Posted on 12/21/2007 8:18:22 AM PST by Ol' Sparky
(CNSNews.com) - Former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney, a Republican presidential candidate, would allow illegal aliens to apply for permanent residency but would also require them to go back home after a "set period" of time, he said on NBC's "Meet the Press" last Sunday.
After four days of questioning from Cybercast News Service, however, the Romney campaign was unable to specify how long that "set period" would be.
On "Meet the Press" Romney said: "Well, whether they go home - they should go home eventually. There's a set period - in my view they should have a set period during which period they, they sign up for application for permanent residency or for citizenship. But there is a set period whereupon they should return home."
In light of these comments, border security advocates have questioned whether there is a difference between the application for permanent residency Romney suggests and the "pathway-to-citizenship," which he has staunchly opposed.
"It sounds like he wasn't really sure," John Vinson, president of Americans for Immigration Control (AIC), told Cybercast News Service. "It's just as clear as mud what he believes about illegal immigration."
Among questions submitted to Romney's campaign by Cybercast News Service on Monday morning was one that asked how long the "set period" would be that Romney envisions in which illegal aliens would be allowed to stay in the country.
The Romney campaign responded to other questions about his immigration position submitted by Cybercast News Service but not that one. Asked again by Cybercast News Service to answer the question on Thursday, the Romney campaign did not respond.
During the "Meet the Press" interview on Sunday, Romney did not waver from his comments in a November 2005 interview with The Boston Globe, in which he called the McCain-Kennedy immigration bill supported by President Bush a "reasonable proposal" that was "quite different" from amnesty - a charge leveled by critics of the bill.
In 2007, Romney strongly criticized a similar bill for "comprehensive immigration reform" that died in the Senate. Romney also told the Globe in 2005 that he had not formulated his own proposal.
During the "Meet the Press" interview, Romney said, "Those people who had come here illegally - should be able to stay, sign up for permanent residency or citizenship - but they should not be given a special pathway, a special guarantee that all of them get to stay here for the rest of their lives merely by virtue of having come here illegally."
Romney campaign spokesman Matt Rhoades told Cybercast News Service in a written response Tuesday afternoon that, "Gov. Romney has consistently opposed amnesty or any special path to citizenship or permanent residence for those here illegally."
"To become eligible for permanent residence, he believes they should get at the end of the line with the millions of people who have applied to legally come to the U.S.," Rhoades continued.
Rhoades' answers, however, did not specify whether Romney envisioned the illegal aliens 'getting in line" inside the United States or outside the United States. Rhoades further said Romney never changed his position on the Senate proposals for a pathway to citizenship.
"Gov. Mitt Romney has not changed his position and believes the U.S. Senate agreement on immigration reform was 'the wrong approach' and a 'form of amnesty,'" Rhoades added.
Vinson, whose group advocates stricter immigration laws and tougher enforcement of the borders, sees little difference in Romney's view of providing permanent residency and creating a pathway to citizenship.
"He said the amnesty bill is reasonable, but he didn't agree, or I can't tell what the man is saying," Vinson said. "People are going to question what he thinks, if indeed he knows what he thinks. It's a cut-and-dry issue. You either let them stay or encourage them to go back home."
Ira Mehlman, spokesman for the Federation for American Immigration Reform (FAIR), a pro-border enforcement group, did not criticize Romney or any other presidential candidate, but Mehlman said he was against any permanent residency program.
"If you're here illegally, there should be no option for getting legal authorization," Mehlman said in an interview.
Mehlman also said he was disturbed at the idea of calling the 2005 bill a "reasonable" plan and that it is not "amnesty."
"Our view has always been that McCain-Kennedy and the so-called comprehensive immigration bill were amnesty," Mehlman said.
Rhoades defended Romney on this point as well.
"Gov. Romney opposed each version of the McCain-Kennedy legislation as the wrong approach and a form of amnesty," he said. "He believes amnesty did not work 20 years ago and it will not work today."
Just before leaving the governor's office in December 2006 to campaign full-time, Romney signed a memorandum of agreement with federal officials to allow Massachusetts State Troopers to enforce immigration laws. He also opposed granting driver's license and in-state tuition to illegal aliens.
Still, Romney's "Meet the Press" interview sparked criticism from conservative commentator Michelle Malkin and The American Spectator, a conservative magazine.
They accused the Republican presidential candidate of giving "Clintonian" answers to the questions about immigration and gun control.
Campaign officials also admitted Monday that Romney inaccurately said during the NBC interview that the National Rifle Association (NRA) endorsed his campaign for governor in 2002 when, in fact, his Democratic opponent had a higher score with the Second Amendment group.
Throughout his campaign Romney has been dogged for being a "flip-flopper," because as a candidate in Massachusetts he was pro-abortion, pro-gun control, and pro-homosexual rights but moved to the right on all three issues after entering the GOP presidential primary.
Other Republican candidates have stumbled on the immigration issue in the eyes of conservative voters. Arizona Sen. John McCain strongly supports a pathway to citizenship for illegal aliens.
Former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani has faced scrutiny for supporting New York City's "sanctuary city" policy that prohibits police officers from enforcing federal immigration laws. More recently, former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee has been criticized for supporting in-state tuition for children of illegal aliens in his home state.
Romney's Web site calls for "implementing an enforceable Employee Verification System. Issue biometrically-enabled and tamperproof card to non-citizens and create a national database for non-citizens so employers can easily verify their legal status."
However, a similar system already exists. (See Related Story)
The Romney Web site goes on to say his policy would "not give amnesty or any special pathway to those who have come to this country illegally." It also calls for following through on the congressionally authorized fence along the Mexican border, withholding federal funds from "sanctuary cities," cracking down on employers of illegal aliens, and encouraging legal immigration.
Well, he’s toast, then. On to Gomer Huckleberry.
Uh-oh, another anti-mormon bigot post.
Can you just not leave Myth Romney alone?
F Mitt. I’ll go for Huckleberry before I go for any “give illegals citizenship” candidate.
And Tancredo threw his support behind this guy. Heavens...
So, I wonder what cabinet post he promised Tancredo then for this support? This doesn’t jive at all with Tommy’s views.
ANTI-MORMON BIGOTRY!!!!!!
/do I really need it?
Huckleberry - the guy who said we must welcome illegal aliens with open arms to atone for our past sins with African immigrants?
I’m beginning to think that Tancredo might just have been off his head yesterday. The benefit of the doubt is becoming asymptotic.
That old touchback theory won’t fly Mitt, no matter how you try to spin it.
Fred needs to distinguish himself on this issue in the days ahead to move the social conservatives off the Huckster bandwagon. By doing so, he will also pick up some economic conservatives from Rudy, Mitt and McCain.
Tanc has hung his hat on an empty suit.
Yeah, what is up with that? I mean, seriously, Romney? I figured Thompson maybe, Hunter definitely, but Romney? The guy who hires illegals for lawn care, lies about knowing it, and continues to employ them even after its proven to him beyond a doubt? The guy who is cool with "sanctuary cities"? The guy who's on the record in times past as favouring amnesty, er, "a path to citizenship"?
Something smells here.
This is what Huckabee is saying on his website; compare it to what Romney said in the article:
Securing our borders must be our top priority and has reached the level of a national emergency.
I support the $3 billion the Senate has voted for border security. This money will train and deploy 23,000 more agents, add four drone planes, build 700 miles of fence and 300 miles of vehicle barriers, and put up 105 radar and camera towers. This money will turn “catch and release” into “catch and detain” of those entering illegally, and crack down on those who overstay their visas.
In this age of terror, immigration is not only an economic issue, but also a national security issue. Those caught trying to enter illegally must be detained, processed, and deported. As Governor, I ordered my state troopers to work with the Department of Homeland Security to arrest illegals and enforce federal immigration law.
I oppose and will never allow amnesty. I opposed the amnesty President Bush and Senator McCain tried to ram through Congress this summer, and opposed the misnamed DREAM Act, which would have put us on the slippery slope to amnesty for all.
I oppose and will not tolerate sanctuaries for illegals. The federal government must crack down on rogue cities that willfully undermine our economy and national security.
I oppose giving driver’s licenses to illegals and supports legislation to prevent states from doing so. In 2005, I signed legislation that prevents illegals in Arkansas from getting driver’s licenses.
I will stop punishing cities which try to enforce our laws and protect the economic well-being, physical safety, and quality of life of their citizens.
I oppose and will not tolerate employers who hire illegals. They must be punished with fines and penalties so large that they will see it is not worth the risk.
I oppose the economic integration of North America that would create open borders among the United States, Canada, and Mexico. I will never yield one iota or one inch of our sovereignty.
I will take our country back for those who belong here. No open borders, no amnesty, no sanctuary, no false Social Security numbers, no driver’s licenses for illegals.
Mitt is the establishment choice and you have just proven this by your list of endorsements. With his endorsement list, money and organization, he should have secured victory in all the early states by now. He hasn’t because we uneducated, uninformed voters think he is disingenuous at best.
Well, Thompson is supporting “aspirations of citizensip for illegals”.
LOL
Look on the bright side - at least the inventor of the fifty dollar abortion isn't getting the pro-life endorsements. The universe hasn't completely tipped its kedgeree.
Here is Huckabee’s specific plan:
The Secure America Plan
A 9-Point Strategy for Immigration Enforcement and Border Security
Overview: Implement a broad-based strategy that commits the resources of the federal government to the enforcement of our immigration laws and results in the attrition of the illegal immigrant population.
1. Build the Fence
Ensure that an interlocking surveillance camera system is installed along the border by July 1, 2010.
Ensure that the border fence construction is completed by July 1, 2010.
2. Increase Border Patrol
Increase the number of border patrol agents.
Fully support all law enforcement personnel tasked with enforcing immigration law.
3. Prevent Amnesty
Policies that promote or tolerate amnesty will be rejected.
Propose to provide all illegal immigrants a 120-day window to register with the Bureau of Citizenship and Immigration Services and leave the country. Those who register and return to their home country will face no penalty if they later apply to immigrate or visit; those who do not return home will be, when caught, barred from future reentry for a period of 10 years.
4. Enforce the Law on Employers
Employment is the chief draw for most illegal immigrants and denying them jobs is the centerpiece of an attrition strategy.
Impose steep fines and penalties on employers that violate the law.
Institute a universal, mandatory citizenship verification system as part of the normal hiring process.
Prevent the IRS and the Social Security Administration from accepting fraudulent Social Security numbers or numbers that don’t match the employees’ names.*
5. Establish an Economic Border
Move toward passage of the FairTax.
The FairTax provides an extra layer of security by creating an economic disincentive to immigrate to the U.S. illegally.
6. Empower Local Authorities
Promote better cooperation on enforcement by supporting legislative measures such as the CLEAR Act, which aims to systematize the relationship between local law and federal immigration officials.
Encourage immigration-law training for police. Local authorities must be provided the tools, training, and funding they need so local police can turn illegal immigrants over to the federal authorities.
7. Ensure Document Security
End exemptions for Mexicans and Canadians to the US-VISIT program, which tracks the arrival and departure of foreign visitors. Since these countries account for the vast majority of foreigners coming here (85 percent), such a policy clearly violates Congress’ intent in mandating this check-in/check-out system.
Reject Mexico’s “matricula consular” card, which functions as an illegal-immigrant identification card.
8. Discourage Dual Citizenship
Inform foreign governments when their former citizens become naturalized U.S. citizens.
Impose civil and/or criminal penalties on American citizens who illegitimately use their dual status (e.g., using a foreign passport, voting in elections in both a foreign country and the U.S.).
9. Modernize the Process of Legal Immigration
Eliminate the visa lottery system and the admission category for adult brothers and sisters of U.S. citizens.
Increase visas for highly-skilled and highly-educated applicants.
Expedite processing for those who serve honorably in the U.S. Armed Forces.
Improve our immigration process so that those patiently and responsibly seeking to come here legally will not have to wait decades to share in the American dream. Governor Huckabee has always been grateful to live in a country that people are trying to break into, rather than break out of.
Maybe publicly leave some Fred sized bootprints in the butt of Senator Hutchinson for pushing through the "Fence Elimination Act of 2007". Congress should be held up for ridicule for going in the opposite direction of the desires of the majority of the people. And then having a voice vote for it so they wouldn't leave fingerprints at the scene of the crime.
That’s what he says now that he’s running for president. If elected, will he stick with these campaign promises, or revert to form?
Leopards don’t change their spots.
It’s what he is saying now. Leopards don’t change their spots but politicians change thier positions. The disturbing thing about Romney is that he is basically saying that he WILL create a path to citizenship and he is saying that NOW. Forget him. Huckabee is the better choice if that is what it comes down to.
Perhaps Romney offered to pay off Tancredo’s campaign debt. I don’t know. It that were the case it would speak well of Tancredo’s desire to be responsible for his debt, but would certain perplex me as to his motives over the years.
Maybe you've heard this story:
An old man is driving down the highway one night when his cell phone rings. He answers and his wife says to him: "George, I just heard a report on the radio that a car is driving the wrong way on Rt. 97 and I just wanted you to see if you were OK!"
"One car?!" snorted the man, "Hell, all of these nuts are driving the wrong way!"
Maybe while you’re looking up the word “saw” in the dictionary to cover for your pathetic phony candidate, you can look up the word ‘aspire’, so you can stop making yourself look like the south end of a northbound horse all the time.
Yeah, but see WP? You and all the other proles are just too dumb to pick your own candidate, so *we* have to do it for you. Nevermind that the guy we've picked is not really all that conservative, and therefore doesn't jibe with the principles that we, the establishment conservatives, purport to hold. After all, principles are flexible - ask our guy Mitt. You and your out-dated notions of "principled stands" and "standing for what you believe in." Bosh! That's just crazy-talk for the religious yahoos and constitution nutballs. People like that are out-dated, behind the times, I mean, can you believe that anyone would actually believe in natural rights anymore? That man is inherently meant by his Creator to be free? Well, that's just talk for the yahoos. Some of us enlightened ones, Mr. Bork in particular, don't believe in all that rubbish. Why, Mr. Bork doesn't even believe in God, so why should he hold to your outdated nonsense about "principles" and "inalienable rights secured by the Constitution"? Mitt - he's our pick - he's flexible enough to do what he has to do or say to get elected. Sure, that may include tossing your "time-honoured" conservative principles into the garbage, but hey, you'll just have to compromise. If you don't, then you're just a dangerous ideological purist. Look we're all conservatives here, old man, but really, if holding to firm conservative principles means not supporting Mitt for the nomination, well, what is conservatism anywise, but a label? Apply it to anyone, and they'll be okay. So just go back to sleep, and let us pick your nominee for you, okay, old bean?
/
And tanc just endorsed this parsing specialist?
Good F’n grief.
Signed by 84 leaders of Immigration Enforcement Groups!
In reaction to Jim Gilchrist's (Co-Founder of Minutemen) lone endorsement of pro-amnesty Presidential Candidate Mike Huckabee:
We, the undersigned, state that our organizations stand against racism and Amnesty for illegal aliens. Instead, we stand for the enforcement of our existing immigration laws, the securing of America's borders, and attrition enforcement.
We have dedicated our efforts to fighting illegal immigration and we are compelled to warn the American public about the immigration stance and record of Presidential Candidate Mike Huckabee.
We denounce Jim Gilchrist's solo endorsement of a pro-amnesty and Open Borders candidate for President. Mr. Gilchrist does NOT speak for us!
Mike Huckabee is pro-amnesty and favors a "path to citizenship" for illegal aliens currently in the US, which would require a lifting of the current penalties.
Mike Huckabee is against ICE raids and decried them in his home state, when illegal aliens were arrested at companies that financially support his campaigns.
Mike Huckabee supports benefits for illegal aliens such as taxpayer subsidized in-state tuition.
Governor Huckabee also favors a "touchback" provision, which we feel is a trick to confuse voters. He would have illegal aliens leave for a day, pick up new papers, and then reenter the US LEGALLY, which is not the back of the immigration line! He has stated that illegal aliens could leave and "You do have a pathway to get back here legally that would take days, maybe weeks, not years."
Mike Huckabee supported Comprehensive Immigration Reform Amnesty that failed in the US Senate and was rejected by a large majority of Americans. He stated that those who opposed the legislation are "driven by racism or nativism."
Mike Huckabee has distorted the goals of "attrition enforcement" and the positions of Mark Krikorian by adding visa expansions, expedited visas, and "touchback", which would counteract enforcement measures.
In truth, Mike Huckabee's stances on the illegal immigration issue are out of line with the vast majority of Americans.
SIGNED
William Gheen
Americans for Legal Immigration PAC
http://www.alipac.us
Ron Woodard
NC Listen Border Project
www.nclisten.com
Peter Gadiel
9/11 Families for A Secure America
www.911fsa.org/
Dan Sheehy
Author of "Fighting Immigration Anarchy: American Patriots Battle to Save the Nation"
www.FightingImmigrationAnarchy.com
RUSSELL LANDRY
Citizens Against Illegal Aliens
groups.msn.com/CitizensAgainstIllegalAliens/
Danny Smith
American Freedom Riders
www.americanfreedomriders.com/
Wanda Piety
Save America Fund
www.saveamericafund.com
Brook Young
Immigration Watchdog
www.immigrationwatchdog.com
Andy Ramirez
Friends of the Border Patrol
www.friendsoftheborderpatrol.com
Sandra Beene
Co-founder TX Minutemen
www.txminuteman.org
Hal Washburn
MCDC Washington State
www.minutemanhq.com
Allen Taylor
Hoosiers for Secure Borders
www.hoosiersforsecureborders.com
Jack McDermott
Pennsylvanians Against Illegal Immigration
Joseph L. Ray
MCDC Chapter Leader
www.minutemanhq.com
Jeff Wilson
Report and Deport
www.reportanddeport.org
S. Byron Gassaway
Rescue Without Borders
www.rescuewithoutborders.org
Melissa Gardner
Let Freedom Ring America
www.lframerica.com
Michael Apple
Minutemen Civil Defense Corps.
California-North Bay Chapter
www.minutemanhq.com
Johnny Tex
Johnny Tex and the Texicans
www.johnnytex.com
Gianluca Zanna
Co-Founder Mohave County Minutemen
www.mohaveminutemen.com
Ruthie Hendrycks
Minnesotans Seeking Immigration Reform
www.mnsirproject.com
Steve Hampton
Protect Our Borders
www.protectourborder.net
Hayward Vickery Jr.
US Border Watch
www.usborderwatch.com
Michael Franks
Former Texas State Republican Executive Committee Member.
Former Political Director, Texas Republican Liberty Caucu
Teela Roche & Mark Thies
South Carolinians for Immigration Moderation
Margaretann Bianculli
Greater Farmingville Citizens' Association
Bill Strong
CHOICE
www.choice.flashbit.us
Jon Healy
TechnoPatriots
www.technopatriots.com
Wally McCormick
Utah Minuteman
Phyllis Sears
Citizens Council on Illegal Immigration
www.cciiwc.com
Barb Coe
California Coalition for Immigration Reform
www.ccir.net
Daniel Smeriglio & Andrew Woodring
Voice of the people U.S.A
www.voiceofthepeopleusa.com
Bob Cox
www.patriotsborderalliance.com
Patriots Border Alliance
Steve Salvi
Ohio Jobs & Justice PAC
www.ojjpac.org
Bob Baker & Leon Donahue
Washingtonians For Immigration Reform
www.wfir.org
Michael A. Jackson
Government for the People
www.votemj.com
Tony Dolz
U.S. Congressional Candidate (California 30th District)
MCDC California
www.dolz.com
Carl Braun
State Leader MCDC- CA
Dan Amato
Digger's Realm
www.diggersrealm.com
Jeff Schwilk
San Diego Minutemen
www.SanDiegoMinutemen.com
Joe Turner & Chelene Nightingale
Save Our State
www.saveourstate.org
Conner Collier
V.P. of U.S. Border Watch
www.usborderwatch.com
Joe & Barb McCutchen
Arkansas Freedom
www.arkansasfreedom.com
A. B. Flanagan, III
KeepItAmerican.Biz
www.keepitamerican.biz
Jan Herron, Columnist
Magic City Morning Star
Robert M. Copley Sr.
Colorado Minutemen
www.sovereigntycolorado.com
Burr Deitz
New York Constitution Party
www.nyconstitutionparty.com
Paul Streitz
CT Citizens for Immigration Control
www.ctcic.net
Janie McCormick
Constitution Coalition
Saul Lisauskas
Stopp SPP & NAU
www.StopSPP.org
Frosty Wooldridge
Author & Paul Revere Riders
www.frostywooldridge.com
Kathy McKee, founder/chairman
Protect Arizona NOW
www.pan2004.com
Lupe Moreno
Latino Americans for Immigration Reform (LAIR)
www.latinoamericans.org
Ted Hayes
Los Angeles Activist
www.tedhayes.net
Nedd Kareiva
Stop the ACLU Coalition
www.stoptheaclu.org
Peter B. Gemma
columnist, Middle American News
www.manews.org
Paul & Jo Separk
The MidNight Writers
http://groups.myspace.com/saynotothenau
Frank Jorge
Antelope Valley Independent Minutemen
www.avimm.com
Ron Bass
United Patriots of America
www.UnitedPatriotsOfAmerica.com
Michael Kelley
NC Voice
www.ncvoice.info
Duane Smith
Nevada Action Coalition
www.nvaction.com
Mark Edwards
Founder of Unite to Fight 1 & 2 and Wake Up America
www.thewakeupamerica.com
Scott DiBenedetto
Pahrump Minutemen
www.pahrumpminutemen.com
Theresa Harmon
Tennesseans for Responsible Immigration Policies
www.TnRIP.org
Susan Smith
Nebraskans Advisory Group
www.nebraskansadvisorygroup.com
Jim Ludwick
Oregonians for Immigration Reform
http://www.oregonir.org
Robert R. Galbreath Jr.
Citizens for a Constitutional Republic
www.citizensforaconstitutionalrepublic.com
George Gush
Boycott State Farm Insurance
www.boycottstatefarminsurance.com
Jim Palmer
Buy Direct USA
www.buydirectusa.com
Chris Davis
America in Danger
www.americaindanger.com
Michael Williams
Border Hawks
BorderHawks.org
Chris Simcox
Minuteman Civil Defense Corps
Co-Founder of the Minutemen
www.minutemanhq.com
Walter Adams
PA Minutemen State Director
www.paminutemen.com
Joseph Ureneck
Massachusetts Citizens for Immigration Reform
Mike Vanderboegh
Alabama Minuteman Project
Dennis Murphy
Nebraska Minuteman Civil Defense Corp
www.nebraskaminuteman.com
Marvin Steward & Deborah Courtney
Minuteman Project Inc
Michael Strauss & John Loucome
LaPorte County Illegal Immigration Taskforce
Edward & Cynthia Kolb
Desert Visions
www.desertvisions.us
Doug Roy
Kentuckians for Immigration Reform and Enforcement
www.kfire.us
Michelle Dallacroce
Mothers Against Illegal Aliens
www.mothersagainstillegalaliens.org
Hal Netkin
Watchdog America
www.WatchdogAmerica.com
Col. Albert F. Rodriguez
You Don't Speak For Me
www.dontspeakforme.org
Steve Hampton
Protect Our Border
www.protectourborder.net
source: http://www.alipac.us/ftopict-94112.html
And this:
Illegals foes reject nod to Huckabee
By Jerry Seper
The Washington Times
12-13-2007
(Excerpted, click here to read the rest)
Minuteman co-founder James Gilchrist's endorsement of presidential candidate Mike Huckabee has spurred a backlash among illegal-immigration opponents who say the former Arkansas governor is soft on immigration enforcement.
"Mike Huckabee is pro-amnesty and favors a path to citizenship for illegal aliens currently in the U.S. that would require a lifting of current penalties," said William Gheen, whose 25,000-member Americans for Legal Immigration sent mass mailings yesterday to more than 300 pro-enforcement groups.
"Huckabee has released an immigration plan that contains the deceptive 'touch back' provision that the pushers of amnesty tried on us in Washington this year," he said. "He wants to trick the nation by having illegal aliens leave for a day to pick up new papers at an office set up across the border and then walk right back."
(snip)
Bob Wright, who heads the Patriots' Border Alliance, another Minuteman splinter group, said although Mr. Gilchrist helped move the issue of illegal entry into the U.S. "to it's rightful place on the national stage," his endorsement of Mr. Huckabee "is at best disturbing."
"While I believe it is possible for a professional politician to change his mind on a subject as he becomes more informed, I have serious doubts that is the case with Huckabee," Mr. Wright said. "His past rhetoric about the goals of Minutemen everywhere has been vicious — parroting the tired and discredited foolishness that an American citizen's desire to see the law enforced is somehow racist or xenophobic."
(snip)
And this:
Real Minutemen Do Not Endorse Huckabee
No National Minuteman Group has endorsed Mike Huckabee.
One individual Minuteman has personally endorsed him.
For the sake of clarity, it is important to note that the Minuteman
Civil Defense Corps (MCDC), the nation's largest Minuteman organization,
is a 501(C)4 non-profit organization and cannot and does not endorse any
candidate for public office. MCDC is not associated with Mr. Jim
Gilchrist, who today endorsed Mike Huckabee for president.
Jim Gilchrist’s erstwhile Minuteman Project is itself an organization
which by its own representations as a non-profit civic group cannot
legally endorse candidates. It does not have any volunteers who observe
illegal border activity. It has no border fence building projects. Jim
Gilchrist here speaks only for Jim Gilchrist, he does not speak for the
Minuteman Civil Defense Corps, nor is he nationally representative of
most patriots in the "Minuteman movement" – who under no circumstances
could ignore the failed record nor endorse the duplicitous “plan”
recently rolled out by candidate Mike Huckabee. The national media needs
to recognize that Jim Gilchrist’s endorsement is his own personal
statement, nothing more.
The Minuteman Civil Defense Corps emphasizes policy dealing with
national border security. The only "plan" to ensure border security that
is acceptable to our constituency would be a candidate policy statement
declaring that his first act as President will be to hold a press
conference and announce to the American people an executive order to
immediately deploy and fund 30,000 National Guard personnel to the U.S.
Borders (25,000 to the southern border and 5,000 to the northern border)
to complement a massive increase in U.S. Border Patrol Agent field
personnel, and a bilateral effort to secure our frontiers, smash the
drug cartels, shut down the human smugglers and protect the public
safety of the citizens who reside along the borders on both sides of our
national boundaries.
Unlike this last-minute opportunism attempted by Huckabee, many of the
other GOP presidential candidates have actually helped push the issue of
national border security forward for some time. Tom Tancredo’s many
years of hard work on the border crisis and illegal immigration issues
have all the candidates striving to sound like him. Duncan Hunter can
take personal credit for getting the highly effective San Diego border
fence built. Ron Paul has been to the border with us first hand and
aggressively pushed positive border legislation. Alan Keyes has done
more than anyone to support the organizational development of MCDC, and
personally participated in the Minuteman Border Fence Groundbreaking –
advancing a citizen’s construction effort which has forced Congress to
finally get the Feds building physical border fence.
Only one Minuteman group is conducting regular multi-state border
security efforts, building fence and aggressively monitoring Washington
DC: Minuteman Civil Defense Corps. We would like to extend an invitation
to all the presidential candidates, Republican and Democrat, to come to
the border and see what is really happening on our nation’s frontier.
Not to take the safe little government photo-op helicopter ride, but see
the lay-up sites full of trash and debris. See the rape trees. See the
violent crime in the border towns. Walk on the pathways of destroyed
environmental terrain trampled by tens of thousands of invading foreign
migrants. See what the American elites’ support of broken borders,
unfettered illegal immigration and sanctuary cities is doing to our
fellow Americans who live on our borderlands, and how these failed
policies imperil our nation’s safety, security and prosperity.
With your support MCDC continues to make Border Security and Illegal
Immigration a national priority that must be resolved. Now more than
ever we need your help to continue the fight.
OK my friends, I think this will do it -now spread my words far and wide!
Volunteer NOW - Donate NOW!
*YOU can make a REAL DIFFERENCE*. So, for your sake, for the sake of
your children, your grandchildren, and for generations to come, *please
help MCDC* continue its fight to protect and preserve the United States
of America and defend our Constitution.
Sincerely for these United States,
Chris Simcox, President
Minuteman Civil Defense Corps
More at Hot Air
Sure he is. By telling them to go home, get to the back of the line, and come back in the legal way.
Next, please.
First of all, it's not a direct quote, so don't use quote marks.
Secondly, Thompson's approach to such "aspirations" is for them to go home and get in line behind the folks who've played by the rules. I can live with that, how about you?
Romney is a man of Wall Street and big business. That’s all you need to know to know how he will come out on immigration. He will say anything to get elected, and then try to craft a plan that he will call a compromise, but which will have the end result of allowing all that cheap labor to stay. This is just a window into his thinking in an unscripted moment.
What’s the difference who is the best among the weakest on border security? My conscience is clear..........I’m voting for Hunter.
Reminds me of an old Indian saying: White man with pretty hair speak with forked tongue.
Thanks for the info. I had never actually looked at Huckabee’s website before but it looks like pretty conservative stuff. Romney talked about a path to citizenship just a few days ago, so as far as I’m concerned he can jump in a lake and let the illegals save him.
The fact Romney convinced Tancredo speaks volumes to me on this issue.
...at least until his landscaping is complete
They are optimists. Yes, Romney might do what he promised them. But I prefer people whose track record gives you better than a hope they will do what they promise.
I think that a lot of prominent conservatives are going Romney because of his looks and his voice. He looks and sounds better than any of them. But Fred Thompson would be a better choice to lead this country.
Do I see a trend here?
Romney N.E.
Hillary N.E./South
Clinton South
Carter South
Paul South
Rudy N.E.
Bush 1 N.E./South
Bush 2 N.E./South
Obama N.E.
Thompson South
Huckabee South
How come all our presidents and top tier candidates are from the South or the North East? Who decided that? We out here in fly over country are getting tired of politicians from the South and N.E. deciding what happens in our homes. Most of them have never been here. Maybe that’s why Reagan ‘got it’. We’ve had a long stretch of no representation. I want my turn.
Reagan California West.............Why don’t we try that again?
DUNCAN HUNTER 2008!!!! IT’S ABOUT TIME!
I’m all for it. You win... ;-)
Unfortunately for him, Romney didn't convince Tancredo's Iowa statewide campaign chairman - which is actually a much more salient endorsement, since this man is a big-shot in Iowa conservative circles. Tancredo himself, well, his endorsement of a pro-illegal candidate doesn't seem to be doing much to convince conservative voters for whom II is a big, big issue.
Talk to us after you've replaced "The Governator" and the two harpy Senators you keep sending back to DC.
That sounds pretty conservative.
(Huck must’ve had someone else write it for him.)
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