MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. — Sounding more like a presidential contender than a politician come to the aid of South Carolina Republican candidates, Sen. John McCain talked about national and international issues in a series of appearances in Myrtle Beach Friday.

Saturday McCain made a similar tour of Florida to help Republican candidates there.

McCain, of Arizona, came to help candidates he has endorsed through his political action committee, Straight Talk America. He attended a fund-raiser Thursday in Columbia, S.C., for Adjutant General Stan Spears and came to Myrtle Beach to speak at a fund-raising lunch for superintendent of education candidate Karen Floyd.

But he also spoke at a meeting Friday morning with about 100 invited members of the Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce, met with about 100 members of the public later, and after the $1,000-a-plate lunch for Floyd he autographed his latest book for about 30 people.

McCain is quietly organizing for another run in 2008, but he says he wants to focus on this year's elections for now.

The senator was mostly warmly received but some in the public meeting attacked his position on immigration and on a cooperative agreement with Democratic senators on judge appointments.

"Our borders are broken," McCain said when the question of immigration came up in the first meeting, asked by chamber president Brad Dean

"I know how many illegals are working in Myrtle Beach," he said. But he said employers can't be expected to be immigration agents.

McCain favors a program in which immigrants who have been here five years or more can achieve citizenship, but those who have been here less than five years should go home, then apply for a guest worker program.

The country cannot round up the 11 million illegal immigrants and deport them even though that is what some people want, McCain said.

There was more anger about the issue in the public meeting. McCain said he understands the anger, but the issue must be handled and not everyone agrees on how to do it.

John Easterling said he approves of legal immigration but not amnesty for illegal immigrants.

"It really isn't fair to call it amnesty," McCain said. Amnesty means total forgiveness and he favors a program allowing those who have been here long enough to apply for citizenship if they meet the requirements, he said.

Nor should Republicans be tearing each other apart over immigration, McCain said.

"We want to negotiate," he said. "We are patriotic Americans, and for us to impugn the character of each other over this issue is reprehensible."