McCain declines invitation to discuss immigration with hard-line GOP candidate

Posted By: Carolyn Hileman - The Voice* on March 19, 2008

A GOP House candidate running on an anti-illegal immigration platform scolded presumptive Republican presidential nominee Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) for turning down an invitation to visit his city and discuss immigration.

Hazleton, Pa., Mayor Lou Barletta, a Republican running for Rep. Paul Kanjorski’s (D-Pa.) seat, expressed deep disappointment with McCain’s decision to decline the request, which was also offered to Sens. Hillary Rodham Clinton (D-N.Y.) and Barack Obama (D-Ill.).

“While I commend Sen. McCain for being the first to respond to my invitation, I am very troubled by his decision to decline my offer,â€