John McCain today released a statement commemorating Cinco de Mayo, the anniversary of the day Mexican troops drove the French army from Mexico. He also unveiled a new spanish-language campaign website.
Cinco de Mayo commemorates an important moment in the history of Mexico's path to freedom. On this day in 1862, a small group of Mexican troops overcame overwhelming force to win the Battle of Puebla. Today, we join together to remember the sacrifice that these Mexican patriots endured, as well as the struggles of all those around the world striving for freedom. We recognize as well the important friendship that exists between our country and Mexico, and celebrate the many contributions Mexican-Americans have made to our society, culture, security and economy.
I'm skeptical these gestures will do much to win over Hispanics who have been increasingly driven from the GOP by its hard-line anti-illegal immigrant stance. McCain would do more to increase his chances with the demographic -- now the largest minority group in the US -- by returning to his earlier call for comprehensive immigration reform that includes a path to legal status for undocumented immigrants. McCain backed away from that stance during the primary election, and now backs a border security-first plan.
