Strayhorn says state has responsibility to immigrants

Houston Chronicle (AP) ^ | Aug. 16, 2005 | AP Staff

[The_Victor]

Immigrants, legal or otherwise, come to Texas to "put a roof over their heads" and Texas has a responsibility to provide them education and health care once they are here, Republican gubernatorial candidate Carole Keeton Strayhorn told a conservative GOP group today.

In a week when the governors of Arizona and New Mexico declared states of emergency for counties along their border with Mexico, citing the "ravages and terror" caused by illegal immigration, Strayhorn took a conciliatory tone on the same issue. But she also said the state needs help from the federal government.

"I sympathize with those coming over who want to put a roof over their heads," Strayhorn told the Greater Houston Pachyderm Club. "We can't turn them away from the hospital steps."

Strayhorn, the state comptroller who is challenging incumbent Gov. Rick Perry in the March 2006 primary, made her remarks in response to questions from club members who wanted to know if she would be willing to take similar steps as those taken by New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson and Arizona Gov. Janet Napolitano.

"We have to protect our borders from terrorists," Strayhorn said, noting that federal law requires states to provide education and health care to immigrants.

A spokesman for Perry agreed.

"The governor has and will continue to remind the federal government that border security is a federal issue, not a state issue," spokesman Robert Black said. "The state will do what it can and help in any way, but this is a federal issue."

Strayhorn, in taking a welcoming tone to immigrants from Mexico, is trying to find voters outside the traditional Republican primary-voting base, which is made up of conservative voters, said Bob Stein, political scientist at Rice University.

"There's a reasonable policy position on (illegal immigration), but it doesn't overlap with the passion" of GOP primary voters, Stein said.

Stein also theorized that Strayhorn, in search for campaign dollars, is unwilling to take a close-the-border stance and alienate large homebuilders and highway construction companies who use immigrant labor and contribute heavily in Republican politics.

The GOP challenger, whose prepared remarks excoriated Perry again for what she called a lack of leadership for the Legislature's failure to pass a school funding bill, pledged to make education the focus of her administration.

But Black noted that Strayhorn said she would issue a school finance plan last year.

"It's time for her to unveil her secret plan," he said.

Asked if she would "at least" do away with bilingual education, Strayhorn, a former school teacher and school board member, said that while total immersion in English is effective, "these kids go home to parents who speak Spanish."

"I can't make a blanket statement that bilingual education is bad," she said, adding that she favors school-based community programs that teach the whole

[kittymyrib]

The much-married big-mouth McClellan-Keaton-Rylander-Strayhorn is just a repainted Democrat underneath, just like LOTS of our Texas officials are. They are NOT conservatives but put on the Republican coat to get elected.

[judgeandjury]

"I sympathize with those coming over who want to put a roof over their heads," Strayhorn told the Greater Houston Pachyderm Club.

Illegal aliens had roofs over their heads in their home countries before they came to the United States.

[Itzlzha]

Immigrants, legal or otherwise, come to Texas to "put a roof over their heads" and Texas has a responsibility to provide them education and health care once they are here, Republican gubernatorial candidate Carole Keeton Strayhorn told a conservative GOP group today.

Gee Dane...I guess Strayhorn and Fox must REALLY make you damp!

Let's try a little experiment...let's see if a few words changed can make this gobbledygook more sensible...

ImmigrantsBank Robbers/Rapists/Murderers/Drug Dealers, legal or otherwise, come to Texas to "put a roof over their heads" and Texas has a responsibility to provide them education and health care once they are here, Republican gubernatorial candidate Carole Keeton Strayhorn told a conservative GOP group today.

Yup...still makes PERFECT sense...better stop locking your doors, Dane...some Immigrant, legal or otherwise, might just want some of what you have in your home...can't deny them that, right?

[Dane]

Actually if I lived in Texas I wouldn't vote for Strayhorn in the primary.

She's a RINO.

[PAR35]

Carole Keeton Strayhorn must be insane!

You left out McClellan-Rylander.

[Txsleuth]

I know you are busy with the H.O.T. thread about the protest, but you have GOT TO READ THIS ARTICLE!!

[Lancey Howard]

Immigrants, legal or otherwise, come to Texas to "put a roof over their heads" and Texas has a responsibility to provide them education and health care once they are here, Republican gubernatorial candidate Carole Keeton Strayhorn told a conservative GOP group today.

Wow. Kiss that sick scumbag Strayhorn "goodbye".

[cpdiii]

Bye Bye Carol Strayhorns political future, it is over baby! :)

[Abcdefg]

What is Kinky's opinion?

[Sweetjustusnow]

How quaint. Another Bush family friend. Ah yes, the pungent smell of RINO.

[The_Victor]

What is Kinky's opinion?

Kinky probably thinks we should return Texas to Mexico.

[wardaddy]

Moonbat for Governor.

[politicalwit]

Immigrants, legal or otherwise, come to Texas to "put a roof over their heads" and Texas has a responsibility to provide them education and health care once they are here, Republican gubernatorial candidate Carole Keeton Strayhorn told a conservative GOP group today.

Did she just crap in her campaigin' pants or what?

[upchuck]

"I sympathize with those coming over who want to put a roof over their heads," Strayhorn told the Greater Houston Pachyderm Club. "We can't turn them away from the hospital steps."

So, Ms. Strayhorn, you're saying you sympathize with criminals? How about the guy that robbed the convenience store the other evening? He a criminal just like the invaders from Mexico. Do you sympathize with him, too?

[brytlea]

I have a fabulous idea. Any of us who just need a roof over our heads etc should just show up at Strayhorn's home. I'm sure she will let us squat there!
Sheesh, this is getting totally ridiculous. Is there not a single politician who is not willing to sell out for a few votes?
susie

[Sen Jack S. Fogbound]

She is way to the LEFT RINO! I'm not real thrilled with Perry but I will vote for him in a heartbeat over Strayhorn!

We DO NOT OWE then ANYTHING who comes into our country ILLEGALLY!

Now GROW UP, Strayhorn! This is Texas, dammit!

[anymouse]

This is a Republican??????

That is open to debate. See this FR thread:

McClellan Letter Attempts to Defend Mom (TX Comptroller, Carol Keeton McClellan Rylander Strayhorn)

[Dante3]

Some Republican politicians can be classified as traitors, corrupt, and/or mentally unbalanced.

[Ron H.]

This is a Republican??????

Unfortunately this is what has been passing for Republicans ever since the Democraps found that they could no longer get elected even dog catcher in the state of Texas. They found that by changing party affiliations they easily get elected by large margins instead. Doesn't say much for some Texans does it!

[devane617]

Holy crap Carole! This is a joke right?