NEWS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Sunday April 8, 2007

McCain Absent from Arizona, Again

While officials from all levels of government joined President Bush today for a tour of the Arizona border near Yuma, Sen. John McCain, allegedly Arizona’s Senator, was notably absent. McCain, who was at one time a bipartisan supporter of comprehensive immigration reform, has backed away from the issue during his national campaign for the presidency, and has also been largely absent from Arizona and the Senate floor, often missing key votes to hit the campaign trail.

“Arizona should be his highest priority, and immigration is one of our biggest issues. Touring the border and bringing attention to this issue is just as important as attending votes on the Senate floor. As long as he represents this state, it should come before running for president,” said Democratic Party Chair David Waid. “State legislators such as Aguirre, Pancrazi, and Ulmer, as well as Congressman Mitchell and Governor Napolitano have put the time and effort into this issue with both legislation and this border tour.”

In contrast, several Democratic officials accompanied the President to bring attention to the immigration crisis that looms over Arizona’s borders. Governor Napolitano, who has been on numerous border tours with Bush, was on hand today, as well as Congressman Harry Mitchell, State Senator Amanda Aguirre and State Representatives Lynne Pancrazi and Theresa Ulmer.

Last year McCain co-sponsored legislation, termed the McCain-Kennedy Immigration bill that gained bipartisan support and addressed much of the comprehensive solution needed to solve the immigration crisis. However, the presidential candidate has since retreated from his moderate stance this year to appease the right wing of his party and has dropped the popular bill. His new immigration plan would require those here illegally to voluntarily deport themselves and pay a $10,000 fine before applying for legal status, a move decried by even moderate Republicans as unrealistic and impractical.