McCain Ad: Biden Thinks Mexicans Are "Dysfunctional"

John McCain's effort to win the Hispanic vote continued Wednesday with a new Spanish-language TV ad his campaign says will air in Colorado, Nevada and New Mexico, along with a sister radio version.

"Fraudulent" accuses "Barack Obama and his allies in Congress" for killing immigration reform, which is interesting, given that McCain famously took back his own support for the same immigration reform during primary season -- ultimately declaring in one debate that he would not vote for his own proposal if given the chance.

Elsewhere, the ad seeks to stir resentment against the Democratic ticket by citing a Joe Biden comment describing Mexico as having a "dysfunctional society." The original story, published by the Des Moines Register, suggests that Biden was criticizing Mexico's government for not building up the country's middle class:

U.S. Senator Joe Biden of Delaware passionately declared Sunday with passion that the key solution to illegal immigration begins not with the U.S. government, but with Mexican government officials who must expand their economy to provide good jobs for their citizens.

"They're being irresponsible. This is the second-wealthiest nation in the hemisphere, we're not talking about Sierra Leone," the Democratic presidential candidate said. "This is a dysfunctional society."

Here's the ad:

Full script:

Story continues below

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ANNCR: So what's worse? That Barak Obama and his allies in Congress killed immigration reform?

Or that their immigration attacks were called "unfair" ... "absolutely and directly wrong" ... and even "fraudulent" by the press.

Or that Obama and his liberal allies think the U.S. has an immigration problem because Mexico is a quote, "dysfunctional society".

They've said no to us long enough. This election, let's tell them no.

JOHN MCCAIN: I'm John McCain and I approve this message.

ANNCR: Paid for by McCain-Palin 2008 and the Republican National Committee.

Comments

[SENATORCALLENBOWE]

I NEED 2 LEARN SPANISH :) ANY HOT CHICKA'S WANNA TEACH ME?

[albanaeon]

Uhm, Mexico is a dysfunctional place. It is also a great example of what can happen if too much of the wealth is concentrated in too few people, so maybe we should pay a little more attention to it.

[karela]

This is the same campaign and republican party that came out blaming poor minorities for the entire world's financial problems yesterday? The very same people whose attacks yesterday are bound to raise racial troubles for those same minorities? This from John McCain who won't vote for his own immigration reform bill because he has more fear of far right wing fanatics than he has commitment to struggling minorities? Barack Obama has been steady and true. John McCain has dashed from frantic position to frantic defense to frantic attack. McCain is running around like a chicken with his head cut off. That's an earthy reference to how chickens ended up at Sunday after church American dinners before grocery stores, but it surely does describe John McCain's behavior.

[cloudyp]

Hispanic female. i think that the way people go about campaigning is rediculous. i don't really care if you're a white male/female, black male/female, or an animal for all i care. i just want the president to be someone who can guide this country in the right direction. my ancestors came to America for a better life, and it's sad that some of the people here dont even acknowledge the fact that some of the most magnificent buildings, your homes, or maybe even the office building you're currently in were built by hispanic people. sure others came up with the idea but some hispanic men helped build those.and i'm utterly disgusted at the fact that some caucasian ppl won't vote for obama because he's black, get over it!! he has blood running through his veins just like you do and he has emotions like you do. i'm not suggesting you vote for him because he's black or that you should vote for mccain because his running mate is a female. personally i can care less who or what you are, i just want to see our country succeed. and i want the truth. but who am i kidding, i'm only a "first time voter" hispanic female who just so happens to care about her future, not only for herself but also for her children. i'm not stupid and i work hard for what i have and what i am struggling to provide for my family.

[sheputstheLinPAIN]

I wonder what Republicans will think of this ad. "The Base" includes people who are offended to have to hear Spanish in US of bumpkin town. Won't they see McCain as a traitor?
How dare he speak to "those people" who take our jobs in their native language.

They might just have to band together - ol style - and get out there and stop all that Spanish speakin'.

[BeltwayBette]

How can you tell when McBush and gang are lying? Their lips are moving.

[nkhogan]

Anyone from the Latin American communities in these States on the blog? Does this kind of thing really fly with the voters in your community? It's easy for me to disregard this ad and say it's silly, but it's not targeted at me.

I would think Mexican immigrants from these States are way more savvy about which candidate supports their interests and listens to their concerns than to be swayed by this ad one way or another.

[TkdBalletMom]

Agree with the posters here who state that most Mexicans know that their country has a dysfunctional society, that's why they seek work and safety in the U.S. There are gang-warfare retribution killings going on all over the Mexico, my in-laws live 5 min. from the border into Mexico and won't go there anymore-it used to be common and safe to go for a weekend outing or even dinner there-not anymore. (Hey, my in-laws live near the Mexican border, they have foreign policy experience and could run for Vice President! but that's another subject) Hispanics are not going to be swayed by ads of this type, they know which politicians walk the walk, these issues affect their lives every day.

Neither candidate has hit the right tone or message in their Spanish-language advertising, much work to be done in the area of politics in that area, for sure. (JMO)

By the way, why did people sail the Atlantic from Europe to North American shores over 400 years ago? Were their countries not dysfunctional? Were they looking for freedom, safety, and good work opportunities?

[ladyv]

Hah. Most Mexicans know good and well their country is dysfunctional, and know Biden is talking about the Mexican *government*, not individual Mexicans and their families. Try again, McDesperate.

[QueenOfViolets]

One reason why Mexico is dysfunctional is the War on Drugs. Mexico has become dysfunctional in the same way Chicago became dysfunctional during the War on Alcohol. Lots of Al Capones all making war with each other and the police.

But I'd never expect Biden to take responsibility for THAT. Even though pimping the War on Drugs is one of the biggest highlights on his political resume.

However, Biden's guilt in helping to cause the horrible drug war violence in Mexico won't keep me from voting for Obama.

I would expect Mexico's problems to get much WORSE if McCain became President, because he would pour even more money into the Drug War.

McCain would escalate the War on Drugs into a full on military war. I'd expect that of him, given the kind of things that are happening down there right now. That's his kind of response.

So that's a pretty cynical and disgusting ad he's running. He has no realistic plan to fix Mexico. All he has are plans to make it even worse.

[SeanHannity4Obama]

immigrants are not as stupid as Mccain thinks. They know 101% that they have a chance to live in the US under Obama.

[Softnsweet]

Richardson will speak for Obama.

[Whinger]

There's a guy in the White House, he's been dysfunctional since he was born!

McBush has a lot in common with him!

[schatsie]

THE REPUBLICAN BRAND SUCKS and the DEMs need to be more populist and progressive!

We want WAGE SLAVE TAX CUTS and HEALTHCARE!

[Gasparilla]

Mexico has long had a corrupt system. There were illegals coming here long before any trade agreements. The fact is that they went from about 35 million people in 1960 and are now over 110 million, and that does not include all those who have come here.

[KQuarksSuperKollider]

Right now the United States has a dysfunctional society and since folks from Mexico seem to be coming here obviously it's worse on that side of the border.

Ironically I just heard a story tonight that $300MM less dollars have been transferred from US banks to Mexican banks this year because the construction market is so bad that many folks from Mexico cannot get jobs.

Who knows if McCain fo ols Americans into voting for him I might move to Mexico.

[vinny]

Most Mexican immigrants I know have come to the US because the society is in fact not working for the middle class. Any Mexican immigrant who has come here will tell you this story. However, the reason for Mexico's struggling economy is not necessarily its own fault. The WTO had a lot to do with squeezing the Mexican financial system.

[JenMI]

Perhaps a keyword here is...WAS working for the middle class and no longer IS.
Look at recent statistics for illegals coming across the border.