When the prospects for a reform bill turned bleak earlier this year, immigration advocates told themselves to be patient. John McCain would be back, just as soon as he fended off a conservative primary challenge in Arizona next month.

But now, the onetime champion of comprehensive immigration reform appears nowhere near ready to rejoin Democrats in the fight, which left him alienated from his party and feeling abandoned by Hispanic voters during the bruising 2008 presidential election.

Not a chance, McCain said, when asked about the expectations of immigration advocates that he might once again take up the cause.

“Really? I’m certainly happy to hear that, since they have been unrelenting in their criticism of me,” McCain said...