John McCain started out the latest campaign as the front-runner and media darling. He will always be the "maverick," the one who took on George W. Bush in 2000 and only lost because of Rovian dirty tricks. He was the guy who was going to win the nomination.
Fast-forward to the present and we see a McCain campaign in absolute shambles; brought down by his outspoken leadership on amnesty and the sham bill put before Congress. He joined with the President Bush and Teddy Kennedy to push through a bill that so many saw as granting rewards to those who broke our laws. He chose the wrong side and it cost him dearly, going from top-tier to third-tier with Ron Paul and Sam Brownback. The media spun his free-fall as the result of his support of the war in Iraq, yet anyone who pays attention knew that was garbage.
As proof of just what tripped up his campaign, he's done a 180 on the illegal immigration issue by sponsoring a bill that will, wait for it...enforce the border and penalize those who break our laws.
The move away from a comprehensive measure is an about-face for the Arizona senator, who had been a leading GOP champion of a bill that included a guest worker program and would have legalized many of the estimated 12 million illegal immigrants living in the U.S. It failed earlier this year.
...Among other things, the bill makes being in the country illegally a criminal misdemeanor and toughens penalties for re-entering after being deported. It mandates an electronic system for employers to check workers' citizenship status and requires illegal immigrants who commit a crime to be held in jail until they are deported.
Too late, senator. You are forever linked -- along with Sens. Lindsey Graham and John Kyl -- with this attempt to give 12-million people amnesty who mindfully broke our laws. Your conversion is no different than a man facing death suddenly discovering religion, it's a position taken out of desperation and it's so transparent as to be shocking. The Senator has actually made it worse by fighting hard for a position, and, when he loses, going to the other side.
Republicans hate these types of u-turns and generally shun those who make them. Not so the Democrats, they're used to it having watched Hillary whirl like a dervish on every single important issue of our time. It standard operating procedure on the left, not so on the right. It reminds me of a certain Senator from New York changing favorite baseball teams for political expediency. Everyone sees right through it and it only makes you look ridiculous.
Reader Comments ( Page 1 of 7)
1. At least he recognied he was wrong, unlike Iraq. But then again, do you trust these guys? Will they only push those certain parts of the bill they like? Is there hidden in their the cheap labor for business amnesty provisions? I hear that Fienstein is going to ask for 500,000 illegals ( a Year?) who after a couple of years are going to get citizenship. Amnesty comes back! And Lofgren has a bill the Dream Act, that supposedly will take economic aid for collegefrom low income Americans and give it to illegal kids and then give them citizenship.
BettyBB at 1:20PM on Aug 3rd 2007
2. ~ third-tier Ron Paul
Wow. You really have no clue what's going on. He's going to win in a Jacksonian landslide, no matter what dirty tricks are pulled.
Mark my words.
Ellis Wyatt at 3:06PM on Aug 3rd 2007
3. He knows his candidacy is over yet by this nonsense he's telling us he wants to remain our Senator...forget it!!!
Call your Arizona RNC office and demand a competent replacement for this elitist idiot at his next re-election bid.
Chris at 4:15PM on Aug 3rd 2007
4. McCain's Border State (AZ.) has been a running "toilet" of illegal aliens for many Years.
In 2003, TIME MAG. said 8,000 illegals cross the Arizona-Mexican Border EVERY NIGHT. The only reason McCain is "concerned" now is because He is running for President.
Bob Stro at 11:21PM on Aug 4th 2007
5. McCain is the most qualified to be our nation's next President.
He has over 25 years of Congressional experience. That's more than Obama, Hill and Edwards combined. America when polled has shown a strong interest in wanting to see the two parties work together to offer solutions. America is sick of the seeing the cat fights that exists between the two parties. Now, America has an opportunity to elect a President who has shown the consistant ability to work with both parties to solve problems. Every candidate claims in one way or the other to be a "uniter" but McCain is the only guy who has shown the ability to do so.
And then there is his military experience. I believe he is the only viable candidate who has any. McCain has spent a life time serving this nation.
Please America don't pass up on this opportunity.
Clay at 3:52AM on Aug 5th 2007
6. McCain only changed his tune when he started slipping in the polls. Can't be trusted
Robert Edney at 11:24AM on Aug 5th 2007
7. I do not agree with his positions on the war or immigration or what is being said about him recognizing his mistakes. What I see is someone who will now say anything to be elected even going against his own principles and convictions (if politicians actually have them). This is the sad state of our political process that it creates candidates that are only interested in getting elected and not on what is best for the country. This applies to both parties at the present time. Who can we really trust anymore?
Luis Lozano at 11:21AM on Aug 5th 2007
8. McCain, like ALL Politicians, says (they believe/think) anything to get them elected/reelected (at the time), Politicians are the ONLY "professions", other than attorneys, who can obtain MONIES (from one dollar to millions of dollars) by saying they will do "one thing" and after getting in office they NEVER do the "one thing" that got them elected. In any other "profession" they would be charged with OBTAINING MONIES UNDER FALSE PRETENSES. Politicans believe that the American Public has NO memory or any "spine" to hold them accountable. When you combine the Politicians "outlook" on the American Public with the LIBERAL Media the MAJORITY of American (CITIZENS and NOT Illegals) are WHOLLY kept out of the "process" and their ideas/thoughts...ignored. Politiicans just SPINELESSLY include "pork" projects, in "secret", for their districts/states with the hopes that they will be elected. They SELDOM rise above this "practice" and do what is best for ALL Americans (Citizens ONLY). This needs to change and we need to have our voices heard...DAILY and LOUD and CLEAR. McCain is DONE and he is a CAREER POLITICIAN who was "married" to the REWARD ILLEGAL'S BILL and the honeymoon is...over. So long McCain. Nuff said.
NOSTRADAMUS
J. Scott at 11:30AM on Aug 5th 2007
9. You know this is a real joke. The only way the migrant jobs get done is by hiring Mexicans and others, you don't think you will get Americans black or white to do this job. These people work in the hot sun backs bent over and living conditions are terrible, they are also taken advantage of by the people they work for by getting paid such low wages. All they want is the same things that blacks and whites have here but they are willing to work for it. I am not saying give them Social Security but they should be given a green card if they pass all of the requirement and become an American Citizen and learn to speak english I really don't think that is a lot to ask for a better life than they have in their own country.
We are being over powered in our own country by illegal aliens and it really stinks.
Joann Whitaker at 11:51AM on Aug 5th 2007
10. I am a Viet Nam Vet, as is Senator McCain, something I personally respect very much in this man. I was lucky and not a POW as was the Senator.
My priority is the war on Islam terrorist army of sucide bombers who live to die killing innocent children, women, and elerly human beings for only one reason, to become the authority in our lives.
I did not like the Senator's position on the immigration issue and would not support it now or ever. Border security is the only debate on this issue as far as I'm concerned.
However my first pirority is also the Senator's and he will fight to the death our enemies to protect our freedoms, sovereingty of these United States of America, and our form of government.
First things first.
BTW, did you know our revolution in 1776 took over 6 years? The fight is worth independence then as now.
BT
bt at 12:38PM on Aug 5th 2007
11. I like and respect John McCain. I have enjoy his reasoned responses when queried by reporters, however I have a problem as I see him in new light: How can he run a country and influence the world when he can't manage his own political campaign? His campaign finances, strategies and personnel are mess. We've just suffered through 6 years of incompetence we don't need more.
ecarolan at 1:08PM on Aug 5th 2007
12. Hillary Clinton for President!!!
She is our only hope.
Milesrp at 1:34PM on Aug 5th 2007
13. I like what you do sometimes but I will not vote for you as you are a kiss ass with the dems. You try to satisfy all and you should be doing what is right.
I am a Viet Nam Vet. and feel for what you went threw.
Branscome, Robert G. at 4:35PM on Aug 9th 2007
14. We say we want leaders with integrity, those who are not islands to themselves but who can have a change of mind, and turn from what is not right to what is right. Still, when they do, we always question their motives beleiving they cannot actually change. Great leaders have always had the guts to move away from ideas they later saw were bad. Senator McCain has not turned away from his stand on Iraq, even though the press says that is the issue that has hurt McCain the most. I beleive he has is a leader we can trust. One other Senator I can respect in the Senate is Senator Liberman, who is a real statesman. McCain and Liberman for the White House might just work. Very seldom to the best and most qualified and the most wise are Elected to be President and Vice President. With these two guys in charge, I think I could sleep better at night. I cannot say the same thing in Hilary and Obama where in the White House. I am still un-decided who to vote for, but I am trying to look at the record first and foremost to decide, and also I listen carefully to each candidate. I am in favor of capitalism for our country and I oppose the socialist programs many of the candidates are pushing.
Jerry Bluhm at 5:17PM on Aug 5th 2007
15. RON PAUL FOR PRESIDENT 08
Peter at 3:08PM on Aug 5th 2007