Posted on 04/03/2009 6:38:57 AM PDT by rabscuttle385
The Senator from Arizona Tells Hispanics to Look to President Obama for Leadership on Immigration.
BY KIRK VICTOR
John McCain sounds angry and frustrated that, despite the risks he took in pushing immigration reform, Hispanic voters flocked to Democrat Barack Obama in last year's presidential contest. McCain's raw emotions burst forth recently as he heatedly told Hispanic business leaders that they should now look to Obama, not him, to take the lead on immigration.
The meeting in the Capitol's Strom Thurmond Room on March 11 was a Republican effort led by Sens. McCain of Arizona, John Thune of South Dakota, and Mel Martinez of Florida to reach out to Hispanics. But two people who attended the session say they were taken aback by McCain's anger.
What began as a collegial airing of views abruptly changed when McCain spoke about immigration, according to these sources, who asked not to be identified for fear of retribution. Anonymity was also requested by a third source, who was not at the meeting but was told, independently of the other two, that McCain had displayed his notorious temper.
"He was angry," one source said. "He was over the top. In some cases, he rolled his eyes a lot. There were portions of the meeting where he was just staring at the ceiling, and he wasn't even listening to us. We came out of the meeting really upset."
McCain's message was obvious, the source continued: After bucking his party on immigration, he had no sympathy for Hispanics who are dissatisfied with President Obama's pace on the issue. "He threw out [the words] 'You people -- you people made your choice. You made your choice during the election,' " the source said. "It was almost as if [he was saying] 'You're cut off!' We felt very uncomfortable when we walked away from the meeting because of that."
In 2006 and 2007, McCain was a leader on immigration, but his efforts ran aground largely because his legislation included what many Republicans derisively characterized as "amnesty," a pathway to citizenship for the nation's estimated 12 million illegal immigrants if they took a series of steps to earn legal status.
Having stuck his neck out in the past, McCain apparently is in no mood to do so again for an ethnic group he seems to view as ungrateful. On NBC's Meet the Press on March 29, McCain repeated his message that the ball is in the Democratic president's court. So far, the senator said, he has not seen much on immigration from the Obama White House, although the president recently met with the Congressional Hispanic Caucus and set the goal of launching the debate in the fall, a senior administration official said.
Asked on the show whether he would work with Obama on the issue, McCain said, "At any time, I stand ready. But the president has to lead."
McCain, who declined through his spokeswoman to be interviewed about his meeting with the Hispanic leaders, has been dogged throughout his career by stories highlighting his sometimes fierce temper. Both Martinez and Thune take issue with those who said that McCain raged at the group.
"What I saw ... was John McCain saying, 'Look, I didn't get a lot of support from the Hispanic community,' which he deserved to have had," Martinez said. "It frustrated me. It frustrated him. [McCain said,] 'You guys thought this guy [Obama] was going to be your savior. Where is his leadership?' I sort of echo that. It's not like [the meeting] went badly, I don't think."
How did people attending the session react to McCain? Martinez said, "I think they thought he's still smarting a little bit. But I don't think they felt threatened or attacked or anything like that. I don't think so. My sense is the meeting was not ruined by John in any way, shape, or form."
Martinez, who is Hispanic, continued, "John is John. Sometimes when he talks, he talks forcefully. He wasn't ranting or raving or anything. I have seen John rant and rave. I don't think this was one of those moments."
Thune agreed: "It was a spirited discussion, but this sort of incendiary-type way that some people are characterizing it just doesn't fit at all the tone of the meeting." In fact, he added, "after it was over, [the guests] were taking photos [with the senators]. They were handing out business cards."
Carlos Loumiet, chairman of the board of the New America Alliance, a nonpartisan organization of American Latino business leaders, attended and said he has "nothing negative to say." McCain, he added, was "forceful on the need to bring forth comprehensive immigration and for the president to lead on it.... He was just very direct and very forceful."
McCain's communications director, Brooke Buchanan, also disputed the notion that her boss's temper had flared at the meeting. She did not attend, but said she had been briefed at length about it.
Buchanan noted McCain's history of pushing immigration reform in the face of staunch opposition from many in his party, his work across the aisle with Sen. Edward Kennedy, D-Mass., and his popularity among Hispanics in Arizona.
She insisted that the 72-year-old senator's use of the words "you people" was in response to a question about people in general who had voted for Obama and was not meant to refer to Hispanics. To imply otherwise, she said, is "character assassination."
Buchanan said McCain was not angry and was simply offering "a little bit of 'straight talk,' " the senator's pet phrase for his candor. "He gets impassioned about some of these issues, and that is one of them.... Whenever anyone wants to hurt McCain, they say he is angry."
But one person's straight talk is another person's vitriol. "My hands were shaking," one source said. "I was nervous as no-end." The senator's comments went on for several minutes at least. And by the end of the meeting, another participant, who had supported McCain in last year's presidential election, was so shaken by the display of temper that he decided it is good that McCain isn't in the White House.
McCain has become irate over immigration legislation before. During negotiations over a bill two years ago, he was so enraged by the comments of Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, that he got in Cornyn's face and said, "F-- you!"
"The F.U. story, which was, like, how long ago?" Buchanan asked. "Yes, it happened, but can anyone give me any other circumstance on any subject where that happened [since then]? And, frankly, [Cornyn and McCain] work together; they campaigned for each other.... As you know, he is an impassioned guy, but he has never lost his temper in the last couple of years."
Going forward, some of McCain's allies question whether Obama will be willing to lead on immigration, especially given what they saw as his failure to take risks to advance immigration reform when he was a senator. "He was AWOL most of the time," Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., said of Obama in an interview in July. "I learned a lot about Obama on immigration, and it wasn't good. I learned that to talk about bipartisan change and to stick by a bipartisan deal are two different things. He came by several times, more [for] the photo ops. The only time he came by, he wanted to re-litigate something that had already been decided."
Asked recently whether he would be surprised that McCain's feelings about Hispanic voters and immigration legislation sound very raw, Graham, who also took risks in backing the legislation, which was very unpopular in South Carolina, said: "John understands politics. But he is a human being, like all of us, and it is disappointing because he really was the driving force on the Republican side ... to produce a bill that would solve this problem. And the groups that were cheering him on were gone when he needed them."
Hispanics gave Obama a whopping 67 percent of their votes, more than double the 31 percent they gave to McCain. A former colleague of McCain's, Rick Santorum, R-Pa., who opposed immigration reform, told National Journal, "John risked a lot to go out there and do what he did. They basically turned their back on him, a guy who had done a lot more for them than Barack Obama ever would. So I can understand his anger, but I also know that John doesn't get over things easily."
But Rep. Xavier Becerra, D-Calif., said in an interview that Hispanics' support for Obama was not a repudiation of McCain, who is highly regarded in the Latino community, but a repudiation of the Republican Party. "His party was his worst enemy in trying to reach out to the Latino community," Becerra said. "Left to his own devices, I think Senator McCain could have done very, very well -- and still could do well -- in the Latino community."
Martinez, upon learning -- in his words -- that National Journal was "getting a story that people were upset" about McCain's behavior at last month's meeting, called to elaborate on his earlier comments. "He did not offend people in that room," Martinez declared. "It was a cordial meeting. And, I think as I told you, John made his point about 'Obama needs to deliver, just like he promised that he would,' and that kind of thing. But, I mean, to suggest that somehow or another that this ended up as a blown-up meeting and people were upset and that McCain was ranting or anything like that, I just don't think that is accurate or the truth.
"I just don't want you to get misled by someone who is trying to screw McCain here, frankly, because he doesn't deserve it," Martinez added.
Well Juan will never give up his shamnisty beliefs, but even if he did, what conservative in their right mind would trust him.
I'll believe this the day I see Chuck Schumer supporting seizing the assets of employers who hire immegals.
Why do you NEVER see a leftist needing to suck up to conservatives to get their agenda through? They may lie or stab someone in the back but the liberal statist NEVER abandons their ideology. Conservatives always have to compromise and play games and eventually they sell their souls in the hopes of getting elected or preserving their power. Bi-partisian is always the republican sacrificing their beliefs never the other way around.
LMAO. Well, God forbid I shake up the cult of stupidity around here.
Obama and the DemocRATS are our enemy. They intend to destroy America. Get it airhead?
I get it. Obama is MY ENEMY. Not "Jorge" or "Juan" or "RINOs" It's Marxists in the Democrat party.
That's about it. This forum is in SERIOUS disarray.
lots of effing good that does, they vote anti-white (in their minds) almost as bad as blacks do
And what about the Republicans who want to support Obama? Are they not the enemy too? Or do you enjoy taking "friendly" fire while saying, "Thank you, sir. May I please have another?"
I understand the real danger of this "movement" to our American culture and Constitutional freedoms.
I will say again: Barack Obama and the Reid/Pelosi Marxist agenda are my enemy. Your pathetic campaign against McCain is f'ng pathetic.
Don't like my comments? That's the way it goes ya Sheila.
So when John McCain and Lindsey Graham stand up to support Obama's amnesty for illegal aliens, a clear danger to U.S. sovereignty, rule of law, and culture, you will back the just because they are Republicans?
Your arguments are so easy to kick over.
But hey, go ahead, keep on shilling for the RINO Party. Just don't be surprised when its treacherous members stab you in the back, and believe me, they almost always do.
You and your dismal decrepit pals are waging a RELENTLESS attack on Republicans.
Perhaps I'm ... uh ... overanalyzing but if this site is all about what YOU bring to it then FR is the greatest Democrat/liberal TROLL SITE of all time. Fine job by the LEFTIES! And rabscuttle ... you are their finest trolling punk ever!
Kudos! Keep attacking Republicans.
: |
BWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA! (snicker, tee-hee, *sniff*)
No, their names are Juan and Jorge, you pathetic, whining moron! And their actions to undermine the sovereignty of this country and water down it's electorate are nothing short of high treason.
26%, you dope! National Republican membership is down to t-w-e-n-t-y - s-i-x - p-e-r-c-e-n-t! Sooner or later you are going to have to stop blaming the customer and start looking at the product. This isn't rocket science, you simpering nitwit.
Keep up your vapid b*tching like it's our fault that you "UP the middle" socialist RINOs can't see the numbers right before your eyes. I'm sure you'll get those numbers down to 10 or 15% by the '10 elections.
But that's O.K. There will be a Conservative party rising up by then. You may keep your "pragmatism" and your broken promises.
What a dingbat.
GOOD. Consider me the same. And all the other Conservatives that dropped the Republicans on their a$$ for not adhering to the principles they say they endorse but do not enforce.
The sooner you have pissed every last one of us off, the sooner your precious party will implode so we will have a chance at real and genuine opposition to this socialism and multi-culturalism which is destroying us all.
Go back to WAnkerville, Noob. This is a CONSERVATIVE site, not a Republican one.
oops. ping to #88
er... ping to #90 I mean...
Obviously, you haven't read any of the FR mission statements or statements by its esteemed founder. Let me quote one of them for you:
As a conservative site, Free Republic is pro-God, pro-life, pro-family, pro-Constitution, pro-Bill of Rights, pro-gun, pro-limited government, pro-private property rights, pro-limited taxes, pro-capitalism, pro-national defense, pro-freedom, and-pro America. We oppose all forms of liberalism, socialism, fascism, pacifism, totalitarianism, anarchism, government enforced atheism, abortionism, feminism, homosexualism, racism, wacko environmentalism, judicial activism, etc. We also oppose the United Nations or any other world government body that may attempt to impose its will or rule over our sovereign nation and sovereign people. We believe in defending our borders, our constitution and our national sovereignty.
Now, nowhere in any statement by FR's founder is it mentioned that FR is an exclusively Republican Party forum. In fact, per the aforementioned quote, FR is a conservative forum, which means, yes, attacks on non-conservative Republicans, especially RINOs like McCain who enjoy pandering to the Democrats and poking conservatives in the eye on a regular basis, are probably okay, as I understand things.
#88
John McCain, you treasonous bastard, I challenge you or any of your traitorous cohorts...
Don't you know that it's bad manners to talk about people here without pinging them?
Oh wait, my bad, I forgot, you're just a newbie.
No, their names are Juan and Jorge, you pathetic, whining moron! And their actions to undermine the sovereignty of this country and water down it's electorate are nothing short of high treason.
26%, you dope! National Republican membership is down to t-w-e-n-t-y - s-i-x - p-e-r-c-e-n-t! Sooner or later you are going to have to stop blaming the customer and start looking at the product. This isn't rocket science, you simpering nitwit.
Keep up your vapid b*tching like it's our fault that you "UP the middle" socialist RINOs can't see the numbers right before your eyes. I'm sure you'll get those numbers down to 10 or 15% by the '10 elections.
But that's O.K. There will be a Conservative party rising up by then. You may keep your "pragmatism" and your broken promises.
What a dingbat.
Genius.
In one reply you've engaged in name-calling, mis-identification, assertion, clichés, vulgarity, incorrect punctuation, hysteria...and a boatload of unintentional irony.
You're bookmarked!
If you care to prove it wrong, you are welcome to try. As to the rest, it is hardly a decimal portion of what we put up with here all the time. Them that dish it out can certainly take it.
You're bookmarked!
Use bold
Free Republic Opinion Poll:
Would you be for or against McCain?
Member Opinion
against 92.4% 2,989
for 7.6% 247
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Not even the Dixie Chicks can say whatever they want (McCain goes to bat for fat mouthed trio)
How John McCain Threatens the Pro-Life Cause By Douglas Johnson NRLC Legislative Director
More YOUTUBE - McCain On Abortion (UH OH! YouTube Has a Video of Him in 1999)
McCain and Stem Cell Research Round-up
Tom Delay On Faux "McCain Has Done More To Hurt The Party" VIDEO
John McCain: "My Conservative Record" YouTube VIDEO
John McCain, Jack Kemp and Hugo Chavez.
MORE GUN CONTROL: McCAIN-LIEBERMAN FR April '01
Gun Owners of America on McCain's Record.
GUNS AND SCHOOLS: THE POLITICS (McCain tries to grab guns, 1999)
CITIZENS COMMITTEE URGES JOHN McCAIN TO RETIRE FROM UNITED STATES SENATE
Citizens Committee for the Right to Keep and Bear Arms (CCRKBA)
John McCain Losing His Cool YouTube video
Vietnam Veterans Against McCain YouTube video
McCain Argues for U.S. Troop Withdrawl from Somalia Mr. Blackhawk Down (YouTube VIDEO)
McCain Group Got Big Cable Donation Breath taking corruption, Senator!
THE PAMPERED POLITICIAN - John McCain Keating 5 and other things. FR Nov. '99
McCain gives nod to Kerry campaign (MAJOR RINO ALERT!) June 2003
MAFIA, EMPRISE, DELAWARE NORTH, DON BOLLES, BRUCE BABBITT, BILL CLINTON...AND JOHN McCAIN?
McCain married into the mob.
Former P.O.W.: "Why I Cannot Support Senator John McCain for President"
U.S. POW/MIAs Who May Have Survived In Captivity
SEN. JOHN McCAIN: THE ULTIMATE "RHINESTONE HERO"
SEN. JOHN McCAIN: THE ULTIMATE "RHINESTONE HERO" Part II
John McCain: The Manchurian Candidate
The War Secrets Sen. John McCain Hides
A number of articles on McCain. (some the same as above)
McCain Seeks to Change California Primary
John McCain funded by Soros since 2001
McCain/Soros by Rabbi Areyh Spero
McCain-Soros Toppled GOP Candidates Nov. 21, 2006
Soros' "Reform" (an article about Soros‘ instrumental hand in McCain/Feingold)
John McCain: George Soros' Useful Idiot?
Through The Weeds; John McCain, George Soros and the Reform Institute
McCain’s Reform Institute donor list:
Reform Institute greatfully acknowleges Sen. McCain as past Chairman:
McCain planning climate change tour
McCain's Letter (McCain aligns with Global Enviro activists)
The Turning Point on Global Warming (McCain and Lieberman Op-Ed Alert)
Climate bill sets stage for debate (Sens. McCain, Obama, and Lieberman join forces)
McCain: Global warming is fact, must be addressed [hurl alert]
McCain Sides With Leading Dems on Global Warming (NH voter reminder ALERT
EIA's Analysis of the Lieberman-McCain Climate Change Bill Human Events
McCain's Nose-Under-the-Tent Strategy - McCain's "Climate Stewardship Act" (S. 139), co-sponsored with Senator Joe Lieberman (D-Conn.)
Kyoto Through the Back Door? A Debate on the Lieberman –McCain Climate Stewardship Act - Heritage Foundation
Promising Vote on Global Warming - "But Mr. McCain, as we know, does not give up easily. ... He promises to be just as tenacious on this issue."
McCain Is Booed by Labor Activists
Captains of Industry Could Populate McCain Cabinet ( Lieberman Potential Cabinet Member)
McCain Still Disliked by Fiscal Conservatives (Club For Growth)
McCain calls Jeffords' switch lesson for GOP FR May '01
McCain Antics Weary Arizonans in G.O.P. FR June '01
Believe NYT on McCain corruption scandal
McCain Ties to Lobbyists Troublesome - Newsmax Staff
Billboard owner bars ad targeting McCain Viacom refuses anti-Amnesty billboard because it bashes McCain.
How Bill Kristol ditched conservatism. Great Escape (Gave floundering McCain 2000 campaign a direction.)
McCain may leave Republican Party to fight Bush in 2004
His staff set up policy think-tanks and other groups to lay the ideological foundations for another third-party challenge in the Bull Moose style.
McCain Looked into Caucusing with Democrats
John McCain Goes Left for Money
McCain, Obama Make Deal on Financing
Sens. Snowe, Collins to head Maine exploratory committee for McCain
John Kerry: McCain Approached Me About Joining Dem Ticket in 2004
Democrats say McCain nearly abandoned GOP
McCain denies he was close to quitting GOP
Double Talk Express. McCain in his own words. VIDEO
John McCain's Newt Problem (Infidelity to first wife.)
How Cindy McCain was outed for drug addiction(stole drugs from the American Voluntary Medical Team) (McCain used his influence to cover it up.)
McCain and his Chicom Connections: Posts #17 and #18 by Calpernia
TEN REASONS NOT TO SUPPORT MCCAIN (Free Republic thread from 2000)
McCain Blames Bush For Osama's Escape
McCain Rides to Kerry's Rescue: "John Kerry is Not Weak on Defense" (Today Show alert)
The Real McCain Record Obstacles in the way of conservative support.
McCain Is the Amnesty Candidate
John McCain SCREAMS AT 9/11 FSA MEMBERS FOR OPPOSING HIS BILL TO GIVE AMNESTY FOR ILLEGALS
It depends on the meaning of “never” (McCain's Convenient Memory)
UN Double Talk from Straight Talker McCain (Law of the Sea Treaty)
The Conservative Case Against John McCain In 2008
John McCain: Hypocrite by Mark R. Levin
This Man is Not a Republican (re: McCain) (FR thread - Jan. 2000)
Freeper Alert: Sen. KERRY / Communist Vietnamese Killing Off Christains in Central Highlands... (...with Senator McCAIN (R) in complete agreement with him, is because "Engagement" with Communist Vietnam is better for the people of Vietnam in the long run.)
John McCain armed Kosovo Islamic terrorists
*************************************************************
McCain says:
"Why don't you shut your political pie hole?"
Stifling the www? Online Freedom of Speech Act (H.R. 1606)
"1606 is needed because federal courts have ordered the Federal Election Commission to regulate "electioneering communications" on the Internet because of the Bipartisan Campaign Finance Reform Act (McCain-Feingold). If H.R. 1606 fails to become law, your Web site or blog could be shut down for the 30 days prior to a primary election and the 60 days prior to a general election should you express "electioneering communications."
John McCain, enemy of free speech
ZOT
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