McCain casts doubt on immigration as issue (says Santorum lost due to tough stance on illegals)

Politico ^ | March 17, 2008 | by Jonathan Martin

[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. 

[Let's Roll]

Only if illegals were voting, John.

[devane617]

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

[Mamzelle]

How’s the fundraising going, Juan?

[Balding_Eagle]

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.

[E. Cartman]

To Juan McCain: Go to Hell. Go directly to Hell. Do not pass go. Do not collect $200.

[MizSterious]

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.

[Lijahsbubbe]

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.

[E. Cartman]

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

[cripplecreek]

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

[shrinkermd]

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.

[Kakaze]

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.

[So Circumstanced]

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.

[Vigilanteman]

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.

[Be_Politically_Erect]

“...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.

[knarf]

"Santorum lost due to being from a liberal state combined with massive inner city vote fraud."

YES !

[devane617]

This deserves a BTTT.

[LadyNavyVet]

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

Heath Shuler

[sheana]

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?

[Dante3]

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?

[Republic of Texas]

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