Hispanics Are People Too

Update: I can't believe it, either, but here I am in agreement with Captain Ed:

This is a monumentally stupid ad. It spends a full minute saying nothing about the issue it supposedly addresses, and it insults the intelligence of the people whom McCain is trying to woo. And I'm someone who has a little more sympathy for McCain's efforts on immigration than most on the Right. Take two big steps backward, Senator McCain.

John McCain has released a new campaign ad, entitled, "God's Children," that seems to be stating something so obvious, you have to wonder why it needed to be said at all. Via press release:

ARLINGTON, VA -- U.S. Senator John McCain's presidential campaign today released its newest television ad entitled "God's Children." The ad features John McCain's remarks at a June 2007 debate in New Hampshire honoring the service and sacrifice of Hispanics in our Armed Forces. The ad will air in Colorado, Nevada and New Mexico.

The McCain campaign has also scheduled a conference call to discuss the ad. I'll have more on that later.

Here's the ad, followed by the transcript. Ask yourself, "Who is this ad aimed at?"

Script For "God's Children" (TV 1:00)

JOHN MCCAIN: My friends, I want you the next time you're down in Washington, D.C., to go to the Vietnam War Memorial and look at the names engraved in black granite. You'll find a whole lot of Hispanic names.

When you go to Iraq or Afghanistan today, you're going to see a whole lot of people who are of Hispanic background. You're even going to meet some of the few thousand that are still green card holders who are not even citizens of this country, who love this country so much that they're willing to risk their lives in its service in order to accelerate their path to citizenship and enjoy the bountiful, blessed nation.

So let's from time to time remember that these are God's children. They must come into country legally, but they have enriched our culture and our nation as every generation of immigrants before them.

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

The ad does have some kind words for Hispanic Americans, so it is tempting to see this as a grab for the latino vote. If it is, it seems to be a pretty tone-deaf one.

"So let's from time to time remember that these are God's children." Who is forgetting this? That line seems to be directed at other Americans who would lump all Hispanic people into the illegal immigration problem, and who are hostile towards them. Hmmm...who does that?

But, then, McCain himself lumps all Hispanic Americans into the category of immigrants, legal or not. "They must come into country legally, but they have enriched our culture and our nation as every generation of immigrants before them." You know, a lot of "them" come into the country the same way I did, in a hospital delivery room.

There is another possibility. Perhaps McCain is saying that only Hispanics are "God's Children," and the rest of us are...what...Demon hellspawn? Soulless animals? God's Adults? Cleverly disguised androids?

This ad is clumsy, at best, and offensive at worst. This is a shame, because McCain really does deserve credit for having a reasonable immigration plan. Which he now does not support.