Posted on 04/04/2006 1:13:02 PM PDT by Diana in Wisconsin
WASHINGTON (AP) -- Sen. John McCain threatened on Tuesday to cut short a speech to union leaders who booed his immigration views and later challenged his statements on organized labor and the Iraq war.
"If you like, I will leave," McCain told the AFL-CIO's Building and Construction Trades Department, pivoting briefly from the lectern. He returned to the microphone after the crowd quieted.
"OK, then please give me the courtesy I would give you."
It was a contentious session that tested McCain's commitment to the straight-talking image he honed during his failed 2000 presidential bid. An underdog six years ago, the Arizona Republican is expected to seek the 2008 GOP nomination as a front-runner.
"I loved it. I love mixing it up like that," McCain said after the speech to a Democratic-leaning crowd of several hundred.
He did seem to enjoy the back and forth that began minutes into his address, when he mentioned campaigning on behalf of California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, a fellow Republican. The crowd booed the reference to Schwarzenegger but laughed at McCain's self-effacing joke that followed.
He said somebody came up to him at the Schwarzenegger event and said, "Do people tell you look like John McCain?"
"Yes, they do."
"Doesn't that make you madder than hell?"
Later, the senator outlined his position on the Senate immigration debate, saying tougher border enforcement must be accompanied by guest-worker provisions that give illegal immigrants a legal path toward citizenship.
Murmurs from the crowd turned to booing. "Pay a decent wage!" one audience member shouted.
"I've heard that statement before," McCain said before threatening to leave.
Afterward, the senator said he offered to cut his speech short "because I wanted to be heard."
In the speech, McCain also argued that withdrawing U.S. troops prematurely from Iraq would turn terrorists loose on the United States.
This time, there was no booing - though one audience member cursed from the back of the crowd.
McCain got another laugh when he finished the speech and asked whether anybody had "questions, comments or insults."
The first questioner seemed to challenge his commitment to organized labor. When McCain started to praise a particular labor group in Arizona, the crowd booed again.
"Stop!" he said with a smile, drawing laughter from the crowd. "I surrender."
But he took more questions, including a pointed one on his immigration plan.
McCain responded by saying immigrants were taking jobs nobody else wanted. He offered anybody in the crowd $50 an hour to pick lettuce in Arizona.
Shouts of protest rose from the crowd, with some accepting McCain's job offer.
"I'll take it!" one man shouted.
McCain insisted none of them would do such menial labor for a complete season. "You can't do it, my friends."
Some in the crowd said they didn't appreciate McCain questioning their work ethic.
"I was impressed with his comedy routine and ability to tap dance without music. But I was impressed with nothing else about him," said John Wasniewski of Milwaukee. "He's supposed to be Mr. Straight Talk?"
Others said McCain showed some moxie, if not the best political judgment.
"Most of us don't agree with him on immigration, but I give him credit for trying," said Chris D. Schoenbeck of Milwaukee.
With his profile rising, a growing number of Democrats are accusing McCain of flip-flopping on issues to court conservative GOP primary voters.
McCain denied that charge later Tuesday - after addressing the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, a GOP-leaning group that backs his immigration views. There were no boos. Just laughter, and at the end of his remarks, a standing ovation from the Hispanic leaders.
Yet McCain's mind was still on the labor activists and their prickly reception.
"I can't tell you how much fun that was," he said.
That teed me off too, however, I've become used to the limousine Liberals in the GOP.
Union leaders have no manners.
Then why don't you campaign for such things as Health Savings Accounts, which IMO would help dismantle the current disaster called Medicaid.
sure Dane, there are millions of soldiers pulling in 104,000 bucks a year. Yep. but that is the figure that McCain just threw out.
As for the illegals - and I doubt you figures - in the military, I have no problem at all with them returning to their legal homeland. Today.
"If you like, I will leave," McCain told the AFL-CIO's Building and Construction Trades Department,
###
Don't let the door hit you in your sorry ass.
He offered anybody in the crowd $50 an hour to pick lettuce in Arizona.
Shouts of protest rose from the crowd, with some accepting McCain's job offer.
"I'll take it!" one man shouted.
McCain insisted none of them would do such menial labor for a complete season. "You can't do it, my friends."
No, I think they got it right. If he had said 5 dollars I dont think a man would have said he would take it.
Why do you spend so much time trying to incite people?
If this guy is going to be the "front runner" of the GOP, this go around I'll be voting demoncrap.
Yeah, who knows. I stick to my interpretation. But in any event I must say I have less respect for the MSM than for any American politician.
Illegals cause problems everywhere, not just medicaid. Our senate wants to give them future citizenship and little window dressing to keep future ones out. What is one to do?
P.S.: you can change your tagline, no one believes Hillary will do anything about the border anymore.
Is there a video of that?
That would be a keeper with the Hillary-Viacom booing video.
He said he would boo McCain because he is a RINO and that is worth a good boo or a hiss anyday.
Who pulled your ripcord anyway?
These people are already "incited." I asked whether the other poster truly lacks the civility as he implied in his post, and you ask ME why I incite people?
What is an OBLer?
Open Border Lobbyist.
by the way, you have good taste in music ;)
"As for the illegals - and I doubt you figures - in the military, I have no problem at all with them returning to their legal homeland. Today."
Neither do I. But president Bush signed an executive order allowing illegals in our military to have automatic citizenship, if you can believe it.
Hell, I don't think that they are on OUR side, let alone pulling in unions.
Thanks! And welcome to FreeRepublic.
McCain is becoming the John F. Kerry of the GOP. Thank goodness it's happening before the nomination.
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