After Voting To Declare English As The National Language, McCain Launches Spanish-Language Website
After Voting To Declare English As The National Language, McCain Launches Spanish-Language Website
Today, Sen. John McCain (R-AZ) launched a Spanish-language campaign website, greeting voters with, “Bienvenido! Estamos Unidos con McCain” (Welcome! We are united with McCain):
This new website comes despite the fact that McCain voted in 2006 for Sen. James Inhofe’s (R-OK) amendment to “declare English as the national language of the United States and to promote the patriotic integration of prospective US citizens.” In March, McCain skipped a vote on an amendment by Sen. Lamar Alexander (R-TN), aimed at “blocking lawsuits by employees challenging English-only workplace rules.” Both Sen. Hillary Clinton (D-NY) and Barack Obama (D-IL) voted against the measure, but McCain left Washington to attend a fundraiser.
McCain is following his conservative colleagues’ leads in political pandering. In January, former Massachusetts governor Mitt Romney released a Spanish-language campaign ad in Florida, even though he had previously said, “English needs to be the language that is spoken in America.”
Similarly, former New York City mayor Rudy Giuliani released a Spanish-language ad in Miami that same month. This move came despite his public embrace of an ardent English-only advocate who once said that Mexicans carry diseases into the United States because they “play and drink out of the same water.” “[Y]ou should be able to have to read English, write English, and speak English if you want to become a citizen,” said Giuliani.
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You mean it doesn’t greet visitors with, “Bienvenido Mi Amigos!”?
May 5th, 2008 at 1:15 pmThe Spanish community has about as much chance of voting for McCain as the anti-war movement has of believing that the three major candidates will advocate for the total and immediate withdrawal of troops from Iraq and Afghanistan.
Bring them home-alive and in one piece-now.
May 5th, 2008 at 1:18 pmSo, SEÑOR McCain?
How do you say, “English needs to be the language that is spoken in America.” in Spanish…?
Good grief.
May 5th, 2008 at 1:18 pmOld White McCain speaks with forked tongue.
May 5th, 2008 at 1:18 pmDo progressives believe that English shouldn’t be a requirement to legally become a citizen of the United States?
May 5th, 2008 at 1:18 pmMcSame, o, el “mismo” de el jorge de bush, rey.
McSame hablas con los “muy, muy, muy being amigos. Los amigos no esta amigos, pero enimigos profunda.
May 5th, 2008 at 1:18 pmmary Says:
You mean it doesn’t greet visitors with, “Bienvenido Mi Amigos!”?
LOL !! He’s such a phony, ‘my friend’.
_AIO_
May 5th, 2008 at 1:20 pmVA Voter Says:
Do progressives believe that English shouldn’t be a requirement to legally become a citizen of the United States?
May 5th, 2008 at 1:18 pm
____
Nope. Good strawman, though.
May 5th, 2008 at 1:21 pmNow, now — when Repubs like McCain, Giuliani, and Romney say “English needs to be our official language,” they mean “AFTER the election, of course. Until then, I want your vote no matter what language you speak…”
I don’t speak Spanish, so I don’t know the proper way to say “Please vote for me. And after I’m elected, I’ll turn you into a non-person so fast it will make your head spin!” in Spanish, but it would be only fair to allow Spanish speakers access to the whole story.
May 5th, 2008 at 1:21 pmL. Hussein Annie Says:
How do you say, “English needs to be the language that is spoken in America.” in Spanish…?
May 5th, 2008 at 1:18 pm
_____
Assuming the Senator is like most Americans, I’m guessing louder and more slowly, with a slight tinge of indignance.
May 5th, 2008 at 1:22 pmI’m asking so I can understand the progressive point of view.
May 5th, 2008 at 1:25 pmFlip
May 5th, 2008 at 1:26 pmflop?
May 5th, 2008 at 1:26 pmNo you’re not, but thanks for playing.
May 5th, 2008 at 1:28 pmClearly for McCain, the Latino population (like the majority of Americans) are only good for one thing - their votes.
May 5th, 2008 at 1:29 pmOff topic as usual VA Voter. Obviously your brain is hardwired so that you will NEVER be able to understand the progressive point of view. Go back to Fox News where they speak your language.
May 5th, 2008 at 1:31 pm“Vota por McNumbNutso”
May 5th, 2008 at 1:32 pmErroll Says:
The Spanish community has about as much chance of voting for McCain as the anti-war movement has of believing that the three major candidates will advocate for the total and immediate withdrawal of troops from Iraq and Afghanistan.
True. Which is odd considering his sponsorship of the McCain-Kennedy immigration bill. He gets slammed for that by conservatives still.
BTW, if Obama is the Dem nominee McCain might do better with Hispanics than you think. As a demographic they have shown little love for O.
May 5th, 2008 at 1:32 pmIf it English literacy were a requirement for Citizenship then VA voter and the rest of the repubublican wing of the repubilican party would have to turn in their passports as they don’t seem to be able to read the writing on the wall.
May 5th, 2008 at 1:33 pmVA Voter Says:
I’m asking so I can understand the progressive point of view.
May 5th, 2008 at 1:25 pm
_____
No you’re not. You’re asking so you can prove some fictional point about progressives trying to undermine U.S. soverignty.
Now that that’s clarified, here’s the progressive point of view as I see it:
May 5th, 2008 at 1:34 pmSome basic proficiency in English should be required for citizenship, yes. However, English should not be the sole official language of the United States. This is horribly insensitive at best and genocidal at worst to the dwindling populations of speakers of Native American languages in this country. Granting official status to English contradicts the spirit, if not the letter, of the First Amendment.
Yes I am. I don’t agree with a lot of progressive ideology. Some of it I do. I am asking a legitimate question about the progressive stance of English as the official language of the United States. I would like to know if you believe that a person should be able to speak, understand, and write English before becoming a citizen. No how about answering?
May 5th, 2008 at 1:36 pmNuestra falta de aprender otros idiomas es una lastima.
May 5th, 2008 at 1:38 pm(Our lack of learning other languages is a shame).
There’s only one reason why this guy can be some lame and still be in the running for POTUS.
The GOP already has everything set up to STEAL this election. You read it here first.
May 5th, 2008 at 1:42 pmmaverick (n.) An unbranded range animal, especially a calf that has become separated from its mother, traditionally considered the property of the first person who brands it.
So, McCain IS a maverick after all.
May 5th, 2008 at 1:43 pmAmerica doesn’t need to insist on its citizens to speak only English to protect its identity.
The values we believe in are universal, whether you are speaking English or Spanish.
In Europe, many people speak 3 - 4, or more languages. I met a South African who told me of the twelve local languages, he new 9 (fluent in 6). When I meet these people, I’m embarrassed that I only know one.
You could make the point that it might make the society less efficient or cost extra for the government to duplicate communications in other languages (spanish), but I believe those costs would be greatly outweighed when you consider the liberty of those that want to speak other languages, and the benefits Americans would get from exposure to the cultural differences.
Although, I don’t want to force Spanish on anyone, I want those that want to speak Spanish, to have the liberty to do so.
May 5th, 2008 at 1:44 pmVA Voter Says:
TheToonGuy Says:
No you’re not, but thanks for playing.
Yes I am. I don’t agree with a lot of progressive ideology. Some of it I do. I am asking a legitimate question about the progressive stance of English as the official language of the United States. I would like to know if you believe that a person should be able to speak, understand, and write English before becoming a citizen. No how about answering?
How about you do a survey? What makes you think asking the question here (especially given your track record) will give you the “progressive” viewpoint? This isn’t the Borg.
May 5th, 2008 at 1:44 pmWell, let’s take a look at some other nations that are trying to establish an “official” language over all others. France comes to mind. How well is that working for them, hmmmm?
May 5th, 2008 at 1:46 pmbackup Says:
Although, I don’t want to force Spanish on anyone, I want those that want to speak Spanish, to have the liberty to do so.
May 5th, 2008 at 1:44 pm
____
Not to mention that for many immigrants from southern Mexico and Central America, Spanish already IS their second language. Most grew up speaking Mam or Kiche or Kaqchikel or some other Mayan language.
May 5th, 2008 at 1:47 pmMcCain’s level of senile dementia is astounding. He doesn’t remember from one day to the next what he stands for, thinks, says, or decides.
This is one VERY SCARY, OLD CODGER!
May 5th, 2008 at 1:49 pm¡Control de daños, rápidamente!
May 5th, 2008 at 1:55 pmFrom the way most current citizens butcher English each and everyday, I am afraid only the English as a second language speakers will be allowed to be citizens. Drive safe!
May 5th, 2008 at 1:56 pmWell the New Indiana Voter ID Law, if adopted in other states, is going to put a big crimp in his expectations of getting the voters who are spanish speaking. In the last election here in Ohio, they asked to see my drivers license, my voters registration card wasn’t good enough.
May 5th, 2008 at 1:57 pmMay 5th, 2008 at 2:01 pm
Keltoi Says:
——————————————————————————–
Erroll Says:
The Spanish community has about as much chance of voting for McCain as the anti-war movement has of believing that the three major candidates will advocate for the total and immediate withdrawal of troops from Iraq and Afghanistan.
True. Which is odd considering his sponsorship of the McCain-Kennedy immigration bill. He gets slammed for that by conservatives still.
BTW, if Obama is the Dem nominee McCain might do better with Hispanics than you think. As a demographic they have shown little love for O.
May 5th, 2008 at 1:32 pm
Yeah
Because the Hispanic community has sure shown a complete infatuation with another stupid , spoiled , wealthy white guy who never earned anything on his own ……………
May 5th, 2008 at 2:09 pmleftright,
May 5th, 2008 at 2:10 pmI have no idea how your comment at 28 is related to the topic of McCain’s latest flipflop but since do you know why tumbleweeds tumble?
leftright Says:
——————————————————————————–
VA Voter Says:
Progressive ideology is a lot like a tumbleweed. Whichever way the wind blows, their ideology follows!
May 5th, 2008 at 1:45 pm
As opposed to Cancervative ideology ; which insists their group blows collectively and continuously………….
May 5th, 2008 at 2:10 pmWhenever people say they want to make English the official language of this country, I think of a few things. The treaty of Guadulupe says we can’t (of course if we don’t take our treaties very seriously anymore.)
But as importantly, which English should be official? The Queen’s English? Shakespear’s English? Chaucer? George Bush’s English? Because I can’t speak any of those.
May 5th, 2008 at 2:13 pmI really dislike this political chameleon. From my perspective, he is not a genuine conservative. Mitt, please come back!!!
May 5th, 2008 at 2:16 pmDaryll Says:
——————————————————————————–
I really dislike this political chameleon. From my perspective, he is not a genuine conservative. Mitt, please come back!!!
May 5th, 2008 at 2:16 pm
BWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA
As if Shitt Conme , is “real” about anything ?
How many mannequins do you believe are “real” , d-bag ?
May 5th, 2008 at 2:20 pmDaryll:
May 5th, 2008 at 2:22 pmI thought you and the big guy were Huckabee fans! What gives?
Jebus. If English were THE official language of the United States, we’d have to DEPORT George Bush.
But, dayum, to where??
May 5th, 2008 at 2:22 pmDaryll, I thought you wanted God’s Candidate, Huckabee? What are you doing calling for Mitt Romney to “come back”?
May 5th, 2008 at 2:22 pmFrom here in Tulsa, OK………..in the case of Inhofe, the left side of his brain does not know what the right side of his brain has decided.
May 5th, 2008 at 2:24 pmHere are some photos of people who have not yet mastered English…
May 5th, 2008 at 2:27 pmDaryll. I’m having a problem with McCain’s pandering. I’m not a politician, and maybe McCain knows he has to do it to win. But, I think Mitt would have been the better choice.
May 5th, 2008 at 2:28 pmAnd Daryll, how is Romney better than McCain on this issue?:
In January, former Massachusetts governor Mitt Romney released a Spanish-language campaign ad in Florida, even though he had previously said, “English needs to be the language that is spoken in America.”
I’m surprised you don’t call for Aramic or prayer language as the official language of the U.S.! Are you slipping on your Christianity-U.S. government accomodation?
May 5th, 2008 at 2:29 pmLFG.
That’s embarrassing. Nice.
May 5th, 2008 at 2:30 pmIn a word, no.
That would exclude pre-literate children from the protections of citizenship. wouldn’t it?
But even more, a secular, inclusionist nation made up of immigrants should NOT have a single language legislated as the ‘national language.’
Unless, you’re also comfortable with the prospect that, once the hispanic population achieves a majority, Spanish should then become the ‘national language.’ How’s about that, cullt?
May 5th, 2008 at 2:32 pmbackup Says:
I really dislike this political chameleon. From my perspective, he is not a genuine conservative. Mitt, please come back!!!
Daryll. I’m having a problem with McCain’s pandering. I’m not a politician, and maybe McCain knows he has to do it to win. But, I think Mitt would have been the better choice.
Yeah, right, because Romney wasn’t pandering his butt off during the primaries. Pretty funny stuff.
May 5th, 2008 at 2:33 pmbackup Says:
——————————————————————————–
I really dislike this political chameleon. From my perspective, he is not a genuine conservative. Mitt, please come back!!!
Daryll. I’m having a problem with McCain’s pandering. I’m not a politician, and maybe McCain knows he has to do it to win. But, I think Mitt would have been the better choice.
May 5th, 2008 at 2:28 pm
Yeah
“Better” as in dogshit is “better” than horseshit ………
May 5th, 2008 at 2:33 pmFor those Americans here that support English only regulation here, consider what you think about the province of Quebec mandating only French.
First, if you believe in liberty, why not let people speak whatever language they want. (I understand the argument that the government shouldn’t have to fund it, but those costs are relatively low in comparasion to the gains in personal liberty).
Second, and more importantly, if you believe in the free market (and freedom in general), won’t the best ideas win out? If you allow English to compete with Spanish, won’t the best language survive? Or more likely, won’t we get a more effective hybrid of the two?
May 5th, 2008 at 2:44 pm“Welcome! We are united with McCain”
internet porn?
May 5th, 2008 at 2:49 pmew!
backup Says:
——————————————————————————–
For those Americans here that support English only regulation here, consider what you think about the province of Quebec mandating only French.
First, if you believe in liberty, why not let people speak whatever language they want. (I understand the argument that the government shouldn’t have to fund it, but those costs are relatively low in comparasion to the gains in personal liberty).
Second, and more importantly, if you believe in the free market (and freedom in general), won’t the best ideas win out? If you allow English to compete with Spanish, won’t the best language survive? Or more likely, won’t we get a more effective hybrid of the two?
May 5th, 2008 at 2:44 pm
The need to communicate on at least a remedial level is an absolute necessity , dimwit.
The horseshit GOP , and the horseshit president and administration whom you adore , have proven that there is nothing “free” about the “free market” ; and a remedial knowledge of English is a necessity in case of medical emergencies or should something of that nature occur or come up.
Stop with everything being about the “free market” ; privately owned businesses are greedy and untrustworthy ……
May 5th, 2008 at 2:52 pmGreat, add a whole new level of infrastructure to an organization that can’t handle it. And who’s going to pay for it? Not you, we already know what you think of taxes. So an unfunded mandate will turn a system that work into one that doesn’t. No thanks.
To quote H.L. Mencken, “…there is always an easy solution to every problem — neat, plausible and wrong.”
May 5th, 2008 at 2:52 pmMCMetal.
I think that it is mostly conservatives that promote English only regulation.
I oppose it, but I thought ‘free markets’ might be concept that conservatives might understand to help me make my point.
May 5th, 2008 at 2:57 pmanymouse. This does sound reasonable.
This also sounds reasonable, but the devils in the details.
May 5th, 2008 at 3:05 pmanymouse.
No I looked at it again. The government should have to a responsibility to issue documents in Spanish, if a significant portion of the population is Spanish speaking.
I don’t think private parties have any obligation to provide communication in either language, but the government would have responsibility.
May 5th, 2008 at 3:10 pmMacCaine no es mas que un pedaco de mierda!
May 5th, 2008 at 3:14 pmbackup Says:
——————————————————————————–
MCMetal.
I think that it is mostly conservatives that promote English only regulation.
I oppose it, but I thought ‘free markets’ might be concept that conservatives might understand to help me make my point.
May 5th, 2008 at 2:57 pm
If you are incapable of understanding each given “point” , and instead need the perceived vision of a “free market” diorama built for you to get it , you really shouldn’t have an opinion to begin with.
Cancervatism is a mental disorder , and is obviously incredibly debilitating ………….
May 5th, 2008 at 3:21 pmbackup Says:
——————————————————————————–
anymouse.
No I looked at it again. The government should have to a responsibility to issue documents in Spanish, if a significant portion of the population is Spanish speaking.
I don’t think private parties have any obligation to provide communication in either language, but the government would have responsibility.
May 5th, 2008 at 3:10 pm
The government , whether state or federal , should not be issuing driver’s tests in other languages , though ; how many road signs in the US are written in a foreign language ?
Besides
My old man came here with nothing , with not even a remedial level of the language and had to learn to gain citizenship and to pass his driver’s written test ; and that should remain………..
May 5th, 2008 at 3:24 pmHell, our pResident can barely speak english…he speaks some sort of Butchered gibberish of the english language.
May 5th, 2008 at 3:32 pmMCMetal Says:
The government , whether state or federal , should not be issuing driver’s tests in other languages , though ; how many road signs in the US are written in a foreign language ?
How many are in English? People manage to drive all over Europe and the rest of the world without needing a common language. That’s why the Internation Symbols were developed for signage. The ability to drive is in no way a reflection of the person’s language, especially these days.
May 5th, 2008 at 3:38 pmShouldn’t we all be speaking Esperanza by now?
May 5th, 2008 at 3:42 pmIndeed anymouse19! Thanks
May 5th, 2008 at 5:16 pmWeren’t we also supposed to be metric and doing complex math on our fingers with that weird Korean finger counting deal which I am sure to spell incorrectly
McSame is now panhandling the Hispanics for a vote.
Memo to Grampa: Hispanic voters are not stupid. It is more of an insult.
McCain is using the same strategy as Rudy and look at where that got Rudy. This is certainly the joke of the day for Cinco del Mayo.
May 5th, 2008 at 5:29 pmanymouse. That is a strong point. Maybe you’re right. Speak in whatever language you want, but the government will use only use English.
May 5th, 2008 at 7:32 pmVA Voter Says:
Do progressives believe that English shouldn’t be a requirement to legally become a citizen of the United States?
May 5th, 2008 at 1:18 pm Recommend (0)
Should there be an official language? We haven’t had one for more than 2 centuries, but we need one now?
May 5th, 2008 at 8:24 pmleftright Says:
VA Voter Says:
Progressive ideology is a lot like a tumbleweed. Whichever way the wind blows, their ideology follows!
May 5th, 2008 at 1:45 pm Recommend (0)
As opposed to you fascist ideal that you and your republican scum are alaways right, even though you are always wrong. You are pathetic, and I would just pity you if you weren’t ruining my country you unpatriotic Fukc
May 5th, 2008 at 8:28 pmVA Voter Says:
Do progressives believe that English shouldn’t be a requirement to legally become a citizen of the United States?
May 5th, 2008 at 1:18 pm Recommend (0) | Report Abuse
Speaking in English one-liners is enough to become an USA citizen?
Frankly, your command of the English Language hasn’t been demonstrated yet.
May 6th, 2008 at 2:11 pm