Posted on 06/21/2006 6:02:26 PM PDT by NormsRevenge
Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger sharply criticized House Republican leaders Wednesday for calling summer hearings on a proposed immigration overhaul before trying to compromise with the Senate.
The Republican governor said public forums across the country were unnecessary because "we know what the facts are."
"It would be inexcusable, it would be ludicrous for them to say, 'Well, we can't work it out,'" Schwarzenegger said after a helicopter ride along the Mexican border to see where National Guard troops will soon be deployed. "That's their job - to work it out."
His remarks highlighted divisions among Republicans on how to tackle the most sweeping immigration reforms in two decades. House Republicans said Tuesday that they wanted to hold a round of public hearings that may delay negotiations with the Senate until the fall, just as November's congressional elections approach.
Schwarzenegger called for more secure borders and "a legal way" for Mexicans to work in the United States.
"I think everyone in the United States is expecting immigration reform," he said.
Schwarzenegger addressed reporters on a dirt road used by the Border Patrol after a 22-minute flight that extended from the Pacific Ocean to the mountains east of San Diego.
The governor initially resisted President Bush's plans to send up to 6,000 National Guard troops to four southern border states, but he relented after a 17-day standoff with the White House.
Schwarzenegger said Wednesday that he was reassured after the federal government promised to withdraw troops by the end of 2008, pay the full cost of their deployment and extend rotations beyond two weeks. A "majority" of Guardsmen will serve between six months and a year on the border.
According to the Guard, 235 troops have already arrived on California's southern border to prepare for their new assignments. About 200 troops are expected to arrive every week until their numbers reach 1,000 to 1,200 by the end of July.
Troops from the Pacific Ocean to the Arizona state line will observe the border for illegal activity and notify the Border Patrol if they see anything, said Guard Col. Kevin Ellsworth. The Guard will not make any arrests. Troops will carry weapons in self-defense if they are considered to be threatened.
Schwarzenegger was briefed by Border Patrol officials before flying in a National Guard Blackhawk helicopter over dusty trails used by migrants and inspecting a 15-foot steel fence that has dramatically reduced illegal border crossings in the San Diego area.
The trip "reinforced my belief that the federal government has to do much more to secure our borders," he said.
CA: Governor chides Congress over border legislation delays
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1653283/posts
The Republican governor said public forums across the country were unnecessary because "we know what the facts are."
just like we know what the facts are about Global Warming.
I look forward to seeing John McCain back in California campaigning beside and for the Gubinor.
That's it Arnold, piss off two thirds of the state's citizens before November. What other great ideas does your campaign team have up their sleave? Perhaps we should put you on 'political' suicide watch.
The Minutemen are already doing this for free.
Must be listening to his carpet munching democrat aid, again.
Yeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee...
LOL
I hear ya. Yikes.
Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger urged federal officials to beef up enforcement and secure the state's borders against illegal immigrants, saying Tuesday they must clean up a "lax situation" instead of "trying to run the other way."
"Close the borders. Close the borders in California, and all across Mexico and the United States," Schwarzenegger told hundreds of newspaper publishers at Newspaper Association of American convention the Fairmont Hotel in San Francisco.
"Because I think it is just unfair to have all of those people coming across, and to have the borders open the way it is," the California governor said. "We in California have to still finish the border. That is the key thing -- to have borders and to keep the law, enforce the law."
Arnie, you know and we know...that the public doesn't know everything in that bill. Scared they'll make you take a stand when they find out in an election year?
BTW, doesn't Dowd, the W.H.'s polster that put out the propaganda polling saying everyone fell in love with amnesty, now advise Arnold's campaign? 'nuff said.
I think Arnie is having a hard time getting out of character.
Schwarzennegger must feel his Democrat opponent won't go the other way on him.
Senator Jim Talent in Missouri doesn't have that pleasure.
Then maybe he should freaking support his fellow Repub Mountjoy instead of "amnesty for all" Feinstein.
""BTW, doesn't Dowd, the W.H.'s polster that put out the propaganda polling saying everyone fell in love with amnesty, now advise Arnold's campaign? 'nuff said.""
They are both named "matthew dowd" -- one in the same?
Oh well, there goes my theory Caroline was conduiting Democratic party fears to her husband. Kind of a dumb theory I guess, Howard Dean and such wouldn't have that kind of political smarts. They have no idea what's going to hit them.
Will the Guards be able to defend themselves, if they need to, or will this be a politically correct mission? The mexicans have some pretty tough people coming into the US of A
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