McCain: Hispanic vote 'up for grabs'

Christian Science Monitor ^ | December 4, 2011 | Anne Flaherty

[presidio9]

Sen. John McCain said Sunday that the potentially powerful Hispanic vote in the upcoming presidential election remains "up for grabs" because neither President Barack Obama nor Republicans have convinced these voters that they are on their side.

The one-time GOP presidential hopeful, whose own 2008 candidacy was shaped in part by immigration, said that large Hispanic populations in his home state of Arizona and elsewhere are listening carefully to what Republican candidates have to say on immigration and could become a "major factor" in 2012.

"I think that the Republican Party has to discuss this issue in as humane way as possible," he said. He later added, "The enthusiasm on the part of Hispanics for President Obama is dramatically less than it was in 2008, because he has not fulfilled his campaign promises either. So I view the Hispanic vote up for grabs."

McCain comment, on CNN's "State of the Union," is a warning to the GOP primary candidates who have mostly embraced a hard line on immigration, lest they be accused of supporting any kind of "amnesty" for the some 12 million illegal immigrants estimated to be living in the U.S.

Newt Gingrich was most recently attacked by his opponents for saying he would grant legal status to those with longstanding family and community ties; he has since endorsed a South Carolina law that allows police to demand a person's immigration status.

McCain said he believes the Hispanic vote could sway Arizona, Colorado and New Mexico. The key, he said, was for Republicans to address immigration in a humane and pragmatic way that every voter could appreciate. More specifically, McCain said, GOP presidential candidates should find a way to address the status of illegal immigrants already in the country while finding a way to secure the border to

[Jim Robinson]

McCain is senile.

[FlingWingFlyer]

Hey Juan! This is probably a silly question but when were illegal aliens given the right to vote and who gave it to them? Somebody needs to be doing the “perp walk”.

[presidio9]

I am under on illusions of the Republican party's ability to gain more than a third of a demographic that will tend to be of relatively low income for the forseeable future. OTOH, I can see a scenario where Hispanics break as hard left as the African American community. This will depend on the DNC's (and its puppet media's) ability to sell the narrative that Right's motives are partially based on racism.

Meanwhile, the labor unions are strong opponents of immigration, and 83% of Hispanics oppose abortion, versus 72% of Conservatives, according to Pew research.

That being said, I do agree that McCain could hide his own Easter Eggs. I'm looking forward to Sarah Palin replacing him.

[heiss]

Yeah. Guess time to give up and surrender, learn spanish adopt the gang sign and go back of the line to wait what the gov gives me.
We had a pretty nice run here as an american country.

Time for change.
I will learn to love amnesty and Newt.

Amnesty2012!

[mriguy67]

Seems kinda racist lumping all Hispanics into one group, He should have said the American vote is up for grabs

[presidio9]

Yeah. Guess time to give up and surrender, learn spanish adopt the gang sign and go back of the line to wait what the gov gives me.

Be honest: You're you using the same speechwriter Obama had when he said Republicans wanted dirtier air, and dirtier water, right?

[presidio9]

This is probably a silly question but when were illegal aliens given the right to vote and who gave it to them?

Either you need to read the article before posting, or someone needs to explain to you why not all Hispanics are illegal aliens.

[tumblindice]

Sen. John McCain said ...
Calla te Juan.

[Racehorse]

. . . or someone needs to explain to you why not all Hispanics are illegal aliens.

Yes.

And why not all Hispanics are Democrats nor support liberal agendas. Even the term, "Hispanic", blurs the reality of individuals and groups with frequently different, sometimes competing, interests and goals, by dumping them into one big monolithic pot.

[presidio9]

We're on the same page here, I think. See my post #4 to JimRob, who I usually try to avoid disagreeing with in public.

When people on this website make the mistake of assuming that all Hispanics are illegal aliens, it not only helps the DNC "racist" narrative, but it also gives the impression to moderates that everyone here is a radical.

[SunkenCiv]

Thanks presidio9.

[tumblindice]

OK, put this in your pipe and smoke it then: Not all “hispanics” are illegal aliens (certainly) but a majority of illegal aliens are “hispanic.”

[SoConPubbie]

It’s the new GOP, same as the Old GOP!

[Walrus]

You’re irrelevant, McLame. Just sit down and shut up, OK?

[Venturer]

I disagree he isn’t senile just slick.

He is trying to make a case for Republicans catering to the illegal immigrant amnesty debate, by getting them to back amnesty and the illegals.The same as he does.

[Tupelo]

For God's sake, why does anyone give a rat's patoot what John McCain says. Even on his best day he is as corrupt as Barney Frank.

As for the sainted “Hispanic” vote, The Republicans will get their usual 20% or so. But that will not stop them from pandering to La Raza and others.
Just like their pilgrimages to the NAACP to try to get the Black vote. In the end, they get 5%. On rare occasions they might get 10%.

[cradle of freedom]

What the heck, why not just hoist the Mexican flag over the White House.

[presidio9]

OK, put this in your pipe and smoke it then: Not all “hispanics” are illegal aliens (certainly) but a majority of illegal aliens are “hispanic.”

This was the comment he was referring to:

Hey Juan! This is probably a silly question but when were illegal aliens given the right to vote and who gave it to them?

[tumblindice]

McCain had his opportunity to mastermind this problem four years ago and he fought for us like a wild

kitten. Oy, if he’s going to keep kibitzing on strategy without a cue in his hand, he should chalk his nose.

2012 is a re-boot.

Tsuris, what a world, what a world*