John McCain, on August 3rd:
TPMDC asked, "Do you support the Minority Leader's push for hearings into the repeal of birthright citizenship?"
"Sure, why not?" McCain said briefly.
"Do you support the idea itself?"
"I support the idea of having hearings," McCain said.
"Do you have a problem with the 14th amendment?" another reporter asked.
"You're changing the constitution of the United States," McCain said. "I support the concept of holding hearings."
"I support the concept of holding hearings," McCain repeated, turning to the rail car conductor.
"Let's go!" he snapped.
"I don't have anything to add to that."
["And get off my lawn!!!"]
John McCain on August 13th:
The Republican Arizona senator told The Associated Press that despite the current flurry of news stories on the topic and a statement he made last week that was widely interpreted as saying he supported hearings on the matter, he remains unconvinced that such a change is needed.
Instead, he argued that fully securing the border would "dramatically reduce" the problem.
McCain says he's not calling for hearings on the matter, but will listen to a debate if one is held. But he says he is fundamentally in favor of leaving the Constitution as it is.
So he's not "calling for hearings" on the matter, but "supports the concept" of holding hearings and will listen to the debate? What leadership!
BTW, any legislation that would be the result of those hearings McCain may or may not be calling for would be unconstitutional. But you can't let a little thing like that get in the way of the wedge issue du jour.