« Previous | Main | Next »

Obama and McCain spar over immigration in front of Latinos

Share

June 28, 2008 6:24 PM

ABC News’ Bret Hovell and Jennifer Duck report: Senators John McCain and Barack Obama did not encounter each other when they spoke back to back at a conference of elected Latinos in Washington, D.C., Saturday, but they traded verbal barbs on the thorny issue of immigration just a few minutes apart.

McCain spoke first to the National Association of Latino Elected and Appointed Officials, and after talking about energy independence and the current economic woes in the United States, was asked about the priority of reforming immigration to his plans for his first 100 days in office if elected.

“It will be my top priority -- yesterday, today and tomorrow,” McCain said to applause.

Speaking after McCain, Obama said that the Arizona Republican and presumptive Republican nominee walked away from immigration reform.

“He deserves great credit as a champion of comprehensive [immigration] reform,” Obama said, speaking from the same rostrum McCain had utilized earlier. “I know he talked about that when he just spoke before you, but what he didn’t mention is that when he was running for his party’s nomination, he walked away from that commitment.”

McCain, who championed a comprehensive reform with Sen. Edward Kennedy, D-Mass., in 2007, changed the emphasis of his immigration plan when speaking about it before sharply partisan audiences, regularly stressing border security as the first step to a complete approach to the problem.

Obama, D-Ill., the Democratic nominee-in-waiting, also was asked where he would rank immigration reform on his list of first 100 day priorities.

"It will be one of my priorities on my first day," Obama said, rather than the 'top' priority McCain had promised.  "Because this has been an issue we have demagogued.  There’s been a lot of politics around it but we haven’t been serious about solving the problem.  And I want to solve this problem."

McCain’s campaign fired back at Obama’s criticism of McCain’s immigration rhetoric with a statement e-mailed to reporters. It said, in part, that Obama has not reached out the way McCain has.

“The reality is that Barack Obama has never reached across the aisle to lead in a bipartisan fashion on an issue of major importance to the American people when his own political interests were at risk,” the statement read.

Both candidates are trying to reach out to the Latino vote during this election cycle, but Obama seems to be in a better position than McCain. A recent ABC News-Washington Post poll showed Obama with a 71 percent to 21 percent lead over McCain among Latino voters, some 8 percent of the electorate.

McCain was received with a polite standing ovation when he was introduced, and a sizable portion of the audience cheered when one questioner mentioned the prospect of a McCain presidency.

But Obama’s reception was more raucous. He entered the room to cheers and chants of his name.

That both candidates addressed the NALEO conference speaks to the importance of the voting bloc.

“We can do this, but I can’t do this on my own,” Obama told the crowd. “I need your help. This election could well come down to how many Latinos turn out to vote.”

“Thank you for all you do, for representing the hopes and dreams of so many American citizens,” McCain said, concluding his remarks. “And I’m grateful; I congratulate you on your success. Literally everyone in this audience is what America is all about.”

ABC News’s John Hendren contributed to this report.

June 28, 2008 | Permalink | User Comments (79)

User Comments

Feed You can follow this conversation by subscribing to the comment feed for this post.

Obama - N E V E R !


Posted by: A | Jun 28, 2008 6:27:09 PM

Sallie -- How so?

Posted by: A | Jun 28, 2008 6:31:31 PM

Obama's supporters all just like blinds lead the blind!

Posted by: Lila | Jun 28, 2008 6:52:06 PM

As a democrat, I wont vote for Obama. He is arrogant and unaccomplished. Simply running for the Presidency with the promotion of his candidacy by the media (ABC, Cnn, Msnbc) getting tingles down their legs trying to prove some point on racism left over from the 60's.I said it 6 months ago. He was a very poor state senator and other than him being "different" than Bush, He brings nothing! He has accomplished little and does not deserve the presidency!

Posted by: John in Cape May | Jun 28, 2008 7:00:18 PM

McCain has had the good sense to see that the first priority regarding illegal aliens is to secure the border. Obama would open the border to any illegal alien who wanted to wander into our country. It has been estimated that upwards of one billion people around the world would come to the United States if not prevented. Obama would allow many of these people to just walk in. That would be a death knell for the USA.

Posted by: abc | Jun 28, 2008 7:04:39 PM

I know this will bring some heat. But I think we should tighten the border and if that means building a wall or fence so be it. When my wife,( who is a native Puerto Rican and a 29 year career Master Chief in the Navy) went to Mexico, we were pulled over by the Policia and every dime we had in our pockets were taken by the police and then they sent us on our way. Over 1100.00 for going 5 miles over the speed limit. Why should we be nice to a country that doesnt even control its own police and is sending drugs over the border every day. Not to mention the criminals that cross in to our country. " Well they do jobs Americans wont take or do" BS!! Americans wont do the jobs for the low pay the illigal mexicans will. Cut off the supply of illigal Mexicans and the hiring dirt bags will be forced to hire Americans at normal pay. Americans waving jobs at 2.00 an hour are just has guilty as the Mexicans jumping the borders to fill those jobs.

Posted by: CW | Jun 28, 2008 7:11:14 PM

Obama, the peace maker? Chicago is Obamas base, the murder, Hamas, Rev. Wright, these are B.O.'s legacy! As BO stated in his book, "I will side with the muslims should the political winds shift" He did a fine job there? McCain, atleast we can corner him? I cant believe how foolish americans are, you get what you ask for.

Posted by: wil moon | Jun 28, 2008 7:12:25 PM

OBAMA THE BEST CHOICE

Posted by: BASHAP | Jun 28, 2008 7:17:24 PM

Wow! I look at my post sometimes and I sure see the republican in me. Voted for Bush twice. (I know, sorry.) I may have a lot of republican beliefs, but will never vote McCain in to office. I may not agree with some of Obama's policies but I do believe he is the best hope for this broken country. Had my hand burned twice. Wont be a third time. My wife and I are both active duty career military and we both will be voting Dem this year. Cant get any worse and maybe Obama will turn out to be a great president.

Posted by: CW | Jun 28, 2008 7:18:42 PM

I am a middle aged Hispanic and will try here to explain how we,with some exceptions, feel about undocumented workers. I also regard myself as a typical hispanic.

Hispanics are one cultural family and owe alleigence to one country or another. I, my family and friends owe ours to the good old USA. Many of us are vets and taxpayers.

Per the above, we are one big family and when someone picks on one, he/she picks on all. When the Republicans pass cruel and punitive laws regarding our "brothers and sisters", we feel the snubs, the slights and insuations. Plainly,the GOP is saying we do not want any more of you people. You are lazy, criminals, dirty and use up our tax monies. The Republicans have been broadcasting that message for years and we are sick of it. Our way of taking care of this problem will be by voting Democratic in 11/2008 and getting rid of the Republican lawmakers who demonize Hispanics.

We do realize that there is an illegal immigration problem but it must be dealt with in a fair compassionate way equitable to as many folks as possible. Republicans have proven that they do not want a place at the table for this.

Posted by: Beto | Jun 28, 2008 7:24:31 PM

CW, I so wish what you said was TRUE, In Oklahoma where our state law now makes it illegal to hire an ILLEGAL, when those workers left so did alot of companies that hired them, the OWNERS didnt even TRY to get other employees to fill the jobs, just in my town we had 4 restaurants close and 2 construction companies went out of business, yes we had people READY and WILLING to step in and hold those jobs after having been out of work for some time, IT DID NOT happen. It has happened all over the state the same way.

Posted by: Get Real | Jun 28, 2008 7:29:35 PM

to lila. if you consider yourself to be
a democrat, then vote democrat, or be what you are not.

Posted by: demo | Jun 28, 2008 8:18:06 PM

devilkev:

Who are you talking to?

Posted by: timmy | Jun 28, 2008 8:18:13 PM

BO Said "It will be one of my priorities on my first day," yeah right.... I really don’t believe this will be a priority issue on day one.... why do politicians lie.... oh yeah…. He wants votes… and some idiots will actually believe him

Posted by: vet1973 | Jun 28, 2008 8:25:30 PM

It all comes down to whether or not you think we should continue the bush policies. If you think the war should continue indefinitely, while we spend $10,000,000,000 a month, and you think that bush has done well with the economy then mc-more-war is your man. If you think that it's time we start to get out of iraq and do some positive things for the average American instead of just the top 5% then vote for Obama.

Posted by: pt | Jun 28, 2008 8:51:34 PM

Our goverment should enforce the laws on the books by allowing each and every law enforcement officer in this country to stop and lock up illegal immigrants. They are no better than bank robbers or home invasioners. They do not respect our laws. If they were responsible they would curtail their population growth to stay within means of their family and country's resources. Seems when one is allowed into the country legally, they then wany to keep the family together by allowing the other 57 members of same family to come across the border.
Seal the border and send illegals home, Senators Obama and McCain.

Posted by: Mary | Jun 28, 2008 9:13:51 PM

Since when does the presidency require a list of high end achievements? Obama is a better candidate than McCain in any situation. He may have less experience, but I would rather have less than a corrupt person like Senator McCain whom wants to set America in the same path that we have been on for the past 8 years. Nothing against the few good things that Bush has done, but I don't want anymore of it. Obama all the way.

Posted by: Jim | Jun 28, 2008 9:18:35 PM

: devilkev | Jun 28, 2008 8:07:49 PM:


YEA!!!

Good post!

You've done your homework.


MCCAIN BEFORE B O.
COUNTRY BEFORE PARTY!

Posted by: EYES WIDE OPEN | Jun 28, 2008 9:35:44 PM

Obama really couldn't care a bit about hispanics in general. His books are pro-african and really nothing else no mention of hispanics that I can recall anywhere so we all know hispanics are therefore a non-issue for him. To claim otherwise is silly and dishonest.

Posted by: annoyingrabbit | Jun 28, 2008 9:43:39 PM

Putting a flopper with less than 2 years experience as a senator in the most important Job in the world is a horrible mistake. Obama just flopped again. This time it was in NC when he said he fully supported free trade but forgot that he promised a few weeks earlier to completely overall the NAFTA agreement. In these times we can afford someone who is so wet behind the ears and whose views are borderline socialism; he makes Hillary look like a republican.

On gas, just remember who is still keeping offshore drilling off the table until next year as a political ploy to get Obama in the Whitehouse...all this at the expense of the US taxpayers. Every time you fill up, you’re making an involuntary contribution to the Democratic Party because forbid they do something good for the American people over their fears of possibly making the current administration look good before 2009; Keep prices high they say.

Posted by: MGA | Jun 28, 2008 10:01:04 PM

Post a comment