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.
Maria is the one who wears the pants in the family. I guess she sets policy too.
Give or take a few hundred million who expect ENFORCEMENT!!!
Bump
(Denny Crane: "Every one should carry a gun strapped to their waist. We need more - not less guns.")
Well, when Pravda West, err, the Los Angeles Times and Arnie are on the same page, I think it's safe to assume that a "comprehensive" "reform" package is what he's stumping for. I was just trying to employ that (always dangerous) sarcasm card!
As you imply, what has the Times, and the rest of the "moderate" establishment hyperventilating is that Hastert has decided to play offense on this. The only conceivable result of these town meetings in the South and West will be a loud, clear, sustained demand for "enforcement first", putting the kibosh on any sort of "amnesty by any other name" scheme.
Arnie's stance is readily understandable when you take a look at who is his best buddy from now until the elections -- Los Angeles Mayor Antonio "Mr. MEChA" Villariagosa. That's the mayor who was on a bullhorn during the illegal alien marches a couple months ago screaming to the crowd "NO ONE IS ILLEGAL." Arnie wants all the Mexican votes he can get (legal or illegal) because he is running against the Democrat Angelides who will also be trying to get all the Mexican votes too. If Villaraigsa is backing Arnie then Arnie will have to cater to all the illegal aliens to get on Mayor Villaraigosa's good side. The Mayor's main concern -- which he has made more than clear -- is for "his" people. (This Mayor always uses "we" "us" "our" "my people" whenever he refers to Mexicans, whether legal or illegal).
Both Arnie & Phil are courting the Latino vote. They are 16% of California voters. The only way they will pay attention to conservatives is if Art Olivier, the Libertarian for Governor, gets a significant amount of votes in November.
http://www.electArt.com
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