whoa wrote on May 30, 2006 6:47 PM:that is embarrasing. McCain cancels an appearance because of Bilbray's false attacks on Busby. Not helpful six days out from the election

McCain Ad wrote on May 30, 2006 8:05 PM: Interesting ad Busby is running on NCTimes website. Could that have caused the cancellation? So now Busby is with McCain on immigration, the minutemen are with Independent William Griffith - where's Bilbray?

Interesting wrote on May 30, 2006 8:06 PM: Did Busby's ad on this website have anything to do with the McCain cancellation? So Busby is with McCain, the minutemen are with Independent Griffith, where's Bilbray?

to "whoa" wrote on May 30, 2006 8:11 PM:This article is clearly stating that they both reached an agreement... it would look hypocrytical if he had him comming out. the aggree on 9 out of 10 issues. And not to mention.... even tho he opposes his bill and Busby supports it... he is still endorsing Bilbray.

Daren wrote on May 30, 2006 8:21 PM:I didn't read in the article where McCain cancelled because of the attacks on Busby. Can somebody show me that line? McCain cancelled because Bilbray opposes the amnesty plan that McCain & Busby support. I applaud Bilbray for not showing any kind of support for rewarding the illegal criminal immigrants.

Fred wrote on May 30, 2006 9:16 PM:I admire McCain for canceling...To keep his presidential hopes for 2008 up he has to still say he supports Bilbray..the kind of lack of integrity that spoils our political scene. The McCain bill makes it very hard for undocumented workers to become legal - it is hardly amnesty but the "haters" would like you to believe so. I don't think the voters of this district are going to be fooled into supporting Bilbray.

No more illegal immigrants wrote on May 30, 2006 9:25 PM:Bilbray is clear on his policy. Send all the illegal Mexican immigrants to jail where they belong.

Kiss of death wrote on May 30, 2006 9:28 PM:McCain's appearance for Bilbray would be the kiss of death for a lot of potential Bilbray voters.

GFN wrote on May 30, 2006 9:30 PM:Even Republicans can't stand their own party's representatives or campaign tactics. This is sad.

Pam wrote on May 30, 2006 10:19 PM:Bilbray's a straw fire candidate. John McCain is the real thing -- a man of integrity and honor. I'm choosing someone else this time, and hope that the message will be sent to Congress that we, the PEOPLE of the 50th district do not want more like Cunningham, more betrayal, or any more dishonesty.

John wrote on May 30, 2006 10:36 PM:The republican food fight continues. Bilbray is too far right on the immigration issue and McCain probably didn't want to publicly endorse someone who would vote against his bill. Great Busby commercial on this page. She's a pretty savvy candidate with a good crew behind her. She will be an outstanding congress woman.

McCain and Busby are sell outs wrote on May 30, 2006 11:23 PM:I suport McCain on many issues.... he is a smart man. I remember years ago, when Bilbray and McCain worked together. This is a smart thing that these two have done, the issue IS immigration, and they dont see eye to eye on it, so they need to not confuse constituents. McCain is still endorsing Bilbray, even if he DOESNT support his bill. Bravo Gentlemen! Bravo. Bilbray will go all the way. :)

lock em up wrote on May 30, 2006 11:25 PM:I guess if we send all the illegal immigrants to jail we will have to let all the murderers and thieves and rapists go free. Or we could just turn America into one big prison and lock up everyone who has ever done anything illegal.

curious wrote on May 30, 2006 11:35 PM:Why is Bilbray holding his big fundraiser for the 50th District way down in downtown San Diego?? Everyplace in Chula Vista and Imperial Beach booked?

JD wrote on May 31, 2006 5:42 AM:Who is talking about holding the companies responsible for hiring the illegals? No one! McCains bill makes it very, very difficult for the illegals to gain citizebship but does it adddress how they are going to send the illegals back and how they are going to close the borders in the first place? Too many questions left unanswered! Some because it would hurt their political base (the business owners) and some because they don't have a clue how to do it (securing the borders)! The politics continues!

Robert wrote on May 31, 2006 6:13 AM:I too applaud Mr. Bilbray for drawing the line in the sand on illegal immigration reform! Again and again Brian Bilbray shows us all by his actions that he does not, has not and will not march to the drum of any comfortable political position. His is a true maverick representative for the 50th District notwithstanding any effect on his election prospects. The McCain endorsement of Brian is clear and consise but the bigger issue is the "guts" Bilbray has shown us all!

MACHIAVELLI.....SAYS........... wrote on May 31, 2006 6:46 AM:BILBRAY MUST BR READING MY LATEST BOOK "THE LITTLE PRINCE",IT'S THE OLDEST TRICK IN THE WORLD AND IN MY BOOK TO TELL SEN.McCAIN TO STAY HOME AND LOOK TOUGH ON....... IMMIGRATION!!

Pluto wrote on May 31, 2006 7:17 AM:Bilbray losing to Busby could be one of the best things to happen to the RNC because it shock them into the reality that the illegal alien invasion from Mexico is the #1 problem/issue w/Americans today. A lib Dem winning in one of the most conservative areas in CA will rouse the RNC like nothing we've ever seen. Countless millions of Americans feel betrayed by McKennedy/Cain and are disgusted w/his apparent lack of concern for the rule of law, common sense and sanity. What he and his other Senators did in approving S2611/Amnesty giveaway is, in the mind of millions, nothing short of traitorous and unforgiveable. Busby winnin the 50th could be one of the best things that could happen. Then you'll really see sparks flying.

Old Timer wrote on May 31, 2006 7:40 AM:Pluto you old spin meister you...how come immigration is all the fault of Busby's suppport of a senate bill? Didn't this all start earlier? Please, please don't throw me into that briar patch, brother. I felt betrayed by Cunningham, not by a manufactured issue, and not by a pending senate bill. The borders were a problem long before this election. They were a problem at 9/11 and before. It didn't just start when Cunningham resigned his seat.

Independent Turning Point wrote on May 31, 2006 7:56 AM:Wow! This may turn the election for Bilbray. I was going to vote for Busby in the special election to punish and scare the Bush "amnesty" Camp. Busby TV ads said she was against amnesty. Now it is clear that she is for the McCain-Kennedy amnesty plan. No way my vote is going there!

Bilbray a Phony wrote on May 31, 2006 7:57 AM:This guy can't get anything right. He doesn't even live in OUR district, so how can he know what the real issues are? He doesn't even support OUR district because he didn't hold his fundraiser here. Simply put, Bilbray is Phony. He's a big oil lobbyist and a vote for Bilbray means a vote for higher gas prices, higher spending, higher national debt, higher taxes, intrusion into our personal lives and more of the same that Cunningham gave us for too many years.

Dough ray me wrote on May 31, 2006 7:59 AM:Turn them ALL upside down and shake the loose change out of their pockets ,the local economy can use the "dough"

McMain Stay out of CA wrote on May 31, 2006 8:25 AM:Why is McCain even coing to California. Stay in AZ, where they want your either. You flip flop more than a fish out of water, which is where you are in American politics! :)

Robert- Will the Republicans get out to vote? wrote on May 31, 2006 8:27 AM:Letter to the President: Dear President Bush: I'm about to plan a little trip with my family and extended family, and I would like to ask you to assist me. I'm going to walk across the border from the U.S. Into Mexico, and I need to make a few arrangements. I know you can help with this. I plan to skip all the legal stuff like visas, passports, immigration quotas and laws. I'm sure they handle those things the same way you do here. So, would you mind telling your buddy, President Vicente Fox, that I'm on my way over? Please let him know that I will be expecting the following: 1. Free medical care for my entire family. 2. English-speaking government bureaucrats for all services I might need, whether I use them or not. 3. All government forms need to be printed in English. 4. I want my kids to be taught by English-speaking teachers. 5. Schools need to include classes on American culture and history. 6. I want my kids to see the American flag flying on the top of the flag pole at their school with the Mexican flag flying lower down. 7. Please plan to feed my kids at school for both breakfast and lunch. 8. I will need a local Mexican driver's license so I can get easy access to government services. 9. I do not plan to have any car insurance, and I won't make any effort to learn local traffic laws. 10. In case one of the Mexican police officers does not get the memo from Pres. Fox to leave me alone, please be sure that all police officers speak English. 11. I plan to fly the U.S. Flag from my house top, put flag decals on my car, and have a gigantic celebration on July 4th. I do not want any complaints or negative comments from the locals. 12. I would also like to have a nice job without paying any taxes, and don't enforce any labor laws or tax laws. 13. Please tell all the people in the country to be extremely nice and never say a critical word about me, or about the strain I might place on the economy. I know this is an easy request because you already do all these things for all the people who come to the U.S. >From Mexico. I am sure that Pres. Fox won't mind returning the favor if you ask him nicely. Thank you so much for your kind help. Sincerely,

John wrote on May 31, 2006 9:15 AM:McCain's cancellation may be a plus for Bilbray because McCain is a traitor to our country and to the Republican Party.

jskdn wrote on May 31, 2006 10:56 AM:It’s banana split for Bilbray and McCain. This refers to McCains “Call it a banana if you want to” comment during a debate over using “amnesty” to describe giving millions of illegal immigrants permanent legal status as the Senator supports. I think McCain ought to come to town for a fundraiser for Busby. After all he among the distinct minority of Republicans that support the Senate bill, which has widespread backing by Democrats.

DUH wrote on May 31, 2006 11:35 AM:This is a campaign stunt. Bilbray has more to gain by McCain's "cancellation" than he does by having him do a fundraiser. As Exhibit A, I'd like to point to this article on the front page of today's North County Times. Exhibit B is a similar article (not front page) in today's U-T. The guy has enough money. What he needs is free (and very visible) earned media. Like I said...campaign stunt!

US Citizen in Townsite wrote on May 31, 2006 12:31 PM:Insane McCain's cancellation is nothing but good news. McCain's support for the Security and Prosperity Partnership (spp.gov)through sponsored legislation in S2611,puts him on the wrong side of the fence! If you clueless folks could only realize that this issue is about the loss of US sovereignty not Republican vs Democrat you'd be against this man too.

Mark wrote on May 31, 2006 1:07 PM:The Bilbray camp is not releasing publicly the results of their most recent polling. McCain may have cancelled becasue he doesn't want to be associated with a losing campaign. While I disagree with McCain on a number of issues and won't vote for him for president, calling him a traitor, after his service to country and his time spent as a POW is a cheap shot.

Pluto wrote on May 31, 2006 2:09 PM:McKennedy...ooops, I mean McCain is totally RADIOACTIVE right now. No honest, rule of law, security and enforcement, common sense, sane American wants to be seen on the same podium w/McKennedy. McCain represents the Open Borders lobby and will do and say anything to ram SHAMNESTY down America's collective pipes. Bilbray realized this at the last minute and made the right call to distance himself from the highly toxic McKennedy. Any politician who does not fully realized at this point that the illegal alien invasion from Mexico is the number one issue w/Americans these days is doomed to failure. Politicans who support anything short of full border security and full enforcement of all immigration laws, do so at their own peril. Americans have had enough of empty rhetoric on this issue and demand swift and potent action.

To Pam wrote on May 31, 2006 2:50 PM:You think McCain is the real thing? He wouldn't even listen to his own constituents in Arizona on the illegal immigration issue. He feels that he knows best when it comes to this issue. The real thing, I don't think so.

Love, Mom wrote on May 31, 2006 3:07 PM:I will stand up and say that I do not believe the minutemen, I BELIEVE IN THE CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED STATES. I DO NOT BELIEVE IN THE BIGOTRY AND HATRED THAT YOU SPEW AND TWIST. I will vote for Busby because I no longer believe in the Republican party, nor any party that will not stand up against the smoke and mirrors of "immigration" as a key issue. A small minority has made this their issue and have twisted public opinion (you can't fool 'em all the time) to make it seem this race is about immigration. WE ARE HAVING THIS ELECTION BECAUSE REPUBLICAN CUNNINGHAM TOOK $2.6 MILLION IN BRIBES. We are not having this election because immigration is an issue. I am shocked at the anger and hatred that are waved around like an American flag. YOU ARE MEAN SPIRITED AND SMALL MINDED PEOPLE. McCain is an honorable man, who served honorably in VietNam and was a POW.

Pam wrote on May 31, 2006 3:30 PM:McCain's not running for congress in the 50th, Bilbray is. And I'm not voting for Bilbray. I would have voted for Roach, but he's not running. But I'm certainly not voting Republican this time. Next time. P.S. Arizona elects McCain, and they keep supporting him. Doesn't this tell you anything? The minutemen are a small vocal minority. My pomeranian is just as noisy, but he bites.

billyb wrote on May 31, 2006 5:06 PM:How many identicle "talking points" by different bloggers are allowed before the red flag goes up--- "EXCESSIVE UNCREATIVE SHAMELESS SHILLS" Nowhere and at no time has Mc Cain ever mentioned the NRCC ads. And he does'nt know who Busby is.Why would he?? Only Bilbray has condemned those ads from day one. He did state that McCain- Fiengold campaign reform [that makes it illegal for a candidate or anyone associated with him to communicate in any way to these entities] be revisted. in particular as to the "independent expenditures" and their worthless and often harmful attacks. His recommendation is that the candidate should at least have the right to "just say no" Ms Busby has agreed, and admits she also has no control over the ads against Brian--such as the ubiqutious "take a kangaroo on a date mate" AS to the real reason for the cancellation- --AMNESTY-- Mc Cain who used to listen to the "polis" [the people] has obiously become a POLL-itician --His presidential aspirations are blinded him to reality and frankly taking him out of the running. Just the talk of amnesty insures hundreds more will perish in the deserts of the south west this summer. ----those who propose Amnesty say we can't inforce the law in dealing with the millions already here. Can't, means won't try. It's a matter of "will" It is a defining moment in America history. - --its the question every super power eventually had to face. --With-out an immediate threat, do we have the will to sacrifice the time and resources in doing simply what is right??? Not just what is easy,comfortable or not offensive to all those seeking offense. Are we so helpless as a people that we seek the only solution from those who caused it?? In a similiar defining moment, As the nuclear clock was winding down our president at the time reminded us----"there is nothing Americans can't do as long as government gets out of their way"--R.Reagan

Skip wrote on May 31, 2006 6:46 PM:McCAIN NOT NEEDED : Selling out the USA is not a good quality and nobody wants to be associated with someone who would rather destroy our economy and country. McCain might as well put on his real liberal face and go to the border and welcome every single mooch that wants to bleed the USA.

Gary wrote on May 31, 2006 7:41 PM:I don't give a darn what he did 30 years ago, as far as I'm concerned he did his job like many others. He betrayed his country by championing the senate Bill approving Social Security benefits to ILLEGAL aliens! Even going as far to say 'even though they obtained fraudulent documents in doing so"!!!!!!! SOCIAL SECURITY IS FOR OUR OWN PEOPLE AND FUTURE GENERATIONS (if it lasts that long) OF AMERICANS, NOT ILLEGALS!

Jer wrote on Jun 1, 2006 8:24 AM:McCain was my "man" for the 2008 President's race, but now he's history. Anyone, I mean anyone, who goes against the grain of America (80% against amnesity for illegals) is clueless. He's lost the race before he even began.

You Go Robert!! wrote on Jun 2, 2006 5:40 PM:I love your letter to Pres. Bush! You have summed up the illegal "expectation" perfectly! This immigration issue has gotten me so fired up, my vote is going for WHOMEVER is AGAINST ILLEGAL immigration. End of story. I'm going to cut and paste your letter and send mine along to Pres. Bush as well! Enforce the law, Seal our borders and STOP the ridiculous flow of ILLEGAL immigrants! Enough is Enough. This land is your land, this land is my land...this land is for AMERICANS!!!

Eagle wrote on Jun 3, 2006 1:34 PM:Robert, nice blog! I and most of the region and country is w/you. We are FED UP w/slime bag politicians who've been stonewalling the out of control alien invasion from Mexico that has put all Americans in danger and risk. We're all voting for only those candidates who are outspokenly anti illegal alien and for border security and law enforcement. To that end, McCain is FINISHED. Bilbray is IN and so is Bruce Ruff for Sheriff. RUFF has up front about the fact that he will have ZERO TOLERANCE for illegal aliens in our county. The current Sheriff/and 12 yr incumbent, Bill Kolendar, is notoriously SOFT of illegal aliens and basically ordered his Deputies to STAND DOWN at the recent VISTA RIOTS on May 1 when illegals went on a violent rampage assaulting many Deputies and citizens and not one single arrest was made! Vote Bruce RUFF as our next SHERIFF.