Schwarzenegger concerned about border plan - Schwarzenegger sounds conciliatory note

AP on Yahoo ^ | 5/18/06 | Thomas Watkins - ap

[NormsRevenge]

SAN DIEGO - Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger sounded more conciliatory Thursday toward President Bush's plan to send 6,000 National Guard troops to the Mexican border, but the governor's advisers said he still has not decided whether to participate.

"If that will help to prevent people from coming across the border for right now, then we are more than happy to join in and to help temporarily," Schwarzenegger said. "But it definitely should not be a permanent solution."

Schwarzenegger is concerned that California Guardsmen will be caught up in an open-ended mission on the border that could drag beyond the two years the president has promised and leave California with much of the bill.

Schwarzenegger aired his concerns in a telephone call with Secretary of Homeland Security Michael Chertoff on Wednesday but was not satisfied with the answers.

The governor on Thursday appeared to go out of his way to praise Bush for proposing a plan on illegal immigration.

"I'm not here just to criticize the plan because I am happy that finally they woke up and that they say yes, something has to be done about it," Schwarzenegger said.

But he again questioned how the plan would work.

"I think they will realize that the 6,000 men are not enough, that it is too much of a distance, that they need probably 50,000 or so," he said.

He also said he thought the Guard would wind up being there longer than two years.

"I think they have to come up with a different solution," Schwarzenegger said. "So there's a lot of things to discuss and work on."

Schwarzenegger's tough questioning has been somewhat unusual for a Republican governor. Texas Gov. Rick Perry, also a Republican, has embraced the plan, as has Arizona Gov. Janet Napolitano, a Democrat. New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson, also a Democrat, has been more critical.

___

Associated Press Writer Laura Kurtzman in Sacramento contributed to this report.

[onyx]

I knew he'd have to back peddle.
He should have keep quiet.

[KurtZ]

I think he just wants to see how low his poll numbers can go.

[NormsRevenge]

California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, left, talks with Major Gen. William Wade II, the Adjutant General of the California National Guard, right, during a briefing on possible guard troop deployment along the border with Mexico, at the Capitol in Sacramento, Calif., Tuesday, May 16, 2006. Wade, accompanied by Col. David Baldwin, third from right, and Capt. Ty Shepard, were among the members of the National Guard assisting Wade in outlining the National Guards capabilities in fulfilling President Bush's plans to deploy National Guard troops along the border with Mexico to stem the flow of illegal immigrants. (AP Photo/Rich Pedroncelli)

[kellynla]

If RINOld were truly concerned about the border he could have called out the CA NG years ago...just like GWB.
The only two things that upsets me is that the Guard will not be actually "Guarding" the border and Bush only called up 6K...we could use 60K...and a wall. :-)

[pterional]

It amazes me how our politicians change their positions based on how the wind blows. I thought Arnold said earlier this year to close the borders? He has been back peddling since that statement. Why is it that when people assume positions in government they become schizophrenic????

[RS]

" I thought Arnold said earlier this year to close the borders? He has been back peddling since that statement. "

?

Just how does a disagreement over how to accomplish it turn into back-peddling on the idea that it should be done ?

Turning the National Guard into a force that is guaranteed to send everyone who signs up for a year or so patrolling in our southern desert is a sure way to end enlistments.

Using the National Guard as a permanent military border patrol is a dumb idea on many levels.