McCain’s latest cause is all over the news. He’s traveling the country talking up his immigration reform proposal. Doesn’t seem like a bad idea, to be honest. Ted Kennedy’s on board, which is enough for me. It’s a brilliant political move by McCain because it shores up his “moderate” image.

Examining some of McCain’s actions, however, leaves us with some question marks. For example, McCain has been a diehard supporter of Arnold Schwarzenegger in California. Last year, he helped campaign for the Governator’s idiotic ballot initiatives, and now he’s helping Arnold’s re-election campaign. In fact, McCain even said that Schwarzenegger is a “marvelous governor.”

Keep in mind, this is the same Schwarzenegger who endorsed the vigilante “Minutemen.” Arnold even extended an informal invitation for the Minutemen to come to California. Even George Bush saw the writing on the wall (”GOP needs Latinos”) and condemned the group. Interestingly, McCain hasn’t gone public with his position on the group. You’d think a “straight-talking” champion of immigration reform would oppose vigilantism, instead of endorsing one of its most famous proponents.

McCain is trying to have it both ways on immigration. He wants to appease the hard-line racists that will decide the GOP nomination, but he also wants to appeal to moderate voters and Latinos. Instead of playing politics with immigration, maybe McCain should consistently work for reform.