By Joe Guzzardi

Two weeks ago, I told readers that one of my enduring fantasies is to be part of a nationally televised debate about immigration wherein I would be pitted against a well known reconquista like La Raza’s Janet Murguia or Maria Hinojosa, the Mexican mouth piece CNN fired two years ago.

That day may never come. But a friend, Bruce DeCell, had an experience that is even better than the one I dare dream about.

Three years ago DeCell had a chance, face to face encounter with Sen. John McCain on the Metroliner from Washington D.C. to New York.

DeCell, a retired New York police officer whose son-in-law Mark Petrocelli was killed on 9/11 in the North Tower of the World Trade Center, had been in Washington testifying in support of H.R. 10, an immigration enforcement bill and against S. 2845, the amnesty du jour.

Arizona’s Proposition 200 (ultimately successful) that would deny benefits to illegal aliens was another hot button issue of the day.

DeCell had traveled to Arizona to be a radio and television proponent on behalf of Prop 200. McCain, on the other hand, fought hard to keep the proposition from become law.

As soon as DeCell recognized McCain, he began to vigorously question him about why he refused, in light of 9/11, to back any of the measures in H. R. 10 that would address the nation’s need for greater protection against illegal immigration.

Unable to defend himself against DeCell’s barrage of facts, McCain abruptly cut off their conversation. (My full account of their heated meeting is below.)

I caught up with DeCell last week to ask him what he thinks of McCain, now officially the Republican presidential candidate.

Said DeCell:

“I personally know McCain to be a liar, a man with a quick and violent temper and a candidate obviously owned by the Open Borders crowd.

“To say that I am very disappointed that McCain is the Republican presidential candidate is an understatement. I don’t understand how the GOP can field such a shallow man to head its ticket.

“I hope McCain losses big time so that the Republican Party will rebuild to reflect what America and true Republicans stand for—secure borders, a fair trade policy that puts American citizens’ concerns ahead of corporate special interests and legal immigration.

“If McCain is elected, amnesty will follow, border security will never be achieved and we will more at risk of a terrorist attack and illegal alien crime waves than we were before 9-11-01.”

DeCell (e-mail him) is on the Board of Directors of 9/11 Families for A Secure America.