McCain is asked about immigration. He mentions that he’s from a border state, that he wants to secure the border, and employment verification system, and biometric ID documents.

Also says, “these are God’s children. We have to deal with this as decently and humanely as we can. We also have to recognize our country’s security requirements.”

Romney: “I disagree fundamentally with the 12 million here illegally staying permanently.”

John McCain cites Joe Lieberman as a guy who will say he’s never supported amnesty.

Romney: What he says is technically true. His plan would require $5,000 to stay.

They disagree, and the animosity between the two is palpable.

McCain: You can spend your whole fortune on your attack ads, but that doesn’t make them true.

Romney essentially argues that requirements to learn English and a $5,000 fine are amnesty. I think you can argue that they’re insufficient, but I don’t think it’s quite the same as amnesty.

Fred pipes up with an old Romney comment, and Romney says he was misquoted by AP when he said that “Republicans who distance themselves from President Bush on this issue are making a mistake.”

McCain: “Well, when you take so many positions, it’s easy to get misquoted.” He smiles as he delivers it, and you know he wanted to dip his shiv in lemon juice before twisting it. Romney laments the personal attacks.

Rudy has a funny item where he points out that Reagan signed amnesty into law.

Arthur Branch – er, I mean, Fred Thompson, “If you are rewarded for your illegal behavior by being allowed to stay in the country, it’s amnesty.” He calls for attrition through enforcement.

Thompson takes a shot at Giuliani, which seems like an odd choice. Is Giuliani really Thompson’s top rival right now? I would have figured Huck or Romney.