Illegal Immigrants Start Fires?

This one press conference ties together two unfortunate story lines: the increasingly nationalistic and xenophobic rhetoric of the Republican Party, and the inexorable decline of Senator John McCain.  For the former it is perhaps a sign of the times: a final push for return to a (largely fictional) 1950s-style past before the country finally moves forward on the social issues of race, ethnicity, and religion.  For the latter, it is a sorry display of a man who once stood for bipartisanship and moderation, but who now is behaving as an embittered old man - and one who is losing his grip at that.

Yes, John McCain, who once championed comprehensive and humane immigration reform, is now generating baseless accusations of Mexican-Americans.  Let there be no mistake: in this press conference, he is blaming fires which have forced the evacuation of 10,000 people from 4,300 homes on individuals crossing the US-Mexican border on foot.  Where is the John McCain who championed comprehensive immigration reform?


Then again, his endorsement of such reform was before 2008.  Before losing to then-candidate Obama, before his own party derailed his campaign, and before he decided to release his anger upon immigrants and the gay community.  That was closer to the time of the McCain-Feingold Campaign Finance Reform Act, back when McCain could reach across the aisle, display a genuine smile, and most importantly, refrain from the crazy talk.


Perhaps now McCain is in fact more in sync with his own party.  Now he is sharing the same distaste for our neighbors south of the border, the anti-gay sentiment at the repeal of Don't Ask Don't Tell, and the affinity for offensive comments that are sure to make a headline or two.  His moderation and self-distancing from racism, xenophobia, and extremism were always what set McCain apart from many other Republicans, and it was that which earned him much admiration across the aisle.  Unfortunately for the gentleman from Arizona, he is very quickly losing all the respect he earned over very many years, and now, nearly three years since the last presidential election, it is doubtful that he will be able to win much of it back.