Posted on 08/26/2014 7:14:06 AM PDT by cotton1706
The most prominent Republican supporter of immigration reform is backing away from his signature legislation, a sign of how dramatically intra-party politics on the issue are shifting.
"We need to assure the American people that the border is secure. People in Arizona are so cynical about the promises that have been made about a secure border," Sen. John McCain (R-AZ) said on KPNX 12 News' "Sunday Square Off."
He called for "90 percent effective control" before any other reforms are made to the immigration system. That's what many opponents of a comprehensive overhaul have said throughout the debate since last year, but it's a nonstarter for Democrats and Latino advocates, who are key stakeholders in the debate.
"I think it’s going to have to [come first]," McCain said of border security.
The Senate-passed immigration bill, of which McCain was a chief author, begins the process of legalizing undocumented immigrants while simultaneously setting out to achieve a 90 percent deterrence rate and complete situational awareness of the southwest border. McCain previously acknowledged the need to make that compromise in order to get the bill passed in the Senate. Now he is reversing course.
Asked if his new position changes the discussion, McCain said, "To a certain degree."
The 2008 Republican presidential nominee's comments are also noteworthy because he has been sounding the alarm that his party will lose the 2016 election if they don't pass immigration reform. In June he said that if immigration reform fails in Congress, Republicans won't be able to win the White House in 2016 regardless of who the party nominates.
The Arizonan's change of heart comes as the issue of immigration eclipses health care and the economy as the top concern for Republicans, according to the latest Gallup poll.
(Excerpt) Read more at talkingpointsmemo.com ...
Maybe because it was a sham all along and a lot of us knew it and kept the pressure on the House that exceeded the political skills of your aide, Rebecca Tallent.
Dang - I got excited reading the headline for a brief moment! But then I read the last 4 words of it.
Please McLame, go away.
Has Juan stopped supporting ISIS?
McLame knows Executive Amnesty is 2 weeks away. His mission is accomplished.
You cannot possibly have control of the border unless you deport millions of illegals. Otherwise you are just saying “keep coming” and everyone knows it.
This is wonderful news. Border security should be the Republican’s #1 issue. They should POUND the democrats on it every day until the next election.
The democrats are TOTALLY vulnerable to this because they not only have fought efforts to secure but even MOCK people who want it - which is about 95% of voters.
I don’t think that McCain will be privately rejoicing.
That would mean he supports amnesty from an ideological standpoint. But McCain isn’t an ideologue; he’s a craven and cynical opportunist.
Saying that he genuinely supports amnesty, or anything else, is giving him waaayyyy too much credit.
DO YOU BELIEVE IN MAGIC?
Every two years, just before the national elections, we are privileged to witness the magical but temporary transformation
of pro-amnesty RINOs and endangered democrats into staunch Nationalists and hard core supporters of border security.
TRANSLATION: Now that dictator Ubama is going to do it on his own, there is no need for the GOP-wing of the Democrat party to expose themselves to further electoral danger.
He’s just doing what his donors tell him to do.
Hard to believe he insulted his constituents by calling them cynical when they’ve seen this behavior time after time. I’d call it realistic and logical.
We do not need illegal immigrants.
Repeat until you get it through your thick, greedy skull senator.
“John McCain Throws In The Towel On Immigration Reform Bill”
Seems fair. I threw in the towel on John McCain more than 40 years ago (although out of necessity I was forced to hold my nose and vote for him - once.)
Sorry, we DO need immigration reform.
Just not the type everyone is currently arguing over.
Hey, “Better to be a feather in the wind, than a candle in the wind” right, Maverick McCain?
I only wish juan would “throw in the towel” and resign. He’s played-out his “I was a POW” and his “I’m a Veteran” cards. Please resign, juan.
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