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Friday, June 15, 2007
McCain: “Guardedly optimistic” in the short and long term
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Before the Friday afternoon fundraiser, mentioned below, Republican presidential hopeful spent a few minutes with reporters, talking mostly about the two issues which have dogged him through this campaign, immigration and Iraq.
McCain said he was “guardedly optimistic” about the latest effort in the Senate to revive the immigration bill. Noting the 10th District congressional race, where no one in any of the three parties represented has much good to say about the bill, we asked McCain if he thought the bill, even if it passes, comes with a long-term political cost.
“I think there’s a long-term political benefit to getting something done,” the Arizona senator replied. “Everybody agrees that the status quo is unacceptable. and I say to those opponents of this legislation, what is your proposal? The fact is that if you do nothing we will still have de facto amnesty, because we already have 12 million people who are here illegally.”
The challenge, McCain said, is to “convince Americans that we are truly enforcing the border and securing the border” - which Saxby Chambliss and Johnny Isakson would probably be quick to agree with.
On the effectiveness of the surge in Iraq, McCain noted that the last troops involved in the buildup have just arrived in Iraq.
“Don’t understand the viewpoint that we’re trying to determine whether it’s worked or not when we’ve finally gotten the last contingent over there,” he said.
Asked about the latest wave of violence in Gaza and the victory of the Hamas faction, McCain let out a barely audible “whew,” which is probably the most honest response to a volatile situation over which the United States has no control.
“We now have a terrorist organization, Hamas in control of Gaza. I think it’s very obvious we’re going to see increase attacks on Israel, with Hamas in control,” McCain said.
McCain said while he didn’t favor direct U.S. involvement, an international peacekeeping effort should be brought to bear in the Palestinian territories.
McCain came in tow with former U.S. Sen. Phil Gramm, incidentally. The Columbus native and former Texas politician was looking well, and said he still gets back to Georgia every year to go turkey hunting.
On immigration: Isakson and Chambliss keep their distance, Trent Lott endears himself to talk radio
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Stray thoughts on the immigration reform bill:
Today’s AJC and New York Times carry strong indications of how Georgia senators may vote on the immigration reform bill when it comes back up.
In the AJC:
Meeting Tuesday with Bush at the Capitol as he sought to save the bill, the Georgians urged him to send Congress a separate emergency budget bill that would guarantee immediate and continuing funding for border security measures. Such a guarantee could win over congressional conservatives and an American public skeptical that the federal government is committed to securing the U.S.-Mexico border, they said.
Bush’s support for attaching the money directly to the immigration bill — in hopes that future fees collected under the measure would be sufficient to cover the expense— makes the funding less stable.
“It’s a little disappointing that the president didn’t come out and accept our recommendation for a supplemental,” Chambliss said. He said Bush’s offer did nothing to change his mind about the inadequacies of the bill.
In the New York Times article, the immediate topic is President Bush’s infusion of $4.4 billion for border security as an inducement for Republican support.
Then there’s this:
Senator Johnny Isakson, Republican of Georgia, described the call for $4.4 billion as “a good start.” But Mr. Isakson said Mr. Bush needed to do more to secure the border and to show that he was serious about enforcing immigration laws.
We’re betting that both Isakson and Chambliss — despite their strong roles in the negotiations — will vote against the bill, and that it will still pass.
Whatever the two senators do, they’ll do together. This particular strategy may be the salvation of Chambliss, who’s up for re-election next year.
By linking themselves arm-in-arm on this issue, they’ve sent a message to the most militant opponents of the immigration deal: To attack one, you must attack both.
This week, state Sen. Chip Rogers (R-Woodstock) cited many reasons for resisting suggestions that he challenge Chambliss in next year’s primary. He didn’t say so, but the idea of running against Chambliss and Isakson had to be one of them.
Also in the New York Times piece is this paragraph:
Comments by Republican senators on Thursday suggested that they were feeling the heat from conservative critics of the bill, who object to provisions offering legal status. The Republican whip, Trent Lott of Mississippi, who supports the bill, said: “Talk radio is running America. We have to deal with that problem.”
Quick. Somebody call Neal Boortz.
John McCain’s got a fund-raiser in Atlanta today
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
It’s a lunch at the Intercontinental Hotel in Buckhead. Tickets are $1,000. We hope to bring you a report from the Republican presidential candidate later today.
But the event does raise the question of whether fund-raiser prices are a sign of market strength. Fred Thompson’s event here on July 6 likewise has tickets going for $1,000. But Thompson organizers also have scheduled a reception for those willing to pony up $2,300.
