Posted on 07/04/2006 9:27:08 AM PDT by Nachum
California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger is "part of the problem" of illegal immigration into the United States.
That according to Rep. Tom Tancredo, a fellow Republican, who blasted Schwarzenegger's reluctance to secure the California-Mexico border with additional National Guard troops, despite such a request from President Bush.
Appearing on "The Big Story" on the Fox News Channel, the Colorado congressman and author of the just-released book "In Mortal Danger" was asked by host Julie Banderas, "What do you think about Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger not upholding the president's wishes?"
"I'm very disappointed in it, of course," responded Tancredo.
"Disappointed in the fact that you have a state where there's a lot of complaints, a lot of concerns, a lot of expenses that they are incurring as a result of massive numbers of illegal immigrants entering into them. In a way, if they won't help us solve the problem, then they're part of the problem, and I would say that Arnold Schwarzenegger is becoming part of the problem; because, frankly, when the state is offering a whole lot of incentives – in a way, social-service benefits and a number of other things that will entice people into the state – and then turns to the president and says, 'But I won't help you keep those borders secure,' well, then as I say, he's part of the problem."
The Golden State has already committed to sending 1,000 troops to the border, but rejected a White House request for 1,500 more to cover expected shortfalls in the numbers dispatched by Arizona and New Mexico.
Adam Mendelsohn, a spokesman for Schwarzenegger, pointed out California is leading all others in providing troops, and that shortfalls from elsewhere are not his state's responsibility.
"The governor is prepared to do whatever it takes to secure California's border," he said, "However, at the start of fire season, we cannot send troops to New Mexico and Arizona and other states when we already have 1,000 troops committed to this."
Tancredo also said the American public is clamoring for current immigration laws on the books to be enforced.
"It's what the people of this country want," he said. "They're asking their elected representatives and their senators to enforce the law, and all I want is for the Senate now to follow the House's lead in doing just that, and I want them to do so in a bipartisan fashion."
Since launching his book last week, Tancredo has appeared on Fox News' "Hannity & Colmes" and "Dayside," MSNBC's "The Situation with Tucker Carlson," CNN's Lou Dobbs and other major media.
On "Hannity & Colmes," Tancredo, who serves as chairman of the House Immigration Reform Caucus, came out swinging: "Mexico is aiding and abetting an invasion of this country," he said. "In fact, they are creating situations along that border, using their own military, to protect drug trafficking into the United States, pushing their own people into the United States for a variety of reasons. It is an invasion."
And on "Your World with Neil Cavuto," host Neil Cavuto even suggested Tancredo's strong track record on the immigration issue might propel him into the presidency: "Illegals coming into America are sure to be front and center in the next presidential election here. And Republican Congressman Tom Tancredo certainly knows it. He owns this issue. And straw polls show that, if he were to run for president, he just might well be president."
All Tancredo does is attacks Bush, Arnold and Republicans. He also called for Tom Delay to resign way back, when Democrats started to call for that. Some "fine conservative" Tancredo is.
Yeah - for liberal traits. All you do is attack the most conservative Republicans you can find. If it isn't Tancredo, it's Tom McClintock. One might surmise you despise any politician who exhibits any conservative trait whatsoever. That would certainly explain your unwavering support for Arnold.
Wrong. Most FReepers support Tancredo and his efforts to get the Congress to finally get serious about immigration reform. 83.5% of Freepers support HR4437. The US House voted in favor of HR4437, and a majority of Americans do not support amnesty and open borders.
Tancredo is a big disappointment to you because you're not a conservative and you don't understand what it means to be a conservative. Your support for a liberal like Arnold Schwarzenegger places you directly at odds with the conservative agenda.
If you want NG troops sent from other states, petition the federal government. Contact PresBush at the WH. Tancredo has no control over the NG, but as an American citizen Tancredo has every right to stand up and speak out. Its called free speech and political dissent.
Your statement is incorrect. I do NOT attack McClintock.
It's the ilk herd that does, ever since he started to support Arnold. The "fine conservatives" called him a sellout and worse. Now who is the real conservative?
Maybe Colorado doesn't border with Mexico while California does?
It's so simple, one wonders just how the heck you didn't catch it.
McClintock and Tancredo, to name two.
And who's the faux conservative? (Hint, he's running for Governor of CA)
American's from all walks of life publish books and go on book tours. They also appear on political talkshows too. Some Americans make movies for a living. I can name three Californians who made movies and later went into politics. Two were cosnervative Republicans by the anames of Ronald Reagan and George Murphy. One was a liberal Republican, Arnold Schwarzenegger. He still is a liberal.
>>>>> As someone pointed out, how come he is not criticizing the CO governor for not sending troops?
As I already posted, PresBush didn't ask for any NG troops to be sent from Colorado. If he had, Colorado Governor Bill Owens would have sent them. The troop request was for California, Arizona, New Mexico and Texas. Stop your whining.
It's so simple, one wonders just how the heck you didn't catch it.
California has sent the NG to its border with Mexico, maybe California doesn't share the NM and AR border with Mexico.
It's so simple, one isn't surprised you missed it.
SoCal ping
Misc ping
Tom Tancredo is a one-issue wonder. He will NOT be the next President of the United States. Can anyone actually name something he's actually done about illegal immigration except whine about it?
Reagan Embarrassment, your attempt to sucker folks into attacking Tancredo because of your instigation is truly transparent for those of us that know your deceit.
He wrote a book which he is now busy pimping. He has also tried to defeat fellow Republicans during recent elections.
He sure does.
Hey, nobody's perfect. He's still a solid conservative who deserves the support of this forum, though.
I guess Tancredo could've responded with a "no comment" or some variant thereof, but it looks to me as though he answered a direct question on the topic.
As is Tancredo's want, he gets headlines by running down Republicans and so the borderbots and Patsy leftovers slobber over him as the "last, best hope".
Well, Tancredo's powers of persuasion didn't permit him to get a whackjob (who was that? somebody- Jingleheimer Schmidt?) elected to Congress on a platform of spite.
Again, Tancredo shows that he flunked out of the Dale Carnegie school in the first week.
Tancredo wanted to see Delay resign, because it was time for Delay to hit the road. Delay was becoming a liability to the House GOP. Tancredo supported the head of the House Ethics Committee and fellow Colorado House member, Joel Hefley. Hefley has been MY Representative in the House for 20 years. Hefley is a good man and another solid Reagan conservative. He was forced out of his position as head of the House Ethics Committee, because Tom Delay didn't like Hefley DOING his job and investigating Delay's activities.
Tancredo happens to support PresBush on those issues were the President is doing his job. The WOT and cutting taxes being the main issues of support for Tancredo. On excessive spending, expansion of the federal bureaucracy and immigration reform, Tancredo doesn't support the President. Most conservatives don't support Bush on those three issues either.
Good points - I agree with your post entirely.
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