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I'm rather amused that he's here to chat only with Latino business owners, but whatever. Sounds like a Clinton move. He seemed to talk the talk. Let's see if he can walk the walk.
The Orange County Register
updated 7:45 a.m. PT, Wed., March. 26, 2008
SANTA ANA – Republican presidential hopeful John McCain met with Latino business owners this morning in Santa Ana, and outlined his philosophy toward dealing with the country's economic and home mortgage problems.
He called for lenders to be held more responsible in the future, and vowed not to bail out speculators.
"It is not the duty of government to bail out and reward those who act irresponsibly, whether they are big banks or small borrowers," he said.
He said he supported the government intervention in the sale of Bear Stearns. He called for more "accountability and transparency," but stopped short of presenting a specific plan.
"I will consider any and all proposals, based on their costs and benefits," he said.
After his speech at C&H Letterpress Inc. in Santa Ana, he sat down there with 14 Latino small business owners to discuss their concerns – in front of an audience of nearly 200, including a large media contingent – and then held a short news conference.
An OC Political Pulse poll found that 15 percent of Republicans and 19 percent of independent voters thought McCain's lack of economic expertise was his greatest vulnerability in his presidential bid. (See the poll at ocregister.com/pulse.)
Democratic National Committee Chairman Howard Dean wasted no time in criticizing the speech.
"Instead of offering a concrete plan to address the crisis at all levels, McCain promised to take the same hands-off approach that President Bush used to lead us into this crisis," Dean said.
Before McCain left Santa Ana for his fundraiser luncheon in Newport Beach – where he was met by anti-illegal immigration protesters – McCain had touched on several other key issues.
• Immigration. McCain reiterated that the borders needed to be shut down first – a lesson he says he learned from the American people after his immigration reform proposal failed to make it out of Congress. He also said a temporary worker program is needed, and those who are here illegally can be dealt with after that.
• Iraq. "We are succeeding," he said, and spoke in support of a continued military presence.
• Health care. He called for more community clinics and a plan to reduce emergency room visits – but spoke against free health care for all. "There is nothing that would cost the American people more than free health care," he said.
In Newport Beach, before McCain's arrival, about a dozen of the activists – many of whom are regulars at every anti-illegal immigration protest in Orange County – carried American flags and signs that read "McCain: no amnesty."
"We're here to serve notice to John McCain that we are going to be in his face," said Raymond Herrera, a member of the Minuteman Project from Victorville. There will be no amnesty with John McCain, with Hillary Clinton or Barack Obama."
The event was organized to protest McCain's position on immigration reform, which anti-illegal immigration activists consider to be too lenient.
The Orange County Register
updated 7:45 a.m. PT, Wed., March. 26, 2008
SANTA ANA – Republican presidential hopeful John McCain met with Latino business owners this morning in Santa Ana, and outlined his philosophy toward dealing with the country's economic and home mortgage problems.
He called for lenders to be held more responsible in the future, and vowed not to bail out speculators.
"It is not the duty of government to bail out and reward those who act irresponsibly, whether they are big banks or small borrowers," he said.
He said he supported the government intervention in the sale of Bear Stearns. He called for more "accountability and transparency," but stopped short of presenting a specific plan.
"I will consider any and all proposals, based on their costs and benefits," he said.
After his speech at C&H Letterpress Inc. in Santa Ana, he sat down there with 14 Latino small business owners to discuss their concerns – in front of an audience of nearly 200, including a large media contingent – and then held a short news conference.
An OC Political Pulse poll found that 15 percent of Republicans and 19 percent of independent voters thought McCain's lack of economic expertise was his greatest vulnerability in his presidential bid. (See the poll at ocregister.com/pulse.)
Democratic National Committee Chairman Howard Dean wasted no time in criticizing the speech.
"Instead of offering a concrete plan to address the crisis at all levels, McCain promised to take the same hands-off approach that President Bush used to lead us into this crisis," Dean said.
Before McCain left Santa Ana for his fundraiser luncheon in Newport Beach – where he was met by anti-illegal immigration protesters – McCain had touched on several other key issues.
• Immigration. McCain reiterated that the borders needed to be shut down first – a lesson he says he learned from the American people after his immigration reform proposal failed to make it out of Congress. He also said a temporary worker program is needed, and those who are here illegally can be dealt with after that.
• Iraq. "We are succeeding," he said, and spoke in support of a continued military presence.
• Health care. He called for more community clinics and a plan to reduce emergency room visits – but spoke against free health care for all. "There is nothing that would cost the American people more than free health care," he said.
In Newport Beach, before McCain's arrival, about a dozen of the activists – many of whom are regulars at every anti-illegal immigration protest in Orange County – carried American flags and signs that read "McCain: no amnesty."
"We're here to serve notice to John McCain that we are going to be in his face," said Raymond Herrera, a member of the Minuteman Project from Victorville. There will be no amnesty with John McCain, with Hillary Clinton or Barack Obama."
The event was organized to protest McCain's position on immigration reform, which anti-illegal immigration activists consider to be too lenient.
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