John McCain, the Republican weather vane on immigration
“Look at John McCain,” said GOP strategist Alex Castellanos. “Yes, he’s fought for immigration reform a long time. And yes, he is flying that flag again now. But we forget that in between, when McCain himself was challenged in a tough GOP primary for re-election, he ran TV spots saying, ‘build the dang[ed] fence.’” (Technically, it was “complete the danged fence” but you get the idea.) …
McCain’s tone in that ad (and his 2010 campaign generally) was a remarkable shift from the McCain of 2003, who told the Tucson Citizen: “Amnesty has to be an important part (of immigration reform) because there are people who have lived in this country for 20, 30 or 40 years, who have raised children here and pay taxes here and are not citizens.”
For the GOP, times have changed since the 2010 wave election, in which Republicans were boosted by conservative activists and tea party groups. Not only did Romney lose the presidential race in 2012, but he carried an even smaller share of the Hispanic vote than McCain did in 2008. That prompted many Republicans — including McCain — to declare it time to once again embrace comprehensive reform.
Blowback
Note from Hot Air management: This section is for comments from Hot Air's community of registered readers. Please don't assume that Hot Air management agrees with or otherwise endorses any particular comment just because we let it stand. A reminder: Anyone who fails to comply with our terms of use may lose their posting privilege.
Trackbacks/Pings
Trackback URL
Comments
Juan McAmnesty is a national disgrace.
Thanks, AZ!
Joe Mama on January 30, 2013 at 11:03 AM
Is that the same “GOP strategist Alex Castellanos” who recently referred to to anti-amnesty conservatives as “recidivists”? Then I don’t care what he has to say about anything.
I must be a racist or something….
ConservativeLA on January 30, 2013 at 11:05 AM
And after amnesty is granted, those Hispanics will keep on voting Democrat for the free stuff.
Bitter Clinger on January 30, 2013 at 11:05 AM
Attempts to grant amnesty to illegals is what wiped out the GOP majorities and gave the House and Senate to the Dems prior to the 2010 election but hey…this time it will work out better.
Honestly…There are no bigger suckers to Democrats than “moderate Republicans” who desperately seek the approval of people who will never ever vote for them.
NeoKong on January 30, 2013 at 11:15 AM
The Maverick is back. The old gunslinger is back in town, folks.
tommy71 on January 30, 2013 at 11:15 AM
Not a weather vane, but an unprincipled hack who is more than willing to lie his a$$ off to retain the power he so craves.
Power corrupts and, without term limits, it makes for a nice long career on the public dole.
Dusty on January 30, 2013 at 11:18 AM
I’m betting a crisp fifty that that weather vane ends up having to be treated for rug burn or VD after this reach across the aisle.
RovesChins on January 30, 2013 at 11:18 AM
McCain was “never” a Maverick. He and Bush just didn’t like each other at all and McCain’s policies are generally personal. I actually love the grumpy old man act against Barack Obama that he is using now. And immigration reform is all about his legacy.
Illinidiva on January 30, 2013 at 11:24 AM
So, Bush didn’t push amnesty? Did I miss something in 2006-2007?
And, umm, that grumpy old man act is just an act for apologist fools like yourself, m’kays.
RovesChins on January 30, 2013 at 11:28 AM
Lets just hope McCain does not find the fountain of youth.
astonerii on January 30, 2013 at 11:46 AM
McCain was “never” a Maverick.
[Illinidiva on January 30, 2013 at 11:24 AM]
He was first referred to as a Maverick in 1989 in describing his characteristic tendency to be marvericky. His Maverick-iness was first shown in 1983 opposing troop deployment in Lebanon.
Maverick (n):
2. a. a lone dissenter, as an intellectual, an artist, or a politician, who takes an independent stand apart from his or her associates: a modern-dance maverick. Synonyms: nonconformist, individualist; free thinker; loner, lone wolf.
That you like the Grumpy Old Man when he’s doing something you like doesn’t have any bearing on whether he is a maverick.
Dusty on January 30, 2013 at 11:48 AM
Okay, you can stop right there.
ElectricPhase on January 30, 2013 at 11:48 AM
This is dumb. You have to be brain dead to think McCain was actually serious during his 20120 campaign.
Rocks on January 30, 2013 at 11:52 AM
Poor McCain, he does seem to have a sketchy memory. Age does that to you. And he seems to have forgotten when he tried his inspirational shtick: ‘Fight with me. Fight for whats right for our country. Fight for the ideals and character of a free people’.
tommy71 on January 30, 2013 at 12:09 PM
Rubio wants to be the new McCain (without the bimbo daughter, of course).
Pork-Chop on January 30, 2013 at 12:09 PM
Maverick McCain really came into the forfront when he was running for President and was the Left’s favorite Republican. I always felt that McCain the Maverick had less to do with his actual policy beliefs and more to do with his bitterness over losing the 2000 election. I think that the fact that McCain has turned into a grumpy old man since he lost to Obama in 2008 and has opposed Obama quite a bit proves this point.
I’m more amused by how egos and psychology play out in public policy than anything else.
Illinidiva on January 30, 2013 at 12:36 PM
Rubio wants to be President. Discuss.
Illinidiva on January 30, 2013 at 12:37 PM
Will never happen.
ddrintn on January 30, 2013 at 1:20 PM