August 20, 2007
Posted: 11:03 AM ET

WASHINGTON (AP) – Sen. John McCain said Sunday his support for immigration changes hurt his presidential candidacy because people were not convinced that it would secure the border.

"The immigration issue has caused me some difficulties with our base," the Arizona Republican said.

The failed immigration bill supported by McCain included border security measures and a guest worker program and would have legalized many of the estimated 12 million illegal immigrants living in the U.S.

McCain has since endorsed a plan that would tighten the borders, but not include a guest worker provision.

But he said his campaign, which has been weakened by multiple resignations and poor fundraising, is regaining its footing.

"We are back on town hall meetings, and enthusiasm is there. And we're going to be just fine in my campaign," he said. "Every campaign has its ups and downs.”

He said it is critical to convince the public that the borders can be controlled by setting up a system that would provide a tamperproof document about an immigrant's legal status.

"And anybody who doesn't have that, then the employer who hired them would be prosecuted," he said.

McCain said his campaign should recover strength because he is the most qualified of all the candidates in either party to take on radical Islamic extremism.

McCain spoke on "Face the Nation" on CBS.

Filed under: Immigration • John McCain • Uncategorized


Pat P., Huntington Station, NY   August 20th, 2007 11:12 am ET

Not just immigration, but maybe it's the fact that watching and hearing from Sen. Mcain is like watching paint dry. We need young energy in the White House again.

Cable King Pittsburgh Pa   August 20th, 2007 11:37 am ET

Bye Bye John.

John Thomas, Edina, MN   August 20th, 2007 11:40 am ET

You're done, you flip-floppin', panderin' opportunist. Ron Paul has since replaced you as 'top-tier.'

John S. Chicago, Illinois   August 20th, 2007 11:53 am ET

Mr. McCain, obviously it hurt your chances, because it is quite clear that you supported the movement to allow 12 million ILLEGAL ALIENS to stay in the country in your plan, effictively passing millions in tax dollars to accomplish nothing. You are not a good decesion maker, and your ideas and plans for America's future could be outdone by a high schooler with any knowledge of the plight that 12 million undocumented criminals can have on a countries economy. I'm glad to see the republican party continues to embarass itself on a daily basis, because the landslide victory of Obama will be that much greater when the pubs dont even have a leg to stand on.

Cable King Pittsburgh Pa   August 20th, 2007 1:11 pm ET

Yes, Senator Mckain is "gone", but Ron Paul doesn't exactly move up one.
Get real!

Rock oN

Remy B. , Los Angeles, CA   August 20th, 2007 1:20 pm ET

Ya think?!?!? McCain is still part of the problem as he can't bring himself to suggest or do anything about the millions of illegal aliens here that the vast bulk of American citizens want gone. Illegal aliens do and perpetrate great harms daily on innocents in our nation and the body politic does what they can to help, aid, and assist them and behind the scenes continue to ensure they remain here. Quit electing anybody to office high or low regardless of party that prefers foreign national illegal aliens over American citizens, legal immigrants, and our kids.

Myron, Honolulu, HI   August 20th, 2007 1:22 pm ET

The Republican Base doesn't want creative intellegent solutions, they only react from the "gut". Emotions not brains from the Bread Basket of America. :)

Marian, Rosemead, CA   August 20th, 2007 1:32 pm ET

It's not the Immigration Bill McCain… it's your crazy outbursts. I think you might be a little bipolar.

Indepent, Michigan   August 20th, 2007 1:37 pm ET

The Bush-Kennedy immigration legislation needed a major overhaul. They made some progress and it was better than the first Senate bill but it was nothing for a reasonable American to support. The Senate needs to finish their job and Senator McCain should realize he made a very big mistake by praising the flawed bill.

Evan Esteves, Boca Raton, FL   August 20th, 2007 1:41 pm ET

It's funny how you all say he's done…yet he polls the same as Romney nationally…I guess he's done too

Patrick, Denver Colorado   August 20th, 2007 2:01 pm ET

We need more politicians like McCain who stand up for whats right even if it is unpopular with their base. As much as people don't want to face the immigration situation in our country, we have to & find commen sense solutions that will fix the problem. McCain tried to do this but is taking a hit all because people are too stubborn to look at reality. McCain is one of the only honest politicians left in either party its time we all give im a second look.

Jim, Atlanta   August 20th, 2007 2:12 pm ET

Senator McCain…..becoming Bush's lapdog is what killed your campaign.

PauL Phelps, Thatcher Arizona   August 20th, 2007 2:42 pm ET

Senator you are incapable of taking care of the issues in our home state. You have no business being a U.S. President based on you sorry record here in Arizona. ELECT McCain for RETIREMENT. Sit Down John

Max Clow, Colorado Springs, CO   August 20th, 2007 2:57 pm ET

Johnny- When you stood in Bahgdad in armor surrounded by the 101st saying "everything is fine here" you lost all credibility and the American people are SICK of being lied to and treated like idiots, although many apparently are. Walk away. Your Vice presidential aspirations will still be intact.
Max

Tim Hoboken, NJ   August 20th, 2007 2:59 pm ET

Yes, betraying Americans for foreign nations and their citizens tends to not play well in the polls.

don   August 20th, 2007 5:09 pm ET

you got that right.

that and you are too old and tempermental to be president.

Myron, Honolulu, HI   August 20th, 2007 6:25 pm ET

It was a strange bill that nobody in America could understand or support but NOT HAVING A WORKING POLICY DOESN’T WORK EITHER. :(

It wasn’t just Kennedy and McCain…Bush wanted something workable too! ;)

David, Salinas, CA   August 20th, 2007 7:06 pm ET

McCain has often payed a great price for his courage, and this is no exception.

I believe that those who disagree with us on immigration policy do so out of a sincere love for their country. I just don’t think they understand. We want secure borders and we want everyone to obey the law. But if you deport all the undocumented workers in my small farm town, no one will be left to pick our crops. These aren’t terrorists or murderers, they are hard-working people.

Penna.   August 20th, 2007 8:41 pm ET

Weathervane McCain:

I wrote you off along time ago because of your temper and in 2000 when you kissed up to Bush after he bashed you so badly!

The only smart thing you ever did was marry money. I hope Cindy has a padded room for you.

Fredericksburg, Va.   August 20th, 2007 10:45 pm ET

The wheels on the bus go round and round…., and then fall off.
John, I pulled for you to beat bush back in 2000, and then you became his lap dog in 2004, then you supported staying in Iraq in 2006 & 2007.
Your time is done…, you miscalculated on a number of issues. You have served your country well in our armed forces and in government, but now it is time to retire as an American Patriot. You have no hope as a president.
Thank you for your service to your country, now move along. Just for the record, I'm a centralist supporting a Clinton/Bama or Clinton/Edwards ticket.

Steve, Portland, OR   August 21st, 2007 5:00 am ET

I might add that his stance on the Iraq war is probably even money with immigration when it comes to people who have said Adios to this guy. I might also add that I believe it was the DEMOCRATS and a republican president that tried to ramrod this immigration bill thru as it maybe Americans can't remember much, they do remember the promise to fix this problem 20 years ago. They (DEMS) now control Congress. Soon the Presidency. Better keep asking about this issue especially now. Democrates: Before we go and legalize 12+ million new citizens, how about more social programs for the citizens and legal permanent residents like the lower income undocumented workers get with paid government assistance. These temporary workers that replace full time American's manufacturing jobs, cause if you legalize all these folks, you are going to see a lot of Americans who do need these jobs.. Out of work. Maybe we can get jobs with Homeland Security helping make those millions of new documents as so far you guys can't even issue US passports in any timely manner. Your citizens are having to cancel vacation trips to other countries where they see some interesting views of our government we don't get here. I expect even Mexico once the new law gets fully enacted. We citizens wouldn't get to see how the honest Mexicans struggle with their corrupt government. Won't have to worry after elections or cancel citizens vacations. We citizens will all be broke paying off the enormous debt our government put us in while corporate got rich. Speaking of election promises, how about some new corporate taxes, especially on Chinese manufactured items. Republicans: Adios(literally this time) as I think your president has screwed things up so bad that I'll be dead before I see another Republican in the White House.Yahoo..Much as I generally love to disagree with conservatives,(sorry) I give them the credit for stopping this Immigration bill.

iris, hackensack , nj   November 16th, 2007 8:47 am ET

I think a law should be approved.
Everyone forgets at one point or another someone from our families have migrated here, and i think that it is wrong for you people to judge or try to get rid of immergrant becasue they work harder than use, and also if you are worried about crimes, our americans commit more crimes than anyone else,

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