McCain now opposes his own bills

Steve Benen
August 11, 2008





$ When McCain first began championing cigarette tax legislation, he vowed to "never" give up on the issue. Like most of McCain's promises, the vow had a shelf life.

Asked repeatedly last week whether McCain still backs the bill and if he thought it was a good idea, senior adviser Douglas Holtz-Eakin declined to answer directly ... McCain today does not support raising taxes on cigarettes, his adviser said.

$ He said in February that he'd vote against his own immigration bill.

$ McCain used to champion the Law of the Sea convention, even volunteering to testify on the treaty's behalf before a Senate committee. Now, if the treaty comes to the Senate floor, he's vowed to vote against it.

$ McCain was a co-sponsor of the DREAM Act, which would grant legal status to illegal immigrants' kids who graduate from high school. In 2007, to make the far-right base happy, he announced his opposition to the bill he had taken the lead on.

$ In 2006, McCain sponsored legislation to require grassroots lobbying coalitions to reveal their financial donors. In 2007, after receiving "feedback" on the proposal, McCain told far-right activist groups that he now opposes the measure he'd helped write.


Flip-flops are one thing, but these aren't just random bills that McCain voted on -- these are bills that he personally championed -- recently.

And even that wouldn't be entirely beyond the pale, except one of McCain's principal selling points is his alleged consistency and willingness to take politically unpopular decisions.

We're talking about a senator taking firm stands against his own bills. "Maverick," indeed.


Source: AlterNet

Grav!ty wrote:

$ McCain was a co-sponsor of the DREAM Act, which would grant legal status to illegal immigrants' kids who graduate from high school. In 2007, to make the far-right base happy, he announced his opposition to the bill he had taken the lead on.

As far as I'm concerned, the child of any illegal immigrant should be considered an illegal immigrant as well unless they've applied for a visa of some sorts or have gotten their green card (legally) I think that children born in the US to illegal parents should also be considered illegal aliens too, though I think they would technically be considered citizens. IMO, we give immigrants to much freedom here.

I just spoke with my wife, who is 1/2 Cherokee Indian, and she said she agrees, that all the illegal aliens should leave and take their big statue with them, what is it called again, Oh yeah the Statue of Liberty.
I agree the immigration laws and the way the immigrants are handled is messed up. When I was applying for my Business Loan, I had to jump through hoops that were on fire, but Joe Immigrant, seemed like he was scouted after, drafted, and given a signing bonus to start his business. It seems that some of the politicians court certain groups of illegal aliens, championing their cause, as if they could vote for them, I guess they are after the legal cousin's, aunt's and uncles' vote. Then it is made easier for them to cash their checks etc. with the credit card companies, or whoever it is that came up with the debit cards that aren't tied to a bank account.

imnuts wrote:

Grav!ty wrote: $ McCain was a co-sponsor of the DREAM Act, which would grant legal status to illegal immigrants' kids who graduate from high school. In 2007, to make the far-right base happy, he announced his opposition to the bill he had taken the lead on. As far as I'm concerned, the child of any illegal immigrant should be considered an illegal immigrant as well unless they've applied for a visa of some sorts or have gotten their green card (legally) I think that children born in the US to illegal parents should also be considered illegal aliens too, though I think they would technically be considered citizens. IMO, we give immigrants to much freedom here.

You must see what is going on here.

Immigrants coming from everywhere ( Pakistan , India , Bagladesh , Turkey , Romania , Bulgaria , Albania , Russia , Ukraine , Georgia , Belarus , Egypt , Libya and many more ) and they're already more than 3.500.000 in a 10.000.000 population.

Grav!ty wrote:

$ He said in February that he'd vote against his own immigration bill.

I'd like to give this whole article more consideration because McCain has flipped on some issues (and of course Obama has too). However, when I read this the above stuck out at me. This is a classic example of taking something out of context to make it look like it supports your argument... when it doesn't. McCain voted against his own bill not because he no longer supported the main body of the bill but because the bill got bogged down with amendments.

I can understand how that would look bad without understanding though. Personally, I'd like to better understand Obama's flip on FISA.

ill bet alot of you didnt know that illegal immigrants can get federal grants for college.
we should just make it easier to become legal so more people will and then they can pay taxes and actually pay back some of the money theyve taken from americans by not paying taxes and taking federal money. but whatever i guess.
i personally dont believe that mccain or obama will change this country for the better.

Grav!ty wrote:

This cartoon makes me sick. I understand and respect political disagreements that nearly half of America with conservative leaders like John McCain. I have my own disagreements with the other side. These are good for America. What's not is cartoons such as this.

Is making fun of somebody who served honorably and was such scared and disabled because of it serve some purpose? This cartoon is offensive.

Why can't we move past crap like this? I would never post something like this about Barack Obama or any other liberal leaning candidate.