Sen. John McCain (R-AZ), who is facing a challenge in the Republican primary from former Rep. J.D. Hayworth, now appears to be tacking right on an issue that had long gotten him in trouble with the GOP base. On immigration, McCain is now making it clear that he favors the deportation of many residents who are here illegally.
The Hill reports that McCain said in an interview today with local radio in Tucson that he opposed any program that would allow illegal immigrants a way to become citizens, after he had previously championed a pathway to citizenship in 2006. “No amnesty. Many of them need to be sent back,” said McCain, who also explained that a temporary-worker program would only be for those who are entering the country as part of that future program, and not for those now here illegally.
The TPM Poll Average gives McCain a lead of 52.3%-30.6% over Hayworth, whose own campaign has been damaged badly from his 2007 involvement in an informercial promoting a company’s questionable seminars for “free money” in government grants.
Eric Kleefeld
Eric Kleefeld joined TPM as an intern for the final months of the 2006 midterm elections, and then kept showing up for work. His other interests include guitars, old comic books and the politics of various English-speaking countries.
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