spending and anemic fund-raising severely hurt his campaign.

John Balcom, the employee who asked McCain if he favors amnesty, said he was satisfied with the senator's answer. "I wanted him to clarify it because there is a lot of confusion," said Balcom, 58, who has narrowed his choice down to McCain or Romney.

Romney has continued to attack McCain for supporting an immigration plan that the former governor contends would have amounted to an amnesty for many of the estimated 12 million illegal immigrants in this country.

Kevin Madden, Romney's spokesman, said immigration policy remains a major point of contention between the two GOP front-runners in New Hampshire.

http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/pol ... 30034.html

It definitely will be his achille's heel.

He doesn't consider illegals criminals, so to him; he doesn't have to
"pardon" illegals because they are not criminals.

He doesn't consider the McCain-Kennedy shamnesty act amnesty because illegals will have to pay a "fine". He equates fining illegal aliens the same thing as a citizen paying a parking fine.

He should be asked what "his" definition of what amnesty, pardons, pathway to citizenship, fines, and any other "catch-phrases" are.

Remember Bill Clinton's statement..."It depends on what your definition of IS is." McCain is just as slick.

You have got to be kidding me... lets look into his campaign pocket book... hmmm, seems to be about empty... and it's going to stay that way

This SH_T SANDWICH hasnt felt the wrath of the people yet .... I do know the CFR loves him but it aint happening.

He will lose and lose big... His want right now is a Vice President job, tagging along for the ride

We the people are tired of paying for steak and getting hamburger with a lot of fat thrown in to make it look big from our corrupt politicians out of DC

John Balcom, the employee who asked McCain if he favors amnesty, said he was satisfied with the senator's answer. "I wanted him to clarify it because there is a lot of confusion," said Balcom, 58, who has narrowed his choice down to McCain or Romney.

Why is it that some people are so stupid... they are told many times by McCain... Amnesty is the way to go.. after getting pounded by the people you still have Idiots like (John Balcom, 5 that says "I wanted him to clarify it because there is a lot of confusion," duh... What did he say... Yep, he wanted McCain to clairify his position and he was satisfied with the senator's answer. People have lost any and all common sence that god gave them ... and then are stupid enough to comment in a news paper article that made themselves look like a fool.... and the winner is McCain. Some of you folk's need to get off the med's and soon

See this link for LIEberman (campaigning for McLame) lies about McLame in NH:
http://www.alipac.us/ftopict-97103.html

Thanks zeezil. Let's stop McCain's BS express! And don't forget that Lieberman is extremely liberal.

See this quote:

SEN. MCCAIN: "I THINK WE CAN SET UP A PROGRAM WHERE AMNESTY IS EXTENDED..."

http://www.mittromney.com/News/Press-Re ... tour_12.26

Is there any conservative and/or anti-illegal immigration advocate that looks approvingly on the close associations of:
McCain - Kennedy
McCain- Lieberman

?????????