Thread: McCain promises border security

McCain promises border security
By Rick Pearson | Tribune political reporter
7:20 PM CDT, September 2, 2007
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/nati ... 9648.story

GLADBROOK, Iowa—Republican presidential candidate John McCain contended on Sunday that the public's lack of trust in government was to blame for the failure of a comprehensive and controversial immigration reform plan that he supported.

Speaking to about three dozen people at a corn, soybean and cattle farm, McCain said the problems of corruption suffered by Republicans haven't helped the public's faith in Washington.

"When we failed with Katrina, when we failed in Iraq, when we have corruption in Washington like you see all the time my friends, they don't trust us to do what we say we'll do," McCain said. "We said we'd secure the borders. Americans didn't believe us."

McCain, an Arizona senator, came under fire from some Republican conservatives for supporting an immigration plan backed by President Bush that included a guest worker program and a path to citizenship for undocumented immigrants currently in the country.

Some critics derided the plan as containing "amnesty" for illegal immigrants. Public fallout over the proposal, along with McCain's continued support for the U.S. military surge in Iraq, are considered major factors in a presidential campaign that has had trouble getting traction with voters.

"I want us out, too, but I want us out in the right way," McCain said, describing Iraq as a war that has left Americans "saddened and frustrated and angry."

On immigration, McCain continued to stress the need for a comprehensive reform plan. But he focused largely on the issue of border security, and he proposed a way to show whether it had been accomplished.

"As president of the United States, I want to promise you we will secure the borders," McCain said.

"Now, I still believe we need a temporary worker program. We need to address the 12 million people who are here illegally," he said. "But the point is, we've got to secure the borders and one of the ways to do that, to give confidence back to the American people, is to say that the border state governors, whether they be Republican or Democrat, will certify that the border is secured and then we move on with the rest of the issues of immigration reform."

McCain also said the public's distrust of Washington, and scandals that have befallen the Republican Party, may continue. He noted that the cooperation of once-powerful lobbyist Jack Abramoff with federal prosecutors could lead to more indictments.

While the resignation announced this weekend by Idaho Republican Sen. Larry Craig was prompted by a sex-sting arrest and not public corruption, McCain said "the public has a tendency to lump it all together, that they're just a bunch of crooks" in Congress.

Take your Broke A_ _ into retirement. We saw the real you on the last go round, thats why you plummeted in the poll's.

As a military veteran of 22 years I respect you

As a citizen.... you are like the plaque and represent funk

Asta La Bye-Bye

Yeah right. Why can't we get rid of him. He's like a disease that won't go away.

"We need to address the 12 million people who are here illegally,"

Hey Dufus........it's still SHAMNESTY. Retire McCain........you are suffering from dementia.

Yes, the spineless lizard says he misread the American people and how much they want border security. He says now (to save his butt, btw), let's secure the border. But his afterthought is... then we will address the millions of scumbag illegal felon rapists later. He is still amnesty, amnesty, amnesty.

His campaign is dead !!!!