Posted on 04/09/2006 4:40:52 AM PDT by Borax Queen
"Mr. Bush, build this wall now," gubernatorial candidate Don Goldwater intoned Saturday, putting an Arizona border spin on Ronald Reagan's famous Berlin Wall speech.
Goldwater was one of four Republican candidates for governor who debated America's hottest issue — immigration — Saturday in Tucson.
He called on President Bush and Congress to build a wall along Arizona's entire Mexican border, and said he would put soon-to-be deported illegal immigrants in a tent city near the border and use their labor to help build the wall.
Candidates Jan Smith-Florez and Mike Harris also took a tough line against illegal immigration in the debate before more than 100 people at Catalina High School.
The fourth, Gary Tupper, called for better investment in Mexico to help solve the problem. Len Munsil, the fifth GOP candidate hoping to unseat Democratic Gov. Janet Napolitano, did not attend.
All but Tupper said they don't support a guest-worker program until the border is secured, and Harris said he may not support one at all, adding that the country "should not be stuck with ignorant and illiterate" illegals from Mexico.
Smith-Florez said she has lived on the border for 35 years, working as a judge and as a teacher; she taught English-language learners because she speaks Spanish. "I get the problem," she said.
On the recent and upcoming pro-immigrant marches — an estimated 10,000 people are expected to march Monday in Tucson — here's how the candidates stood:
-Tupper, a contractor and financial planner, applauded the marchers' activism, but said waving of Mexican flags was counterproductive.
-Smith-Florez, a former Arizona Court of Appeals judge, said they have a right to march, but added that it was "cheeky of them to demand rights when they are illegals." She said many of the students were marching simply as a reason to leave school.
-Harris, an investment banker, said entering the country illegally and waving other countries' flags "is called sedition." He said he would bring in the National Guard to break up the protests.
-Goldwater, a retired state employee and a nephew of the late Sen. Barry Goldwater, said, "People here illegally have no rights." He called for firing all teachers who leave the classroom to join the protests.
Tupper was more moderate than the other three candidates, and received much less applause from the crowd. He said a staunch conservative isn't appealing in a general election.
Mike Ebert, a commercial real estate broker and GOP precinct chairman who was in the audience,, said some of the anti-immigration rhetoric was harsh, but he added that could be because of the conservative audience made up of Republican precinct chairs. He said the rhetoric will likely be more moderate in front of other audiences.
Many candidates for public office were in attendance as well, including four of the five Republicans running in the 8th Congressional District race: Mike Jenkins, Frank Antenori, Mike Hellon and Randy Graf.
The debate, sponsored by the Pima County Republican Party, was moderated by County Supervisor Ray Carroll. The GOP primary election is Sept. 12.
AZ Governor 2006 Ping.
Awesome Sounds like they are in favor of Sensenbrenner's H.R.4437. As a side note, I sent him an E-mail supporting H.R.4437 and he sent me a letter back. Last line-" I believe that this legislation represents a critical step in helping to regain control of our borders and prevent illegal immigration. ONLY after the issue of border security is addressed should Congress begin to discuss discuss whether to establish a new guestworker program."
Good line!
I don't know about the others, but Don Goldwater has been talking about the border from the day he announced his candidacy last year, so he is sincere.
Jesus take the wheel- may Goldwater win.
:)
Very good. I like the sound of
"soon-to-be deported illegal immigrants"
The real question is this: Is there a critical mass of Hispanics that will derail the election of anyone supporting tough border requirements and who takes a stand against illegas? Also, how much of this is just politician spin-for-votes?
The AZ GOP gubernatorial candidates are taking a stand on border security. It's about time the Dinosaur Media let us know...they've been on top of this issue for years now.
I've attended several Randy Graf events where border security was the key.
For instance, I think much can be done to disrupt and harass illegal employers and illegal immigration through one simple avenue of LE--raise the penalty for driving without license or insurance. Set up roadblocks and burn everyone not complying with license and insurance requirements. This will strand illegals and deprive employers of their labor.
Think about it. How do you think the illegals get to the Home Depot every morning? Someone drives them, and that someone is likely neither licensed or insured. And it's already an offence to transport illegals.
States can take a stand and make hiring illegals for hospitality jobs, at least, more difficult in resort areas. Arizona has a frontera to confront, but other states are being invaded almost as quickly.
Perhaps some other states could help Arizona, Texas, NM, etc?
I think there's a lot we can do, even when the feds have cut themselves out of the picture.
Maybe we can't get the feds to deport an illegal, but we can impound the vehicles of those who transport illegals--sell them quickly at auction, even the new Mercedes of the nice lady who likes having black market labor in her home.
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Tupper is a RINO. He might as well join the Democraps.
Bump to that, devolve.
Good idea! Ten years ago my husband was turning left when a car sped through the intersection. My husband tried to back up up, but the gears locked. The car moved back just enough that the other car crunched the front and side of our hood (my husband said the most scared he has ever been was when he saw that car heading for the passenger door -- I was in the passenger seat-- and those gears locked). Anyhow, technically it was my husband's fault because of the left turn. After first telling us not to call the police (their car was totalled) they then lied to the police and paramedics about who was driving. They had no insurance. The baby was in in the front seat and on his mom's lap. No registration. Plus, there was the speeding. Our insurance called to tell us these people had hired a lawyer to sue our insurance company for damages. When they said "she", my husband finally said, "What is this she? HE was driving." Our insurance countersued. For some reason that accident did not show up on future insurance reports.
The illegal ones aren't supposed to be voting (and as you may know from the interviews in the paper where they boldly reveal they are here illegally, many of those are the ones protesting as of late) and Prop 200 had 47% of the Hispanic vote despite all the ultra-negative media.
Also, how much of this is just politician spin-for-votes?
I'd venture most of them are spinning; however, every time I've heard Goldwater, he is talking about the border issue and his plan (and no, I don't work for him). He has been consistent and is a Minuteman too.
Very impressive post!!
I hope Goldwater wins.
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