McCain Blames Hastert Seat Loss On Anti-Immigration Rhetoric

McCain, on NPR this morning:

"We just had a loss of Denny Hastert's seat out in Illinois," McCain said. "The Republican candidate out there, I am told, had very strong anti-immigrant rhetoric also, so I would hope that many of our Republican candidates would understand the political practicalities of this issue."

A sign that McCain will stand his ground on the politics of immigration, at the very least.

Comments

Its pretty simple politics actually. Calling for a secure border is one thing but don't be anti-mexican and a racist while you're doing it because that turns people off.

Posted by Jesse | March 18, 2008 3:08 PM

"Its pretty simple politics actually. Calling for a secure border is one thing but don't be anti-mexican and a racist while you're doing it because that turns people off."

Exactly.

Posted by GopLatino | March 18, 2008 3:22 PM

So, let me get this straight. McCain's not even going to go after the angry white vote? And he's going to be running against a black guy?

Who's going to vote for McCain, exactly? Veterans? Who else? Veterans' families?

Posted by Joe Drymala | March 18, 2008 3:25 PM

So McCain endorsed Oberweis without knowing anything about him?

Posted by lifelong democrat | March 18, 2008 3:26 PM

From the suburban Daily Herald (Chicagoland's suburban newspaper) on February 21, 2008:

With shared views on issues including immigration reform, limited government, and a gradual withdrawal from the Iraq war, Republican presidential hopeful John McCain on Wednesday expressed his support for congressional candidate Jim Oberweis.

"I'm proud to be here with Jim Oberweis to begin the Republican march back to a majority in the U.S. House of Representatives," McCain told reporters after landing at Aurora Airport on his way to a $1,000-per-ticket fundraiser for Oberweis.

Oooops . . .

http://www.dailyherald.com/story/?id=139265

Posted by Bill White | March 18, 2008 3:27 PM

Sounds like McCain has been cribbing Mickey Kaus's talking points ...

But ... I'm quietly surprised no one has mentioned what I believe is the more fundamental reason for Oberweis's loss in IL-14 ... he's the namesake owner of a well known Chicagoland dairy who'd failed in three previous, more "prestigious" election cycles ('02 and '04 U.S. Senate; '06 Governor) ... the public sensed his desperation for power and thus rejected him ...

Any "politically entitled" Republican running against a competent Democrat backed by Obama was doomed ... immigration policies were just an afterthought ...

*shrugs*

Posted by Dr. Freeman | March 18, 2008 3:29 PM

"Who's going to vote for McCain, exactly? Veterans? Who else? Veterans' families?"

Free-traders.

I don't agree with McCain on most issues (Roe, War, etc.), but I don't want the know-nothings of today rulling America's economy.

Posted by AnEconomist | March 18, 2008 3:36 PM

AnEconomist, I don't mean to insult you or anything, but your argument doesn't strike me as sensible since John McCain has never struck me as sympathetic toward business. Maybe he's a free trader, but the vast majority of the country isn't, and my sense is that he tends to see commerce in general as base and dishonorable next to the glories of dying for one's mother land.

Posted by Lev | March 18, 2008 3:47 PM

WRONG, free traders aren't voting for him either. He admits to knowing nothing about the economy, the best he can do is sputter out some names of marginally smarter friends, like Jack Kemp.

But- he does have the blood-thirsty vote, and that is a large segment of the population.

Posted by BJORN | March 18, 2008 4:06 PM

LOL @ McCain. I live in Hastert's district and Oberweiss was the worst possible candidate the Republican Party could support for Hastert's old seat. Sure he has big name reputation with his milk and ice cream company but it has been proven over and over that he is not electable. Look at how many different offices that he has run for over the years.

Posted by Scott Adams | March 18, 2008 4:33 PM

McCain says what his backers - including those who profit from illegal activity - want him to say.

The campaign also involved a smear from a Mexico-linked group which was then promoted by the DCCC and which may have played a role in the Foster win. And, Foster seems to have supported enforcement. For the details, see this post, the previous post on the same issue, and the comments on both.

Posted by TLB | March 18, 2008 5:22 PM

It's already been noted, but McShame supported Oberwies, and now he is talking as if he never heard of the guy or his positions. Remarkable. When will he forget that George Bush has been president for the last seven years? When will he forget his own name?

Posted by GBH | March 19, 2008 12:18 AM