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New McCain Ad Finds It Ironic that Romney Attacks on Immigration

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December 30, 2007 12:28 PM

ABC News' Bret Hovell reports from Concord, New Hampshire: Senator John McCain says it is "ironic" that rival Mitt Romney would attack him on immigration in a new ad released by the Arizona Republican’s campaign.

"You know I find it ironic Mitt Romney would attack me on the issue of immigration," McCain says, speaking directly into the camera in the ad. "This is the same Mitt Romney who called my plan, quote, reasonable."

The commercial debuted Sunday on ABC's This Week with George Stephanopoulos. It will run on television stations in New Hampshire this week. 

Romney's ad accuses McCain of supporting a plan that would grant amnesty and give social security to illegal immigrants, facts that are misleading – McCain's plan would have required illegal immigrants to pay a fine and wait in line to become citizens, at which time they would be eligible for the social security like any citizen.

But immigration has proven to be the toughest issue for McCain in his campaign for the White House. At nearly every town hall meeting, McCain gets asked to explain his position from skeptical questioners. More than once voters have told him that they would vote for him except for his position on the issue.

Romney's ad, then, could be particularly perilous for McCain, who is gaining ground on Romney, the longtime frontrunner in New Hampshire.

"You either respond, which we will do once. Or you let it sit out there absolutely untrue," McCain explained Saturday aboard his campaign bus. "So we've made our choice, and I think it's the right thing to do."

Romney spokesman Kevin Madden said that Romney is in agreement with the majority of Republicans on the immigration issue.

"Senator McCain's amnesty approach towards illegal immigration is absolutely the wrong approach to the problem," Madden wrote in a statement. "[McCain's] troubling policies on illegal immigration would reward law-breakers and make our nation's borders less secure."

McCain's ad takes a dig at Romney's character as well, implying that Romney is being dishonest.

"Before I can win your vote I know I have to win your respect," McCain says in the ad. "And to do that you know I'll always be straight with you."

ABC News' Matt Stuart contributed reporting from Iowa.

December 30, 2007 in McCain, John | Permalink | User Comments (9)

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User Comments

McCain wanted amnesty. He is out touch with reality.

We must secure our borders now. A nation without secure borders is no nation at all. It makes no sense to fight terrorists abroad when our own front door is left unlocked.

Only Ron Paul will physically secure our borders. Enforce visa rules, and deport anyone who overstays their visa or otherwise violates U.S. law. This is especially important when we recall that a number of 9/11 terrorists had expired visas.

No amnesty. No welfare for illegal aliens. End birthright citizenship.

As long as illegal immigrants know their children born here will be citizens, the incentive to enter the U.S. illegally will remain strong.

Posted by: greg | Dec 30, 2007 12:56:53 PM

Romney is a flip-flopper on this issue as he is on most others!
He is the Hillary Clinton of the
Republican Party! He will say anything and do anything to win the nomination!
McCain's plan was right on!
We need to secure or borders first, but we must also deal with the long term
problem as well!
We need problem solvers like McCain, not
political hacks like Romney!
We need the calm, steady experience in both domestic and foreign policy that John McCain has in these troubled times!

Posted by: reaganfan | Dec 30, 2007 12:59:04 PM

With out a doubt McCain is the "NUTTIEST" one in the whole pack..He is pushing 80 years old and needs to go back to Arizona and watch the sunset. His day has come and gone long ago.But like every Republican nut job he thinks he "deserves" to be president. Give it up John, go get a glass of ice tea sit on your porch and watch the sunset.

Posted by: Joe MUrphy | Dec 30, 2007 1:16:56 PM

McCain thinks its safe for American's to travel in IRAQ, and that the general Patraus travels around without security. He has lost his mind? McCain also voted for the Military Commission Act which allows the President to arrest Amercian citizens without the right of haebas corpus i.e. no righ to a lawyer, etc. Amazing. Also, McCain flip flops (lies) on Iraq and gay marriage.
He is straight talk express is a joke.

Posted by: greg | Dec 30, 2007 1:25:55 PM

You might be a redneck if: You vote Republican because you're afraid MORE illegal aliens would enter under a Democrat!

Posted by: zuzu | Dec 30, 2007 2:12:36 PM

Mitt Romney lacks any credibility at all, if you look at his record and all his misrepresentations, flip flops and falsehoods. I have my issues with McCain, but you'd have to be an idiot not to realize that when it comes to decency and integrity, McCain's got more in little finger than Mitt has in his entire body! Don't be fooled by Romney, people...the man is a millionaire businessman's businessman...and THAT'S who would benefit from a Romney Presidency, not you or I. 95% of the wealth in this country is controlled by only 2% percent of the population...don't let them continue to control our government too!

Posted by: Bryce D. | Dec 30, 2007 2:50:18 PM

OK, Mr. McCain, please be straight with us.

You formerly stood for the proposition that illegal aliens could stay in the US. Is that still your position?

If so, I would submit that Mr. Romney's use of the term "amnesty" seems to be an appropriate characterization of your position.

If not, I would submit that perhaps you have flip-flopped. (Not that I really care if you change your position, but you seemed to be hot and bothered when Mr. Romney changed his position).

Please, sir, just stick to the issues. State your position clearly so we , the electorate can understand. Inquiring minds want to know what you really think about immigration.

In the meantime, stop the personal attacks and innuendo. You are sounding more and more like a desperate southern preacher in a tailspin.

Posted by: Elector | Dec 30, 2007 7:31:46 PM

First, the McCain plan WAS NOT AMNESTY. The illegal entrants would have to leave the country and pay a severe penalty to get back in. Second McCain understands and acknowleges that the citizenry borders must be secured as our first priority. He is correct that at some time we will have to deal with the issue of what to do with the 12 million illegals who are already here. He is clearly the only person who is really listening to the people on this issue and who has the integrity to say so. He is clearly the only candidate fit for the presidency in these perilous times.

Posted by: Doug, Denver, Colorado | Dec 31, 2007 10:49:31 AM

Mitt Romney did nothing but focus on the issues. The response by both McCain and Huckabee are typical of individuals who are losing a debate. They deflect focus on the issues and make every attempt to call the personal credibility of their opponent into question.

Here are some facts...

Public education rating by state:

Massachusetts #2 (Romney)
Arizona #50 (McCain, dead last)
Arkansas #32 (Huckabee, bottom third)

Health Care:

Romney's healthcare initiative in Massachusetts significantly reduced the cost of health insurance to the citizens of the state. Nearly 300,000 citizens without previous healthcare coverage are now insured.

The Economy:

Mitt Romney not only has an MBA from one of the most prestigious business schools in the world, he has demonstrated his ability to apply what he has learned in both the public and private sectors. His economic success at Bain Capital, in the Olympics, and in dealing with the Massachusetts state deficit were not anomalies.

If the republicans want a conservative candidate that has demonstrated that he can get the job done... it is Mitt Romney.

Posted by: Roy Dew | Dec 31, 2007 11:41:29 AM

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