Thread: McCain Won't Fundraise for Critic of Immigration Bill

http://www.montereyherald.com/mld/mc...e/14705255.htm

McCain bows out of speech for critic of immigration bill
By ALLISON HOFFMAN
Associated Press
SAN DIEGO - Arizona Sen. John McCain on Tuesday canceled an appearance for a Republican congressional candidate who has attacked his opponent for supporting McCain's immigration bill.

McCain, R-Ariz., was scheduled to speak today at a breakfast fundraiser for Brian Bilbray, who is locked in a close runoff race with Democrat Francine Busby for the San Diego-area seat left vacant by disgraced former Rep. Randy ''Duke'' Cunningham. The event was expected to raise at least $65,000.

The winner of the June 6 special election will fill the remaining seven months left in Cunningham's term.

In an e-mail sent to the Bilbray campaign, McCain spokesman Craig Goldman acknowledged that McCain and Bilbray ''disagree on some of the issues related to immigration reform.'' He said McCain did not want his appearance to distract from Bilbray's campaign.

The e-mail reiterated McCain's endorsement of Bilbray and said the senator's Straight Talk America political action committee would make the maximum allowable contribution of $5,000 to Bilbray's campaign. Goldman did not return phone and e-mail messages left seeking comment.

Bilbray, a former San Diego-area congressman who worked as a lobbyist for an anti-illegal immigration group, has repeatedly attacked Busby for supporting the immigration bill passed Thursday in the Senate.

McCain, who is considering a presidential run in 2008, was a principal architect of the bill and the final version incorporated his proposal for a guest worker program.

An immigration bill that passed the House in December would make all illegal immigrants subject to felony charges.

House Armed Services Committee Chairman Duncan Hunter, R-Alpine, and Rep. David Dreier, R-Glendora, have agreed to speak in place of McCain.

I wouldn't want that two bit whore campaigning for me if I was running.

It would be like a Death Wish.

This is a blessing in disguise for Brian Bilbray. McCain turns Republicans OFF not on !!