Windbag John McCain attempts to defend his amnesty sham:

The Senate labored to complete work by next week on immigration legislation that generally follows an outline Bush set out in a nationally televised speech this week.

The measure includes provisions to strengthen border security, create a new guest worker program and crack down on the hiring of illegal immigrants.

Most controversially, it offers an eventual chance at citizenship for many of the estimated 11 million to 12 million illegal immigrants already in the country. Senate Republicans staged an impromptu, occasionally emotional debate over whether that amounted to amnesty.

Sen. David Vitter of Louisiana said it did. “Surely this is a pardon from what present law says must happen,” he said of provisions in the bill that require immigrants to undergo background checks, pay back taxes and take other steps before they can become citizens.

Sens. John McCain and Chuck Hagel replied heatedly it was not amnesty.

“Let’s stop the nonsense,” said Hagel, addressing fellow Republicans. “You all know it’s not amnesty.” Said McCain, addressing Vitter, “Call it a banana if you want to … to call the process that we require under this legislation amnesty frankly distorts the debate and it’s an unfair interpretation of it.”

Vitter sought the last word. “Methinks thou dost protest too much.”

***update: Ian Schwartz has the video***

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