June 5, 2007
Posted: 09:58 PM ET

MANCHESTER, New Hampshire (CNN) — Sen. John McCain is being very bold in defending the immigration bill during the debate. He doesn't back down, despite attacks from the other candidates on the stage.

– CNN Senior Political Analyst Bill Schneider

Filed under: John McCain • Race to '08


Phil, Alpharetta GA   June 6th, 2007 12:15 am ET

Bold my butt. He is a neocon RINO shill for the Bushites pushing the amnesty stepping stone to a North American Union. Wake up America, as Tancredo stated, the very existence of our nation is at stake.

mike   June 5th, 2007 11:24 pm ET

McCain is like George W in his defence of this bill. Just barrel ahead, despite clear and fair opposition.

John is through w/ this. As you could see, all Republicans pile on tonight. This immigration bill is wildly unpopular. His candidacy is sinking straight to the sea floor.

t sims, carrollton TX   June 5th, 2007 10:49 pm ET

McCain is a liberal supporter of Kennedy he needs to go…I know no one in support of amnesty and the north american union plan this bill would open up…i have never seen such an act of sedition…incredible that he actually thinks americans dont know better…just incredible

STEFFIE K PALM BEACH FLA.   June 5th, 2007 10:44 pm ET

WHY DIDNT HE SPEAK OF THAT WONDERFUL ( NORTH AMERICAN UNION ????? THAT IS HAPPING RIGHT UNDER OUR NOSES;)FOR ALL THAT DONT KNOW , THE GREAT ROAD BEING BUILT TO CONNECT MEXICO AND CANADA.1st stop is Kansas WOW THANKS

MIForRonPaulcom   June 5th, 2007 10:22 pm ET

Ron Paul didn’t get a chance to have his say on immigration as promised by Wolf. So, from his “Issues” flier, here is Congressman’s Paul’s position on Immigration: Border Security and Immigration Reform. The talk must stop. 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. This is my six point plan:
1. Physically secure our borders and coastlines. We must do whatever it takes to control entry into our country before we undertake complicated immigration reform proposals.
2. Enforce visa rules. Immigration officials must track visa holders 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.
3. No amnesty. Estimates suggest that 10 to 20 million people are in our country illegally. That’s a lot of people to reward for breaking our laws.
4. No welfare for illegal aliens. Americans have welcomed immigrants who seek opportunity, work hard, and play by the rules. But taxpayers should not pay for illegal immigrants who use hospitals, clinics, schools, roads, and social services.
5. 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.
6. Pass true immigration reform. The current system is incoherent and unfair. But current reform proposals would allow up to 60 million more immigrants into our country, according to the Heritage Foundation. This is insanity. Legal immigrants from all countries should face the same rules and waiting periods.

Carl, Tucson, Arizona   June 5th, 2007 10:17 pm ET

McCain is an arrogant, dishonest politician, whom the Republican voters will soundly reject, for good reason.

His support for amnesty is simply one more example of his loyalty to the liberal media.

Darryl Morin, Muskego, WI   June 5th, 2007 9:58 pm ET

A common mis-conception is that undocumented immigrants do not pay taxes. In fact, Congress has for quite sometime required undocumented immigrants to pay taxes. The law that requires this is in direct conflict with the border protection laws. Our current immigration policy is riddled with these conflicts frustrating immigration judges, lawyers, border patrol, etc.

Back to taxes, the Social Security Administration's Chief Actuary estimates that over 75% of all undocumented immigrants pay full taxes including unemployment, medicare and social security even though they are not eligible for benefits from any of these programs. The IRS puts the number at a little more than 75%.

The issue is much greater. While Federal couffers receiving these proceeds and give nothing back in benefits, the states and local municipalities are burdened with the cost of integrating and education the undocumented immigrants. The integration costs exceed that of their local tax revenues, for this reason, new legislation is being proposed that will provide the excess going to the Federal government, and send a portion to the states and local governments that need the funds for integration purposes. The net, is still positive.

Lastly as I know this is long, every department that tracks labor statistices in both the executive and legislative branches agrees that with the relative low reproduction rate in the U.S. and the coming retirement of baby boomers (5-10 years), we will need in excess of 1.2 million immigrants per year to grow the economy. The reason the number is so small is because it is assumed we will need to integrate the existing est. 12 million undocumented immigrants in the country as they are a much needed source of immediate labor.

Darryl Morin, Muskego, WI   June 5th, 2007 9:35 pm ET

It sounds like someone hasn't read the bill and that person is definetly not John McCain. The bill the John McCain supports is s. 1348 and it provides for:

- 18,000 border patrol
- 200 miles of vehicle barriers
- 370 miles of fence
- 70 ground-based radar and camera towers
- 4 unmanned aierial vehicles
- End of catch & release
- Tamper proof id cards & a workable employment verification system

As for amnesty, it will cost the average z-visa applicant in excess of $9,500 and take over 8 years for just permanent residency and over 15 years for citzenship(if eligible) and this is only if the applicant

-is employed
-has paid any and all back taxes
-has no felanies or three misdameaners
-is learning English

This test is then conducted three more times throughout their path.

I believe in the benefits of intelligent debate. It is important to any democracy, however, we are then incumbent to become truly informed and simply repeat the sound bites that are all to common on TV and radio these days.

Lorraine Moser, Myrtle Beach, SC   June 5th, 2007 9:29 pm ET

He may be considered bold but I consider him boring. His repetitive "my friends" shows how superior he feels toward the American voters and his opponents. Also, his amnesty bill is wrong, wrong, wrong. Do any who support this amnesty bill even consider the trillions of dollars it will cost the MIDDLE CLASS TAXPAYERS?

Darryl Morin, Muskego, WI   June 5th, 2007 9:18 pm ET

Once again, McCain has proven he understands the issue and it's complexities. While not popular, he is correct that the current bill is our only opportunity in the near term to secure the border, provide for our economic security, and yes, protect the family values that makes us great.

It is not a sexy soundbite, it is simply the truth.

Ron, Phoenix, Arizona   June 5th, 2007 9:12 pm ET

John McCain either hasn't read his own bill or he is intentially misrepresenting the provisions of it. When he says the border will be secured before other amnesty provisions kick in is simply a misrepresentation of the core of the bill that allows illegals to immediately get legal status the day after the bill is signed. McCain represesent otherwise. One can only speculate whether it's ignorance or arrogance or both.

Jason - Austin,TX   June 5th, 2007 9:08 pm ET

I find "shameless" more appropriate. Adios, amigo.

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