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Obama and McCain spar over immigration in front of Latinos
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)
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MGA,
As opposed to a 24 year flip-flopper? McCain can't even stick to an issue whithin the same speech.
Posted by: BruhMan | Jun 28, 2008 10:06:13 PM
...within the same speech.
Posted by: BruhMan | Jun 28, 2008 10:06:56 PM
McCain is as bad as Obama. One wrote the amnesty bill the other supported it. It is the biggest mark against McCain. I believe in American sovereignty. Apparently there are a lot of people in D.C. that don’t.
McCain is still the best choice but this is one position he needs to rethink. Maybe he can flip - flop like Obama.
Posted by: Royce | Jun 28, 2008 10:10:53 PM
BruhMan
Until the debates heat up, these guys are going to appeal to everyone and stay off sensitive topics as long as possible; understood.
Sell me on Obama; what makes him so great? up to now, we don’t know much about him except that his dear friend and spiritual advisor is a racist and preaches hate against Americans. He must be walking on water in your mind given less than 2 years in the senate?
Posted by: MGA | Jun 28, 2008 10:21:35 PM
so last election cycle???!!! are you serious??!! i agree, it shouldnt be plastered on the news everyday but it is VERY IMPORTANT!!! you can spin it anyway you want, but the average american would not go to a church with someone who speaks like that. no matter how you spin what he says, he is very conroversial. we have to take canidates associations for what they are worth.
Posted by: tim | Jun 28, 2008 10:34:38 PM
tim,
NONE!!! That's the point. People site Obama as a flip flopper as their reason for not voting for him. McCain lost my when he no-showed for the 21st Century GI Bill of Rights. That alone was enough for me. And, I thought he should have been President in 2000. But, he has become a shell of his own self.
Posted by: LosDangerous | Jun 28, 2008 10:36:07 PM
bruhman...
i didnt say anything regarding those guys?! i agree, there are bad on both sides. see thats my point. i may agree ALOT with what sean hannity says(and i do by the way) but its THE WAY HE GOES ABOUT IT THATBOTHERS ME. i wouldnt say he says worse than rev wright, but i see your point. but, im not talking about hannity or fox nes: im talking about a guy who wants to be my president. therefore, i AM going to pay attention and criticize him on his current and past associations. bottom line.
Posted by: tim | Jun 28, 2008 10:38:18 PM
tim,
Then at the same time, McCain pandering to the Religous Right should be an issue as well. But, he's a "war hero" with a squeeky clean rep, and anything said about his associations are not talked about.
Is Keating 5 an issue? How about giving military secrets to the enemy while you're held captive? Any feeling on his adulterous past? Well, Michelle Obama just became "really" proud of this country...was Cindy proud while she was abusing pills or stealing from her charity? EVERYONE HAS A PAST!!!
Posted by: BruhMan | Jun 28, 2008 10:39:39 PM
bruhman...
why are you stuck on this rev. wright thing so much? im not voting for obama, 90 percent because of his views and 10 percent because of his associations. if he held the views i share, then i could probably overlook the rev. wright thing. im not going to sit and talk about if wright is a good guy or not. i could care less. and dont assume i get my information from sean hannity!!! i dont. i dont believe that rev wright greeted his congregation evey week like that either. im just smart enough to do the math. if he gave speaches like that on occasion and was filmed doing so, he has done it more than just those times. its not unfair to say that. but that being said, again, thats not really the reason im not voting for him. just believe that a canidates associations are some thing that have to be taken into consideration.
Posted by: tim | Jun 28, 2008 10:51:54 PM
tim,
YOU brought up associations. But, now since you realize EVERYONE has a past, I'm stuck on Rev. Wright? I just suggest you look deeper than the surface.
Posted by: BruhMan | Jun 28, 2008 10:55:09 PM
bruhman...
first off, i can tell you are mistaking me for one who is going to support john mccain till the death. i dont. i have to vote for him, but i definately didnt want to. so quit trying to pick a fight with me about everything he has done or said. thats why i wrote the post above about all politicians being liars and flip floppers. but i still have to vote for one. and i will choose one on the conservative side verus one on the liberal side anyday of the week. no matter how much "change" he says he will bring.
Posted by: tim | Jun 28, 2008 11:02:02 PM
Vote for whoever you vote for, and get whatever you get.
Posted by: BruhMan | Jun 28, 2008 11:03:49 PM
Senator Obama was not my first choice. I like John Edwards going in, but I became to like Senator Obama, and want to see the country go in a different direction. But, when the Neo-Con "Stop Obama/Stop Hillary" express got going, it fueled the situation over STUPID associations...when JOHN and CINDY has quite a few skeletons themselves. And, the more you dig...on either side...
Posted by: BruhMan | Jun 28, 2008 11:06:43 PM
well, since you asked.. roe v wade means nothing to me. i believe we all make choices, but there is a creator that we will all answer to in some sort of way. but i also realize its an issue to voters. i want to see conservative justices on the supreme court who UPHOLD the laws of the constituiton. not liberals who try to change them. warrentless wiretaps? well, im not really for them i guess, but it dosnt affect me either. you have to realize this isnt the same world we live in as our founding fathers did. im not really sure on that one. the government has and always will do illegal things we dont know about to keep us safe, so theres a fine line there. "marketized" health care, absolutely. we the people should, and can do this efficiently. limited government oversight on it maybe, but it should be that hard. and even if we arent doing it effectively, the government is DEFINATELY not the answer. see this is what gets me, we all complain about the government. its natural. so why would you want them in control of soooo much??!! if there are so many cheats and liars in washington, why would you want them to control YOUR health care of all things??!! i just dont uinderstand that one at all.
Posted by: tim | Jun 28, 2008 11:10:30 PM
Your top priority McCain? Really? not the war, not Iran, not the economy, education, oil prices, foreclosures, health care, torture, habeas corpus, GI benefits, national security, or Afghanistan? Immigration reform it going to be your top priority? Hmm does anyone else smell the pander the McCain is cookin'?!
Posted by: Louis | Jun 28, 2008 11:33:09 PM
and by the way... whats wrong with making illegal immigration a top priority again? just wondering...
Posted by: tim | Jun 28, 2008 11:38:53 PM
tim,
Nothing...
Posted by: BruhMan | Jun 28, 2008 11:40:57 PM
bruhman..
not trying to start a fight, honest, but i really would like to hear your response to the government being in control of your healthcare and why you believe they would do such a good job at it?
Posted by: tim | Jun 28, 2008 11:48:07 PM
typical.. no reply. imagine that. oh well, good night if there is anybody left in here... lol
Posted by: tim | Jun 29, 2008 12:20:57 AM
Hi Dreamer,
I applaud you for dreaming and your efforts. keep dreaming and keep striving for your ultimate goals. You will realize all your dreams and will be a plus in our society. And you are so right, there are so many American citizens who do not appreciate all the wonderful services this country offers them. So many do not even make use of them and you realize their immense value. It just does not seem fair. Do not dispair dreamer! Go for your dream! Good luck and God bless you Dreamer.
Posted by: pdyoung | Jun 29, 2008 1:38:30 AM
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