Posted on 03/19/2008 10:02:08 AM PDT by Born Conservative
Arizona Sen. John McCain has rejected Hazleton Mayor Lou Barletta's invitation to come to the southern Luzerne County city and discuss illegal immigration.
"Senator McCain truly appreciates your invitation and the valuable opportunity it represents," a scheduling official, Jo Black, in the presumptive Republican nominee's presidential campaign wrote in a letter.
Barletta's congressional campaign released the letter today.
"Unfortunately, I must pass along his regrets as I do not foresee an opportunity to add this event to the calendar."
Black said McCain has "tremendous demands on his time" and because of "the large volume of similar requests, events such as this are extremely difficult to schedule even though each one is important."
In a statement, Barletta said he was "troubled" by the rejection and hoped McCain would reconsider.
"Illegal immigration is an issue that is very important not just to the residents of Hazleton, but also to the people of Northeastern Pennsylvania and the United States as a whole," Barletta said.
"While I commend Senator McCain for being the first to respond to my invitation, I am very troubled by his decision to decline my offer. The problems associated with illegal immigration confront every American every day, and the next president of the United States should understand the impact the issue has on Hazleton and similar cities, towns, boroughs, and townships across the nation."
Check back for updates and read the full story in Thursday's Citizens' Voice.
IMHO, this is dog bites man. Actually I'm not surprised that McCain rejected Barletta; I'm surprised that Barletta thought there was a chance that McCain might even acknowledge him.
Well what do you expect? McQueeg is a coward.
A declined invitation is newsworthy? Heck, I invited President Bush to my house to have dinner with my family and me. I got it declined. I really wanted to discuss some extremely pressing issues. I should have posted it on this board.
I’m sure that Barletta didn’t think he had a chance; he probably did it for publicity.
John McCain cannot do less than President Bush has done on border security. I will always be disappointed in the behavior a senior Republican leaders on this issue.
My hometown.Also, the home of the Obama girl and Rudy’s
latest wife.
It’s newsworthy in the respect that both Barletta and McCain are GOP’ers, with McCain in the run for the presidency, and Barletta is highlighting McCain’s unpopular stance on immigration. That’s going out on a limb party-wise.
Vote for Juan McCain?
Unfortunately due to tremendous demands on my time, I must pass along my regrets as I do not foresee an opportunity to add this event to my calendar come this November 4th.
McCain cannot avoid discussing this issue forever.
Considering the fact that McCain is retrying the old “We can’t win on a strong immigration stance” line, it wouldn’t be very wise to be seen with a man who won on a strong immigration stance.
Too busy being charmed by Juan Hernandez.
Simply put, the fact that McCain snubs an up and coming GOP conservative that has been on the cutting edge of doing the right thing about immigration does not surprise me.
Likewise, the fact that Barletta would take on the presumptive nominee of his party, and prospective CinC, and risk incurring his ire does not surprise me either. Barletta has long since demonstrated his courage and willingness to do the right thing, negative consequences be damned.
Barletta victorious by huge margin
...was overwhelmingly elected by Pubbies and 'Rats.
Some issues transcend party, McCain.
Something yer fixin' to find out the hard way. Again.
Yes it IS newsworthy. It shows the suckers who think RINO McCain won't cram his amnesty plans down our throats as president is indeed the SAME RINO McCain who tried it last time.
But most of them will overlook this just like they overlook his long history of RINOism and other lousy pet causes.
For McCain or the other guy? I mean McCain has been disloyal to the party for almost a decade without any repercussions.
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