Utah race stirs calls for a deal on immigration

Houston Chronicle ^ | June 29, 2006 | Gebe Martinez

[Dane]

Utah race stirs calls for a deal on immigration After Bush ally scores a victory in GOP primary, one lawmaker pushes comprehensive bill

By GEBE MARTINEZ

WASHINGTON - With President Bush's immigration policy surviving fierce criticism in a Utah congressional race, lawmakers on both sides of the debate turned their attention Wednesday to finding a compromise on immigration legislation.

Those who oppose Bush's call for immigration reform — which includes a guest worker program and legalization opportunities for millions of illegal immigrants along with tougher border security — saw five-term Rep. Chris Cannon, R-Utah, survive a tough primary challenge after allying with Bush on the issue.

Cannon defeated businessman John Jacob 56 percent to 44 percent on Tuesday after Jacob, an opponent of Bush's immigration plan, tried to make the race a referendum on the issue. Most House Republicans want a bill that calls only for tougher enforcement of immigration laws.

Cannon's victory was celebrated by Rep. Mike Pence, R-Ind., who discussed with Bush and Vice President Dick Cheney on Wednesday his plan to tighten borders first and then leave room for consideration for other immigration programs.

He proposes that after two years, illegal immigrants would have to go home briefly to have their backgrounds and job status checked before being allowed re-entry to the United States. The Senate bill does not require most of the 12 million illegal immigrants to go home.

Pence said Cannon's victory indicates that "those of us who are calling for tough border security measures in some kind of a comprehensive bill can know that we're standing on a sure foundation of support among Republican voters."

White House spokesman Tony Snow, noting Cannon's win, said Americans want comprehensive reform. "The president remains determined to get all of the pieces addressed at once in legislation, and not to do it piecemeal, but to have comprehensive reform," he said.

But Rep. Tom Tancredo, R-Colo., who formed a group that targeted Cannon for defeat, said the primary nonetheless showed that immigration is a tough election-year issue. "If it takes the president's participation in a safe Republican district to get elected, he's got a lot of work cut out for him," Tancredo said.

House Majority Leader John Boehner of Ohio declined to say whether House Republicans would compromise their "enforcement only" stance for "enforcement first."

And House leaders said Cannon's win adds no momentum in the House to Bush's immigration policy. "The vast majority of our conference believes that strengthening our border, securing it and enforcing our laws are critical steps in the process of cleaning up the problem that we have," Boehner said.

[Dane]

Actually I supported Jacob before your archenemies Tancredo-Buchanan.

I wished you had all stayed out of Utah politics

Uh where is your condenmnation of tancredo/buchanan.

Yes bay buchananis is LDS, but she was born and raised Catholic(per her brother and MSNBC star pat).

BTW, why is it that "staunch" Catholic's and Mormon's as the buuchanan team(pat and bay) hate(per their writngs and political campaigns) hate Hispanics, which goes against the teachings of their Churches.

[AmishDude]

My contention is that it is shocking how little immigration figures in races. I would even contend that it did not play a role in the Bilbray race.

Democrats and liberals actually oppose it. Most Republicans support some sort of reform and it's only the demagogues like Tancredo® that scare off some GOP members.

The fact is, almost no Democrat is credible on the issue of immigration and almost every Republican is, because at the very least Republicans are law-and-order.

And unless the Tancredoites can manage to nominate a challenge candidate who is not -- how should I put this? -- insane, they will look even more fringe than they really are.

[colorcountry]

Don't ask me. As I said, the first time I ever had anything to do with Bay Buchanan or Tom Tancredo was at the Utah GOP Convention, and they were backing Merrill Cook (whom I can't stand.)

Since reading your posts on FR about Buchanan/Tancredo, I did a little research and found out Buchanan was a Mormon.

And futher, just in case you ever wanted to know, I am married to an Hispanic and carry an Hispanic surname, my children are Hispanic, my DIL was born in Guatemala and is a citizen. I hate illegal immigration!

[colorcountry]

I wished you had all stayed out of Utah politics

Uh where is your condenmnation of tancredo/buchanan.

It would be included in the first sentence...wish you had all (meaning all you all, who are not from here) lol

[Dane]

Don't ask me. As I said, the first time I ever had anything to do with Bay Buchanan or Tom Tancredo was at the Utah GOP Convention, and they were backing Merrill Cook (whom I can't stand.)

Since reading your posts on FR about Buchanan/Tancredo, I did a little research and found out bay uchanan was a Mormon.

And futher, just in case you ever wanted to know, I am married to an Hispanic and carry an Hispanic surname, my children are Hispanic, my DIL was born in Guatemala and is a citizen. I hate illegal immigration!

Ok we have found out you can't stand Merrill Cook(who "good" Mormon bay buchanan initially supported) and then that went down the toilet, you decide to support the other tancredo/bay buchanan candidate.

I'll say one thing, you buchananites really seem to despise good Mormons, such as Chris cannon.

I know, I know, you colorcountry are a MINO(Mormon in name only, as it seems as bay buchanan, IMO), but let's be honest here, you all were going to use LDS doctrine as the basis of your bucchanite doctrine defeat.

And IMO, that's dispicaple, kinda of like the liberals who spew their venom and hate at Pope Benedict XVI for his opposition to abortion and homosexual marriage.

Looks like some are trying to get away as fast as they can from the tancredo/buchanan PAC(i.e election plague).

[AmishDude]

Funny thing: I have failed to find any post from on on this race before mid June, even though you first signed up here in Nov. 2004.

Certainly you let noone know of your convictions re: Cook or Jacob.

[colorcountry]

You can't see the Utah board, I assume. If you can, go there and look.

[colorcountry]

colorcountry	05/15/2006 8:47:32 AM MDT
Delete this message
The Republicans did it! We forced Chris Cannon into a primary. The Republican State Convention was held Saturday, May 13, at the Sandy Convention Center. The race for Utah's Congressional Destrict 3 was contentious and closely watched. The first round of voting eliminated Merril Cook with 22% of the vote IIRC. John Jacobs garnered 36% and Chris Cannon holding on to 42%. The second round of voting secured most of the first round Cook votes for John Jacobs who ended up with 52% to Cannon's 48% (If I remember correctly.) So we will see a Primary between Jacobs and Cook...all gloves are off now, and I expect to see a lot of lobbiest money (millions) to roll into the Cannon coffers. Another issue that was narrowly defeated was a Republican Party amendment "power grab" that would have given County Repubs the power to "appoint" delegates rather than having delegates elected in neighborhood caucases. The "grassroots" almost lost it's fight to "big influence." Now is the time to get involved and save the Utah GOP....don't wait until it's too late.
Paulus Invictus	05/09/2006 9:37:36 AM MDT
You should include every company now building hundreds of homes in the St. George area. Most of their employees are illegals. One of the largest builders is the one doing the homes in Sun River. If one were to visit Sun River and yell: "Cuidado, aqui viene La Migra!" hundreds of Mexican illegals would run. My take: build the border wall now and then begin a process of deporting the illegals. If we don't, the republic is toast.

[AmishDude]

colorcountry 04/05/2006 9:06:34 AM CDT

I am a delegate to the State Republican Convention in May. Would anyone care to give me their input on how I should vote? It looks like Chris Cannon my have valid opposition. I think Orrin Hatch is probably a 'sure' bet. Opinions?

Yeah, I can see the Utah board: You did not make any post touting Cook at all. In fact, it seems your convictions were late in forming.

[sanjacjake]

Colorado and immigration is a farce....I think the
Presidnt has the right idea...if Repubs. go on and
make the ("Wilson-CalGov.) mistake..the future will
be for Democrats to dominate..with the Black and
Latino vote..what will 2012 look like? The MSM and
cable all will be for the easiest way out..but there
is none... has to be some concessions made..with 12-
15 million families involved, with citizens (brth), and
illegals??? Jake

[colorcountry]

I've outlined, (if you've read my posts) about meeting with the candidates during my tenure as caucas delegate. I've also stated that my support initially was for Cannon, but after meeting with him and doing research, I found myself squarely in Jacobs corner.

Check my posts, it will check out. Or do you want to continue trying to make me out as a tancredoite. Go ahead, if it makes you feel good.

[Dane]

JMO, per reply #69 of this thread, it looks like someones vote was up for sale(oh I don't know, maybe could, it be color country's), and john jacob did have the funds to provide it.

[AmishDude]

There is no indication in your posts anywhere that you supported anyone before Jacobs' second-place finish except at that post, where your only indication of your opinion was you were glad that Cannon was pushed into a runoff -- you didn't seem to care about the person who would run against him.

These may have been your opinions, but you didn't see fit to share them with anyone.

[Antoninus]

You are quite the Sinon.

Yeah, let's bring that Trojan horse with the word "amnesty" painted on it into the city. What could possibly happen?

[colorcountry]

Yeah, you noticed too that I was asking for highest bidder.< /sarc>

I was asking for opinions from my fellow Utah Freepers. Is there something wrong with that? There is only one Freeper who knows me personally. Freepmail him (Utah Binger) and ask him if my vote could be purchased.

Oh well, it doesn't do any good to be honest with the two of you. You have formed your opinion and will do whatever it takes to make it stick.

[batter]

OK gang, here are my bets on Dane:

1. He pulls the race card on any intellectual challenges
2. He attacks peoples religion (calling them bad Mormons and Catholics etc) when they don't agree with him on immigration 3. He is heavily involved and invested in Hispanic issues and is likely in Utah.

Knowing some of some of the Hispanic-issue lobbyists in Utah and their actions my bets are that Dane is:

Tony Yapias
OR
Marco Diaz

[colorcountry]

LOL Dane as Tony Yapias...that is too funny?

[rudy45]

What exactly is your position on illegal immigration? Why do you seem reluctant to address the distinction between legal and illegal immigration?

[Reaganwuzthebest]

My contention is that it is shocking how little immigration figures in races. I would even contend that it did not play a role in the Bilbray race.

We'll see how important it is in those districts. Some of the House hearings are going to be held in them.

[batter]

Here's a good example of what I was referring to:
BTW, why is it that "staunch" Catholic's and Mormon's as the buuchanan team(pat and bay) hate(per their writngs and political campaigns) hate Hispanics, which goes against the teachings of their Churches.

Two birds with one stone - race and church (again, Dane's racist charge is focused on 'Hispanics' rather than any illegal - Birkers4Bush nailed it in post#22). Lovely.

BTW, I'm being somewhat serious when I put forth Diaz's name as Dane (I would give it a 50/50 chance).