Thread: McCain says stance on immigration hurt his campaign

McCain says stance on immigration hurt his campaign
The Associated Press
Aug. 19, 2007 12:15 PM

WASHINGTON - Sen. John McCain said Sunday his support for immigration changes hurt his presidential candidacy because people were not convinced that they would secure the border.

"The immigration issue has caused me some difficulties with our base," the Arizona Republican said.

The failed immigration bill supported by McCain included border security measures and a guest worker program and would have legalized many of the estimated 12 million illegal immigrants living in the United States.

McCain has since endorsed a plan that would tighten the border, but not include a guest worker provision.

But McCain said his campaign, which has been weakened by multiple resignations and poor fundraising, is regaining its footing.

"We are back on town hall meetings, and enthusiasm is there. And we're going to be just fine in my campaign," he said. "Every campaign has its ups and downs."

He said it is critical to convince the public that the borders can be controlled by setting up a system that would provide a tamperproof document about an immigrant's legal status.

"And anybody who doesn't have that, then the employer who hired them would be prosecuted," he said.

McCain said his campaign should recover strength because he is the most qualified of all the candidates in either party to take on radical Islamic extremism.

McCain spoke on "Face the Nation" on CBS.

http://www.azcentral.com/news/articles/0819mcc.html

No McCain, your stance on immigration RUINED your campaign. You are finished and Guiliani is next for his pro amnesty stance!

W

The immigration issue has and will continue to hurt all candidates that want to be on the side of illegal immigrants and their corporate masters.


I'm glad the campaigns started early. It definately gives America time to view and research all potential candidates.

Any hint of amnesty or divided loyalties to American citizens is going to knock a candidate out of the race.

America is waiting and watching for a HERO!