McCain: I respect your racist, nativist position on immigration
posted at 4:39 pm on February 7, 2008 by Allahpundit
The speech went over well enough that it wouldn’t be fair to focus on the one tense moment so I’ve tacked on the stirring conclusion at the end as a tonic to the atomic pander you’re about to watch. “I respect your opposition for I know that the vast majority of critics to the bill based their opposition in a principled defense of the rule of law,” sayeth the Maverick. This, after once having called a proposal to cap his guest-worker plan at a mere 650,000 un-American and having compared guest workers’ tax treatment to Jim Crow. His chief crony’s sickening demagoguery in front of La Raza has been revisited enough times that we don’t need to rehash it, but let it be noted once again as part of the record. Today’s ass-kissing was a good start but it’ll take a few more speeches like these before we’re even at the let’s-pretend stage of believing he respects the anti-amnesty position.
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McCain-Kennedy…enough said
gozips on February 7, 2008 at 4:41 PM
I don’t believe him.
So this takes illegal immigration out of the discourse in the lead up to November.
jukin on February 7, 2008 at 4:42 PM
President Hillary Clinton………Nuff said.
ThePrez on February 7, 2008 at 4:43 PM
McCain’s speech was superb.
If Obama is the Democratic nominee, Jonny Mac will have all those Hispanic votes wrapped up.
Pax americana on February 7, 2008 at 4:43 PM
Translation.
locomotivebreath1901 on February 7, 2008 at 4:44 PM
HI, I’m a Lieing sleezy politician who will say ANYTHING to get elected…
Just by deeds, not present rhetoric.
Anyone up for a REAL Ferderalist party?
Romeo13 on February 7, 2008 at 4:44 PM
video not working
Chudi on February 7, 2008 at 4:44 PM
Yup, McCain stinks. But I’m going to have to hold my nose and vote for him. The alternative stinks much worse. I’m doing it for the good of the troops, for starters.
db on February 7, 2008 at 4:44 PM
The troops, and America WILL thank you.
Califemme on February 7, 2008 at 4:45 PM
Rule of law should have been a priority of Senators in the first place. That it wasn’t is very telling.
I don’t believe him.
katieanne on February 7, 2008 at 4:45 PM
I still don’t trust him and never will. He’s proven himself untrustworthy too many times in the past.
Afterimage on February 7, 2008 at 4:46 PM
Amazing. He has a conservative Republican audience and he gets momentary boos, then a rousing round of applause and cheers when he mentions his stance on immigration.
That sounds like such a run-of-the-mill conservative audience, doesn’t it? Doesn’t it?
amerpundit on February 7, 2008 at 4:46 PM
From another thread, I repeat…
Califemme on February 7, 2008 at 4:47 PM
Fool me once…hmmm
I ain’t buying it. I want Juan Hernandez fired…then we can start pretending he might mean it…
tlclark on February 7, 2008 at 4:47 PM
Anyone want to bet a paycheck that if(and that’s a big if), McShamnesty was elected…
How fast would that immigration bill be resurrected and on his desk?
TOPV on February 7, 2008 at 4:47 PM
You can repeat all day long. I don’t want them saluting a man who will give them no country to come home too. Fear mongering is for Jesse and Al and the libs… not a conservative.
TOPV on February 7, 2008 at 4:48 PM
He does keep saying “I will secure the border FIRST!”
Leaves us no doubt what he will do “second.”
Califemme on February 7, 2008 at 4:48 PM
As fast as Juan “America and Mexico are one region, not two countries” Hernandez could get it there.
amerpundit on February 7, 2008 at 4:49 PM
The 1,426,700 active duty military will have to salute Obama or Hillary.
My God …
darwin on February 7, 2008 at 4:49 PM
Kiss it.
A-POL-O-gize…
(with regards to South Park)
Skywise on February 7, 2008 at 4:49 PM
You think for 1 second that a worse immigration bill wouldn’t be on HC’s or BO’s desk?
db on February 7, 2008 at 4:49 PM
Exactly, its going to take DEEDS not WORDS.
liquidflorian on February 7, 2008 at 4:50 PM
When McCain says he’ll secure the border 1st, then deal with the others in a legal way, all he means is this: when his Amnesty bill passes it will then be legal to legalize the illegals.
Having a Republican voting card is meaningless to a conservative anymore. This is why I’ve been a registered “I” voter for 2 years.
bucktowndusty on February 7, 2008 at 4:50 PM
I just don’t believe him. He doesn’t move me even a little. I just have total contempt for him. I realize he’s the nominee and my ears are still open but I’ll just have to wait and see what happens in the coming months.
Guarantee: He will continue to be pressured on immigration until he absolutely blows a gasket, thereby showing his true “Maverick” self and turning people off even more.
Geronimo on February 7, 2008 at 4:50 PM
Hey, I’m NOT a fan of his, but I think of all the military who would have to chauffeur around Hillary or Obama…
Right after we pull out of Iraq in disgrace.
Is that less important than your egos?
Califemme on February 7, 2008 at 4:50 PM
I noticed McCain did not say he was wrong for going against conservatives on the immigration bill, instead he mentioned the disagreement between he and conservatives over his immigration bill.
He still doesn’t have my trust on immigration over his speech today. He says that he is, foremost, a man on principles and we should judge him on his record. Perhaps he’ll secure the border, but he then says that he’ll need to figure out internal enforcement? Well, unless he provides action to the contrary, it is my belief after “the borders are secure” that a president McCain will then attempt to convince the country to go along with his original immigration proposal, with some tweaks and modifications that dress it up more to make it more palatable to conservatives.
I also did not take his mentioning being the only one running for president who can truly understand what its like for military people to sacrifice. To me, that’s a very holier than though attitude. Perhaps he didn’t mean that but that’s the way I took it.
I did, however, like most of his speech. Now let’s see how he intends to deliver what he gave us.
Weebork on February 7, 2008 at 4:50 PM
NOW is the time for BUSH and McCAIN and our WONDERFUL GOP leadership to BUILD THE WHOLE DAMN PHYSICAL BARRIER FENCE!! (No virtual, sensor sh*t.)
IF THEY BUILD IT BY ELECTION DAY. Then I’ll believe our Nominee is telling the truth. ONLY THEN will I vote for John McCain.
Ex-tex on February 7, 2008 at 4:51 PM
You’re right, he’ll make it legal by changing the laws so people who cross the border are referred to as “Pioneers”.
Geronimo on February 7, 2008 at 4:51 PM
I was looking for anything that could give me hope. Nope. No words that sounded sincere; Only that slimy grin that says to me: “Bend over and take it, Conservatives.
Ah well, I’m not that pretty anyway. If I cut off my nose to spite my face, it won’t matter much.
Goodbye forever GOP.
LegendHasIt on February 7, 2008 at 4:51 PM
if you aren’t going to defend the law,, then what are you going to defend? geeeshhh.
normsrevenge on February 7, 2008 at 4:51 PM
Exactly…
db on February 7, 2008 at 4:51 PM
EXACTLY.
Califemme on February 7, 2008 at 4:51 PM
Whatever.
Anything is better than a Clinton.
It’s come to this.
Suicide Voter.
Dorvillian on February 7, 2008 at 4:52 PM
Your position on immigration sux, Johnny McDole. The only thing you have goin’ for you is the war.
As I said in another post …
I’ll vote for McCain when he picks a right winger for VP and then promises to only serve one term. Then Ill wear a gas mask when I vote and when I get home Ill wash my hands in battery acid.
McCain slogan: Dont vote FOR McCain, vote AGAINST Hillary!
Tony737 on February 7, 2008 at 4:52 PM
I sincerely apologize…
We WILL and CAN overcome this hurdle…
For all we know, McVain kicks the bucket in his first 6 mos, and the VP takes over… best case scenario.
Califemme on February 7, 2008 at 4:55 PM
The country won’t thank you when McCain furthers America into international agreements which reduce our sovereignty. I don’t see how some people cannot realize that a country without borders fails to be a country. A country that willingly gives away its sovereignty through international treaties is no longer a country. McCain’s willingness to support the war is admirable, but useless if he gives away sovereignty by other means.
gozips on February 7, 2008 at 4:55 PM
Shucks… video gone.
astuddis on February 7, 2008 at 4:56 PM
We can still fight him with the House and Senate…
After all, WE will still be Americans… not American’ts.
Califemme on February 7, 2008 at 4:57 PM
Si se puede!!!!
/sarcasm
Califemme on February 7, 2008 at 4:58 PM
Don’t make the good the enemy of the mediocre: McCain 08.
phronesis on February 7, 2008 at 4:59 PM
“Having a Republican voting card is meaningless to a conservative anymore.” – Buck
Yup, just like when Valient said yesterday: “We’re the RINOs now.”
Sad but true.
Tony737 on February 7, 2008 at 4:59 PM
gozips on February 7, 2008 at 5:00 PM
@ db on February 7, 2008 at 4:44 PM
Doing it for the troops? You do know the troops have donated to 2 campaigns more than any other, Obama and Ron Paul right? The troops have been voting with their money for candidates that want us out of Iraq ASAP, so don’t pretend a vote for McCain is a vote for the troops. A vote for McCain is a vote for your position on Iraq, not FOR the troops.
muyoso on February 7, 2008 at 5:00 PM
I. Don’t. Believe. Him.
jdawg on February 7, 2008 at 5:00 PM
Slublog has made us a handy visual aid to get the point across.
billy on February 7, 2008 at 5:01 PM
He’s the least bad alternative. McCain 08.
phronesis on February 7, 2008 at 5:01 PM
Cripes, this guy is so full of crap, MY eyes are turning brown!
MCPO Airdale on February 7, 2008 at 5:03 PM
BS. A reliable source on that, if you please…
db on February 7, 2008 at 5:03 PM
‘Zactly. As long as Juan Hernandez is in the mix it is all smoke and mirrors. Ditch him McCain and get some credibility back.
Really that should be Rush’s next move. Play all of Juan Hernandez’s clips for the rest of the week. And expose the other guy that bankrolled opposition to english only legislation.
Theworldisnotenough on February 7, 2008 at 5:03 PM
This FAKE war hero KNOWS he has Republicans by the nuts…
“Vote for me or let a DemoCrap candidate win without contest”……..
He’s just plain sleazy…and I am reserving my vote till November 5th…6am…To see how things develop…
Or my NON-VOTE as it were…to send my signal of disgust to McOld-Punk and the Republican party…..
awesum on February 7, 2008 at 5:03 PM
21 minutes and nobody mentioned McCain-Feingold, which empowers the LeftStreamMedia and its favored candidates to the mutual exclusion of the remainder of the country? We have short memories, folks.
McCain’s going to have to have at least a Thompson conversion on that, and at least a Romney conversion on a whole host of other items, to get me enthused about the top of the ticket.
steveegg on February 7, 2008 at 5:03 PM
Id rathre spend 4 years beating up President McCain than spend 4 years giving Hillary/Obama my money to hand out for them to win elections.
William Amos on February 7, 2008 at 5:03 PM
Personality aside, who is the most conservative (socially and Constitutionally) candidate left? Is it Paul? And if so, how will conservatives with a Republican voting card handle this thought?
bucktowndusty on February 7, 2008 at 5:04 PM
It was a good start and I am voting for him..
Pam on February 7, 2008 at 5:04 PM
I don’t like him or trust him, but he’s certain to be much better than the alternative. I’ll hold my nose and vote for him (ugh).
I don’t believe Coulter or Bruce will actually vote/campaign for Hillary in the general. They’re both smart.
Splashman on February 7, 2008 at 5:06 PM
As Rush Limabaugh said today, there are no conservative alternatives left in the race.
amerpundit on February 7, 2008 at 5:06 PM
Back to reality. Newsflash: McCain is the nominee. Period.
db on February 7, 2008 at 5:07 PM
He will get my vote. I will not fall on my sword and not vote or campaign for Hillary. What I will do is get involved, and I will support every conservative I can.
The RNC does not get a dime. Until it finds its way back to conservatism, sorry guys go court those passionate moderates and independents. I’m sure the Northeast is a fundraising/door knocking hotbed.
Theworldisnotenough on February 7, 2008 at 5:07 PM
I think it would be helpful to reframe the illegal immigration concerns to stress border protection and illegal employers first. It would go a long way toward addressing conservative concerns and would keep the dishonest media from portraying the cause as racist or nativist.
We could also encourage programs for assimilation of legal newcomers from all parts of the world including latin countries. Assimilated latinos make wonderful productive citizens in my experience. Companies bringing in guest workers should also have to post bonds to cover the social costs of their workers if they commit crimes or become burdens on society.
MRegine on February 7, 2008 at 5:08 PM
His Performance did nothing for me. He parsed his language and basically reserved the right to tell us to shove it later. I don’t trust him. Or rather, I trust him to live up to his record, which is anathema.
IMO the real question about whether to support him or not comes down to a hard look at the realistic likelihood of Supreme Court Justices retiring IN THE FIRST TERM. He will be a single termer who will usher in two terms of Democrat Insanity. If the likely retiring justices can hold off four more years, I see no compelling reason to hold my nose and vote for him.
America1st on February 7, 2008 at 5:09 PM
I honestly think getting McCain out of the senate is good for him. He got to be freinds with the dems and bought into some of their arguments.
Now with him as nominee his “friends” will turn on him and it wont be conservatives but liberals who bash him. McCain will have to turn back to the conservatives.
William Amos on February 7, 2008 at 5:09 PM
Exactly! That’s why I’ll be concentrating on my local/state politicians. Juan will not get my vote.
moonsbreath on February 7, 2008 at 5:10 PM
I disagree- this is a 4-year view. McCain will ring more bells that can not be unrung because of bipartisan support. Behold the “free” prescription drug bill.
When Hillary or Obama lurch us towards socialism, at least there will be opposition and hope for reversal. When McCain does it, there will be a permanence to it because a “conservative” did it with bipartisan consensus.
I say Obama ’08. He is the least annoying of all the candidates and will probably be too overwhelmed for two years to get anything done. Vote in the Dem primary for Obama. Let’s melt the glacier!
Valiant on February 7, 2008 at 5:11 PM
I don’t know primary rules, but there are lots of states left, sow when I vote, I’m going to attempt to cast a write in vote for “Undocumented Conservative” or “Tom Tancredo.”
I’ve never been polled and don’t know anybody that has, thus I’m never represented. If millions of people did this, it would be impossible for the media to skew.
bucktowndusty on February 7, 2008 at 5:11 PM
Not voting for Amnesty. If Paul doesn’t run third party I’ll write him in.
You know for the real venom by the Talk Radio Establishment against McCain is going to make Talk Radio real interesting. Rush and company have about five months to maneuver a complete 180 and rally most of you guys to vote for amnesty and like it. How are they going to get you to vote for amnesty and like it? They will hang judges over your head and the threat of European Socialism.
Despite what most of you say now, you will vote for amnesty and like it. That is what your loyalty gets you.
LevStrauss on February 7, 2008 at 5:12 PM
You would prefer to live with the justices the Dem candidate would appoint?!?
db on February 7, 2008 at 5:12 PM
Then why do they keep re-enlisting?
****************************************************
600 American Soldiers reenlisted to stay in Iraq and continue …600 American Soldiers reenlisted to stay in Iraq and continue their mission in …
http://www.city-data.com/forum/politics-other-controversies/116734-600-american-soldiers-reenlisted-stay-iraq.html – 83k – Cached – Similar pages
**********************************************************
Posted 7/17/2005 11:01 PM
Soldiers re-enlist beyond U.S. goal
By Dave Moniz, USA TODAY
WASHINGTON — Soldiers are re-enlisting at rates ahead of the Army’s targets, even as overall recruiting is suffering after two years of the Iraq war………..
**************************************************
4th Brigade re-enlistment is highest in the entire Army
ONE-THIRD: More than 1,100 of Fort Rich unit’s soldiers re-upped in 2007.
*****************************************************
U.S. Army Meets Recruiting Goals Again
October 4, 2007: The U.S. Army again achieved its recruiting goal (80,000 new recruits) for fiscal 2007 (that ended on September 30). That will also be the goal for 2008 as well, unless the army is given permission, and several billion dollars, to speed up their expansion of 13.5 percent (from 482,000 to 547,000), by doing that in four years instead of five.
Califemme on February 7, 2008 at 5:12 PM
db: Newsflash (how original) – Republicans controlled Congress and the White House and nothing was done. Check the size of government over the last 100 years. It keeps growing nor matter what “R” or “D” is in there.
bucktowndusty on February 7, 2008 at 5:13 PM
HE SHOULD RESIGN HIS SENATE SEAT………AND NOT BE LIKE HIS LOSER BUDDY KERRY…….
awesum on February 7, 2008 at 5:13 PM
I plan to send a conservatives to Congress to make sure McCain keeps his promises to republicans
William Amos on February 7, 2008 at 5:14 PM
You would prefer to live with the justices the Dem candidate would appoint?!?
Hardly. Hoping that 4 years of Obambi or Cankles will be like 4 years of Carter and get us a Reagan.
America1st on February 7, 2008 at 5:16 PM
Your article captures the feeling perfectly, AP.
jaime on February 7, 2008 at 5:16 PM
Like what happened with Bush?
Valiant on February 7, 2008 at 5:16 PM
So you are telling me you would prefer a D…
db on February 7, 2008 at 5:16 PM
And THIS is your reason to vote in a Democrat?
What happened to principle.
It’s US or them.
Califemme on February 7, 2008 at 5:16 PM
Romeo 13, and Romney was your man, right?
funky chicken on February 7, 2008 at 5:17 PM
Hope all you want… it ain’t gonna happen that way.
db on February 7, 2008 at 5:17 PM
Dude, I despise the guy, buy lets not go there. We have to have a line…which I go right up to and straddle sometimes, but Dude? It gives the McLunatics ammo for calling us nutty (I’m not saying I’m not a nut, but lets not give them more ammo).
jwp1964 on February 7, 2008 at 5:17 PM
McCain has consistently opposed the growth of government. GW Bush is the big government conservative. McCain ran against that in particular in 2000. Don’t throw McCain in the “compassionate” “I’m with the government and I honestly believe I’m here to help” basket with W.
funky chicken on February 7, 2008 at 5:18 PM
Yeah, and how’d that immigration bill get through?
It had a Republican POTUS AND a Republican Senator’s name on the bill.
Did it pass? No.
So what’s your point?
Califemme on February 7, 2008 at 5:18 PM
Is there a way to edit posts on this site?
jwp1964 on February 7, 2008 at 5:19 PM
I wasn’t “calling” for it to happen, I’m just saying NOONE knows what the future holds…
Califemme on February 7, 2008 at 5:20 PM
Ha ha. Now that’s optimism.
BowHuntingTexas on February 7, 2008 at 5:20 PM
Nope. I know, bummer. Maybe AP could fix that?
Califemme on February 7, 2008 at 5:21 PM
Your’s or someone else’s ??? LOL
Sorry, but the answer is no.
db on February 7, 2008 at 5:21 PM
Here is the game plan guys. Lets follow it, lets take the party to a place where a McCain could never be our nominee. Our lack of vigiliance and hubris send us spiraling downwards after Reagan, we stood by and let the liberals infect every nook and cranny of society, all while we basked in the glow of the 80′s. Not again, not this time. We take it back to the grassroots, we demand a party that defends conservatism and does not allow us to be defined by the MSM. We make the change we do the yoeman work. If freakin’ truthers, racists, paleocons, stoners can do what they did for Ron Paul what can an enthusiatic Republican conservative base do for a candidate?!
Theworldisnotenough on February 7, 2008 at 5:22 PM
George “I’ll see you at the bill signing” Bush was the point man on amnesty. The bill failed not because a few Republicans stood up to it but because we melted down the Capitol switchboard not once, but twice. It was a bipartisan 80-20 issue.
As Rush says, Republicans have to be loyal to their president which is why he is opposed to McCain/Huckabee.
Valiant on February 7, 2008 at 5:23 PM
LO…just mine. I obviously believe in free speech!
jwp1964 on February 7, 2008 at 5:23 PM
Wow, what a contrast that will be, we run an old, crotchety nutcase like McCain and the libs go with the young, charismatic Obama. The lib turnout shows they are fired up about both of their candidates and Obama AND Hillary will bring people out that never voted before.
Meanwhile we hate our guy as much as they do and most of us won’t vote for McCain as 60-70% of our primary voters who bothered to show up were against him. The McCain nuts think that is a winning formula? Or is it his pledge to stay in Iraq for 100 years?
echosyst on February 7, 2008 at 5:24 PM
@ db on February 7, 2008 at 5:03 PM
Its nice you call BS without doing any research.
Q2 http://phreadom.blogspot.com/2007/07/ron-paul-is-most-financially-military.html
Source: http://query.nictusa.com/pres/2007/Q2/
Q3
http://thespinfactor.com/thetruth/2007/10/15/ron-paul-receives-the-most-military-donations-among-republicans-again-in-q3/
Source: http://query.nictusa.com/pres/2007/Q3/
Q4
http://www.businesswire.com/portal/site/google/index.jsp?ndmViewId=news_view&newsId=20080203005049&newsLang=en
Source: http://query.nictusa.com/pres/2007/YE/
muyoso on February 7, 2008 at 5:27 PM
I’m impressed.
Not.
Just a bunch of lying, pandering and condescending crap from an old liar and professional political hack.
You all can fall in love with that schmuck.
Good luck.
TexasJew on February 7, 2008 at 5:28 PM
It’s his turn…did I mention he was a POW and Ted Kennedy loves him. Did you know he’s so bi-partisan that the other party considered him for their ticket. How is that not a winning combo?
jwp1964 on February 7, 2008 at 5:28 PM
I dont know where my comment went replying to db.
muyoso on February 7, 2008 at 5:29 PM
So you’re declaring a Dem landslide? Just giving up?
db on February 7, 2008 at 5:30 PM
Its nice you call BS without doing any research.
Q2 http://phreadom.blogspot.com/2007/07/ron-paul-is-most-financially-military.html
Source: http://query.nictusa.com/pres/2007/Q2/
Q3
http://thespinfactor.com/thetruth/2007/10/15/ron-paul-receives-the-most-military-donations-among-republicans-again-in-q3/
Source: http://query.nictusa.com/pres/2007/Q3/
Q4
http://www.businesswire.com/portal/site/google/index.jsp?ndmViewId=news_view&newsId=20080203005049&newsLang=en
Source: http://query.nictusa.com/pres/2007/YE/
muyoso on February 7, 2008 at 5:30 PM
Interesting how McCain can promise to not sign any legislation with earmarks and yet NOT promise anything but get things to the point where a consensus agrees to ‘secure the border first’ and then we’ll deal with all that other stuff, don’t you worry your pretty head about it, but I won’t give you any details.
His omissions are more telling than what he said. NO talk about Gitmo, and how closing it is a slap in the face to our troops and a disaster for America. No allaying of fears about cap and trade, either.
I’d like to hear him answer this charge(paraphrased from a comment from LGF a few nights ago):
“The First Amendement allows people to spit, burn and stomp our flag yet prohibits us from airing adverts about a political candidate 30 days before an election. Can you explain this apparent disparity in the application of our right to free speech?”
linlithgow on February 7, 2008 at 5:31 PM
@ db on February 7, 2008 at 5:03 PM
Its nice you call BS without doing any research.
Q2
http://tinyurl.com/354zsw
Source: http://query.nictusa.com/pres/2007/Q2/
Q3
http://tinyurl.com/37bmw6
Source: http://query.nictusa.com/pres/2007/Q3/
Q4
http://tinyurl.com/35wvlf
Source: http://query.nictusa.com/pres/2007/YE/
muyoso on February 7, 2008 at 5:32 PM
He has to get the conservative votes for the good of the troops like “db” says above. And we ALL have to pressure the hell out of Jonny Mac to chill out on his immigration plans. And I do mean PRESSURE him on it.
The alternative is MUCH WORSE!!
BobUSMC on February 7, 2008 at 5:35 PM
With all due respect to MM, it’s time to SUCK IT UP.
I don’t like it either, but I’ll be voting for the McLameister
sleepy-beans on February 7, 2008 at 5:37 PM
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