Think Progress

McCain ad contains dubious Spanish translation on new immigration policies.

Filed Under: Immigration

By Ben on May 10th, 2008 at 3:50 pm

McCain ad contains dubious Spanish translation on new immigration policies.»

Sen. John McCain’s (R-AZ) latest effort to have it both ways on immgration is illustrated in a new English narrated Spanish-language ad. In the ad, McCain touts “pro-innovation immigration policies” in English (a move to seemingly appease the right wing base), but the Spanish text that appears simultaneous to that declaration trumpets “Immigration Policy Innovation,” a term that makes it sound like he supports comprehensive immigration reform. Watch it:

Lost in translation? Maybe. But because McCain’s immigration position has flip-flopped-flipped, the evidence suggests deliberate deception. More on this story over at the Wonk Room.

Comments

16 Responses to “McCain ad contains dubious Spanish translation on new immigration policies.”

Bobwurst Says:

Wow, the instant flipflop! no more waiting around a few days for a stumbling clarification by a spoke-person. We need a new word for this, Flupe? Fliop? Mccain?
May 10th, 2008 at 4:04 pm
Badmoodman Says:

Que? McCain es muy loco in la cabeza!
May 10th, 2008 at 4:13 pm
Vincennes Says:

I think ThinkProgress is making too much of this. And it’s giving McCain too much credit for being a flip flopper. His campaign is just not that clever. It’s just your run of the mill political ad with hollow promises.
May 10th, 2008 at 4:25 pm
McWars Says:

Flip flop? Of course not. Of course.
May 10th, 2008 at 4:33 pm
Above the Clouds Says:

McCain and Republicans to Hispanic voters: “We don’t like you, but please vote for us, anyway.” Hell, “We don’t like you, but please vote for us, anyway” is what Republicans are saying to ALL Americans.
May 10th, 2008 at 4:36 pm
Immigration2008DotCom Says:

I could have expected TP to think a juxtaposed word matters, when both phrases mean the same, meaningless thing.

And, it’s interesting that TP pretends McCain doesn’t support “reform”, when he clearly does. Why does he support that? Because he’s corrupt, which is also the same reason the Dem leadership supports it.
May 10th, 2008 at 5:15 pm
Paul W Says:

…But because McCain’s immigration position has flip-flopped-flipped, the evidence suggests deliberate deception…

This is hardly the “maverick’s” first flip-flop or deception. On the torture bill, McCain proudly proclaims his opposition on torture and yet knowingly allows language in the bill that exempts the CIA from its restrictions and is completely silent about Bush’s signing statement declaring in essence that he’ll torture anyone he damn well pleases.

http://progressiveworldreview.com
May 10th, 2008 at 5:27 pm
MapleStreet Says:

Hopefully there is someone in the Hispanic press corp who is pointing this out ?
May 10th, 2008 at 5:42 pm
Doc Rock Says:

Es una paradoja!
May 10th, 2008 at 5:42 pm
Jeannie See Says:

Color me dense I suppose, but I’m not getting the meaning of this post.
May 10th, 2008 at 5:56 pm
Jeannie See Says:

However, I’m not dense enough to do something like this.
May 10th, 2008 at 5:58 pm
satirev Says:

Everything McNutbag puts his fingerprints on is half-cocked or half-crocked. I’m beginning to think that this man is in way over his head.
May 10th, 2008 at 6:29 pm
Gregor Samsa Says:

Wait, McCain speaks English in an ad with Spanish subtitles?

I wonder what the English-only-or-they-won’t-assimilate xenophobic Republican voters have to say about that.
May 10th, 2008 at 10:22 pm
Jess Wonderin Says:

Great idea - each side gets the story McSame needs to push . . . kinda like any Anglo shopping in a third world market . . . “Koo media kaa kaa? Hummmm, Honey, that must mean it comes in medium only?”
May 10th, 2008 at 11:45 pm
Evil Spaniard Says:

And the two phrases with the verb “Crecer” are badly constructed, too, and the verb has far better synonims to use in that context. So much for reaching the Spanish speaking segment, with so many mistakes in a short ad.
May 11th, 2008 at 12:17 pm
Luis M Says:

Well… they do mean 2 different things altogether, but I think it can be attributed to incompetence during the translation, not to malice.
May 12th, 2008 at 11:04 am