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McCain casts doubt on immigration as issue (says Santorum lost due to tough stance on illegals)
Politico ^ | March 17, 2008 | by Jonathan Martin

Posted on 03/17/2008 4:22:32 PM PDT by jdm

Aside the most obvious case -- his own -- John McCain cited two recent examples of GOP candidates taking a hard-line on immigration to no avail (And note the elbow thrown at a certain former colleague who came after McCain in the primary).

My colleague Josh Kraushaar writes up McCain's comments:

On NPR’s “Morning Edition” today, John McCain suggested that strong anti-immigrant rhetoric contributed to two recent, high-profile GOP Congressional losses – of former Pennsylvania senator Rick Santorum, who badly lost to Sen. Bob Casey in 2006, and Jim Oberweis, who lost the heavily Republican seat of former House Speaker Dennis Hastert this month in a special election.

"I know that there have been some races, like here in Pennsylvania, where Senator Santorum emphasized that issue [immigration] and lost by a large number,” McCain said on NPR.

“We just had a loss of Denny Hastert's seat out in Illinois. The Republican candidate out there, I am told, had very strong anti-immigrant rhetoric also, so I would hope that many of our Republican candidates would understand the political practicalities of this issue.”

McCain campaigned for Oberweis last month, helping the campaign raise about $257,000. Oberweis will be on the ballot again in November, against Rep. Bill Foster (D-Ill.)

During the campaign, Oberweis proposed his own plan to crack down on illegal immigration, and aired a television ad arguing that politicians in Washington "can't seem to fix" the problem.

McCain’s advice is going against the strategy of a handful of leading Republican Congressional candidates. Just today, one of the Republicans’ top Congressional recruits, Hazleton mayor Lou Barletta, invited all three presidential candidates “to come to our great city to discuss the issue of illegal immigration in the United States.”

Barletta, who is running against Rep. Paul Kanjorski (D-Pa.), has built a national political following over his strident opposition to illegal immigration and the punitive measures that he took as mayor to curb it. 


TOPICS: Culture/Society; Editorial; News/Current Events; Politics/Elections; US: Pennsylvania
KEYWORDS: 2008; aliens; beggingforamnesty; borders; gopcoup; illegals; immigration; juanmccain; mcamnesty; mcbeggingformoney; mccain; mcfraud; mcmexico; oberweis; ourmexicanoverlords; pa2008; reconquista
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1 posted on 03/17/2008 4:22:33 PM PDT by jdm
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To: jdm

I wonder if it even registers that he is barely acceptable exactly because of his wretched record on immigration.


2 posted on 03/17/2008 4:24:26 PM PDT by gondramB (Preach the Gospel at all times, and when necessary, use words.)
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Comment #3 Removed by Moderator

To: jdm

My congressman won against a pro amnesty RINO and McQueeg pal and he did it with a Minuteman PAC endorsement.


4 posted on 03/17/2008 4:26:33 PM PDT by cripplecreek (Voting CONSERVATIVE in memory of 5 children killed by illegals 2/17/08 and 2/19/ 08)
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To: jdm
War on terror? ... My a$$.

Spending almost a trillion a year supporting illegal immigrants?

Breaking the law by not upholding the immigration laws?

Photobucket

Amnesty supporters should be thrown in jail.

Photobucket

5 posted on 03/17/2008 4:27:24 PM PDT by Cobra64 (www.BulletBras.net)
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To: Gaffer

At least we know what his campaign promises are worth. I see no reason to believe anything he says.


6 posted on 03/17/2008 4:27:58 PM PDT by a_different_conservative
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To: jdm

McCain is such a clueless dirtbag. Santorum lost due to being from a liberal state combined with massive inner city vote fraud.

Santorum would cruise to a easy victory in any 50/50 state.

I’m sure McCains idea of a true GOP ideal is Arlen Spector since he got reelected in the cesspool formerly known as Pennsylvania.

Arlen can kiss my you know what, along with the RNC, McCain, and anyone else opposed to enforcing immigration laws.


7 posted on 03/17/2008 4:28:08 PM PDT by Tailback
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To: jdm
I continue to be amazed that Juan Hernandez's lips don't move when McCain talks about immigration...
8 posted on 03/17/2008 4:28:50 PM PDT by Digital Sniper (Hello, "Undocumented Immigrant." I'm an "Undocumented Border Patrol Agent.")
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To: jdm

btt


9 posted on 03/17/2008 4:29:14 PM PDT by Cacique (quos Deus vult perdere, prius dementat ( Islamia Delenda Est ))
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To: jdm
I would hope that many of our Republican candidates would understand the political practicalities of this issue.”

There aren't going to be that many of you creatures left. - Keep it up and seal the deal.

BTW, the check is not in the mail.

10 posted on 03/17/2008 4:29:17 PM PDT by bill1952 (I will vote for McCain if he resigns his Senate seat before this election.)
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To: jdm

See! You just can’t trust this sack of sh.. He’ll lie every time. He’s no better than a Democrat.


11 posted on 03/17/2008 4:29:36 PM PDT by DGHoodini (A person educated without being taught morals, is a menace to society.)
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To: a_different_conservative
I hear ya. Apparently, his promises aren't worth what ended up on that wad of toilet paper I swiped across my a$$ this morning. I wonder what the appeasers here are going to say to 'triangulate' this.....
12 posted on 03/17/2008 4:31:18 PM PDT by Gaffer
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To: DGHoodini
Exactly!
13 posted on 03/17/2008 4:32:28 PM PDT by CAluvdubya (A good man has come home to San Diego! Thank you Congressman Hunter)
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To: jdm

I’ve said it before. I will NOT vote for that crazy old coot McCain unless he is looking pretty sick and old and he appoints a REAL conservative as his VP.

No FAKE conservatives like Romney need apply, thank you. And if it’s another RINO like Crist, forget it.

McManiac may not be quite as bad as hillary, but he’s darned close. AND he would pull enough Republicans along in the Senate with pork and perks to guarantee that he could pass more liberal cr*p than hillary could ever get through congress.

It’s a very depressing situation. About all we can do is try to get more conservatives into state and local governments and into congress, and try to hold on for another four years. McCain is a disaster.


14 posted on 03/17/2008 4:33:52 PM PDT by Cicero (Marcus Tullius)
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To: jdm

By the way, Rick Santorum lost to Casey because of Casey’s father, because Casey ran as a conservative pro lifer (which was, as expected, a lie), and because the base was still mad at him for backing Arlen Specter.


15 posted on 03/17/2008 4:35:40 PM PDT by Cicero (Marcus Tullius)
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To: jdm

Wow. If that is what McCain truly thinks about Santorum’s loss, I shudder to think of the kind of campaign that McCain will mount later this year. Frankly, I see signs that he’s going to stumble around aimlessly in the same way Bob Dole did in ‘96.


16 posted on 03/17/2008 4:36:04 PM PDT by Tallguy (Tagline is offline till something better comes along...)
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To: jdm
I would hope that many of our Republican candidates would understand the political practicalities of this issue.”

The problem is right here in the above statement...

For McCain and career politicians the victory is in the election, for the rest of us, the victory would be in saving the republic.

17 posted on 03/17/2008 4:36:54 PM PDT by Kakaze (Exterminate Islamofacism and apologize for nothing.....except not doing it sooner!)
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To: Tailback
Santorum lost due to being from a liberal state combined with massive inner city vote fraud.

AND that he was targeted by a national effort to get him out of office, AND probably 15% of the voters thought they were voting for Bob Casey Sr. in spite of the fact that he's been dead for 6 years.

18 posted on 03/17/2008 4:37:45 PM PDT by Owl_Eagle (In Memory of my Dear Friend Henry Lee II)
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To: jdm
Every time I reflect on the horror of our government run by the Stalinists on the other side, I muse I just might have to gird up my loins and pull the lever for this idiot,... he comes up with something like this which again convinces me he is merely a senile old fool who should be sitting in a sanitarium, and not the GOP candidate (and our only hope) for the Presidency!

My Gawd, I'm hating this wretched election year!

19 posted on 03/17/2008 4:38:02 PM PDT by Gritty (The thought of McCain being President sends a cold chill down my spine - Sen. Thad Cochran (R-MS))
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To: DGHoodini
McCain's words are the kind I would expect from a Manchurian Candidate. I am not accusing him of being the Manchurian Candidate, but how does one explain his vote against the Cronyn amendment, his frenzy over amnesty, speaking to himself during the last debate as if answering unseen voices, etc.?
20 posted on 03/17/2008 4:38:07 PM PDT by Dante3
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To: jdm

Only if illegals were voting, John.


21 posted on 03/17/2008 4:40:11 PM PDT by Let's Roll (As usual, following a shooting spree, libs want to take guns away from those who DIDN'T do it.)
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To: jdm

McCain will dig the final few inches in the graveyard, and toss our America in for the burial.


22 posted on 03/17/2008 4:42:23 PM PDT by devane617 (Find friends, ditch enemies !)
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To: jdm

How’s the fundraising going, Juan?


23 posted on 03/17/2008 4:43:20 PM PDT by Mamzelle (Time for Conservatives to go Free Agent)
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To: jdm

This is why I plan to vote for Hillary.

At least we can unite to oppose her.

McCain will do this on immigration, and appoint Ruth Bader Ginsberg II and Ruth Bader Ginsberg III for the bench.


24 posted on 03/17/2008 4:44:20 PM PDT by Balding_Eagle (If America falls, darkness will cover the face of the earth for a thousand years.)
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To: gondramB
To Juan McCain: Go to Hell. Go directly to Hell. Do not pass go. Do not collect $200.
25 posted on 03/17/2008 4:45:14 PM PDT by E. Cartman (Those who do not know history are doomed to repeat it.)
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To: Gritty

I know. I had almost decided I’d go ahead and wear a breathing mask, and vote for this jerk. Then he says this. Honestly, I just can’t say what I’m going to do on election day. I might just stay home.


26 posted on 03/17/2008 4:48:17 PM PDT by MizSterious (The Republican Party is infected with the RINO-virus)
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To: Tailback
I’m sure McCains idea of a true GOP ideal is Arlen Spector

Spector. Now there's the one I would have expected to get busted in some bizarre sex/call girl thing. That guy is just so sleazy and nasty looking.

27 posted on 03/17/2008 4:48:39 PM PDT by Lijahsbubbe
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To: jdm

To Any McCainiacs: Once again, very slowly this time, tell us all why we should vote for the Senator next November.


28 posted on 03/17/2008 4:48:55 PM PDT by E. Cartman (Those who do not know history are doomed to repeat it.)
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To: MizSterious

Its pretty bad when “our” candidate’s best chance is to hide in a cave or outright lie.


29 posted on 03/17/2008 4:54:11 PM PDT by cripplecreek (Voting CONSERVATIVE in memory of 5 children killed by illegals 2/17/08 and 2/19/ 08)
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To: gondramB

This should be easy to prove. Find me a candidate who won with anti-illegal rhetoric? Surely neither Tancredo or Romney. Surely not that US Representative from Arizona who lost in 2006.

At best, this issue may be enough to defeat a candidate in a primary but not enough to win in a general election. The problem is those with a degree or training more than college are inclined to be statistically more prone to support tolerance on this and other issues.

Whether they are right or wrong in this view makes little difference. The bottom line is it does make a difference in voter preference. Not the only issue, but a key issue determining a general approach to governance.


30 posted on 03/17/2008 4:57:46 PM PDT by shrinkermd
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To: cripplecreek
Its pretty bad when “our” candidate’s best chance is to hide in a cave or outright lie.

I made the comment today that McCain had had a successful couple of days...because he had kept his mouth shut...so much for that.

31 posted on 03/17/2008 4:58:43 PM PDT by Kakaze (Exterminate Islamofacism and apologize for nothing.....except not doing it sooner!)
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To: jdm

Laws are just plain inconvenient, unfashionable, and so very un-expedient to Fascists.

Jonah Goldberg may just get enough material out of
John McCain in the coming years to write a sequel to his “Liberal Fascism” book.


32 posted on 03/17/2008 5:01:28 PM PDT by So Circumstanced
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To: Tailback
Bob Casey Jr. ran numerous ads against Santorum pointing out he didn't do much on immigration enforcement until election year. Casey's handlers also publicized Santorum's Spanish language website with repeated radio buys here in the southwest part of the state.

It didn't help that George W. Bush was also a big cheerleader for amnesty.

Of course, once safely elected, Bob Casey Jr. has done exactly as his handlers have told him to do. Including, voting down an amnesty exclusion for gang bangers, criminals and terrorists.

Here are the Senators who voted against the Cornyn amendment , which would have established a permanent bar for gang members, terrorists, and other criminals looking to snag a shamnesty visa. Republicans underlined:

We lost a real asset in Rick Santorum. He wasn't perfect, but he sure was in the best third of the senate. Casey the mime isn't even close.

33 posted on 03/17/2008 5:04:20 PM PDT by Vigilanteman ((Are there any men left in Washington? Or are there only cowards? Ahmad Shah Massoud))
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To: bill1952

“...the political practicalities of this issue.”

That’s the problem with most if not all politicians...they worship at the alter of POLITICAL PRACTICALITIES instead of doing what’s right for the United States of America.

Attaining, and holding on to, power is their goal...the rest of us be damned.


34 posted on 03/17/2008 5:08:05 PM PDT by Be_Politically_Erect (Conservative from birth...Republican no more.)
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To: Tailback
"Santorum lost due to being from a liberal state combined with massive inner city vote fraud."

YES !

35 posted on 03/17/2008 5:41:38 PM PDT by knarf (I say things that are true ... I have no proof ... but they're true.)
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To: All

This deserves a BTTT.


36 posted on 03/17/2008 5:53:56 PM PDT by devane617 (Find friends, ditch enemies !)
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To: shrinkermd

“Find me a candidate who won with anti-illegal rhetoric?”

Heath Shuler


37 posted on 03/17/2008 6:16:37 PM PDT by LadyNavyVet (The lesser of two evils is too evil this time.)
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To: jdm

I would hope that many of our Republican candidates would understand the political practicalities of this issue.”

McCain would NEVER just enforce the law because it is the right thing to do now would he?


38 posted on 03/17/2008 6:21:19 PM PDT by sheana
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To: LadyNavyVet
I could be wrong, but seems Martinez (R-Fl) spoke against illegal aliens prior to the election and only after winning the Senate seat revealed himself to be a flaming amnesty promoter. Same for Sen. Kyl?
39 posted on 03/17/2008 6:26:11 PM PDT by Dante3
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To: Vigilanteman

What the hell happened to Kyl? I thought he was one of the good guys? I expect these other clowns to be dirtbags.


40 posted on 03/17/2008 6:30:02 PM PDT by Republic of Texas (Socialism Always Fails)
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To: Dante3

Here, let me help. John McCain is the Manchurian Candidate. There. Not so difficult.


41 posted on 03/17/2008 6:31:42 PM PDT by Republic of Texas (Socialism Always Fails)
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To: Republic of Texas
Kyl had many of us fooled with his slick lies. I forgot who labeled him the “stealth senator.”
42 posted on 03/17/2008 6:38:16 PM PDT by Dante3
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To: shrinkermd
The problem is those with a degree or training more than college are inclined to be statistically more prone to support tolerance on this and other issues.

Tolerance of what? People ILLEGALLY sneaking into our country? If we're now "tolerant" of that then this country's finished, so what the hell difference does it make who wins the election?

"Tolerance" is just a PC term for lower intellectual and ethical standards. Colleges are what they are today precisely because our leaders abdicated their responsibility on a large number of issues forty years ago, and the result is that today our leaders advocate even more irresponsible policies because the dumbed-down graduates desire even lower standards.

I'm sitting here right now with a copy of my college's student newspaper. Here are "highlights" from this issue:

**A column defending Eliot Spitzer on the grounds that cavorting with prostitutes is no big deal.

**An article praising a professor for her concern for "gay rights" and for her outspoken condemnation of the recent "noose hangings".

**A profile of a Filipina feminist and her ethno-centric art works.

**An article telling us what a genius Spike Lee is.

**A column asserting that the Patriot Act has turned America into a fascist police state. This is part of a weekly series called "War Watch" which presents (of course) only one side.

So excuse me if I'm not impressed that college educated Americans are increasingly idiotic. If McCain was a leader, he'd explain why opening the borders is dangerous, rather than throwing up his hands and conceding our national sovereignty. We're in this mess because we failed to fight the culture war forty years ago.

43 posted on 03/17/2008 6:40:43 PM PDT by puroresu (Enjoy ASIAN CINEMA? See my Freeper page for recommendations (updated!).)
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To: Dante3

I’m amazed that the two Senators from freaking ARIZONA voted against that bill. Goldwater must be spinning.


44 posted on 03/17/2008 6:44:00 PM PDT by Republic of Texas (Socialism Always Fails)
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To: puroresu
"Tolerance" is just a PC term for lower intellectual and ethical standards.

BUMPED for The Truth!

45 posted on 03/17/2008 6:48:58 PM PDT by KentTrappedInLiberalSeattle ("John McCain is to conservatism what Cindy Sheehan is to the Miss Universe Pageant.")
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To: KentTrappedInLiberalSeattle

Yes.


46 posted on 03/17/2008 6:55:32 PM PDT by Dante3
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To: Republic of Texas

I think Kyl’s vote was a parlimentary maneuver. Since the amendment was going down to defeat, someone had to be on the winning side in order to reintroduce it later.


47 posted on 03/17/2008 7:24:46 PM PDT by Vigilanteman ((Are there any men left in Washington? Or are there only cowards? Ahmad Shah Massoud))
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To: Vigilanteman

I hope that is the case.


48 posted on 03/17/2008 7:26:34 PM PDT by Republic of Texas (Socialism Always Fails)
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To: Dante3

Don’t be so hard on Kyl. See post #47.


49 posted on 03/17/2008 7:27:21 PM PDT by Vigilanteman ((Are there any men left in Washington? Or are there only cowards? Ahmad Shah Massoud))
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To: jdm

Juanito, you should immediately come clean and state your heart-felt need for blanket amnesty witha path to citizenship.

Just so I can feel EVEN BETTER watching your sorry arse lose in November.


50 posted on 03/17/2008 8:22:45 PM PDT by Grunthor (I have no representative government, I am a conservative.)
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