McCain criticizes 'silent amnesty'

South Florida Sun-Sentinel ^ | June 5, 2007 | South Florida Sun-Sentinel staff

[Baladas]

MIAMI — GOP presidential contender John McCain on Monday challenged his campaign rivals in the party to either get behind the pending Senate immigration bill or come up with an alternative.

The Arizona senator also accused fellow Republican candidates of "pandering for votes" by contesting the proposal. Although he didn't mention names, the charge was seen as a jab at his chief rivals, former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney and former New York Mayor Rudolph W. Giuliani.

"There is one premise most of us agree on: The status quo is unacceptable," said McCain, speaking before the Greater Miami Chamber of Commerce in Coral Gables. "No critic of our bill has offered a serious proposal to round up all these millions. Our economy needs them. Ask any orange grower, restaurant manager or hotel owner in Florida.

"Pandering for votes on this issue, while offering no solution to the problem, amounts to doing nothing, and doing nothing is silent amnesty," he said. "The choice is between doing something imperfect but effective and achievable and doing nothing."

McCain, who helped craft the controversial Senate bill, faces increased hostility in his own party for supporting it.

Besides granting "Z" visas to most illegal immigrants, the bill would start a two-year guest worker program and reduce family-sponsored visa petitions in favor of a merit system. It also would require employers to conduct more checks on workers' immigration status.

McCain argued the bill was not an amnesty because it levied heavy penalties on illegal immigrants, requiring them to pay taxes and pass background checks.

[Baladas]

Let me try to get this straight - his bill is NOT amnesty, but opposing his bill is "silent amnesty"?

Juan, Juan, Juan.

[goldstategop]

Yeah its like being asked if you want to be held up at the ATM or held up at home. Its still wrong either way, to reward those who break the law.

"Show me just what Mohammed brought that was new, and there you will find things only evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached." - Manuel II Palelologus

[goldstategop]

Juan McCain seems to think the American people are stupid. He ignores the fact our alternative is to enforce current laws, stop handouts to illegals and secure our borders. We're not asking for the moon.

"Show me just what Mohammed brought that was new, and there you will find things only evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached." - Manuel II Palelologus

[Right Wing Assault]

or come up with an alternative

I'm sure there are a number of people who want to do just. But, Juan, will you back them if they dump anchor babies, automatic citizenship for babies, building the whole fence, etc.?

[goldstategop]

His mind is made up. The rest of us are just Flyover Country bigots, unworthy of consideration. We're said to oppose amnesty out of "misguided fear." We are afraid we'll lose our country. To be a conservative is to conserve what you have - not destroy it with ill-advised and reckless change.

"Show me just what Mohammed brought that was new, and there you will find things only evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached." - Manuel II Palelologus

[BigAlPro]

McWHO?

[ding_dong_daddy_from_dumas]

[NinoFan]

I’ve had so many emotions these past few days and weeks over this. Sometimes it makes me angry. Sometimes it makes me sad.

I guess it’s good to learn who your friends are. I never expected to have so few of them though. Bush, his friends, and many Republicans in Congress have betrayed us. I’m still not sure I understand why. I want to say it’s due to stupidity and misguidedness, but I think I’m just trying to tell myself that so I don’t have to admit to myself what’s really going on.

[Texas Jack]

More ramblings from a delusional old fool that thinks he's still relevant.

The words coming out of his mouth carry as much weight as former President Jimmah the disaster.

[WorkerbeeCitizen]

It seems the problem McCain fails to recognize is that his political career is probably over. Other Republicans think they may still get re-elected if they vote their constituents wishes against illegal immigration amnesty.

[wastoute]

Here is an alternative, how about enforcing current laws?

[BnBlFlag]

To McCain: Just enforce the freakin’ Laws on the books now, you idiot! Ergo, problem solved. The silent amnesty he’s referring to is this administration’s refusal to enforce the law.

[rockinqsranch]

“It seems the problem McCain fails to recognize is that his political career is probably over.”

Yup, This is his last chance and he has blown it. McPain is an Idiot.

[PBRSTREETGANG]

McCain apparently wants to go out screaming his incompetence at the top of his lungs.

[TaxxMann]

ENFORCE THE LAWS !!!

[From One - Many]

GOP presidential contender John McCain on Monday challenged his campaign rivals in the party to either get behind the pending Senate immigration bill or come up with an alternative.

Here's my plan john mclame.....
no more anchor babies, no more welfare, no more education, and move these illegals out of my nation......
if the illegals come back, 50 years hard labor with no compensation and extreme hard labor while incarcerated.....
don't like my plan john mclame?.....too bad....

[kabar]

Not enforcing the laws on the books is silent amnesty. Legalizing the status of 12 to 20 million who have entered our country illegally and violated multiple laws while here is active amnesty that sends a loud message all over the globe. Get here and you can stay.

[From One - Many]

this is the way the traitors in DC want it to be.....
sends a loud message all over the globe. Get here and you can stay.

[WLR]

Alternative?..

Try representing the AMERICAN PEOPLE not your internationalist friends, criminal aliens and brown supremacists.

No Amnesty NO BILL period.

W

[AD from SpringBay]

Why doesn’t McCain ever criticize the failure to enforce existing immigration laws?