Posted on 05/31/2007 6:58:57 AM PDT by truthkeeper
McClatchy Exclusive: Bush Accuses Conservative Critics of Fear-Mongering on Immigration
Firing back at conservative critics, President Bush defended his plan to overhaul immigration laws Tuesday and accused its opponents of "trying to rile up people’s emotions" with misinformation.
In an exclusive interview with McClatchy Newspapers, Bush expressed his determination to fight for changes that would let millions of illegal immigrants gain legal status. He cast the debate as a struggle over America’s soul and its reputation as a welcoming nation.
"I’m deeply concerned about America losing its soul. Immigration has been the lifeblood of a lot of our country’s history," the president said during an interview on Air Force One. "I am worried that a backlash to newcomers would cause our country to lose its great capacity to assimilate newcomers."
Bush underscored his commitment to the proposed overhaul — despite harsh criticism from some conservatives — as he traveled to Georgia for a speech that blasted the legislation’s critics.
"I’m sure you’ve heard some of the talk out there about people defining the bill. It’s clear they hadn’t read the bill. They’re speculating about what the bill says, and they’re trying to rile up people’s emotions," he told an audience at the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center in Glynco, near Brunswick. "If you want to kill the bill, if you don’t want to do what’s right for America, you can pick one little aspect out of it, you can use it to frighten people. Or you can show leadership and solve this problem once and for all."
Bush acknowledged that the proposed overhaul faces a difficult time in Congress, where it’s under attack from both ends of the political spectrum.
(Excerpt) Read more at sanluisobispo.com ...
It’s even worse than we thought.
“I’m deeply concerned about America losing its soul.”
You’ve got to be kidding me. How can he not get it? WE’RE SICK AND TIRED OF IT! How many effing different ways do we need to say it???
!#$^!#&#!&!#%
GWB has jumped the shark. He can now kiss my conservative butt.
These particular newcomers are not looking to assymilate Mr. President, they are here for a paycheck and that’s it. They have no desire to “become american”.
He did the same thing with Miers. Remember how we were all just a bunch of sexists because we didn’t approve of the nomination?
I’m riled.
yep, remember how he ate crow?
I wish the President would take on Democrats in this manner. The only topic where he seems to get really angry is this one, and the only people he directs this kind of anger at is...well, those of us that put him in the Whitehouse in the first place.
All the President has done with this is cause the GOP ‘base’ to agree with the Dems that the time between now and January of 2009 is going to be long.
I’m simply disgusted by this.
We can hope it happens again. They seem pretty determined this time though.
Dittos. Just keep the cards and letters coming, folks.
He is not the guy I voted for. He has turned into a bleeding heart liberal.
He’s GOT to know. The RNC called me Tuesday night. I told them to F off, no more support for shamnesty.
"I’m deeply concerned about America losing its soul. Immigration has been the lifeblood of a lot of our country’s history,"
Nobody is arguing against immigration. I don't hate Bush. I'm just sick to death of him. I can't wait to see him go.
Remember the Alamo, George.
Unfortunately many of us are currently living the nightmare of seeing what this unchecked influx has done to our lives. I will soon be retiring and leaving California. The quality of life here has seriously deteriorated. My upscale neighborhood now looks like a used car parking lot. Sometimes I can barely get in my driveway because of all the randomly parked cars. Thank you banks for now approving mortgages without the necessity of seeing a social security number.
Shopping is a nightmare. Can't get down the aisles, because of whole families blocking aisles. Shopping carts are left just where they are unloaded, no matter if it is behind my car. It would be too much trouble to walk two cars over and place in the cart return.
This group of immigrants are the rudest people I have ever met. Would seem to me that if you an illegal guest in someone else's country, that you would try to fit in. These latest arrivals do not care to do that.
It is Biblical to love your enemy. It is not Biblical to spit in your friends’ faces.
None of this would be happening if Bush had simply adopted a commonsense immigration enforcement policy at the beginning of his administration. He’s got no one to blame for this problem but himself.
so true.
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