Washington (AP) — Sen. John McCain says he thinks his home state of Arizona and other areas in the U.S. with large Hispanic populations are "up for grabs" in the upcoming presidential election because President Barack Obama hasn't convinced those voters that he's on their side.
McCain tells CNN's "State of the Union" that Republicans have a shot at capturing the Hispanic vote in 2012 if the GOP can address immigration in a humane and pragmatic way.
McCain said that part of that plan must include addressing the some 12 million illegal immigrants already in the United States, while securing the border to deter more people from trying to cross. The 2008 GOP presidential candidate said he thinks most Hispanics would appreciate this "careful balance" by GOP candidates.
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