McCain Camp Disputes Dodd Immigration Attack

ABC News’ Teddy Davis Reports: The presidential campaign of Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., is pushing back against criticism from Democratic presidential candidate Chris Dodd that he is "backing away" from comprehensive immigration reform.

"McCain continues to be involved with the White House and Congress to pass comprehensive immigration reform," McCain spokesman Matt David tells ABC News in response to criticism leveled Thursday by Dodd.

While speaking to a group of young Democrats in Des Moines, Iowa, Dodd criticized McCain for "backing away" from being a lead Republican co-sponsor of immigration reform because of "demagogues" who are railing against amnesty for illegal immigrants, according to Iowa Radio’s O. Kay Henderson.

"If you ask me who’s on the other side today, I couldn’t name anybody at this point. Maybe there is, but not of the stature that McCain brought to the debate, so it’s been dealt a blow in that regard," said Dodd. "While the issue I think is going to be brought up in the Senate in the next couple of weeks, there’s some real concern about whether or not you can actually get it done."

McCain’s prominent role in advocating earned legalization for the estimated 12 million illegal workers currently in the United States has drawn criticism from some conservatives in his own party who consider it "amnesty" despite the requirement that those seeking citizenship pay a fine and back taxes.

McCain recently indicated while in Iowa that he might consider inserting a touchback provision requiring illegal immigrants to return to their home country before they become citizens in order to fashion a compromise on comprehensive immigration reform.