McCain visits Myrtle Beach
McCain tackles issues in MB visit
By Zane Wilson
The Sun News
Sounding more like a presidential contender than a politician come to the aid of South Carolina Republican candidates, U.S. Sen. John McCain talked about national and international issues in a series of appearances in Myrtle Beach Friday.
McCain, of Arizona, came to help candidates he has endorsed through his political action committee, Straight Talk America. He attended a fund-
raiser Thursday in Columbia for Adjutant General Stan Spears and came to Myrtle Beach to speak at a fundraising lunch for superintendent of education candidate Karen Floyd.
But he also spoke at a meeting Friday morning with about 100 invited members of the Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce, met with about 100 members of the public later, and after the $1,000-a-plate lunch for Floyd he autographed his latest book for about 30 people.
McCain carried both Horry and Georgetown counties in the S.C. Republican presidential primary of 2000, even though he lost statewide to George Bush, and is quietly organizing for another run in 2008, but he says he wants to focus on this year's elections for now.
The senator was mostly warmly received but some in the public meeting attacked his position on immigration and on a cooperative agreement with Democratic senators on judge appointments.
"Our borders are broken," McCain said when the question of immigration came up in the first meeting, asked by chamber president Brad Dean.
"I know how many illegals are working in Myrtle Beach," he said. But he said employers can't be expected to be immigration agents.
McCain favors a program in which immigrants who have been here five years or more can achieve citizenship, but those who have been here less than five years should go home, then apply for a guest worker program.
The country cannot round up the 11 million illegal immigrants and deport them even though that is what some people want, McCain said.
"I think it will have a real impact on the economy of Myrtle Beach if we don't handle this issue with sensitivity," he said.
There was more anger about the issue in the public meeting. McCain said he understands the anger, but the issue must be handled and not everyone agrees on how to do it.
John Easterling said he approves of legal immigration but not amnesty for illegal immigrants.
"It really isn't fair to call it amnesty," McCain said. Amnesty means total forgiveness and he favors a program allowing those who have been here long enough to apply for citizenship if they meet the requirements, he said.
Nor should Republicans be tearing each other apart over immigration, McCain said.
"We want to negotiate," he said. "We are patriotic Americans, and for us to impugn the character of each other over this issue is reprehensible."
As for joining with some Democrats to prevent filibusters against judicial nominees, which some conservatives see as improper, McCain said it is "crazy" to think that the Senate can conduct any business without cooperation between the parties. "If you believe that all we should do is fight and beat down the Democrats, fine," McCain said. But if that were so, no legislation would pass, he said.
"My constituents in Arizona sent me there to get things done," not just to fight with Democrats, McCain said.
Offshore oil drilling was on the minds of some. North Myrtle Beach Mayor Marilyn Hatley asked his position on the issue.
He said the states should decide.
"I don't think it should be dictated by the federal government," he said. Alternatives such as nuclear energy and ethanol should be pursued more aggressively, he added.
"I believe that climate change is real," and it is also a national security issue that the nation is dependent on oil from unstable countries, he said.
McCain also said Congress is overspending and that special allocations, what some call pork, are feeding the red ink. The practice is one reason that worthy projects such as Interstate 73 can't get as much money as they need, he said.
What is needed to end that practice is to veto bills that include the special allocations, he said.
At the Floyd luncheon, attended by about 20 paying guests, McCain said the nation's future rests on having an educated workforce.
"We need a lot of progress in the state of South Carolina," and Floyd has the right program for getting there, he said.
McCain said this was his first visit to Myrtle Beach since the 2000 campaign.
"I love this state and I love Myrtle Beach and I'm happy to be back," he said.
By Zane Wilson
The Sun News
Sounding more like a presidential contender than a politician come to the aid of South Carolina Republican candidates, U.S. Sen. John McCain talked about national and international issues in a series of appearances in Myrtle Beach Friday.
McCain, of Arizona, came to help candidates he has endorsed through his political action committee, Straight Talk America. He attended a fund-
raiser Thursday in Columbia for Adjutant General Stan Spears and came to Myrtle Beach to speak at a fundraising lunch for superintendent of education candidate Karen Floyd.
But he also spoke at a meeting Friday morning with about 100 invited members of the Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce, met with about 100 members of the public later, and after the $1,000-a-plate lunch for Floyd he autographed his latest book for about 30 people.
McCain carried both Horry and Georgetown counties in the S.C. Republican presidential primary of 2000, even though he lost statewide to George Bush, and is quietly organizing for another run in 2008, but he says he wants to focus on this year's elections for now.
The senator was mostly warmly received but some in the public meeting attacked his position on immigration and on a cooperative agreement with Democratic senators on judge appointments.
"Our borders are broken," McCain said when the question of immigration came up in the first meeting, asked by chamber president Brad Dean.
"I know how many illegals are working in Myrtle Beach," he said. But he said employers can't be expected to be immigration agents.
McCain favors a program in which immigrants who have been here five years or more can achieve citizenship, but those who have been here less than five years should go home, then apply for a guest worker program.
The country cannot round up the 11 million illegal immigrants and deport them even though that is what some people want, McCain said.
"I think it will have a real impact on the economy of Myrtle Beach if we don't handle this issue with sensitivity," he said.
There was more anger about the issue in the public meeting. McCain said he understands the anger, but the issue must be handled and not everyone agrees on how to do it.
John Easterling said he approves of legal immigration but not amnesty for illegal immigrants.
"It really isn't fair to call it amnesty," McCain said. Amnesty means total forgiveness and he favors a program allowing those who have been here long enough to apply for citizenship if they meet the requirements, he said.
Nor should Republicans be tearing each other apart over immigration, McCain said.
"We want to negotiate," he said. "We are patriotic Americans, and for us to impugn the character of each other over this issue is reprehensible."
As for joining with some Democrats to prevent filibusters against judicial nominees, which some conservatives see as improper, McCain said it is "crazy" to think that the Senate can conduct any business without cooperation between the parties. "If you believe that all we should do is fight and beat down the Democrats, fine," McCain said. But if that were so, no legislation would pass, he said.
"My constituents in Arizona sent me there to get things done," not just to fight with Democrats, McCain said.
Offshore oil drilling was on the minds of some. North Myrtle Beach Mayor Marilyn Hatley asked his position on the issue.
He said the states should decide.
"I don't think it should be dictated by the federal government," he said. Alternatives such as nuclear energy and ethanol should be pursued more aggressively, he added.
"I believe that climate change is real," and it is also a national security issue that the nation is dependent on oil from unstable countries, he said.
McCain also said Congress is overspending and that special allocations, what some call pork, are feeding the red ink. The practice is one reason that worthy projects such as Interstate 73 can't get as much money as they need, he said.
What is needed to end that practice is to veto bills that include the special allocations, he said.
At the Floyd luncheon, attended by about 20 paying guests, McCain said the nation's future rests on having an educated workforce.
"We need a lot of progress in the state of South Carolina," and Floyd has the right program for getting there, he said.
McCain said this was his first visit to Myrtle Beach since the 2000 campaign.
"I love this state and I love Myrtle Beach and I'm happy to be back," he said.
posted by SCGOP at 6:50 AM
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