(CNN) – John McCain is airing a new ad - in which he calls Hispanic Americans “God’s Children” - in his latest bid to win over that key voting bloc.
The spot comes amid a major push on that front by the presumptive Republican nominee, including private meetings with community leaders, Spanish-language radio ads, the launch of regular campaign conference calls with Hispanic pastors, and speeches at high-profile gatherings like this week’s address at the League of Latin American Citizens and next Monday’s speech at National Council La Raza - two of the trifecta of major Latino conferences McCain will make an appearance at this cycle.
The new ad – which will air in Nevada, Colorado and New Mexico, all neighbors of McCain’s home state of Arizona which are all heavily-contested states this cycle – features comments from a summer 2007 debate in which the senator praises the service of Hispanic veterans.
“My friends, I want you the next time you're down in Washington, D.C., to go to the Vietnam War Memorial and look at the names engraved in black granite. You'll find a whole lot of Hispanic names,” McCain said in remarks included in the 30-second spot.
He praised the service of members of the military serving in Iraq and Afghanistan, including “some of the few thousand that are still green card holders who are not even citizens of this country, who love this country so much that they're willing to risk their lives in its service in order to accelerate their path to citizenship and enjoy the bountiful, blessed nation.”
“So let's from time to time remember that these are God's children. They must come to our country legally, but they have enriched our culture and our nation as every generation of immigrants before them,” he concluded.
McCain faced tough criticism from many conservatives early in the campaign for his support of comprehensive immigration legislation, and had shifted on the trail to an enforcement-first message that resonated with GOP primary voters, who listed immigration as among their top concerns.
The campaign has released both English and Spanish-language versions of the ad.
From CNN Politics
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And himself is whose child? mental recession child
The hispanic green card holders that serve in the military do not necessarily reflect a love or partriotism for America. We have a mercenary army that entices the poor to serve for a salary and benefits that they seldom achieve in our society or the one they came from.
More political pandering. He wants them out of this country when he talks to white audiances, then he wants them to stay because they are gods little children. We are all god's children, not one single segment of the worlds society let alone the American society has an edge on this. McCain needs to find ONE PLATFORM and stick to it.
I am so glad I switched parties this election, the republicans have become the largest septic tank this world has ever known.
They would have to be fools to fall for this BS from McCain. It's called PANDERING. He could really care less. Any party willing to use GOD as a political tactic is not to be trusted.
As a Latino, I must say this ad is kind of creepy.
How convenient. The Hispanic community has to be the most religous people in the country. Place them in the same sentence with GOD and it might increase your chances McShame. There are many veterans from many backgrounds. Are they not GOD's children too?
Gramps McCain wants all of "God's children" to come out of the shadows so they can be deported. He's just pandering to the Religious Right through this insincere attempt to reach out to Hispanic voters.
Do yourself and the country a favor. Vote Obama '08
Sounds very condescending. Is McCain the Great White Father to these "children?" Pat them on the head and give them a quarter.
it should be illegal to use religion to pander for votes.
i will NEVER vote for mccain!
ANOTHER GIMMICK!!!!!!!!!!!!
HISPANSIC ARE NOT "GOD'S CHILDREN" ALONE
MCCAIN IS AN IDIOT!!!!!!!!!!!
KISSING BUTT WILL NOT GET HIM ELECTED!!!!!!
What is this?? Kissing up to people when you will vote against every issue that matters to them?
SAD!
I'm about to throw up in my mouth
Hispanics are smarter than this. Come on with the pandering. If I were Hispanic I would just not vote. The disrespect for their intelligence is disturbing.
And the AOL straw poll thing is ridiculous. If you refresh your cookies you can vote as many times as you want, and we all know how disgusting and dirty Republicans are...
Aren't we all God's Children? What's up with that?
Laura – I would invite you to actually listen to Obama's speeches instead of irresponsibly posting information you obviously know nothing about. I noticed that you say you don't know where Obama stands and that he has changed his position on so many things and you listed some. He has not changed his position on many of these things but then again you would not know that.
I have made it a point to listen to BOTH candidates speak this week and will continue to do so via the CNN live video. Here you will also find McCain lying about his voting record and attacking Obama with additional lies about his policies.
Hispanics are under-appreciated in this country. They do the work the lazy people don't want to do. Without Hispanics, our crops would rot in the fields. Careful what you wish for you just might get it! I am greatful for their service to this country. I wish we could find a way to make this immigration issue a workable solution, to benefit all sides.
I get chills when McCain start his statements with "My friends". That's when we have to start looking over our shoulders. As for the ad, last I checked we are all God's children. And how funny that this is the first time he decides to bring God into his politics. Maybe he had a chance to polls some people before this and found out that mentioning God works for Hispanics??? Can I have just one ad that does not mention the war? Let's talk economy.
Get that Pander Bear back in its pen. Who let him out, in the first place?? The Republicans !!
SUPPORT OUR TROOPS, BRING THEM HOME, ALIVE AND WHOLE. NOW.
HYPOCRITE! We all know that this is pandering to Catholics, Latinos and anyone else with a conscience! And .......DUH.....WE ARE ALL GOD'S CHILDREN, MCCAIN!
WHY is CNN not putting Phil Gramm ELISTS words on 24/7???????
I still say, that regardless of what McCain says to pander to all the different groups a vote for McCain is a vote for......
MORE WAR, MORE NATIONAL DEBT, MORE OF THE SAME!
He's a liar and he's trying to distract Americans from realizing that his economic advisor said that Americans are "a bunch of whiners".
It won't work.
Obama 08
McCain I'm a Latino and you're just trying to win like bush did. I am not voting for you EVER! not just hispanics/latinos are GOD's children but everyone in the world is GOD's children.
Good for McCain..
At least McCain isn't demanding our kids learn Spanish in schools
like Obama is, next Obama will be demanding our kids learn RAP>
Hispanic Immigrants have always been "God's Children" prior to any presidential campaign and should have always been respected as such. I support Obama as much as I support Hispanics in their efforts for equal treatment.
A vote for McBush is a vote for more war, more corporate and tax breaks, more erosion of women's rights, and more BUSH! Pander on McCain, but the women's vote won't be the group to put you in!
McCain: ‘I Received The Highest Award From Literally Every Veterans Organization In America"
The recognition McCain has received from veterans groups is not "high awards" but failing grades:
Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America gave McCain a grade of D for his record of voting against veterans. (By contrast, Obama got a B+.)
Disabled Veterans of America noted McCain’s dismal 20 percent voting record on veterans’ issues. (Obama had an 80 percent.)
In a list of "Key Votes," Vietnam Veterans of America (VVA) notes McCain "Voted Against Us" 15 times and "Voted For Us" only 8. (Obama voted for VVA 12 times, and against only once.)