It will take more than a play for sympathy

ASPEN, Colo. (AP) - Republican presidential candidate John McCain said Wednesday that the issue of illegal immigration angered people unlike no other, including the unpopular war in Iraq, and sparked unprecedented death threats against him.

"It is unbelievable how this has inflamed the passions of the American people," the Arizona senator said in remarks at The Aspen Institute, a public policy forum. In an interview, he declined to elaborate on the threats he had received.

Every political movement, party or cause has its lunatic fringe (except the Democrat Party whose lunatic fringe has become its lunatic center). What high profile person who takes a firm stand on any very controversial issue hasn't received death threats.

Scientists who challenge the holy religion of global warming have to be issued their own zip codes by the post office to handle the volume of death threats they get. So what is Sen. McCain's point?

Sir, you are too far down in the polls and you are too odious to the Republican base to ever get the nomination. You are only embarrassing yourself and distracting attention from Republicans that can actually win. For once in your entire political career I ask you to do think about what it good for your party and your country instead of how much you like seeing your mug on TV and withdraw from the race.