Wednesday, March 19, 2008

McCain snubs Barletta

Arizona Sen. John McCain has rejected Hazleton Mayor Lou Barletta's invitation to come to the southern Luzerne County city and discuss illegal immigration.
 
"Senator McCain truly appreciates your invitation and the valuable opportunity it represents," a scheduling official, Jo Black, in the presumptive Republican nominee's presidential campaign wrote in a letter.
Barletta's congressional campaign released the letter today.
 
"Unfortunately, I must pass along his regrets as I do not foresee an opportunity to add this event to the calendar."
 
Black said McCain has "tremendous demands on his time" and because of "the large volume of similar requests, events such as this are extremely difficult to schedule even though each one is important."
In a statement, Barletta said he was "troubled" by the rejection and hoped McCain would reconsider.
 
"Illegal immigration is an issue that is very important not just to the residents of Hazleton, but also to the people of Northeastern Pennsylvania and the United States as a whole," Barletta said. 
 
"While I commend Senator McCain for being the first to respond to my invitation, I am very troubled by his decision to decline my offer. The problems associated with illegal immigration confront every American every day, and the next president of the United States should understand the impact the issue has on Hazleton and similar cities, towns, boroughs, and townships across the nation."
 
Read the full story in Thursday's Citizens' Voice.